The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (18 page)

OTHER SPECIES Several varieties according to location which are all used to produce oils with slight variations in their constitiuents; for example the African oil is generally darker. Another member of the same family, galangal
(Alpinia officinarum)
, is also known as ginger root or Chinese ginger.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION Ginger has been used as a domestic spice and as a remedy for thousands of years, especially in the East. Fresh ginger is used in China for many complaints including rheumatism, bacterial dysentery, toothache, malaria, and for cold and moist conditions such as excess mucus and diarrhoea.

It is best known as a digestive aid, especially in the West: in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia it is specifically indicated for flatulent intestinal colic. Preserved and crystallized ginger is a popular sweet, in the East and West.

ACTIONS Analgesic, anti-oxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitussive, aperitif, aphrodisiac, bactericidal, carminative, cephalic, diaphoretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative, rubefacient, stimulant, stomachic, tonic.

EXTRACTION Essential oil by steam distillation from the unpeeled, dried, ground root. (An absolute and oleoresin are also produced for use in perfumery.)

CHARACTERISTICS A pale yellow, amber or greenish liquid with a warm, slightly green, fresh, woody-spicy scent. It blends well with sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, frankincense, rosewood, cedarwood, coriander, rose, lime, neroli, orange and other citrus oils.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS Gingerin, gingenol, gingerone, zingiberine, linalol, camphene, phellandrene, citral, cineol, borneol, among others.

SAFETY DATA Non-toxic, non-irritant (except in high concentration), slightly phototoxic; may cause sensitization in some individuals.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE

CIRCULATION, MUSCLES AND JOINTS:
Arthritis, fatigue, muscular aches and pains, poor circulation, rheumatism, sprains, strains etc.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
: Catarrh, congestion, coughs, sinusitis, sore throat.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
: Diarrhoea, colic, cramp, flatulence, indigestion, loss of appitite, nausea, travel sickness.

IMMUNE SYSTEM
: Chills, colds, ’flu, fever, infectious disease.

NERVOUS SYSTEM
: Debility, nervous exhaustion.

OTHER USES The oleoresin is used in digestive, carminative and laxative preparations; used as a fragrance component in cosmetics and perfumes, especially oriental and men’s fragrances; extensively employed in all major food categories, alcoholic and soft drinks.

Citrus x paradisi

FAMILY Rutaceae

SYNONYMS C.
racemosa, C. maxima var. racemosa
, shaddock (oil).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION A cultivated tree, often over 10 metres high with glossy leaves and large yellow fruits, believed to have derived from the shaddock (C.
grandis).

DISTRIBUTION Native to tropical Asia, and the West Indies; cultivated in California, Florida, Brazil and Israel. The oil is mainly produced in California.

OTHER SPECIES C.
paradisi
is a recent hybrid of C.
maxima
and C.
sinesis.
There are many different cultivars; for example, ‘Duncan’ is standard in Florida.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION It shares the nutritional qualities of other citrus species, being high in Vitamin C and a valuable protection against infectious illness.

ACTIONS Antiseptic, antitoxic, astringent, bactericidal, diuretic, depurative, stimulant (lymphatic, digestive), tonic.

EXTRACTION Essential oil by cold expression from the fresh peel. (Some oil is distilled from the peel and remains of the fruit after the juice has been utilized, but this is of inferior quality.)

CHARACTERISTICS A yellow or greenish mobile liquid with a fresh, sweet citrus aroma. It blends well with lemon, palmarosa, bergamot, neroli, rosemary, cypress, lavender, geranium, cardomon and other spice oils.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS Limonene (90 per cent), cadinene, paradisiol, neral, geraniol, citronellal, sinensal, as well as esters, coumarins and furocoumarins.

SAFETY DATA Non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic. It has a short shelf life – it oxidizes quickly.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE

SKIN CARE:
Acne, congested and oily skin, promotes hair growth, tones the skin and tissues.

CIRCULATION, MUSCLES AND JOINTS:
Cellulitis, exercise preparation, muscle fatigue, obesity, stiffness, water retention.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Chills, colds, ’flu.

NERVOUS SYSTEM:
Depression, headaches, nervous exhaustion, performance stress.

OTHER USES Employed as a fragrance component in soaps, detergents, cosmetics and perfumes. Extensively used in desserts, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Bulnesia sarmienti

FAMILY Zygophyllaceae

SYNONYMS Champaca wood (oil), ‘palo santo’.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION A small, wild tropical tree up to 4 metres high, with a decorative hard wood.

DISTRIBUTION Native to South America, especially Paraguay and Argentina. Some oil is distilled in Europe and the USA.

OTHER SPECIES Distinct from guaiac gum and guaiac resin, known as guaiacum, obtained from related trees
Guaiacum officinale
and G.
sanctum.
However, they are somewhat similar products and share common properties.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION The wood is much used for ornamental carving. It was formerly used for treating rheumatism and gout; guaiacum is still current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a specific for rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis. Valnet includes guaiacum in his ‘elixirs’ for gout, venereal disease and in mouthwashes.

ACTIONS Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antirheumatic, antiseptic, diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative.

EXTRACTION Essential oil by steam distillation from the broken wood and sawdust.

CHARACTERISTICS A yellow, amber or greenish, soft or semi-solid mass with a pleasant, tearose type fragrance and sometimes an unpleasant smoky undertone. It blends well with geranium, neroli, oakmoss, rose, costus, sandalwood, amyris, spice and woody-floral bases.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS Guaiol (42–72 per cent), bulnesol, bulnesene, guaiene, patchoulene, guaioxide, among others.

SAFETY DATA Non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE

CIRCULATION, MUSCLES AND JOINTS
: Arthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis.

OTHER USES The fluid extract and tincture are used in pharmacology, mainly as a diagnostic reagent in blood tests. Used as a fixative and fragrance component in soaps, cosmetics and perfumes.

Helichrysum angustifolium

FAMILY Asteraceae (Compositae)

SYNOYNMS Immortelle, everlasting, St John’s herb.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION A strongly aromatic herb, up to 0.6 metres high with a much-branched stem, woody at the base. The brightly coloured, daisy-like flowers become dry as the plant matures, yet retain their colour.

DISTRIBUTION Native to the Mediterranean region, especially the eastern part and North Africa. It is cultivated mainly in Italy, Yugoslavia, Spain and France.

OTHER SPECIES There are several other
Helichrysum
species such as
H. arenarium
found in florist shops and
H. stoechas
which is also used to produce an absolute.
H. orientale
is grown for its oil.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION In Europe it is used for respiratory complaints such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and whooping cough; also for headaches, migraine, liver ailments and skin conditions including burns, allergies and psoriasis. Usually taken in the form of a decoction or infusion.

ACTIONS Anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitussive, antiseptic, astringent, cholagogue, cicatrisant, diuretic, expectorant, fungicidal, hepatic, nervine.

EXTRACTION 1. Essential oil by steam distillation from the fresh flowers and flowering tops. 2. An absolute (and concrete) are also produced by solvent extraction.

CHARACTERISTICS 1. A pale yellow to red oily liquid with a powerful, rich honeylike scent with a delicate tealike undertone. 2. A yellowy-brown viscous liquid with a rich, floral, tealike scent. It blends well with chamomile, boronia, labdanum, lavender, mimosa, oakmoss, geranium, clary sage, rose, Peru balsam, clove and citrus oils.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS Nerol and neryl acetate (30–50 per cent), geraniol, pinene, linalol, isovaleric aldehyde, sesquiterpenes, furfurol and eugenol, among others.

SAFETY DATA Non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE

SKIN CARH:
Abscess, acne, allergic conditions, boils, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, inflammation, spots, wounds etc.

CIRCULATION, MUSCLES AND JOINTS
: Muscular aches and pains, rheumatism, sprains, strained muscles.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
: Asthma, bronchitis, chronic coughs, whooping cough.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
: Liver congestion, spleen congestion.

IMMUNE SYSTEM
: Bacterial infections, colds, ’flu, fever.

NERVOUS SYSTEM
: Depression, debility, lethargy, nervous exhaustion, neuralgia, stress-related conditions.

OTHER USES Used as fixatives and fragrance components in soaps, cosmetics and perfumes. The absolute is used to flavour certain tobaccos; used for the isolation of natural anethole.

Humulus lupulus

FAMILY Moraceae

SYNONYMS Common hop, European hop, lupulus.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Perennial creeping, twining herb up to 8 metres high, which bears male and female flowers on separate plants. It has dark green, heart-shaped leaves and greeny-yellow flowers. A volatile oil, called lupulin, is formed in the glandular hairs of the cones or ‘strobiles’.

DISTRIBUTION Native to Europe and North America; cultivated worldwide, especially in the USA (California and Washington), Yugoslavia and Germany. The oil is mainly produced in France, UK and Germany.

OTHER SPECIES Related to the common stinging nettle
(Urtica dioica)
and to the fig
(Ficus carica).

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION Best known as a nerve remedy, for insomnia, nervous tension, neuralgia, and also for sexual neurosis in both sexes. It supports the female oestrogens, and is useful for amenorrhoea (heavy periods). ‘A mild sedative, well known in the form of the hop pillow where the heavy aromatic odour has been shown to relax by direct action at the olfactory centres … it is the volatile aromatic component that appears to be the most active.’
⁴²
It has also been used for heart disease, stomach and liver complaints, including bacterial dysentery.

In China it is used for pulmonary tuberculosis and cystitis. It is used to make beer. Current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a specific for restlessness with nervous headaches and/or indigestion.

ACTIONS Anodyne, an aphrodisiac, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, diuretic, emollient, oestrogenic properties, hypnotic, nervine, sedative, soporific.

EXTRACTION Essential oil by steam distillation from the dried cones or catkins, known as ‘strobiles’. (An absolute is also produced by solvent extraction for perfumery use.)

CHARACTERISTICS A pale yellow to reddish-amber liquid with a rich, spicy-sweet odour. It blends well with pine, hyacinth, nutmeg, copaiba balsam, citrus and spice oils.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS Mainly humulene, myrcene, caryophyllene and farnesene, with over 100 other trace components.

SAFETY DATA Generally non-toxic (narcotic in excessive amounts) and non-irritant; may cause sensitization in some individuals. Should be avoided by those suffering from depression.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE

SKIN CARE
: Dermatitis, rashes, rough skin, ulcers.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
: Asthma, spasmodic cough.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
: Indigestion, nervous dyspepsia.

GENITO-URINARY AND ENDOCRINE SYSTEMS
: Amenorrhoea, menstrual cramp, supports female oestrogens, promotes feminine characteristics, reduces sexual overactivity.

NERVOUS SYSTEM
: Headaches, insomnia, nervous tension, neuralgia, stress-related conditions.

OTHER USES Employed as a fragrance ingredient in perfumes, especially spicy or oriental types. Used in flavour work in tobacco, sauces and spice products, but mainly in alcoholic drinks, especially beer.

Armoracia rusticana

FAMILY Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)

SYNONYMS
Cochlearia armoracia, A. lapathifolia
, red cole, raifort.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION A perennial plant with large leaves up to 50 cms long, white flowers and a thick whitish tapering root, which is propagated easily.

DISTRIBUTION Its origins are uncertain, but probably native to eastern Europe. It is now common throughout Russia, Europe and Scandinavia.

OTHER SPECIES Possibly a cultivated form of
Cochlearia macrocarpa
, a native of Hungary.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION An extremely stimulating herb, once valued as a household remedy. Its action is similar to mustard seed and it was used for fever, digestive complaints, urinary infections and as a circulatory aid. Good for arthritis and rheumatism. It is still used as a condiment, especially on the Continent.

ACTIONS Antibiotic, antiseptic, diuretic, carminative, expectorant, laxative (mild), rubefacient, stimulant.

EXTRACTION Essential oil by water and steam distillation from the broken roots which have been soaked in water. (A resinoid or concrete is also produced by solvent extraction.)

CHARACTERISTICS A colourless or pale yellow mobile liquid with a sharp, potent odour and having a tear-producing effect.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS Allyl isothiocyanate (75 per cent), with phenylethyl isothiocyanate (which is only produced when the plant is bruised or crushed).

SAFETY DATA Oral toxin, dermal irritant, mucous membrane irritant. ‘This is one of the most hazardous of all essential oils. It should not be used in therapy either externally or internally.’
⁴³

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE None.

OTHER USES Mainly used in minute amounts in seasonings, ready-made salads, condiments and canned products.

Hyacinthus orientalis

FAMILY Liliaceae

SYNONYMS
Scilla nutans
, bluebell.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION A much loved cultivated plant with fragrant, bell-shaped flowers of many colours, bright lance-shaped leaves and a round bulb.

DISTRIBUTION Native to Asia Minor, said to be of Syrian origin. Cultivated mainly in Holland and southern France.

OTHER SPECIES Closely related to garlic
(Allium sativum)
, onion
(A. cepa)
and the wild bluebell
(H. non scriptus).
At one time bluebell essential oil was produced at Grasse in the south of France, which had a fresher and more flowery fragrance.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION The wild bluebell bulbs are poisonous; however, the white juice used to be employed as a substitute for starch or glue. ‘The roots, dried and powdered, are balsamic, having some styptic properties that have not fully been investigated.’
⁴⁴

ACTIONS Antiseptic, balsamic, hypnotic, sedative, styptic.

EXTRACTION Concrete and absolute by solvent extraction from the flowers. (An essential oil is also obtained by steam distillation from the absolute.)

CHARACTERISTICS A reddish or greeny-brown viscous liquid with a sweet-green, floral fragrance and soft floral undertone. It blends well with narcissus, violet, ylang ylang, styrax, galbanum, jasmine, neroli and with oriental-type bases.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS Phenylethyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate, eugenol, methyl eugenol and hydroquinone, among others.

SAFETY DATA No safety data available at present. Most commercial hyacinth is nowadays adulterated or synthetic.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE
NERVOUS
SYSTEM: The Greeks described the fragrance of hyacinth as being refreshing and invigorating to a tired mind. It may also be used for stress-related conditions, ‘in self-hypnosis techniques … and developing the creative right-hand side of the brain’.
⁴⁵

OTHER USES Used in high class perfumery, especially oriental/floral types.

Hyssopus officinalis

FAMILY Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

SYNONYM Azob.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION An attractive perennial, almost evergreen subshrub up to 60 cms high with a woody stem, small, lance-shaped leaves and purplish-blue flowers.

DISTRIBUTION Native to the Mediterranean region and temperate Asia; now grows wild throughout America, Russia and Europe. It is mainly cultivated in Hungary and France, and to a lesser degree in Albania and Yugoslavia.

OTHER SPECIES There are four main subspecies of hyssop, but
H. officinalis
is the main oil-producing variety. The species
H. officinalis var. decumbens
is less toxic than many other types, and well suited to aromatherapy use. To be distinguished from hedge hyssop
(Gratiola officinalis)
which is still used in herbal medicine but belongs to an entirely different family.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION Although hyssop is mentioned in the Bible, it probably does not refer to this herb but to a form of wild marjoram or oregano, possibly
Oreganum syriacum.
Nevertheless
H. officinalis
has an ancient medical reputation and was used for purifying sacred places, and employed as a strewing herb. ‘The healing virtues of the plant are due to a particular volatile oil.’
²⁶

It is used principally for respiratory and digestive complaints, and externally for rheumatism, bruises, sores, earache and toothache. It is also used to regulate the blood pressure, as a general nerve tonic, and for states of anxiety or hysteria. It is current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a specific for bronchitis and the common cold.

ACTIONS Astringent, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericidal, carminative, cephalic, cicatrisant, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hypertensive, nervine, sedative, sudorific, tonic (heart and circulation), vermifuge, vulnerary.

EXTRACTION Essential oil by steam distillation from the leaves and flowering tops.

CHARACTERISTICS A colourless to pale yellowy-green liquid with a sweet, camphoraceous top note and warm spicy-herbaceous undertone. It blends well with lavender, rosemary, myrtle, bay leaf, sage, clary sage, geranium and citrus oils.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS Pinocamphone, isopinocamphone, estragole, borneol, geraniol, limonene, thujone, myrcene, caryophyllene, among others.

SAFETY DATA Non-irritant, non-sensitizing; the oil is moderately toxic due to the pinocamphone content. It should be used only in moderation and avoided in pregnancy and by epileptics.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE

SKIN CARE
: Bruises, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, inflammation, wounds.

CIRCULATION, MUSCLES AND JOINTS
: Lowor high blood pressure, rheumatism.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
: Asthma, bronchitis,
catarrh, cough, sore throat, tonsillitis, whooping cough.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
: Colic, indigestion.

GENITO-URINARY SYSTEM
: Amenorrhoea, leucorrhoea.

IMMUNE SYSTEM
: Colds, ’flu.