Aug 30 2010
Three Reasons to Love Geraniol
Palmarosa is high in geraniol. The current batch we have contains 75%.
What is so great about geraniol?
- It is cooling. When you make a spray with an oil high in geraniol (try palmarosa) and spray it on the back of you neck on a hot summer day, the relief comes fast! You can also try a cool palmarosa lotion after your shower.
- It is antifungal. I know that fungus is not as much fun to talk about as palmarosa lotion, but if you are dealing with a fungus, palmarosa is your oil. Not only will it help to calm the fungus but it will nourish the skin around the fungus too.
- It is anti-inflammatory. We all know that when you reduce inflammation, you reduce pain. Enough said?
Do you have a favorite palmarosa recipe you can share?
In 2007, a study by Sleep Foundation found that three out of ten women reported only getting a good night’s sleep a few times a month. For many women the frequent trips to the restroom and a solid handful of anxiety in the evening leaves them feeling tired in the morning.
Avocado oil (Laurus persea or Persea gratissima) is highly penetrating. It deeply nourishes and softens dry skin. It prevents chapping, cracks and stretch marks. It promotes cell regeneration (great with Helichrysum essential oil), is used for skin inflammation and used to clean the skin. I like to wash my face with warm water and a small amount of Avocado oil. It is also used as a carrier for arthritis pain blends. Avocado oil adds a vibrant green color to your blend!
Baobab oil (Adansonia digitata). The Baobab Tree is a traditional African tree whose seeds make an oil that is luscious and has a wonderful nutty aroma. The oil is deeply nourishing and softens dry skin. It is known to restore and re-moisturize the epidermis. I like to use it in blends for relieving Eczema and Psoriasis. Alleviates pain from burns and regenerates epithelial tissue quickly, especially when you add Lavender essential oil to it.
Cocoa butter (Theobroma nucifera) Cocoa butter is a beautiful, hard, solid aromatic butter pressed from the roasted seeds of the Cacao tree in West Africa It is highly protective of our skin and adds an incredibly silky texture to body butters. It contains about 5 IU of vitamin E per ounce and improves skin flexibility and health. Cocoa butter is particularly praised for its antioxidant properties. It is commonly used to treat wrinkles around the eyes and corners of the mouth.
Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera) has a fresh coconut aroma. It is moisturizing and serves as a protective layer, helping to retain the moisture in your skin. Coconut oil is mild and generally safe for people with inflamed, irritated and sensitive skin. It is used for nail and cuticle treatment, fungus treatment and for healing for dry, itchy skin. It adds a tropical aroma to your body butters, and blends beautifully with Cocoa Butter.
Kombo butter (Pycnanthus anglensis) offers many wonderful benefits for our skin. I like to melt it with other butters like shea butter and cocoa butter for a rich, aromatic, healing body butter. Kombo butter is anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and antiseptic. It is used with essential oils for aching joints and muscles and for dry or irritated skin conditions. Kombo butter is high in Myristoleic acid. Myristoleic acid is used to treat pain in the muscles and joints for arthritis and gout.
Kpangnan butter (Pentadesma butyracea) is pronounced “Panya.” I have found this butter to be even more moisturizing than shea butter and has a slight warming effect on the skin when applied. Studies have found that Kpangnan contains a high amount of stigmasterol, an unsaturated plant sterol that contains anti-inflammatory and pain relieving agents. For a solid butter the texture is softer than expected and it adds a luscious feel to body butters. The aroma is gentle and nutty.
Marula oil (Sclerocarya birrea) is a wonderful golden carrier oil with a very light aroma (nice for people who do not want a strong aroma). It can be used on its own for massage or as a great base for essential oils or butter blends. It protects and nourishes the skin and is good for oily skin and hair. Relieves dermatitis, eczema and Psoriasis. It helps heal sunburns and heals chapped/irritated skin.
West African Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii) is obtained by cold pressing of the fruit of the Karite tree. Shea butter is known as an excellent moisturizer. It assist dryness, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and burns. Shea is used as a lip balm, salve base, and moisturizer for all dry skin conditions. It is also used for sun-damaged skin and for long-term health of the skin.
Tamanu oil (Calophyllum inophyllum), extracted from the fruit of the tree, is renowned for its remarkable skin healing properties. It greatly aids wound healing of severe cuts and burns. It acts as an effective germicide to kill or prevent infection. It is used for shingles and skin ulcers. Tamanu oil’s ability to heal damaged skin is well researched. Tamanu oil promotes new tissue formation, accelerating healing and healthy skin growth. It is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal.
Palm kernel oil (Elaeis guineensis) is amazing. The aroma alone is rich, nutty, and unique. It lends a smooth texture to all body butters, soaps and salves. It is wonderfully emollient and has cooling properties. It prevents dry hair and lips and us used as a nail and cuticle treatment. Good for healing for dry, itchy skin. It softens and lubricates the skin.
Don’t be scared by a name that sounds like a chemical. Essential Oil chemicals are naturally within the plants. Chemical components in essential oils give the oils natural therapeutic effects. Terpinen-4-ol is a great example. Oils rich in terpinen-4-ol are great for dealing with infection and helping to support the immune system.
Guroo Farms Distillery is a group of certified organic farmers and distillers, with 550 acres of certified organic farm area. They are located in the Tarai area of Uttranchal, which is one of the most fertile belts in India in the foothills of Himalayas.
The main essential oils produced by this farm are lemongrass, peppermint and citronella. Their two chemotypes of lemongrass are derived by steam distillation of cymbopogon citratus. The peppermint is derived from steam distillation of Mentha Arvensis, and the Citronella is steam distillation of Cymbopogon nardus grass. They also work with other local farmers to distribute vetiver and other spice oils such as basil and rosemary.
Tamanu : The oil is made from the Calophyllum inophyllum tree. The harvested fruits are crushed to extract the nuts. The nuts are then sun-dried for eight weeks. During this time, the nuts turn brown and lose a third of their original weight. Inside their oil content becomes very high. Tamanu Oil does not exist in the fruit when it falls from the tree but forms during the drying period. Once dried, the oil is extracted from the nuts by cold pressing. Tamanu oil’s ability to heal damaged skin is well researched. The oil is notable for treating scars, stretch marks (fades stretch marks with great results), minor wounds, skin irritations, rashes, bedsores and many other skin concerns.
