Articles and Research
Carrier Oils
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)
Microorganisms
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Carrier Oils
Most essential oils must be diluted before application, and to accomplish this, a carrier oil is often used. Carriers are generally cold pressed vegetable oils made from the fatty portions of plants. Unlike essential oils, carriers are innocuous and nonvolatile. This unique characteristic of the carrier allows the essential oils to be carried over large areas of …
Microorganisms
The foot of the average human male is host to three million bacteria in each toe web alone (Aly & Maibach, 1977). This comes to roughly 15 million bacteria per foot, 30 million bacteria per person, and that’s merely on the feet. Not only are bacteria ubiquitous, but their affinity for evolution, coupled with speedy replication rates allows bacteria to …
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
Myrrh or Commiphora myrrha has an extensive history compelling most to consider it a remedy of antiquity. Ancient sources of the Sumerian inscriptions, the Ayurvedic texts, the Chinese texts, and the Egyptian inscriptions all describe its medicinal applications (Michie, 1992). The papyri of Egypt dating back to 1,500 BC provide the most detailed accounts of myrrh used for …
Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)
Helichrysum, also called Everlasting or Immortelle, is a member of the asteraceae or Daisy family. One of the constituents of helichrysum is chamazulene, which is deep blue in color. According to Stewart, chamazulene is anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory and nourishing to the skin. Stewart also prizes helichrysum for its ability to chelate or remove heavy metals such as mercury out of the …
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
Cypress oil is distilled from the leaves and wood of the cypress tree. Cypress oil has been used historically for incense, perfume, embalming, and for the circulatory system. Hypocrates recommended cypress as a treatment for severe hemorrhoids with bleeding (Battaglia, 2002). Numerous textbooks on aromatherapy indicate that it is commonly used successfully to treat hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Young (2005) …
Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
The history of tea tree oil or Melaleuca alternifolia is extensive. As a native Australian plant, it is believed to have been widely used by the Bundjalung Aborigines of northern New South Wales for its medicinal properties (Hammer, Carson, & Riley, 1999). With a limited distribution and its affinity for swampy conditions, this plant is difficult to harvest in its …
