General description

Palmarosa is a perennial aromatic grass with stiff, upright, yellow or yellow-green stems supported by a small but penetrating root system. When growing wild, the long and narrow-lanceolate leaves of this plant may attain 2.5 to 3.0 metres in height, forming rounded clumps measuring up to a metre across.

The essential oil content of the bright-green leaves varies along their length, with the very highest concentration of essential oil being found in the tops of the leaves which release a fresh, grassy rose-like aroma when crushed between the fingers. In India, the grass begins to bud during the latter part of August and flowers appear during October. Wild specimens may survive for 10 or 15 years, whereas plants cultivated for the extraction of essential oil remain productive around 6 to 10 years.

Palmarosa is now cultivated for the production of essential oil in Africa, Brazil, Comores, Indonesia, Java, Madagascar and the Seychelle islands, although India currently remains the largest single producer.

Traditional uses

In Ayurvedic medicine palmarosa is known as ‘Rohisha’, and both grass and roots are made into a decoction and taken internally to treat bronchitis, coughs and respiratory disorders, colitis, dyspepsia, fevers and jaundice. Externally, palmarosa grass is used in poultices to bring relief to lumbago, neuralgia, rheumatism, sciatica and spasms. The fresh crushed fragrant leaves are also added to bathwater to release the uplifting and intriguing perfume which soothes both tired mind and aching body.

It is unknown when or where the essential oil was first extracted from the plant, but when palmarosa essential oil eventually did reach Europe it was employed for its fragrance and skin enhancing properties in a wide range of soaps and cosmetics, and for many years it was also used as a flavouring in tobacco.

Harvesting and extraction

Indian palmarosa essential oil is mostly derived from wild plants growing in the forest regions which are harvested by hand in the traditional way. On the managed plantations harvesting may be conducted by hand or with a modern mechanical system that can cut, chop and load the plant ready for transportation directly to the stills.

The grass is cut around 6 to 9 centimetres from the ground and sometimes allowed to dry in the shade for up to 6 days to reduce its bulk for transportation. Palmarosa essential oil is extracted by hydro or steam distillation which produces a pale straw or olive coloured oil with a distinctive sweet, rosy-floral odour with subtle fruity, spicy and woody nuances. A good quality palmarosa oil is almost a perfume in itself, but the fragrance may be quite variable from origin to origin.

Aromatherapy uses

Palmarosa essential oil is a powerful antimicrobial that can out-perform tea tree as an antifungal, making it perfect to treat athlete’s foot and other stubborn fungal infections. The powerful anti-viral properties of palmarosa could also mean it is your best line of natural defence against Swine Flu, especially when blended with other antiviral oils such as Anise star (Illicium verum) and Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica).

Used in skincare, essential oil of palmarosa simply excels at keeping a healthy complexion. It balances sebum production, stimulates cellular regeneration, encourages elasticity, moisturises dry and mature skin, plus it effectively combats acne, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. All this, at a fraction of the cost of rose oil!

Used in massage palmarosa essential oil eases the pain associated with arthritis, rheumatism and general muscular aches, as well as cramps and gastric conditions. Due to its calming yet uplifting properties, palmarosa is valuable when treating emotional conditions such as anxiety, nervous exhaustion and stress.

Palmarosa oil is a middle note that blends well with basil, bergamot, cedarwood atlas and virginian, fennel, frankincense, geranium, lavender, lemongrass, linaloe wood, lemon, mandarin, neroli, orange, pine, rose, ylang ylang.

Browse Quinessence Palmarosa Essential Oil

Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2013. Written by Geoff Lyth

Ideally, yoga should be taught by trained experts to the beginner so that there are minimal risks of physical injury and torn muscles. Most gyms hold yoga classes as do YMCAs and free standing exercise classes.

Flexible benefits

One of the significant physical benefits is the increased flexibility that practitioners experience. Yoga positions act upon various joints and include many that are not included when you practice the more popular exercise routines.

Through increased flexibility and motion, the joints also increase the lubrication of the ligaments and tendons. In research that has investigated various yoga positions researchers have discovered that seemingly non-strenuous positions will act upon other parts of the body in an interrelated manner.

Yoga works with the body to improve toning of the muscles too. Muscles that have become flaccid or weak are stimulated with repeated motion and strengthening moves. Much of the movement that stimulates stretching and strengthening also improves the blood supply to the muscles and organs of the body. This additional blood supply helps to flush out toxins and provide nourishment to the cells.

Some of the other physiological benefits of yoga include stabilizing the autonomic nervous system and pulse rate through meditation; respiratory rate decreases, blood pressure decreases, cardiovascular function improves, dexterity skills improve and reaction time improves. People who practice yoga also find that their respiratory efficiency improves, their posture becomes more erect and their weight normalizes. People report better sleep habits, increased endurance and increased energy levels with a better integration of body parts function.

Increased awareness

Another benefit to the integration of yoga in your lifestyle as a form of exercise is found in the increased sense of awareness that the student begins to develop through regular practice. Practitioners are often able to detect subtle changes that indicate a developing health disorder or infection that enable them to take corrective and positive action more quickly.

Individuals who begin to practice yoga exercises also report that they have better moods and less mood swings. They also report better social adjustment, improved concentration, improved memory and better attention span. Practitioners find that their hostility decreases, their ability to learn improves and their depth perception also improves.

Yoga students also report further mental benefits that include a calmer more relaxed attitude that is carried with them throughout the day. Concentration on the body functions during yoga poses increases the ability of the practitioner to meditate and disengage their thoughts which helps to calm the mind. This also leads to greater reduction in stress and a reduced number of disorders that are related to stress such as anxiety and weight gain.

Aromatherapy and yoga

Although it may not seem obvious, aromatherapy is actually the perfect partner to yoga. Vaporizing essential oils throughout a session helps to create a beautiful relaxing mood ideally matched to the objectives of harmonizing mind, body and soul, as yoga was originally intended to do. Using essential oils during a session really does enhance and deepen the whole experience, taking it to a new level.

After practicing yoga, an aromatherapy bath or massage can really help to counter the effects of the work-out you’ve just had. Roman chamomile, black pepper, ginger, lavender and marjoram essential oils all help to soothe and relax tired muscles. Gentle as the movements and poses may appear, when practiced properly, yoga delivers a workout equivalent to anything you will find at the gym!

There are just so many, many benefits to practicing yoga for the mind and the body, and all of them help contribute towards improved health, flexibility and a calmer mind and spirit. Those who practice yoga find that they are able to maintain a normal weight with less effort and have less trouble with joint conditions such as arthritis.

Combine yoga together with aromatherapy, and you will introduce the absolute best of both worlds into your life! Check out or range of essential oils now so you can enhance your next yoga experience.

Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2013. Written by Sue Charles

In aromatherapy we have continued to maintain and support this association with rosemary essential oil, despite the usual ridicule and derision from doctors, researchers and other suitably qualified experts over the years. We’ve learned to be quietly patient and wait for research to catch up with what history has been teaching us all along.

The findings of a recent study presented at the British Psychological Society’s annual conference in Harrogate, United Kingdom, showed that inhaling rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. 1,8 cineol) extracted from the herb really does appear to enhance the ability to remember events and complex tasks.

In the study conducted at the University of Northumbria, the researchers tested 66 adults who entered one of two rooms; one room had no aroma and the other one had been diffused with rosemary essential oil. The participants then had their memory functions tested by attempting to find hidden objects, and by passing specified objects to researchers at particular times. All the tasks had to be performed without any prompting and participants also completed questionnaires assessing their mood.

The results showed that the subjects operating in the rosemary-scented room performed better on the memory tasks than those in the room with no aroma. The author of the study, Dr Mark Moss explained: ‘We wanted to build on our previous research that indicated rosemary aroma improved long-term memory and mental arithmetic.’

He continued, ‘In this study we focused on prospective memory, which involves the ability to remember events that will occur in the future and to remember to complete tasks at particular times this is critical for everyday functioning. For example when someone needs to remember to post a birthday card or to take medication at a particular time.’

The principal component of rosemary essential oil is the compound 1,8 cineol, and after analysing the participants’ blood significantly greater amounts of 1,8-cineole were present in the plasma of those in the rosemary scented room, suggesting that the influence of aroma was mediated pharmacologically. This supports other research that has shown that 1,8 cineol acts on the biochemical systems that underpin memory.

Co-author Jemma McCready said: ‘These findings may have implications for treating individuals with memory impairments. It supports our previous research indicating that the aroma of rosemary essential oil can enhance cognitive functioning in healthy adults, here extending to the ability to remember events and to complete tasks in the future.’

McCready added, ‘Remembering when and where to go and for what reasons underpins everything we do, and we all suffer minor failings that can be frustrating and sometimes dangerous. Further research is needed to investigate if this treatment is useful for older adults who have experienced memory decline.’

Since 1,8 cineol is the principal constituent in many other essential oils such as eucalyptus, it would be interesting to run this test again to comapare the results with rosemary oil. It may well be that there other constituents in rosemary that are responsible for the improvement of cognitive functioning, rather than 1,8 cineol.

Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2013. Written by Geoff Lyth

Head start

The scalp is a living organ that feeds your hair, so to have truly healthy hair obviously you must have a healthy scalp. Unfortunately, the scalp is often neglected and even abused which can eventually lead to dry and lifeless hair, dandruff, or even hair loss. Look after your scalp properly and your hair will be much easier to keep in good condition, thereby leaving those bad-hair days a thing of the past.

Unless your hair is extremely oily, washing your hair every day is not absolutely necessary and skipping a day or two between shampoos allows your scalps natural oils to penetrate individual strands of hair thereby keeping your hair soft and shiny, naturally. That said, dirt is attracted to hair shafts that are coated in perspiration and sebum, so you need to find a compromise according to your hair and lifestyle.

Go natural

When buying shampoo choose a good quality mild one that has a neutral ph balance, and does not contain harsh chemicals such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). You want to clean your hair and scalp without causing dry skin or damaging your hair, and these aggressive detergents are known to do this, and worse.

Choose a shampoo containing essential oils known to improve the condition of your hair and scalp, and if it also contains some nourishing botanicals or emollient oils then that’s even better. Alternatively, you can add your own choice of essential oils to a fragrance-free professional shampoo base and conditioner base to create a personalized hair cleansing routine that meets the requirements of your hair exactly.

Essential oils for hair

Essential oils really can work miracles on your hair because they improve the condition of your scalp as well as your hair. For example, oily hair is caused by over active sebaceous glands, and geranium essential oil can help to rebalance your scalps natural oil production when used on a regular basis.

Essential oils of cedar virginian, grapefruit, juniper berry, lemon, lime, and rosemary are all very good for combating greasy hair. Lemon, lime and rosemary essential oils makes a great blend therapeutically and fragrance-wise. Dry and damaged hair responds well to carrot seed, elemi, geranium, palmarosa, rosemary, sandalwood and ylang ylang essential oils. Oils you can use on normal hair include geranium, lavender, palmarosa, rosemary, and ylang ylang, and these all smell great too.

If you suffer from a dry, itchy scalp, essential oils of Roman chamomile, German chamomile, helichrysum, lavender, and yarrow can all help to calm and soothe itchiness as well as conditioning the scalp. Dandruff can be particularly stubborn to shift, but cedar atlas, bay leaf, juniper berry and tea tree can all help to alleviate this visibly embarrassing problem.

Cleansing and conditioning

Work your shampoo gently into the scalp massaging with your fingertips and avoiding scratching  with your nails since this can cause damage leading to things like dandruff and dry scalp. Massaging your scalp will increase blood flow, resulting in healthier hair and re-growth. After working the shampoo foam through your hair completely you should rinse thoroughly to get rid of all traces.

Next apply a quality hair conditioner containing nourishing botanicals and essential oils to condition and breathe life back into your hair. I should also add that a good conditioner prevents the tangles that can lead to split ends and damaged hair. Leave the conditioner on for at least 3 – 5 minutes to give the active ingredients a chance to work their magic, and then rinse off with cool water, since this helps seal the cuticles, prevents breakage and produces shinier, more manageable tresses.

Squeeze out the excess water from your hair and gently towel-dry your hair without rubbing too briskly with the towel since wet hair can be easily damaged. Combing through tangled hair whilst it is wet can also result in damage, so use a wide toothed comb and work through your hair slowly, separating tangles out with your fingers.

Drying

Allowing your hair to dry naturally is best, but the fact is most of us simply don’t have the time to do this, so using the lowest heat setting on your hair dryer is the next best thing. To avoid burning your scalp or damaging your hair keep the dryer moving continuously. To protect your hair if you use curling irons or other hot styling tools always apply a heat protecting spray, gel, or serum, to shield it from the intensive heat before styling.

Other than protection against the heat of styling, keep the use of holding gels, sprays and other products to a minimum since they can build up a residue on your hair which leaves it looking dull and lifeless. Sometimes this build-up can be difficult to wash out too, due to the waxes and silicones in them. Hair perms and colourants contain harsh chemicals that can put even further stress on your hair, so choose your products carefully and always seek expert advice before buying.

Abusing your hair can lead to all sorts of problems, including hair loss. So treat it with tender loving care – plus your essential oils – and you will be rewarded with a vibrant, luxuriant head of hair for many years to come.

Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2013. Written by Sue Charles

In this interesting excerpt from his book, Steward also includes quotes from 18 other physicians who likewise have concerns about modern drugs, their effects, and the way they are used. It makes very interesting reading, and is encouraging for for those of us who already question the wisdom of using drugs quite as  much as we do in the modern world, – especially when there are so many natural alternatives available such as aromatherapy.

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Why Essential Oils Heal And Drugs Don’t

If you tell most medical doctors that essential oils bring about healing with no negative side effects, they won’t believe you. This is because in medical school, students are repeatedly told by their professors that all effective medicines have negative side effects, and if they don’t then they can’t be effective.

When I was in medical school one professor emphasized this point in a colorful, graphic manner with specially prepared slides. In each slide specific drugs were depicted as evil looking demons or . . .

Read full article >

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Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2013. Written by Geoff Lyth

Plant description

Also known as knotted marjoram, Origanum majorana is a frost-tender perennial plant which can grow to a height of 60 centimetres (24 inches), with oval leaves and pale or dark pink-purple flowers. These flowers are small but plentiful and form in spiky clusters, blooming between June and September. It is a warm climate plant, preferring lots of sun and well-drained soil.

The whole plant is highly aromatic, exuding a pleasing peppery, warm and fresh fragrance of which Culpepper wrote ‘It helpeth all diseases of the chest which hinder the freeness of breathing’. The fresh and dried aromatic leaves have been used for centuries throughout the world as a condiment in cooking due to their spicy, pungent flavour.

Origins and folklore

Originating from the Mediterranean and North Africa, marjoram spread far and wide reaching Egypt around 2000 BC, according to early records. The Egyptians dedicated marjoram to the god of the underworld, Osiris, and it was used as a funerary herb as well as to produce unguents, medicines and even love potions.

The Greeks and Romans considered it the herb of happiness, dedicating it to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, fertility and beauty. Garlands of marjoram were placed on the heads of newly-weds as a symbol of love and honour. It was also employed as a funerary herb by the Greeks to promote restful peace for the deceased.

References to marjoram appear in Banckes’s Herbal, which is believed to have been the first ever herbal book printed in England in 1527. In this ground-breaking book it was reported that, ‘It hath vertue of comforting, of loosing, of consuming, and of cleansing.’ Sweet marjoram was recognised as a valuable medicine with antispasmodic, digestive, decongestant and sedating properties and would be used successfully until modern drugs replace its use.

Origins and extraction

Sweet marjoram is cultivated for the production of essential oil in Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Tunisia, Spain and more recently in the USA. In the south of France, harvesting usually takes place between August and September when the flowers are in full bloom. After collection, the herbage is dried for several days and the stems removed before charging the still.

Extraction is by steam distillation which produces a pale straw or yellow coloured essential oil with a warm and herbaceous, woody-spicy aroma with subtle backnotes reminiscent of tea tree, cardamom and nutmeg.

Aromatherapy uses

Used in aromatherapy, marjoram excels in massage for muscular aches and pains, muscle spasms, arthritis and rheumatism. It’s warming, soothing action brings almost instant relief to all muscle and joint conditions.

In common with most oils extracted from culinary herbs, it is effective for digestive problems, intestinal cramps and irritable bowel syndrome. Remember you must always massage in a clock-wise direction when treating anything to do with the digestive system. If you suffer with cramps during menstruation, try a hot compress with a few drops of sweet marjoram essential oil for quick relief.

Used as an inhalant oil it helps to clear sinuses and a stuffy head, as well as easing asthma, bronchitis and catarrh. A few drops on a tissue can really help to soothe a tickly cough due to its highly effective antispasmodic action. When used this way it also has a calming action on the nervous system, helping to dispel anger and stress.

Time to relax

Sweet marjoram essential oil is also an effective relaxant, and is therefore an excellent oil to use if you suffer from insomnia or have trouble winding down after getting into bed. Put a few drops in a warm bath before bedtime, and if you have a vaporiser try burning it in the bedroom before retiring. The warm and soothing fragrance is perfect to lull you into restful sleep. If you find you need something even stronger, blend it with Clary Sage for a truly relaxing experience.

Sweet marjoram oil blends well with a wide range of others including bergamot, black pepper, cedar atlas and virginian, roman chamomile, clary sage, cypress, lavender, myrtle, rosemary and all citrus oils. Be bold with your blending and go with your instincts because this is one aspect of aromatherapy that can only be learned by hands-on practice. Sweet marjoram is essential oil is great for adding a nice herbaceous, spicy note to any blend.

See Quinessence Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil

Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2003. Written by Geoff Lyth

Given our shared passion for aromatherapy, it seems a crime that we literally don’t have the time to ‘stop and smell the roses’, as the saying goes. If we did, we would see that cramming more and more into our daily lives doesn’t necessarily guarantee a more fulfilled existence, – it is far more likely to lead to illness. Sometimes a few basic changes in life can bring about the greatest rewards and results in the quest for good health.

Here are three simple tips that help create a solid foundation for your health and wellbeing.

The raw truth

It’s not very well known that heating food above 116°F (47° C) destroys much of its nutrient content. Just think about this. Most of us don’t eat enough vegetables in the first place, but when we do choose to eat them we usually we overcook them destroying the very life-giving properties we’re eating them for. This is not helpful in maintaining a healthy diet. Nutritionists recommend five portions of fresh vegetables per day, but how many of us are able to put this into daily practice? Not always easy, is it?

A great way to get the important nutrients found in fresh veggies without spending hours preparing and cooking them – or resorting to eating raw celery sticks – is to juice your veggies. Make sure that you own a good juicer (some juicers expose vegetables to heat created by friction during juicing, which breaks down important enzymes), grab some fresh vegetables and simply drink your way to good health. It takes a fraction of the time because there’s no cooking involved, and is so much more convenient because you can take your juice to work with you.

Wheatgrass in particular is an excellent source of nutrition. It’s high in chlorophyll which is sometimes described as ‘plant blood’ because it closely resembles human red blood cell molecules, and has over 100 elements that the body needs. Fresh grains are another excellent source for vitamins and minerals.

Exercise for more energy

For many of us exercise is a dirty word, but it doesn’t actually have to be particularly time consuming or mind-numbingly boring because there are plenty of options to choose from. Years ago, all that was usually available at gyms was a weight room and perhaps an aerobics class, whereas today you can choose from yoga, pilates, dance-exercise, step classes and a whole range of new workout options.

If you don’t really have the time or money for the gym, or prefer to spend your mornings or nights at home, simply invest in an exercise bike or treadmill and you’ll soon reap the rewards of your investment. You can set it up in front of the television and enjoy your favourite shows whilst getting fit. Perhaps you might like to join the hi-tech crowd of Wii Fit Plus enthusiasts and choose from a wide range of workouts such as yoga, aerobics, muscle toning etc to suit your personal preferences.

As many already know, if you are not physically fit and also unwell, it can be a mammoth battle to just do the most minimal amount of exercise in a day. The danger here is that inactivity will lead to further loss of energy, which becomes a self-perpetuating cycle until you can barely raise the energy to get off the couch.

The best way to get back into a physical routine is to start very slowly. For the first couple of weeks, walk or ride for just 5 minutes per day and no more, even if you think you could continue. When the 2 weeks are up, increase to 7 minutes, and then 10 minutes, 12 minutes… continue to increase your activity gradually until you’re at a level that you’re comfortable with.

As you progress, your body slowly but steadily begins to produce more energy to meet the demand, since it now recognizes the exercise as part of your new routine. This leads to more energy and stamina whilst burning up more calories. Exercise is a cornerstone of good health.

Art of relaxation

Now it’s time to pamper yourself and when it comes to relaxation, aromatherapy is the perfect solution – whether it is in the form of a massage or just simply enjoying the vaporized aroma of essential oils. Because of the unique way in which aromatherapy works, there are other far reaching benefits to be gained too.

It has been known for a long time that preventative measures go a very long way towards protecting the body against many types of illness. For example, relaxation gives the immune system time to recover, and in doing so it enables it to function much more efficiently.

Therefore, the relaxing and de-stressing influence of massage and essential oils together with their effect on the immune system makes aromatherapy the finest form of preventative medicine. The list of essential oils in the side-panel will help you to really relax and combat stress. The very best way that you can enjoy them is in a massage, so offer to swap massages with your partner or a friend if you can’t get an appointment with a qualified aromatherapist.

Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2013. Written by Sue Charles

Fortunately, several essential oils have been shown in clinical research to possess anti-viral and anti-infectious properties, making them perfect for killing the viruses outright as well as preventing them from spreading further. Considering there are up to 200 types of virus groups circulating at this time of year, you certainly need all the protection you can get.

Essential oils for the immune system

The immune system is the body’s very first line of defence against invasion by viruses, and quite often coughs, colds and influenza break through when your immune system is depleted and your body is more susceptible to attack. If you do become infected it is entirely up to your immune system to fight off the virus, and if your immune system is compromised it can take a long time to completely get over coughs and colds.

Immunostimulant essential oils can help build up your immune system, thereby strengthening your body’s defences against infection, which is extremely useful since antibiotics are unable to defeat viruses. Essential oils of bergamot, clove bud, German chamomile, niaouli, peppermint, patchouli, tea tree, and white thyme help to promote the production of lymphocytes and phagocytes (types of white blood cells) which are a crucial part of your body’s defence system.

Anti-viral essential oils

An extensive list of oils can be used during cold and flu epidemics to prevent germs from spreading whilst at the same time helping to ease coughs and colds. Essential oils of anise star, eucalyptus, origanum, palmarosa, ravensara, tea tree and white thyme in particular are powerful antivirals that can be used in a multitude of ways to offer protection.

If a member of the family is suffering from a cold you can help prevent it spreading by purifying the air with an appropriate oil in an essential oil diffuser at home. An ounce of prevention really is better than a pound of cure! To protect yourself further you can also use these antiviral essential oils to make up personal antiviral hand-wipes which you can carry with you to use after handling surfaces, telephones, computers, and especially door-handles in public places.

Decongestant essential oils

The decongestant and soothing properties of essential oils are highly effective at clearing a stuffy nose and easing tickly coughs. Fill a large bowl with almost boiling water and add 3 or 4 drops of basil, eucalyptus, silver fir, frankincense, peppermint or pine essential oil. A particularly effective decongestant blend is 1 drop each of basil, peppermint and silver fir essential oils.

Lean over the bowl and breathe slowly and deeply for a few minutes until things begin to clear. If required, replenish with fresh hot water and further drops of essential oils and repeat the process. A towel can be placed over the head to help direct the vapours.

An irritating tickly throat or a feeling of tightness in the chest (especially during the night whilst laid in bed) can be helped with a blend of sandalwood and frankincense essential oils. Use them as above, or in a vaporiser placed at the side of your bed for a soothing and comforting effect on the bronchial passages to assist you getting a good night’s sleep.

Essential oils for a sore throat

The first signs of a cold can often be a sore throat, and gargling with hot water and a pinch of salt has traditionally been the remedy. For a powerful bug-busting gargle, add 1 drop of tea tree and 1 drop of ravensara essential oils to your glass of warm salt-water mix. Stir the mixture vigorously to break up the droplets of essential oil, take a small mouthful of the mixture and gargle for about thirty seconds, then spit it out.

Repeat the process several times, stirring the mixture repeatedly, and for maximum effect you should use this treatment every 4 hours. Replace the ravensara with white thyme essential oil for an even more powerful blend, but use no more than 1 drop and mix it well before use.

Essential oils for the bath

A hot bath infused with 6 drops of tea tree oil helps you to ‘sweat it out’, and adding ravensara or white thyme essential oil to the bath will produce a great anti-viral synergy. Thyme is a very powerful and effective essential oil against coughs and colds, but use no more than 2 drops in a bath or it may irritate the skin if it is not dispersed properly. To help with dispersion add a capful of bath base dispersant first to make sure that all the essential oils distribute evenly, and do not use more than 8 drops of your chosen essential oils in total.

All of the essential oils listed in the sidebar can be vaporized, added to a hot bath, gargled or even inhaled directly from a tissue or handkerchief for protection and soothing relief. When you inhale any oils from a tissue you need only 2 or 3 drops at a time, and breathe slowly and deeply for the best results.

Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2013. Written by Geoff Lyth

The key to consistently good health therefore lays in having an optimised immune system which is working at full strength, at all times. However, the immune system may become weakened by outside forces which can have an impact on both the physical and emotional systems, thus bringing about a condition known as immuno-deficiency.

When this happens, the body becomes far more susceptible to these invading germs since it is now working at a greatly reduced level of efficiency. If this situation is not addressed quickly, it is possible that serious medical conditions may develop.

What causes Immuno-deficiency?

On the physical level poor diet, too much alcohol, pollution, insecticides, food additives and certain drugs such as antibiotics and the contraceptive pill can all depress the immune system. It is quite common for the immune system to become noticeably compromised after the repeated use of antibiotic drugs, as some of you may have already learned to your cost.

Negative emotional and psychological pressures undoubtedly contribute to the weakening of the immune system if they are allowed to continue. Psychological stress causes the release of hormones, such as adrenalin and cortisol, which over a period of time will begin to suppress the immune defences, making us more susceptible to disease. For example, cortisol reduces the level of T-helper cells, and inhibits the production of natural killer cells.

Negative cycle

Prolonged physical illness itself will often lead to a negative emotional state, and this in turn can cause immunodeficiency. The weakened immune system will now be more vulnerable to further infection, and another new infection can lead to even further emotional depression. This negative cycle of illness can be very difficult to break unless a course of treatment is adopted that takes both the mind and body into consideration.

General medicine has a range of treatments to boost a depressed or flagging immune system, yet some illnesses still seem well beyond their help. Vitamin injections and supplements also have their part to play in conjunction with sound dietary advice, but again this can be only helpful in certain cases.

The Holistic approach

Aromatherapy is a highly effective treatment for a depleted or suppressed immune system because we can employ essential oils that have been proven to boost the immune system. As aromatherapists already know, using essential oils to treat a depleted immune system can be a very positive treatment – especially when used regularly.

Research has shown that essential oils work as natural immune boosters in three different modes of action;-

1) They work directly against the invading bacteria and viruses due to their powerful antibacterial and antiviral actions.

2) Certain essential oils can influence the stimulation and production of phagocytes, T- cells and B- cells which are so vital to your body’s defences.

3) Other essential oils can give an uplifting boost to the emotional system, which helps to break the downward spiral caused by immunodeficiency. This effect is quite unique to aromatherapy.

In fact it is this third mode of action where aromatherapy really comes into its own by helping to break the circle of illness that is caused by depression. Regular use of the correct essential oils – particularly in aromatherapy massage – will have a powerful effect on the limbic system, which in turn has an uplifting effect on the mind in a way that allopathic medicine has yet to appreciate.

Aromatic Armoury

The comprehensive list of essential oils in the side panel illustrate how aromatherapy can help to boost the immune system by using those oils that have been shown to possess immunostimulant properties.

To produce a powerful synergy with these essential oils, you should make a blend containing one essential oil from each of the three categories so that they can get to work on all the three levels mentioned above. This will produce holistic and synergistic blend that represents everything that is the very best about aromatherapy.

The individual essential oils and synergistic blends of them can then be used in all the usual ways; add 6 drops (total) to a warm bath, use them is aromatherapy massage, add them to your skincare, or use them in vaporisers around the home and at work to give you all round protection.

Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2013. Written by Sue Charles

The three most commonly available ‘basil’ essential oils are derived from the following species; Sweet Basil (O. basilicum ct. linalool), Exotic Basil (O. basilicum ct. methyl chavicol), and Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) which is also known as Tulsi or Tulasi. Essential oils from other species are mainly used in the perfumery and flavouring industries and for various reasons are best avoided in aromatherapy.

What are chemotypes?

Chemotypes (ct.) are plants of the same genus which appear externally identical, but exhibit a variation in the chemical constituents of their oils due to climatic, altitude or soil conditions. Essential oils of basil should be identified by their chemotype, of which there are many; camphor, eugenol, linalool, methyl chavicol (aka estragole), methyl cinnamate, methyl eugenol and thymol.

Back in the 1980’s health concerns were raised regarding a constituent in basil called methyl chavicol which was thought to be a possible carcinogen after force-feeding mice with large quantities of this isolated component. Further research on humans concluded there was virtually no risk at normal dietary levels because humans excrete the carcinogenic metabolites much more efficiently than animals. For perspective, consider the amount of methyl chavicol that would be absorbed by the body after eating pesto sauce which uses basil as the main ingredient!

However, in the interests of safety most experts recommend using sweet basil linalool ct. essential oil in aromatherapy since it has only 0.5 to 13% of methyl chavicol, whereas exotic basil oil contains up to 87% of this constituent. This is why it is important to use a responsible supplier who provides all the necessary information (chemotypes etc) on the labels of their essential oils. It also illustrates why it is inadvisable to take essential oils internally unless under the direction of somebody who has been specially trained in this mode of use.

General description

Sweet basil is a low growing, tender annual plant, that reaches between 40cm to 80cm in height at maturity. It has square, branching stems, slightly serrated fragrant leaves that are smooth, shiny and paired opposite, with flowers that cluster in terminal spikes. The colour of leaves and flowers varies according to the climatic and soil conditions under which it is grown. Essential oil cells are located underneath the broad leaves and in the flowering tops.

Originally native to India and other tropical regions of Asia as another form, sweet basil has adapted well to growing throughout Europe and the Mediterranean where it thrives under warm, sunny, dry conditions in well drained soil. Sweet basil is grown for the production of oil in several European countries, but the main producers are found in Bulgaria, Egypt, France and the USA.

Traditional uses

One of the worlds oldest medicinal herbs, basil was used in ancient India to treat colds, coughs and mucous discharges, diarrhoea, dysentery and gastric conditions, headaches, heart disease, inflammation, malaria, poisoning and venomous bites, skin diseases and vomiting.

It would be administered as a juice or in teas, infused for massage, or the fresh leaves were applied to wounds. The Roman naturalist, philosopher and writer, Pliny (24-79 AD), considered basil to be an aphrodisiac and good for treating flatulence and fainting fits, whilst the Greek physician Dioscorides prescribed basil for headaches.

Harvesting and extraction

In France, harvesting takes place throughout July and August as the flowers reach full bloom, and both the flowering tops and upper leaves are collected for processing. Extraction is by steam distillation, yielding a pale straw coloured essential oil with a fresh, sweet, herbaceous and spicy odour. Some experts claim the basil ct. linalool essential oil produced in France has the finest fragrance.

Uses in aromatherapy

With a vast array of healing properties, sweet basil is an outstanding essential oil and in my experience virtually every one of its uses in traditional medicine have proven effective in aromatherapy. It is unsurpassed at bringing clarity and strength of mind to those suffering from stress, fatigue, mental exhaustion and headaches.

Basil oil also has a direct action on the digestive system, easing colic, flatulence, indigestion, nausea, and stomach cramps when massaged onto the abdominal area in a clockwise direction. Due to its action on the nervous system, sweet basil essential oil is particularly effective when treating digestive disorders caused by stress and nervous tension.

Sweet basil essential oil is a top note that adds a fresh lift to any blend, and works particularly well with bergamot, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, lavender, orange sweet, palmarosa, peppermint, pine and rosemary. Although there is still divided opinion on the subject it is better to avoid the use of any type of basil essential oil during pregnancy.

See Quinessence Sweet Basil Essential Oil

Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2008. Written by Geoff Lyth