Category Archives: Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Benzyl acetate


Benzyl acetate is an ester made from the condensation of acetic acid and benzyl alcohol. It has a pleasant odor and is the chemical that imparts the sweet fruity smell to strawberries, apples, and bananas. It is also responsible for the pleasant smell in flowers like roses, and jasmine.

Owing to its fragrance, benzyl acetate finds a place in the industry of cosmetics and food, to impart fragrances of Jasmine and Rose to perfumes and cosmetics, and the flavor of apples and pears to confectionary and more in the food industry.

The fragrance is seen to be attractive to bees, and helps in the synthesis of pheromones. It is also used in the bee industry to attract them for the purpose of study. It also acts as a chemical intermediate and used to produce other organic compound. It is also used in plastics, resins, ink and polishes as a solvent.

It is found in limited amounts in ester and flowers. In ester benzyl acetate is seen to be antispasmodic, and sedative and less irritant when compared to the others like Methyl salicylate. Benzyl acetate is commonly seen in perfume oils and is most commonly seen in Jasmine, ylang-ylang, and Gardenia fragrances.

Therapeutic uses of Benzyl acetate:

Benzyl acetate as an antidepressant in Jasmine oil:

Benzyl acetate in Jasmine oil is said to be effective in boosting the mood. It elevates the sense of happiness and stimulates a poetic and romantic mood as experienced in poetic history and music. This is an effect of release of hormones like serotonin in the body as a result of inhalation of the aroma, causing an upliftment in the mood.

Benzyl acetate as an antiseptic in Jasmine oil:

The constituents like Benzyl acetate, benzaldehyde, benzoic acid and Benzyl benzoate seen in jasmine oil exhibit fungicidal, bactericidal, germicidal, and antiviral properties. It is used topically to eliminate infections, and prevent open wounds from tetanus. It does also serve to resolve internal problem as well.

In the case of respiratory illnesses, Jasmine oil is inhaled to relieve coughs and colds. A study was conducted to understand the antibacterial activity of jasmine oil against E.coli. The results stated that the effect was bactericidal, and this was reflected due to the inhibited synthesis of the cell membrane.

Benzyl acetate as a sedative in Jasmine oil:

The constituents of Jasmine oil have a very calm soothing effect in addition to its antispasmodic, sedative and expectorant qualities. When used it facilitates a deep sleep, and helps you stay asleep.

It’s a beautiful, naturally available remedy that can be used in the treatment of insomnia. A study was conducted to understand the sedative effects brought about by jasmine tea odor in 24 volunteers. The results proved positive with the decrease in heart rate resulting in a calm and restless sleep.

Benzyl acetate as an aphrodisiac in Jasmine oil:

The chemical constituents of Jasmine oil have the capacity to spark off a romantic life. Inhalation of the fragrance can alter the senses by bringing about a change in the release hormones.

It is said to be effective in treating premature ejaculation, impotency, frigidity and other sexual related disorders. It’s also used to boost or enhance the sexual desire making it one of the most used flowers in a newly- wed couple’s room; and is been followed as a culture in the subcontinent of India.

References:

The Family of Esters (Benzyl acetate) by iTech Dickinson

Antibacterial Potential Assessment of Jasmine Essential Oil Against E. Coli published in Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Ayurvedic Essential Oils, Uses of Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Best Ways To Use Ayurvedic Essential Oils


Ayurveda is a gift to mankind and it follows the implausible elements of nature. This safe science trusts and believes that human being is a part of nature and his illness should also be treated in a natural way using the gifts of ‘Mother Nature’. Here comes the importance of Ayurvedic essential oils which are derived from the natural plant extracts. These oils have therapeutic properties for which it has been used since ages in traditional medicine and folk medicine.

In the recent times, you might have heard about the essence and effective use of essential oils in Aromatherapy but won’t you get surprised if I say that Aromatherapy itself is one of the ways of healing holistically in Ayurveda? This ancient therapy of curing human beings have suggested numerous ways of using Ayurvedic essential oils and the best ways are here for your guidance.

  1. Aromatic bath: A popular adage goes like this ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’, as Ayurveda insists highly on keeping yourselves and your environment clean, it prescribes taking bath twice daily either with the use of herbs or Ayurvedic essential oils in your bath tub.  Adding few drops of essential oils to your bath tub will give you a refreshing bath, which would be energizing and help you stay calm physically and emotionally.
  2. Essential oils massage: You work all day long all through the week; won’t you feel that your mind and body needs some ‘Quality Time To Rest’? Don’t need to go in search of quality time to rest, instead your life partner can help you discover it apparently with a caring massage with the sweet-smelling Ayurvedic essential oils. You can also try exploring the real sense of relief and peace after a systematic massage by an Ayurvedic expert in a nearby Ayurvedic center if you really feel like having a space for yourself. Ayurvedic massage with healing essential oils are often said to alleviate stress, trigger your olfactory sense, make your skin supple and give a never before newness to your life.
  3. As a vitalizing household cleaner: Home is the best place to give a great start to everything and everyone of your family. Why can’t you try complimenting your home by adding few drops of refreshing essential oils to your floor cleaner, washing machine and at the time of washing your dishes and cleaning your toilets? Lemon essential oil is often recommended for laundry, cleaning dishes and other general cleaning as it has the potential to remove tough, oily and greasy stains. You can also try using essential oils with clean, fresh, flowery and woody aroma to bring the real effects of nature even when your doors are closed.
  4. For skin care: Nothing other than certain selective Ayurvedic essential oils can caress your skin and take better care of them. You can use a wide range of skin-friendly essential oils like lavender essential oil, lemon essential oil, rose essential oil, sandalwood oil, ylang ylang essential oil, palmarosa essential oil, tangerine essential oil, mandarin essential oil, chamomile essential oil, geranium essential oil and few other. You can add few drops of any of the above essential oils in your favorite lotions, creams, carrier oil, carrier lotion, cocoa butter etc, to get set with your ultimate skin care pack.
  5. Diffuser/Air-Freshener: Using essential oils in your diffuser or in your Air-freshener will help you kill germs, bacteria and other harmful viruses in the air while giving you an everlasting aroma especially in the rainy season.
  6. Cold/Warm Compress: Circulation problems, sprains, muscular tension and other pains can be easily treated either with a warm or cold compress. It will be a brilliant idea if you add few drops of essential oils with absolute healing properties like peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil etc to your compress the next time when you feel like getting instant remedy from excruciating pains like menstrual cramps.
  7. Vapor inhalation/ Facial steam: Adding few drops of Ayurvedic essential oils like Eucalyptus oil or Peppermint oil to steaming water and inhaling the steam will help you keep away from the persisting problems like sinus, bronchitis, cold, flu etc. You can also add few drops of refreshing oils like lavender oil or other cleansing oil like chamomile oil to warm water and use it as a facial steam for deep cleansing.

Note: The way of using Ayurvedic essential oils plays a dominant role on its healing potential. Do not use essential oils directly to the skin as more pure the oil, more concentrated it is.

Reference Links:

  1. Essential Oils by Wikipedia
  2. Methods of Application by Nature’s Gift
  3. How to Use Essential Oils Effectively by David Crow, L.Ac. Published in Yogi Times
  4. What is Aromatherapy by National Association For Holistic Aromatherapy
Ayurvedic Essential Oils, Ayurvedic Therapy, Ayurvedic Treatment, Uses of Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Think Ayurveda To Think Better


Your thoughts decide your actions and your actions define ‘YOU’. There are myriad emotions that are exclusively indulged with humanity. Only you can smile, you can talk, you can discover and you can create. Thinking positive indicates that you are a proud owner of a healthy physique that keeps your thinking sound as well. Ayurveda talks about the constructive effects of positive thinking that helps you keep going on and on. Pessimism or negative thinking can even stop the functioning of your heart and collapse the brain’s functionality. Every human being has his own problems but just the severity of the problem differs. You can laugh at a person if he says he is free of troubles because in this materialistic world only a five-headed snake can be free of worries. It does not count whether you have problems or not but it matters how you deal with it and Ayurveda paves way for such an optimistic living.

Optimistic thinking: There’s a popular book named ‘You Can Win’ by Shiv Khera where the author beautifully lists the mentality of Pessimists’. 3 of my favorite lines in that excellent piece of writing are:

‘Pessimists don’t see the doughnut, only the hole,

Pessimists forget their blessings and count their troubles

Pessimists stop sleeping in bed when they hear that more people die in bed than anywhere else’

Yes my dear friends! This is the way that negative thinking affects your life and the best way to come out of this dark world is to think better with the natural and holistic healing of the ancient science named Ayurveda.

Ayurvedic treatment for optimism: According to Ayurveda, a healthy mind is the key to a healthy body and your attitude decides it. In this mechanical epoch that drains you, demands more than your potential with taut deadlines and cumbersome workload ends up in mental stress, difficulty in striking balance between your work and your family, anxiety, fear, fatigue and deep depression. When every single problem is placing you in the darker side of the world, let it know that you are strong with the real power granted by the natural Ayurvedic essential oils, meditation and yoga along with the robustness to turn the tide.

Ayurvedic essential oils for positive thinking: Essential oils of lavender, marjoram, grapefruit, thyme, sandalwood, jasmine, lemon, peppermint and ylang ylang possess an adorable fragrance in nature. These oils have soothing, calmative, stimulating, energizing and revitalizing properties that can enrich your spirits along with your mind and body. Using these essential oils either as a massage oil or to your bath tub or in your diffuser will calm your nerves, relax your muscles, alleviate stress, lighten your pressure, uplift your mood, kindle your thoughts, augment your mind power, improve your memory power, balance your emotions, fortify your immune system, strengthen your will power, encourage a peaceful sleep while invigorating your system for a replenished crack of dawn.

Meditation: Ayurvedic way of treating humanity can never be fulfilled without meditation. Spend some quality time for yourself and let that time of eminence be your meditating time especially in the early hours of the day when your environment is calm and composed. Meditation with deep breathing exercises can empower your mind while promoting positive feelings and preparing your body to adapt to new challenges and your mind to learn luminously, think undeniably, regulate stressful situations, recall your past and retain your balanced system for the days of harmony ahead you.

Being an optimist is the best way to setting your life as a role model for your younger ones to lead their life with great trust as real optimists always see an opportunity in every threat:)

Reference Links:

  1. You Can Win by Shiv Khera
  2. The healing force is within ourselves by Ayurveda France
  3. Attract more positive energy by Rejuvenation Lounge
Ayurvedic Essential Oils, Uses of Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Ayurvedic oils for common cold


Catching up with common cold is as easy as falling off a log. Though it is not an acute problem, it has the worst power to completely spoil your routine activities. Common cold is often irritating, maddening, frustrating and disgusting. It changes your look and gives the impression of being completely sick. Over-the-counter drugs might often look attractive, appealing and seem to be the quickest way for treating your cold. Frequent intake of such medications might look like granting you instant relief but do not destroy the virus completely and have their own adverse side effects. This may be due to the excess intake of chemical formulas like acetaminophen, intranasal zinc, dextromethorphan (DXM), Tylenol etc.  All you need to take in at this time is a natural therapy like Ayurvedic oils that destroy the harmful virus from within, proffering you better health and a protective shield to prevent recurrent infections.

Causes and symptoms: This might occur due to seasonal changes, contagious virus spread through air, through minute air droplets from the affected person and much more during all times of the year. Each year billions of people in the world are affected by cold and a recent report says that it is over one billion people who are affected by cold in the United States every year. Little ones get cold often from their schools and day care centers when the other children next to them are affected by cold cough, sneezes or blow their nose.

Common cold lasts up to 7 days and the troubling symptoms are runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, nasal congestion, difficulty in breathing, headache, muscular pain, sore throat, cough, decreased appetite, sneezing and at times may lead to viral fevers also.

Ayurvedic essential oils for common cold: You will certainly feel great if you come to know that using Ayurvedic essential oils for your common cold can treat your illness without making you feel tired and drowsy like your cough syrups and other over-the-counter medicines. Few such energizing Ayurvedic oils are:

  1. Eucalyptus essential oil: This is a celebrated remedy for years together for common cold and its unfavorable symptoms. Eucalyptus essential oil helps in effectively fighting cold, cough, bronchitis, asthma, flu, sinusitis, fever and other such infections. You can use it as a vaporizer, rub or add few drops to your bath tub or to hot water for steam inhalation.
  2. Peppermint essential oil: Peppermint oil with its anti-viral properties is a proven remedy for respiratory illnesses like flu and cold. Peppermint essential oil blended with rosemary and lavender essential oil can be added to boiling water and this steam can be inhaled for getting complete relief from headache, cold, blocked nasal passage, congestion and mental fatigue inducing a peaceful sleep thereafter.
  3. Lavender essential oil: Lavender essential oil is always known for its therapeutic properties and is of great use in treating cold, influenza, cough, headache, insomnia, muscular pains and few other problems related to common cold. This efficacious oil inhibits germs and instantly kills viruses. It acts as a defensive mechanism and boosts your body’s immunity, helping you fight sturdily against cold. You can add it to your bath tub or use it as a room diffuser that will purify your environment by devastating the germs.

No more nervousness or uncomfortable feelings the next time when you get cold as these Ayurvedic essential oils will help you stay as cool as a cucumber and bid goodbye to your annoying cold.

Reference Links:

  1. Over-the-counter drug by Wikipedia
  2. Common Cold from A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia by PubMed Health
  3. Cough and Cold Medicine Abuse by Kids Health from Nemours
Ayurvedic Essential Oils, Uses of Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Ayurvedic Essential Oils For Pregnant Women


Ways to enlighten your senses and let your mind develop with your fetus with these sweet-smelling essential oils.

Pregnancy is always special in a number of ways and if it is going to be your first pregnancy then trust me you’ll be greeted with a red carpet wherever you go. You’ll become the angel of your family and for your husband, you’ll be the ‘apple of his eye’. Ayurveda considers a pregnant woman as a divine symphony where ‘The God’s Gift (Baby)’ is growing within her. According to Sushruta Samhita, ‘A pregnant lady should stay happy, be hygienic, wear clean outfits, take part in meditation, prayers, put on accessories (like bangles, anklets etc, the melodious sound of which is trusted to enrich the baby’s harmonious growth) and simple exercises. The loving science of Ayurveda suggests plenty of natural herbs, nutritious food items, fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables and the use of Ayurvedic essential oils to make your pregnancy unforgettable, leading to a safe and easy childbirth along with a happy post-pregnancy period with your little one.

Ayurvedic essential oils for pregnant women: Ayurveda has a magic in it to treat the extremely sensitive pregnant woman with healing and harmonizing essential oils.  It is for more than ever to make her comfortable with the changes in her body while tackling mental stress, depression, mood fluctuations and the fear about her labor. Such healing essential oils that can make your pregnancy phase a real ‘Sweet Dream’ forever are mentioned below according to your trimester:

  1. First trimester: This is the initial period for the development of your fetus where it starts developing head, limbs, heartbeat, reproductive organs, ears and other sensory faculties. This is the most challenging period of pregnancy for most women as they struggle with morning sickness, nausea, headache, acidity, heartburn and more. The safe essential oils during your first trimester are citrus oils like Tangerine essential oil, Orange essential oil and Neroli essential oil. You can also use Grapefruit essential oil and Lavender essential oil to lift your senses and reduce the difficulties during the first three months of pregnancy.
  2. Second trimester: The baby at this stage starts building up muscles, blood, all the five senses, skin, hair, fingers, veins, nails, teeth, bones, eyelids, mind and he/she becomes even stronger at this stage. At this juncture you may face challenges like constipation, itchy skin, stretch marks, anxiety, nervousness, nightmares and few more. Essential oils that can help you overcome these impediments during your second trimester are Sandalwood essential oil, Lavender essential oil, Frankincense essential oil, Palo Santo essential oil and Grapefruit essential oil. Gently massage your abdomen using Lavender oil with jojoba oil or sweet almond oil to get rid of stretch marks and stay gifted with mark-free skin even after pregnancy.
  3. Third trimester: You will be extremely eager to meet your baby and now that you’ve started to feel the movements of your baby. You may even see the impressions of your baby’s hands or feet on your abdomen externally. By the end of the third trimester your baby attains its full growth and becomes even stronger. It is at this phase you’ll start experiencing insomnia, difficulties in sleeping, fatigue, swollen ankles, lower back ache and other complexities in your day to day living.

The best essential oils at this stage are Frankincense essential oil, Ylang Ylang essential oil, Mandarin essential oil, Lavender essential oil, Lemon essential oil and Bergamot essential oil. Smooth massage with these essential oils either as a blend or taken individually with carrier oils, as a diffuser or in a warm bath tub can enrich your senses, relieve your stress and fatigue while soothing your painful muscles.

Pregnancy takes you to a wonderful world filled with fun, fantasy, fear, fragility and ultimate fascination. This time better you take pregnancy to a soothing, serene, calming, energizing, rejuvenating and reviving world with these Ayurvedic essential oils.

It is always good to avoid certain essential oils that are emmenagogue, skin sensitizing, irritant and toxic in nature during your pregnancy. Few such oils are Aniseed, Angelica, Clary Sage, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Cedarwood, Basil, Elecampane, Jasmine, Ginger, Fennel, Thyme, Marjoram, Lemon Grass, Peppermint, Sage, Pennyroyal, Juniper, Melissa, Wintergreen, Sassafras, Wormwood, Thuja and certain other essential oils due to their tendency to harm either the mother or the fetus.

Note: Be precautious while using essential oils as they can directly affect the nervous system. Never use it directly as it is highly concentrated and dilute it in safe carrier oils. Use a minimal amount or 2 to 3 drops and strictly avoid ingesting any of the essential oils during any stage of your pregnancy.

Thought for the day:

A mother’s joy begins when new life is stirring inside… when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone. – Unknown

Reference links:

  1. Sushruta Samhita by Wikipedia
  2. Divine Delivery by Ayurveda Elements
  3. The Second Trimester: Your Baby’s Growth and Development in Middle Pregnancy by WebMD
Ayurvedic Essential Oils, Uses of Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Ayurvedic Essential Oils For Back Pain Treatment


‘Ouch! It pains’ was my anthem till four years back and it was my partner’s irritating statement as I persistently sing the back pain song every single day without fail. Be it a long drive or hours together of passionate writing accompanying my gadget or a social event, everything ends impartially by gifting me with the excruciating back pain. Wondering about what had happened in the last 4 years? Will you trust me if I say that I’m in a revolutionized cosmos that is free of this agonizing ache? Yes! You should trust as millions of people have already benefited by the use of the extraordinary essential oils that have been proved effective for back pain treatment, which I came to know only before the fairy four years time.

Possible reasons for back pain: Back pain could screw your life if you fit into any of these criteria:

‘Okay, what should I do now?’ Will be your next question as back pain is as common as a cough or sneeze in today’s hectic living as William Henry Davies said in his renowned poem Leisure:

‘A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare’.

Secret of my rescue and myriad people as well: Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines may grant you temporary relief but might worsen the situation with their irreparable and off-putting side effects. Using Ayurvedic essential oils for treating your acute or chronic pain in the back has been proven safe and powerful. Few such essential oils for back pain treatment are:

Peppermint essential oil: Peppermint oil is widely used in Ayurvedic massage therapies for improving blood circulation in the body aiding in smooth supply of blood to the affected parts of the body. This oil helps in rejuvenating your mind and helps you to recover from your ache at ease.  With its analgesic, therapeutic and anti-inflammatory qualities it’s used effectively for getting rid of acute back pain.

Clary Sage and Chamomile essential oil: Clary sage is known for its relaxing, cooling, antispasmodic, nervine, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties that assist in reassuring the stressed muscles and eliminating the actual pain in your back and joints. Chamomile essential oil is mainly used for treating muscular spasms and relieves tension in the muscles.

Ginger Essential Oil: Ginger is a legendary herb in the history of Ayurveda and is the worst enemy of diseases and abnormalities. The essential oil of Ginger has its use since the ancient period in treating skeletal and muscular problems. It tones the muscles and soothes extreme pain in a matter of minutes when it is gently massaged on the affected area.

Frankincense, Lavender, Rosemary and Yarrow essential oils are also used in treating back pains and save your head from this slow-killer with the help of a proficient Ayurvedic massage expert.

Reference Links:

  1. Back Pain by emedicinehealth
  2. Back Pain by Wikipedia
  3. Remedies-Back Pain by Health Herbs and Nutrition
  4. Soothe Back Pain Naturally With Various Essential Oils by Natural News.com
Ayurvedic Essential Oils, Uses of Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Ayurvedic Essential Oils To Freeze Up Your Heat This Summer


Hmmm…… Summer has knocked your door and no ways to escape it as its nature’s rule to pass on both the extremes. I have a medley of feelings especially during this bright summer season and had a sizzling conversation this morning while the day woke me up with the mighty hands spread ‘SUN’. Wanna listen to what I heard today? Fine then end your curiosity here.

Sun: Hey buddy! Wake up I’ve come and I’m waiting to drain you with my heat rays……..

Me: No you can’t….. I’m no more the ordinary chum to get exhausted by you..!!..

Sun: Ouch!!! Poor thing… Are you dreaming to escape behind your Air Conditioners and rest often in your favorite Ice Cream Parlors? If it’s so…. Then listen, your lip smacking ice creams and cooling A/Cs spreads adverse effects than you might think and can harm you rigorously during my ruin (Summer Season)… Ha! Ha! Ha! Am I right my pal???

Me: No you’re not…. You are thinking about the temporary regimens and I’m talking about the enduring, natural, everlasting and completely safe ways of saving my head from your control.

Sun: Think you’ve gone mad in the morning!!! Nothing can shield you from my assail…

Me: Please stop your envious goofs… I’m talking about the Ayurvedic essential oils that can keep me cool from within all throughout the frustrating summer season.

Sun: To itself (Think I’ve knocked the wrong door.. He looks stronger with nature…Let’s flee)

Yes!!! My dear readers, you’ll never believe if I say that the Ayurvedic essential oils can freeze up your heat this summer without any kind of second opinion. Let’s have a look at the most effective essential oils that ‘Mother Nature’ has gifted us to fight against its conflicting counterparts.

Ayurvedic essential oils to resist the burning heat: Using cooling essential oils during this summer season is the best way to keep you away from the summer turmoil and help you enjoy the fullest fun that this season can aid you with. Ayurvedic essential oils that belong to the citrus, mint and other flower-patterned families are really great to partner you and balance your body.  You can either gently massage your body or add few drops to your bathing tub to enrich your day with fresh, aromatic, cool and refreshing effects. Few such gracious essential oils are:

Lavender essential oil: As the sweetness in its name indicates, the essential oil of lavender is skin-friendly and seals your summer worries with its antidepressant, analgesic, deodorant, carminative, antiseptic, antiviral, anti-convulsive and immune stimulant properties to regenerate your cells and restore the excess energy lost.

Peppermint essential oil: The fresh, cool and minty aroma of this oil is more than enough to calm your nerves and revive your senses with its vermifuge, analgesic, digestive, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiseptic and nervine properties.

Rosemary essential oil: With an exemplary meaning of ‘Dew of the Sea’, Rosemary is an uplifting herb and is the essential oil extracted from this mystical plant. This oil is exceedingly effective for treating hair and scalp problems. Frequent mood swings, stress, depression, hair fall, dull hair, rough hair, seborrhea, dandruff and few other hair related complexities that anguish you during the scorching summer season can be simply and superbly taken care of with Rosemary essential oil.

The essential oils of Cypress, Juniper Berry, Clove, Chamomile, Tea Tree, Lemon, Fennel, Bergamot, Dill, Basil, Eucalyptus and Spearmint along with the above mentioned essential oils can attend to your summer health needs efficaciously.

Ayurvedic essential oils can grace your summer with their incredible presence and pull the plug that your other contemporary or chemical remedies might fail to do.

Reference Links:

  1. Just Chillin’ by Yoga Journal
  2. Essential Oils For Summer by AromaWeb
  3. Summer Essential Oils by Acufinder.Com
Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Neral


Neral is always spoken of in reference with citral which is an oil synthesized from lemon myrtle, Ocimum gratissimum, Lindera citriodora, Calypranthes parriculata, Litsea cubeba, lemongrass, Litsea citrata, petitgrain, lemon tea-tree, lime, lemon balm, lemon verbena, lemon ironbark, lemon and orange.

Neral also known as citral B is an isomer of citral or lemonal, which is a mixture of terpenoids.

The compounds from citral generally have a pleasant smell and Neral has an odor that is sweet and less concentrated. Due to this effect, Neral like other citral compounds is used in perfumery, and food industry.

They also have antimicrobial and pheromonal properties and find their use in production of therapeutic drugs, and pesticides. Citral compound have also been identified for their allergen effects, to reduce the same and exploit their positive properties, citral compounds are mixed with de-sensitizing agents.

Therapeutic uses of Neral:

Neral, a constituent of lemongrass has been studied to treat conditions related to nervous disorders, menstrual problems, stomach problems, arthritis, fever and cancer as well. These effects were noticed right from the ancient times and have been in use in the Chinese cultures for ages.

When used externally the plant extract can be used to increase blood flow, treat join pains, tendinitis, athlete’s foot, sprain and cuts. In most parts of the world, Lemon grass is used to make citrus drinks that act as refreshing health boosters.

Neral exhibit powerful antibacterial effect on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, concludes a 2011 study on the Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Cymbopogon citratus, stapf (Lemon grass).

Carcinogenic properties of Neral in Citral:

A study was conducted to understand the effects of citral in the treatment of cancer seen in rats. The study was carried out over a period of two years and the results proved positive with the occurrence of malignant lymphoma seen in the rat.

Neral in Lemon Grass as a Caspase-3 Introducer: 

The study was conducted to understand the effects of citral as a carcinogen and it’s mode of action. It identified the effects of Neral in lemon grass as a caspase-3 Introducer in cancer cells, and the tests proved positive.

Antimicrobial properties of Neral in Lemon Grass:

The study was conducted on an extract from lemongrass. Generally, the tea made from lemon grass is used worldwide for its analgesic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory properties.  It is also used as a sedative and diuretic as well.

The essential oil was tried on R. stolonifer and P. italicum to study its antimicrobial activities, and on Rhizopus stolonifer, and Penicillium italicum, to understand its antibacterial action.

It also shows effectiveness towards methicillin resistant fungi and bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and shows antibacterial activity greater than that of antibiotics like nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin and ampicillin.

Numerous scientific uses of Neral in Lemon Grass:

The oil of lemon grass contains Citral b, Terpinolene, Nerol, Geranyl acetate, Geraniol, Citronellal, Citral a, Myrcene and Terpineol Methylheptenone.

A study conducted to understand the scientific uses of lemon grass proved that the plant contained therapeutic activities such as anti-diarrheal, antibacterial, antifilarial, anti-amoebic, antifungal and anti-inflammatory.

In addition to this behavior, the study proved its anti-mutagenicity, anti-malarial, antioxidant, anti-mycobacterial, hypoglycemic and neurobehavioral attributes.

Since the results proved very positive, it was suggested that extensive studies on the same be carried out.

Reference Links:

  1. Citral by Wikipedia
  2. Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Cymbopogon citratus, stapf (Lemon grass), published in the Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research
  3. Citral is a new inducer of caspase-3 in tumor cell lines by Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel published in Planta Medica Journal and PubMed
Ayurvedic Essential Oils, Uses of Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Essential Oils For New Mothers


The elegant ways of treating with Ayurvedic essential oils for the caring angels experiencing heaven on earth for the first time:

Now that the nightmare of first pregnancy have come to an end and you are living in your dream moment right?!!! Welcome to the world of wonders where you’d love to cherish every lovely moment with your prized one. Each single action of your child will make you feel like walking on a bed of roses. You’d take pleasure in looking at your little one’s yawning, smiling, thumb sucking, sleeping and even your sleepless nights would end up in leaving an eternal joy within you. Yes! This is the noble feeling of motherliness and only a mother can feel all the happiness, especially when they are new to the world of motherhood with their first child.

Apart from all these good great feelings, there are certain distressing and not so easy to confiscate gifts that pregnancy leaves behind. Few such conditions are:

  • Extra pounds on your body
  • Ugly stretch marks
  • Maternity blues or postpartum depression
  • Unfit waist line
  • Rampant hormones/Hormonal imbalances

How to get rid of these irritating forms from your body? There are numerous ways to get back to your pre-pregnancy bodies but the safest and aromatic means of curing is with the use of essential oils that have proven effects on the health conditions of new moms. Let’s have a quick look at the best ways for swift healing with the real gifts of nature:

  • Post-pregnancy weight loss: Pregnancy and weight gain is as natural as butterfly and colors. Getting back to your beautiful structure by reducing the extra pounds you gained during pregnancy involves lot of physical exercises, nutritious diet and the touch of certain mystical essential oils. Generally essential oils have a good proportion of oxygen, the regular use of which can supplement your body, detach the toxins and proffer you a hale and hearty immune system essential for balancing your weight loss. Making use of remedial essential oils with high frequency can grant you a therapeutic pat assisting loss of excess weight through its vibrational motion. Few such oils are Blue Chamomile oil, Lavender oil, Juniper oil, Rose oil, Peppermint oil, Myrrh oil, Sandalwood oil, Basil oil and Angelica oil.
  • Stretch marks: Stretch marks are often disgusting and appear on your belly, breasts, thighs and bum especially during your pregnancy and stays there after also. A gentle massage with the healing essential oils like Frankincense essential oil, Lavender oil, Mandarin oil, Orange oil and Lemongrass oil can help in tightening, uplifting, knitting and repairing your tissues and aid to recapture your beautiful and supple skin.
  • Postpartum depression: Postpartum depression also known as maternity blues, baby blues, post-pregnancy depression and postpartum blues commonly occur in new moms in the first few weeks of their delivery causing depression, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, weepiness and frequent mood fluctuations due to hormonal imbalances. A soothing massage with Rosewood oil, Lavender essential oil, Geranium oil and Grapefruit oil along with a warm bath by adding few drops of YlangYlang essential oil, Jasmine oil or Clary Sage oil to your bath tub can help you calm your nerves, balance your hormone levels and trim down the level of depression.
  • Unfit waist line: Unfit waist line after delivery indicates the excess abdominal fat and the waist circumference put on during pregnancy. Regular massaging with natural essential oils like Cypress oil, Grapefruit oil or Grapeseed oil can aid you in getting back your waist in shape.

The eternal care and love from your partner along with these essential oils can help you go on a long way bringing up a virtuous child. Happy parenthood!

Thoughts for the day:

A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years and in your heart till the day you die.  – Mary Mason

No language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a mother’s love. – Edwin H. Chapin

Reference Links:

  1. Maternity Blues from Wikipedia
  2. Essential Oils for Weight Loss from Maria’s Healing Touch
  3. Laugh In The Face of Stretch Marks from Musings of an Aromastrategist
  4. Postpartum Depression from MoonDragon’s Pregnancy Information
Ayurvedic Essential Oils, Essential Oils - Learn About and Purchase

Tomar Seed Oil


With the botanical name Zanthoxylum armatum, the Winged Prickly Ash tree is a member of the Citrus family Rutaceae. Tomar tree is indigenous to Eastern Asia to China along the Himalayas and few other parts of India. The essential oil is extracted from the seeds of this tree through steam distillation method. The naturally spicy, warm, woody, peppery, rich and floral aroma has made its use remarkable since the pre-historic period.

Ayurvedic system of natural healing has used Tomar seeds for treating numerous health conditions including oral problems and this is the main reason why this tree has been named as Toothache tree. This is a proven fact and is in practice even in today’s contemporary living. Popular Indian Ayurvedic toothpaste like Dabur Red toothpaste has Tomar seeds for its antiseptic and odor fighting potential along with other powerful herbs like pippali, kashni, lavanga, sunthi, pudina, maricha, karpoora, and hareetaki.

Purchase Tomar Seed Oil – Wholesale – CLICK HERE

Tomar tree is also known with other popular names like Toothache tree, prickly ash, suterberry, yellow wood, tumbru, darmar, tumru, timroo, tejphal and mukthrubi. The most common synonym for Zanthoxylum armatum is Zanthoxylum alatum. Tomar seed oil is pale yellow in color with an energizing aroma for which it has been mainly used in the making of apothecary perfumes, incenses, colognes, forest notes and certain other high class floral compositions.

Traditional uses: The time-honored use of Tomar tree includes its use by various communities across the globe. The social and ethnic groups in the Uttaranchal Himalaya use Zanthoxylum armatum for medicine, food and barter.  This tree is regarded to have religious importance and magical powers. Every part of the tree including the fruits, bark, stem and fresh leaves are used for various purposes. The decoction extracted from the bark or fruits or seeds of this tree were used as a sweet-smelling tonic for treating cholera, dyspepsia and fever.

Timur fruits are used as spices, condiments, medicine and as flavoring agents for soups and many other conventional dishes. It is used as a trusted remedy for treating cough, stomach problems, common cold, toothache and fever. It is also said that the Sino-Annamites used the fruits and leaves of this tree as emmenagogue, astringent and carminative. The branches of this tree are used as a natural toothbrush. A fresh or dried Tomar fruit is kept on the affected tooth for curing toothache instantly.

Ayurvedic health benefits of Tomar Seed Oil: Ayurveda strongly believes that human beings are a part of nature and the remedy for their illness should also be from nature. Ayurvedic principles state that the universe is made up of five elements like fire, water, earth, air and ether. Human body also has these five fundamental elements as a combination of doshas or the individual body types namely vata, pitta and kapha. A healthy lifestyle and harmony with nature’s law of living aids an individual to live a long, healthy and harmonious life according to Ayurveda.

This spiritual science also states that health is a combination of physical, mental and spiritual well-being and any disease is an indication that the body is in disharmony with nature. The most stunning fact about Ayurveda is that it treats the individual as a whole instead of the disease alone. It supports this common sense science to identify the root cause of an illness and treat it naturally and prevent it in the future also.

Ayurveda states that the tree of Tomar known as Tumburu or Gandhalu in the Ayurvedic world is yet another significant gift of nature to mankind. The essential oil extracted from the seeds of this tree are said to have healing properties like antiseptic, hepatoprotective, stomachic, disinfectant, deodorant, anthelmintic and carminative.

Effectiveness in treating hepatic diseases: Human liver is the major organ for governing the process of metabolism, excretion and certain other physiologic activities of the body. The most common disorder that affects the liver is hepatic diseases. Such hepatic damages are mainly due to toxins in the food, pharmaceuticals like CNS active agents and antibiotics, peroxides in edible oils, hepatotoxic chemicals like alcohol and certain other environmental pollutants. Ayurvedic medication has explored numerous natural remedies for treating liver diseases, which are still in use in many parts of India since centuries. When compared to modern medications like immunosuppressive agents and corticosteroids, these natural Ayurvedic remedies are claimed to grant better relief in a longer run.

Tomar seed oil is said to possess antioxidant properties and it also contains phenolic compounds. It is a proven fact that plants that contain antioxidant property is also said to exhibit hepatoprotective action. A renowned study on ‘Hepatoprotective Effect of Zanthoxylum armatum DC’ proved that the presence of ethanolic extracts in Zanthoxylum armatum showed hepatoprotective effect against liver damage by regularizing the increased levels of the hepatic enzymes and showed shielding effect on the plasma membrane of hepatocytes. This proved the effectiveness of using this herb in Ayurvedic treatment for liver disorders.

Natural insecticide: The essential oil of Tomar seeds yielded nearly 28 compounds and the major ones being monoterpenes and oxygenated monoterpenes. This oil also showed antifungal properties against 24 different fungi. It also exhibited repellent and larvicidal activity against three mosquito vectors, proving it as an effective natural alternative to chemical larvicides.

Other health benefits: This oil was trusted to give warmness to the body and was recommended for treating ailments like rheumatism, bronchitis, indigestion, asthma, varicose veins, toothaches and cholera. It was also proved that Zanthoxylum armatum showed spasmolytic effects that make it a natural remedy for treating cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. Another research published in PubMed evidenced the antioxidant, antifungal, antiaflatoxin activity of this essential oil. Tomar seed oil has also been used as a gentle massage oil blended with carrier oils like coconut oil to treat fibrositis, rheumatism, leg cramps, varicose veins and certain other skin problems. It is also said to stimulate the mucous membranes, lymphatic system and promote blood circulation.

Disclaimer: All essential oils are highly concentrated liquids and applying them directly on your skin or taking it internally is not advisable unless and otherwise recommended by your Ayurvedic practitioner as per your health conditions.

Thought for the day:

Nature goes her own way, and all that to us seems an exception is really according to order. – Goethe

Suggested Reading:

  1. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy & Herbalism by Julia Lawless
  2. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Over 600 Natural, Non-Toxic and Fragrant Recipes to Create Health – Beauty – a Safe Home Environment by Valerie Ann Worwood
  3. The Aromatherapy Bible: The Definitive Guide to Using Essential Oils by Gill Farrer-Halls

Reference Links:

  1. Traditional Uses and Conservation of Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum DC.) through Social Institutions in Uttaranchal Himalaya, India by Conservation & Society Journal
  2. Hepatoprotective Effect of Zanthoxylum armatum DC by the Institute of Pharmacy and Emerging Science
  3. Safety assessment of Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb. essential oil, its antifungal, antiaflatoxin, antioxidant activity and efficacy as antimicrobial in preservation of Piper nigrum L. fruits by PubMed
  4. Chemical composition and larvicidal activities of the essential oil of Zanthoxylum armatum DC (Rutaceae) against three mosquito vectors by National Institute of Malaria Research