Latin Name: asclepias tuberosa Alternative Name: pleurisy root, silkweed, tuber root, colic root, canada root, flux root, milkweed Forms Available: root, flower, leaf
Butterfly Weed – asclepias tuberosa – this plant is also known as “pleurisy root”: it is considered to have expectorant qualities that loosen and remove phlegm as well as relieving the pain of pleurisy by reducing the inflammation of the pleural membranes. The roots are also used in a poultice to relieve bruising, wounds, and swellings.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A well used plant in the treatment of pleurisy: loosens and removes phlegm, reduces pleural membrane inflammation.
Cajeput – melaleuca leucadendron – steam distilled leaf/bud, Indonesia. Its scent is peculiar, musty, sweet, penetrating, camphor-like. As part of the Melaleucas, it has great value in skin care and for wound cleansing. It is analgesic, antiseptic, expectorant, and stimulant. Stimulates the mind and assists with getting it back into balance, helps clear thoughts.. Soothes colic and vomiting. Could help with cystitis. Its antiseptic and expectorant properties make it excellent for respiratory tract infections such as colds, laryngitis, bronchitis and it may be helpful for asthma, as well as for nasal and sinus congestion. Its pain relieving properties make it useful in massage for neuralgia, headaches, gout, muscle stiffness and general aches and pain. It is useful for treating painful periods, delayed menses and spasmodic dysmenorrhoea. Its antiseptic properties make it useful for treating acne and psoriasis. It has been used for genital herpes, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. The oil is also reputed to have insect repellent qualities and is the best essential oil to apply undiluted to fire ant bites, preferably immediately after being bitten. Cajeput is considered non-toxic but may irritate the skin in high concentrations. Blends well with bergamot, clove, lavender and rosewood. Not to be used on pregnant women!
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: It is analgesic, antiseptic, expectorant, and stimulant. Stimulates the mind and assists with getting it back into balance, helps clear thoughts.. Soothes colic and vomiting. Could help with cystitis. Not to be used on pregnant women!
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Latin Name: calendula officinalis Alternative Name: calendula, holigold, pot marigold, bride of the sun, drunkard, goldes, husbandman’s dial, Marybud, marygold, mary gowles, ruddes, oculis chrisi, ruddles, spousa solis, summer’s Bride Forms Available: CO2 extraction, leaf, powder, flower
Calendula is Marigold – calendula officinalis – A Druid sacred herb, this cheerful annual or perennial has hairy leaves and golden-orange daisy flowers. The leaves are added to salads and garnishes of flowers color rice and fish dishes. Calendula is antiseptic and antifungal and contains hormone and vitamin A precursors. Essential oil is extracted from the petals but is extremely expensive.
The word ‘Marigold’ means ‘Virgin Mary’ and is trusted to possess divine healing properties and even today, these flowers are used to honor Mother Mary during numerous Catholic occasions. It is also used to decorate the deities during auspicious religious gatherings in the Hindu tradition in India.
The ancient Greeks and Romans wore garlands and crowns made with the dazzling golden color Calendula flowers and these beautiful blossoms were also used in religious ceremonies and other rituals. The traditional Egyptians believed that these sacred flowers had revitalizing attributes.
The bright golden color petals were also used in textile industry as a source of natural dye for fabrics and it was also used as a natural colorant in cheese and butter varieties. These flowers are a popular ingredient in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines along with stews and soup varieties in Germany, for which it is called as ‘Pot marigold’.
The flowers are a healing agent. Added to fomentations, poultices and salves, they speed healing of wounds and of nerve damage. The infusion is given for intestinal problems and to clean lymph and blood. Useful in fevers, the herb can be used fresh, dry, or in tincture. For tea, steep two teaspoons of flowers per cup of water for twenty minutes; take one teaspoon per hour. Using tincture, take five to twenty drops four times a day.
Visit AyurvedicOils.com for more information on the traditional ayurvedic and aromatherapeutic uses of Calendula Oil. Learn about the natural chemical components that give Calendula Oil its fragrance and therapeutic characteristics.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Aids healing of skin infections, ulcers, hemorrhoids.
Other Uses: Known as “summer’s bride”, the yellow calendula embodies the Sun’s fire and life sustaining virtue. Calendula is carried into court for a favorable verdict. In the mattress it encourages prophetic dreams. Pick in full sun.
Thought for the day:
“The marigold goes to bed with the Sun And with him rises, weeping.” -Shakespeare
Latin Name: eschscholzia californica Alternative Name: gold poppy, poppy Forms Available: flower, leaf, root
California Poppy – eschscholzia californica – antispasmodic, sedative and analgesic. Also a diuretic that promotes perspiration. The sap has been used to relieve toothache.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Used to treat nervous tension, insomnia and anxiety. Also believed to help stop bedwetting. A diuretic, antispasmodic, analgesic, sedative.
Calliopsis – coreopsis tinctoria – A poultice applied to skin helps with healing of bruises and sores. Used in tea, treats stomach ache, diarrhoea, fever, gastritis, and dysentery. Also, a weak calliopsis tea makes a wonderful eyewash.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The tea treats stomach ache, diarrhoea, dysentery, fever and gastritis. Externally, the tea releaves sores and bruises. Also a good eyewash
Camelina Oil – camelina sativa – This oil is also known as false flax or gold-of-pleasure and is high in Omega-3 linolenic acid. Records of plant cultivation date back as far as the Iron Age as the oil was used as a source of fuel as well as a skin moisturizer. Research shows that Camelina oil has good skin softening properties. It is emollient, has good spreading properties, provides lubricity in both hair and skin preparations, and improves skin elasticity. Camelina oil can be used as a replacement for sperm whale oil in lipsticks and other solid products.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Skin softening properties. Provides lubricity in both hair an skin preparations.
Latin Name: cinnamomum camphora Alternative Name: laurel camphor, gum camphor Forms Available: essential oil, crystalized extract, leaf
Camphor – cinnamomum camphora – This white, intensely scented, crystalline substance is distilled from a tree native to China and Japan. The essential oil is steam-distilled from wood, rootstumps, and branches. For many years true camphor wasn’t sold in the U.S. All “camphor blocks” and mothballs were made of synthetic camphor which is extremely poisonous.
Both the leaf and crystallized extract are used for wet lung conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Camphor is useful in depression, exhaustion, and stomach cramps and to improve circulation. Use about two teaspoons of leaf per cup of water and steep for twenty minutes. Take one-fourth cup four times a day. Alternatively, use one teaspoon of the crystallized extract per two cups of water. Take it in one-teaspoon doses four times a day. The tincture is also available and is used in doses of five to ten drops four times a day. Camphor is incorporated into salves for external use to kill parasites and treat ringworm, scabies, and itch. The oil open the lungs, making breathing easier, and helps with muscular and joint pain, arthritis, and bruises -not for open wounds. The salve functions as a “smelling salt,” and the herb has been used internally to revive those in coma or delirium. Camphor can be burned to purify the air or inhaled to open lung passages.
Caution: Do not use this herb if you are pregnant or if you are very weak and debilitated. Only natural plant extracts should be used, as chemical camphor is contaminated with industrial poisons.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Coughs; Colds; Fevers; Rheumatism; Arthritis.
Other Uses: In solid form Camphor is added in small amounts to Lunar and chastity type mixtures, -Eucalyptus or Lavender oil may be substituted. Divination; Prophetic Dreams; Psychic Awareness. Burn in the home to purify the air and to dispel disease.
Latin Name: salvia lyrata Alternative Name: lyreleaf sage Forms Available: root, leaf, seed
Cancer Leaf – salvia lyrata – A diaphoretic and laxative plant. Used to treat coughs and colds. Used to relieve diarrhoea. Leaves, seeds and roots are used on wounds and sores. A folk remedy for cancer.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: diaphoretic, laxative, salve. Relieves diarrhoea, coughs and colds. Applied externally,, treats wounds.
Latin Name: carum carvi Alternative Name: caraway seed, kummel Forms Available: essential oil, seed, leaf, root
Caraway – carum carvi – Caraway is a hardy biennial with finely cut feathery leaves, umbels of small flower heads in midsummer and capsules containing two curved narrow seeds. The seeds are a popular spice, especially in Central Europe. They enhance port, goulash, sauerkraut, cheese, and pickles and are added to cooking cabbage to reduce the smell. They flavor breads and cakes and are eaten raw or sugar-coated as Caraway comfits after a spicy meal. They sweeten the breath, aid digestion, and relieve flatulence. Chopped leaves are added to soups and salads, and the root is cooked as a vegetable. Essential oil, distilled from the seeds, flavors gin, candy, the liqueur Kümel, and mouthwashes, and scents soaps, and aftershaves. The seeds are antiseptic and a vermifuge. Caraway seeds have been used in cooking since the Stone Age.
The powdered seeds are taken in doses of one-fourth to one teaspoon to promote digestion and relieve gas. Caraway tea also relieves menstrual cramps, as it helps to bring on the menstruation. Caraway increases breast milk. To make the tea, steep three teaspoons of the ground seeds in one-half cup of water for twenty minutes -use a kitchen blender to lightly crush the seed. Take up to one and a half cups a day in one-fourth cup doses, or simply chew the seeds. One to four drops of the essential oil may be taken as a digestive aid. For colicky babies, soak one ounce of the ground seed in a pint of cold water for about six hours. The dose is from one to three teaspoons of the infusion, or boil three teaspoons of seed in one-half cup of milk for a few minutes, then steep for ten minutes. The powdered seeds are moistened to make a poultice for bruises and earaches.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Caraway seed is effective as an expectorant. Also relieves constipation and flatulence. Improves appetite. Stimulates breast milk.
Other Uses: Caraway is often added to love potions to keep lovers from being unfaithful. The seeds are placed in poppets and used in spells to find one’s mate. They are said to inspire lust when baked into cakes or breads. Put some in your wedding cake!
