Camphor essential oil should not be confused with the compound of the same name. The crude exudate of the camphor tree contains about 50% of the compound, camphor. Camphor essential oil is distilled from this exudate and contains very little camphor. Instead, it contains mostly limonene, p-Cymene, a-Pinene, and 1,8-Cineole.
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Latin Name: cinnamomum camphora Alternative Name: laurel camphor, gum camphor Forms Available: essential oil, crystalized extract, leaf
The Camphor tree can grow up to 35 meters (100 feet) and camphor is found in every part of it. The Essential Oil is extracted by steam from the chipped wood, root stumps and branches, and is then rectified. White camphor oil is the first distillation’s fraction. In China and Japan, Cinnamomum camphora must be at least 50 years old to produce oil, and can often grow as old as a thousand years. The wood has been used in the construction of temples and in ship-building because of its durability and aromatic properties.
Camphor oil has been determined to be toxic in various studies, when used in excess of the prescribed quantity. According to the safety report, the acute toxicity of Camphor oil is said to be exhibited by contact with the skin, eyes, inhaling and ingesting, and ingestion of Camphor oil should be avoided strictly mainly due to its chronic effects on the liver (hepatotoxic – toxic to the liver).
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Using Camphor oil topically might also cause skin sensitization, irritation, skin allergies like hives, itching, rashes, swelling of the face and lip dryness. Camphor oil used as direct contact with the skin without any dilution in appropriate carrier oils is considered a dangerous skin irritant. Never use Camphor oil on cuts, broken or peeled skin.
It is highly recommended to avoid Camphor oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as it gets quickly absorbed by the placenta and may cause physical and neurological damage to the developing fetus and in nursing mothers there are possibilities of Camphor being absorbed through skin cracks and pass on to infants through milk (might cause damage to the infants’ liver and central nervous system).
Do not use Camphor oil on patients with bronchitis, asthma, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease, as it can cause convulsions, increase spasms, seizures (by accounting to chemical disparity in the brain) and worsen the situation. It is also not recommended for high blood pressure patients as it is frequently used in the treatment of low blood pressure.
The safe level of use of Camphor is up to 3% dilution in case of liniments. As per the Dutch Information Medicamentorum, the safe usage level of Camphor is 20 to 100 mg/g for chest rubs, 0.15 mg/ml for nasal sprays, 20 to 50 mg/g for nose ointments, 1 to 70 mg/g for pruritus lotion and 40 to 250 mg/g in oils for muscular pain. However 11% is regarded as the maximum level of safe usage in all kinds of dermal applications.
Camphor, according to the Poisons Information Monograph, an International Programme on Chemical safety states that the major risks of ingestion of Camphor are renal damage, colic, anxiety, convulsions, nausea, delirium, gastric irritation, irritation of the mucous membrane, asystole, apnoea, chronic post-convulsive coma and difficulty in breathing occur after ingesting about 2 grams of Camphor (acute toxicity level) and 4 grams are possibly lethal for adults and 1 gram for children and may cause death.
This report also denotes that the major target organs for Camphor damage are the upper respiratory tract, liver, kidneys and the central nervous system. Certain studies witness the immediate collapse in infants soon after the application of Camphor to their nostrils.
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Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Coughs; Colds; Fevers; Rheumatism; Arthritis.
Traditionally, 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.
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.
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.
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Maximum dermal use level: 0.4% to avoid phototoxicity
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) recommends that Bergamot oil be limited to 0.4% (about 2.4 drops per ounce of any other carrier oils) for leave-on products like ointments, creams, and lotions used on skin exposed to sunlight. There is no restriction for body washes, shampoos, soaps, and other wash-off products because the oil does not remain on the skin. The risk of phototoxicity is reduced for Bergamot oils that are furocoumarin-free or bergaptene-free (designated FCF).
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Latin Name: citrus bergamia Alternative Name: orange mint, orange bergamot Forms Available: essential oil
Botanically called as Citrus bergamia, Bergamot is a member of the Citrus family Rutaceae.
The rich, herbaceous and fruity-aromatic essential oil is cold pressed from the rind of the Bergamot fruit. The thin, smooth peel yields Bergamot oil for “true” eau de Cologne and Earl Grey Tea.
The Bergamot tree can grow up to four meters high, with star-shaped flowers, and smooth leaves, bearing citrus fruit resembling a cross between an orange and a grapefruit, but in a pear shape. The fruit ripens from green to yellow. The name Bergamot is derived from the city Bergamo in Lombardy where the oil was first sold.
Bergamot oil has photosensitizing effects. This may cause irritation and burning of the skin when exposed to sunlight up to 72 hours after the topical application of this oil. This applies to direct skin applications like massage oils, balms, creams and lotions and not for cleansing products like shampoos and soaps.
Studies establish that the phototoxic chemical constituents in Bergamot oil are Bergaptene, Bergamotene and other furocoumarins. It is also stated that furocoumarins (Psoralens) contribute to carcinogenic, photomutagenic, phototoxic and melanogenic properties of Bergamot oil.
These compounds absorb ultraviolet radiation (UV rays A and B), which might cause negative reaction on the skin, leading to chronic sunburn, skin irritation, hyperpigmentation, development of skin lesions, Berloque dermatitis, alterations in the cellular structure of the skin. The resulting burns (like any sunburn) increase the risk of skin cancer.
Surprisingly, Furocoumarins are also remedially used in combination with long-wave ultraviolet light therapy for the treatment of vitiligo, mycosis fungoides and psoriasis.
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The traditional remedial attributes of Bergamot oil are anti-depressant, sedative, antiseptic, analgesic, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, antibiotic, vulnerary, cicatrisant, disinfectant, deodorant, antispasmodic, vermifuge, relaxant, anti-infectious and stimulant.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Boils; Cold Sores; Insect Bites; Spots; Varicose Ulcers; Colds; Flu; Fevers; Acne, Tension, Wounds; Coughs; Stress; as an Antidepressant; as an Insect Repellent; Depression; Cystitis; Infectious Diseases; Tonsilitis: Loss of Appetite.
Other Uses: Used for money and protective rituals. Add the distilled bouquet to your bathwater for these purposes. Synthesized versions of the oil abound but should not be used.
Reference Links Substantiating Possible Skin Issues of Bergamot Oil:
Nature is relentless and unchangeable, and it is indifferent as to whether its hidden reasons and actions are understandable to man or not. -Galileo Galilei
Maximum dermal use level: 0.5% to avoid skin sensitization
Tisserand and Young recommend that Bay Laurel oil be limited to 0.5% (about 3 drops per ounce of any other carrier oils) for leave-on products like ointments, creams, and lotions. There is no restriction for body washes, shampoos, soaps, and other wash-off products because the oil does not remain on the skin.
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Latin Name: laurus nobilis Alternative Name: sweet bay, bay tree, baie, daphne, grecian laurel, laurel, laurier d’apollon, laurier sauce, lorbeer, noble laurel, roman laurel.
Bay is an evergreen tree which can grow up to 20 meters high with dark green, glossy leaves and black berries. Bay was very popular with the Romans, who thought it was a symbol of wisdom, peace and protection. The Latin laudis means ‘to praise’, which is why the victors at the Olympic Games were presented with a laurel wreath made of bay leaves.
Bay oil is said to exhibit irritation, sensitization, hepatoxicity and cytotoxicity. Topical application and inhalation of this oil might cause allergies, skin irritation, sensitization in pregnant women, children and nursing mothers, arrest blood clotting and irritate the mucous membranes. It is recommended to avoid Bay oil during pregnancy, even in a diluted form, as it may cause harm to the developing fetus.
The key chemical constituents responsible for the possible skin issues of Bay Laurel oil are eugenol and methyleugenol. Although it is an excellent decongestant and antiseptic, eugenol in undiluted Bay oil can cause rashes, itching, irritation of the skin and the mucous membranes, when applied as a decongestant ointment or during inhalation of the concentrated oil. Always dilute Bay Laurel oil with an inert carrier oil and perform a patch test on your skin before using it for dermatological purposes.
Numerous studies state that Bay oil has cytotoxic effects, which means it can be toxic or deadly to cells. For this effect, Bay oil is used therapeutically in Apoptosis or a genetic line up for controlled cell death, especially in the treatment of Cancer. Chemotherapy (treatment of cancer) solely depends upon the potential of cytotoxic remedies to destroy the existing cancerous cells and thwart the rapid reproducing ability of cancer cells (Antiproliferative ability).
Bay Laurel is often confused with other members of the Laurel family like Mountain Laurel, Cherry Laurel, which are potential toxic agents. It is also confused with Westy Indian Bay.
This warning is applicable to direct skin applications like lotions, balms, massage oils and creams and not for bathing products like soaps and shampoos.
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Bay leaf is known as Tejpatta (Indian Bay leaf or Cinnamomum tamala) in Ayurveda, and it has been used in the treatment of scalp dryness, migraine, amenorrhea, neuralgia, headache, asthma, poor memory, kidney infections, joint pain, uterus infection, arthritis, high blood sugar, menstrual difficulties, flatulence, stress, indigestion, diabetes and certain respiratory problems.
The wood is used to give an aromatic tang to smoked foods, and oil of Bay, from the fruit, flavors some liqueurs. A leaf decoction added to bath water will relieve aching limbs, and diluted leaf essential oil can treat sprains and rheumatic joints but may irritate the skin. The leaf and berry are used in salves for itching, sprains, bruises, skin irritations, and rheumatic pain. The fruit and leaf are simmered until soft and made into a poultice with honey for chest colds. Bay leaf and berry tea makes a bath additive that helps the bladder, bowel, and female reproductive organs. Use two tablespoons per cup and steep for forty-five minutes; add to bath water.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Sprains; Colds; Flu; Insomnia; Rheumatism.
Other Uses: Bay leaves were used by the Delphic priestesses. The incense and the leaf are said to produce a prophetic trance. Burn for psychic powers, purification, wish magic, exorcism, healing/health, protection, divination, visions, clairvoyance, energy, power.
Reference Links Substantiating Possible Skin Issues of Bay oil:
Latin Name: prunus dulcis, prunus amygdalus Alternative Name: sweet almond Forms Available: oil, nut, wood, extract
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Almond – prunus dulcis, prunus amygdalus – The Sweet Almond tree has dark-colored bark, rose to white flowers in early spring, and dry-fleshed fruit with a pitted stone containing the nut.
Almonds flavor many dishes. Almond oil is a fixed oil pressed from the Sweet Almond seeds and is used in cosmetics, massage oils, and medicines.
Almonds must be chewed well and slowly. The whole raw almond had been described as a cancer preventative. Arabs crossing vast deserts live on only almonds, dates and water. One ounce of almonds can be soaked overnight in four ounces of water and blended in the morning to make a milk substitute. Peeled almonds can relieve heartburn. Ground almonds make a wonderful facial scrub. The oil relieves coughs and hoarseness. Almonds have very little starch, and the butter and flour of the nuts is recommended for diabetics.
Caution – Almonds contain hydrocyanic acid and can be toxic if eaten in large amounts such as over 50 kernels for an adult and ten for a child.
Sweet almond oil is obtained from the nut of the tree, which is native to Asia and the Mediterranean. This oil is a favorite carrier oil for essential oil aromatherapy blends, although it is often used by itself for moisturizing skin. The oil has no scent and is a great nutrient for softening and conditioning the skin. It has been known to be especially suitable for eczema, itchy, dry and inflamed skin. It is very lubricating but not very penetrating. Since it contains glucosides, vitamins and minerals, it makes a fabulous massage oil. Widely used in lotions, lotion bars, balms and soaps, sweet almond oil saponifies easily and produces a mild soap with very good lather. This oil can be used as a large percentage of the fats or as an oil added at trace.
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Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The oil is a great base for massage, bath, body and skin-care products. Sweet Almond oil is scentless and nourishing to the skin.
Other Uses: Wood – Burn for money, riches and wisdom. Almond wood makes a nice magical wand. Sweet Almond Oil is one of the primary carrier oils for ritual and anointing blends.
Thought for the day:
I said to the almond tree, ‘Friend, speak to me of God,’ and the almond tree blossomed.
Latin Name: Illicium verum Alternative Name: chinese anise Forms Available: essential oil
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Anise Star – llicium verum – steam distilled star, China. The essential oil resides in the pericarp, not in the seed. Spicy, warm, licorice-like aroma like anise seed, but slightly stronger. Fishermen use it to mask human scent while fishing. Well known for its effect on the digestive system. May have a good effect on asthma and breathing difficulties. Anise has estrogenlike properties, is an emmenagogue, aids childbirth, increases milk secretion, and is antispasmodic for nerves and muscles. Anise is indicated for lack of menstruation, menopause, colitis, and poor breathing due to nerves. Blends well with fennel, petitgrain and rosewood.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: May have a good effect on asthma and breathing difficulties. Anise has estrogenlike properties, is an emmenagogue, aids childbirth, increases milk secretion, and is antispasmodic for nerves and muscles. Anise is indicated for lack of menstruation, menopause.
Other Uses: Anise leaves or seeds used in a potpourri will protect a room from evil spirits. Anise, in or under pillow, helps keep nightmares away.
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