Everlasting Essential Oil

Botanical Nomenclature: Helichrysum angustifolium
Extraction Method: Distillation

Everlasting essential oil is distilled from the daisy-shaped flowers of Helichrysum angustifolium, a woody shrub in the aster family. Also known as helichrysum or immortelle, this plant is now grown throughout the Mediterranean.

The plant gets its common name, everlasting, from the fact that its flowers keep both their shape and their color when dried. And the tiny sun-colored flowers also pay homage to its scientific name, too. Helichrysum comes from two Greek words—helios, which means “sun”, and chrysos which means “gold”.

Although there about 500 or so known species in the genus, only a handful are used to make essential oil. Of them, it’s H. angustifolium that is most often seen and most highly prized by aromatherapists.

Characteristics of Everlasting Essential Oil

Everlasting essential oil should be yellow or pale yellow with a distinct “oily” texture. The scent is often described as “tea-like” and has sweet or “fruity” tones. It feels very full and perhaps even a bit “wet” in the nose. The scent is extremely “invasive” and long-lasting.

Psychological Aromatherapy

The sheer cost of producing everlasting essential oil makes it somewhat rare in “casual” aromatherapy but everlasting is considered extremely important for spiritual and emotional healing. It is often the “anchor” in blends intended to help traumatized or grieving people. Author Gabriel Mojay says that people drawn to everlasting oil are “emotionally blocked” and often seek relief from their inner pain through less-than-acceptable behaviors.

Author Julia Lawless recommends this oil especially for right-brain thinking and to increase dreams.

Traditional Uses for Everlasting

In European herbalism, preparations made from the herb were used mainly to treat respiratory conditions—especially conditions accompanied by “wet” coughs. Today, the essential oil made from the flowers is considered an anti-inflammatory.

Aromatherapy expert Salvatore Battaglia assigns these therapeutic properties to everlasting essential oil:

• Anti-Inflammatory
• Antimicrobial & Antiseptic
• Antitussive & Expectorant
• Cholagogue & Hepatic
• Mucolytic

Serious Scientific Studies on Everlasting Oil

Herbal preparations and essential oils made from the various species of everlasting have been the focus of a surprising number of scientific studies. Two of the most important are listed here:

Anti-Inflammatory Actions

A 2002 study from Spain didn’t look specifically at the essential oil but found that certain chemicals in the plant itself demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions when tested on animals. Experiments like these explain why everlasting oil is so often considered a safe and effective home remedy for some types of arthritis.

Anti-Allergy Actions

Everlasting has long been used in Europe as a home remedy for allergy. Indeed, a 2007 study from Spain supports this centuries-old practice. Researchers in this study found that chemicals in H. picardii, a species related to H. angustifolium, has both antihistaminic and antieicosanoid potential.

Safety Issues with Everlasting Essential Oil

Everlasting is generally listed as non-toxic and non-irritating. Like most other essential oils, it has not been extensively tested for safety during pregnancy or lactation.

References:

Battaglia, S. (2005). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy.
Mojay, G. (1996). Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit.
Lawless, J. (1992). The encyclopedia of Essential Oils.
Sala, A., et al. (2002). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Helichrysum italicum.
Santa Rosa, C., et al. (2007). Antihistaminic and antieicosanoid effects of oleanolic and ursolic acid fraction from Helichrysum picardii.

Apple Mint Oil Studied For Vaginal Yeast Infections

Scientists says that an essential oil made from the common backyard perennial we call apple mint has been found effective against the Candida fungi that cause vaginal yeast infections and thrush. And, at least in this study, the apple mint oil was actually more effective than aromatherapy’s old standby oil, tea tree.

Two types of experiments were used for this study, which was published this morning by Italian researchers in the medical journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. One was an in vitro study in which the Candida was cultured under glass. The other was a real-life study done on laboratory animals. In both tests the apple mint essential oil reduced the infection—to use the scientists own word—“significantly”. And it did it better than the tea tree oil against which it was also tested.

Apple mint, which is known in some areas as woolly mint, grows throughout parts of Europe and is heavily planted as an ornamental perennial. But while gardeners may love it aromatherapists have been a bit slower to jump onboard. There’s almost no scientific study on apple mint essential oil and very little written about it even in “serious” aromatherapy books.

The scientists behind this study hope that their work will encourage more study. They still don’t know, for example, exactly which chemical component is the “active” one.

German Chamomile

Botanical Nomenclature: Matricaria recutita
Extraction Method: Distillation

German chamomile essential oil and its role in traditional medicine has been the subject of much debate among serious aromatherapists. The family to which it belongs, Asteraceae, is a large botanical family that has seen many re-classifications among its various species. But today, German chamomile oil is always distilled from the the flowering head of Matricaria recutita.

Most aromatherapy oils aren’t known for (or judged by) their appearance. But German chamomile’s deep blue color is hard to miss. Given this oil’s ability to stain just about anything it touches, it may surprise you to learn that German chamomile is immensely important to the cosmetic industry. Widely believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, this intensely-scented oil is also one of the few oils considered safe enough for even young children.

Characteristics of German Chamomile

German chamomile essential oil should be noticeably blue in color and perhaps just a bit more viscous than other distilled oils. It has an overwhelming “herby” scent with sweet, almost fruity, undertones.

Psychological Aromatherapy

According to popular aromatherapy texts, German chamomile is a good oil for “opening up the flow of energy” and easing blocks in the various chakras. This makes German chamomile a good oil for stress, anxiety and tension.

German chamomile people are said to be emotionally deep people who are sturdy and reliable. Aromatherapists will diffuse this type of chamomile into the air to combat anger or nervous tension.

Traditional Uses for German Chamomile Oil

It’s hard to know exactly how German chamomile was used in generations past because until fairly recently, many similar plants were known simply as “chamomile”. But Salvatore Battaglia assigns the following therapeutic actions to German chamomile essential oil:

• Analgesic
• Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Allergenic & Antispasmodic
• Bactericidal
• Carminative
• Cicatrisant
• Decongestant
• Emmenagogue
• Hepatic
• Sedative
• Stomachic

Scientific Studies on German Chamomile Oil

Wound Healing

The various chamomiles have long been considered effective skin soothers and in 2007, a study from Trinidad found that German chamomile oil added to the drinking water of animals sped healing of open wounds. How (or even if) this will someday translate to human use has yet to be seen.

Colic

While few researchers advocate the practice of giving essential oils to infants, a popular herbal remedy containing German chamomile oil has been found effective at relieving symptoms of colic in mice. This product, ColiMil®, may someday enjoy widespread acceptance as a natural colic remedy for human infants.

Inflammation & Arthritis

Human studies of German chamomile’s alleged anti-inflammatory actions are rare but a 2006 review of past chamomile studies supports the theory that this oil may have what the researchers called “potent anti-inflammatory action”.

Safety Issues

Most popular aromatherapy texts list German chamomile as non-toxic and non-sensitizing. However, people who use German chamomile and take the prescription medication warfarin should consult their physician about interactions.

Of course, allergic responses to chamomile are certainly possible, too.

References:

Battaglia, S. (2005). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy
Nayak, B., et al. (2007). Wound healing activity of Matricaria recutita L. extract.
Capasso, R., et al. (2007). Effects of the herbal formulation ColiMil((R)) on upper gastrointestinal transit in mice in vivo.
Segal, R., et al. (2006). Warfarin interaction with Matricaria chamomilla.
McKay, D., et al. (2006). A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.).

Wormwood

Botanical Nomenclature: Artemisia absinthium
Extraction Method: Distillation

Wormwood essential oil is, by nearly every popular aromatherapy author, placed on lists of “hazardous” essential oils. And much of wormwood’s reputation is well deserved. Until the early part of the 20th century, wormwood leaves and flowers were used to make an alcoholic spirit called absinthe. But, citing scientific studies on the potential psychoactive compounds in absinthe, most European countries and the United States had banned the sale of this highly popular spirit well before the 1920s.

Psychological Aromatherapy

Today, most popular aromatherapy authors list wormwood as a “toxic” essential oil. Because of this, wormwood is not often used in casual aromatherapy.

Traditional Uses for Wormwood Oil

Wormwood’s Commission E monograph lists the herb, but not the essential oil, as a remedy for loss of appetite, dyspepsia and certain gall bladder issues.

In some areas, wormwood herb was also used at one time to treat certain parasitic infections.

Today, the volatile oil made from the herb is considered toxic and is not generally recommended for use. No surprising, aromatherapy author Salvatore Battaglia assigns no therapeutic actions to wormwood oil.

Serious Medical Studies on Wormwood Oil

In preparation for this article, we could find no medical studies on the potential medical uses for wormwood essential oil.

Safety Issues

Whether wormwood’s thujone content was really responsible for widespread addiction, increased crime and other undesirable behaviors or not is a matter of great debate. What scientists do know is that thujone is a potent chemical capable of causing seizures.

References:

Battaglia, S. (2005). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy

Padosch, S., Lachenmeier, D., Kröner, L. (2006). Absinthism: a fictitious 19th century syndrome with present impact.

Citronella

Botanical Nomenclature: Cymbopogan nardus
Extraction Method: Distillation

Citronella essential oil is distilled from the leaves of a perennial grass native to Sri Lanka. Known botanically as Cymbopogon naruds, citronella is classified in the same genus as lemongrass and palmarosa.

Here in the U.S., citronella oil enjoys the status of “Generally Recognized as Safe” by the Food & Drug Administration for use in food products.

Widely used to scent soaps, detergents and household cleaners, citronella essential oil is perhaps best known in “natural” medicine as a natural insect repellent.

Characteristics of Citronella Essential Oil

Citronella oil should be yellow or yellowish-brown in color. It should have a distinct grassy odor with faint hints of “lemon” and will be instantly familiar to anyone who has ever used a spray-on insect repellent.

Psychological Aromatherapy

Citronella is most often used as an insect repellent and is rarely mentioned for use in “casual” aromatherapy. But at least one author recommends diffusing citronella oil to alleviate fatigue.

Traditional Uses for Citronella Oil

In India and Sri Lanka various preparations of citronella and its grassy botanical cousins have long been used to clean cuts and scrapes. Today, herbalists still regard citronella as anti-microbial and antiseptic. And, of course, citronella is widely regarded around the world as a “natural” alternative to insect repellents like DEET.

Italian aromatherapy expert Salvatore Battaglia list the following therapeutic actions in his review of citronella oil:

• Antiseptic
• Bactericidal & Insecticidal
• Deodorant
• Diaphoretic
• Febrifuge
• Tonic

Scientific Studies on Citronella Oil

Citronella oil has been studied primarily for its use as a “natural” insect repellent. While several studies have found citronella an effective alternative to chemicals like DEET, we could find no studies looking at citronella oil for any medicinal purpose.

Safety Issues

Citronella is generally listed as non-toxic and non-irritating in today’s aromatherapy books but a handful of poisonings have been documented. Also, some reports have linked citronella to contact dermatitis but no widespread contraindications are known at this time.

Like other essential oils, citronella has not been exhaustively studied for long-term safety or use during pregnancy and lactation.

References:

Battaglia, S. (2005). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy.
FDA. (2003). Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21.
Davies, M., et al. (1978). Contact dermatitis from an ostomy deodorant.
Temple, W., et al. (1991). Management of oil of citronella poisoning.
Trongtokit, Y., et al. (2005). Efficacy of repellent products against caged and free flying Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes.

Bay (West Indies)

Botanical Nomenclature: Pimenta racemosa
Extraction Method: Distillation

Bay essential oil isn’t terribly common in aromatherapy but it’s still a common ingredient in some hair care products. In fact, this essential oil is widely regarded by aromatherapists as an effective way to stimulate hair growth and support scalp health.

Native to the West Indies of the Caribbean, West Indies bay oil also enjoys limited use as a liniment additive. It doesn’t seem to have the same sensitizing properties as other bay oils and has at least some antiseptic properties.

Characteristics of Bay Essential Oil

West Indies bay oil can range in color from dark yellow to orange-brown. It has a strong, somewhat medicinal smell with hints of spicy, warm balsamic base notes.

Psychological Aromatherapy

Psychologically, West Indies bay is used to relieve emotional exhaustion, warm the spirit and and stimulate the mind.

Traditional Uses for Bay Oil

There is some debate about the safety of West Indies bay oil, especially when used directly on the body but, at least currently, those fears seem to be unfounded. Aromatherapy expert Salvatore Battaglia assigns the following therapeutic actions to West Indies bay:

• Antiseptic
• Analgesic
• Astringent
• Expectorant
• Stimulant

Scientific Studies on Bay Oil

Antibacterial Actions

A number of studies have identified West Indies bay as an antibacterial essential oil. Though a 2003 study of various essential oils found this type of bay only moderately effective against E. coli, a 2004 study found oil made from P. racemosa more effective than other species of bay.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

A 2004 animal study seems to support West Indies bay’s use as a muscle-friendly oil. In this test, an extract made from the leaves of P. racemosa, in the words of researchers, “significantly reduced the carrageenan-induced edema” in test subjects.

Safety Issues

West Indies bay’s eugenol content may make this essential oil unsuitable for oral use but this theory has not been supported by scientific tests. The 2004 rat study that found P. racemosa effective for inflammation found “usual” doses of the oil non-toxic. It’s important to remember, however, that West Indies bay hasn’t been extensively tested for safety.

References:

Battaglia, S. (2005). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy.

Burt, S., et al. (2003). Antibacterial activity of selected plant essential oils against Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Saenz, M., et al. (2004). Antibacterial activity of essential oils of Pimenta racemosa var. terebinthina and Pimenta racemosa var. grisea.

Garcia, M., et al. (2004). Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of the aqueous extract from leaves of Pimenta racemosa var. ozua (Mirtaceae).

Thyme

Botanical Nomenclature: Thymus vulgaris
Extraction Method: Distillation

Thyme essential oil is distilled from the leaves and flowers of Thymus vulgaris, one of 350 species of thyme grown around the world. Also known as red thyme, this species of thyme is the common thyme found most often in garden centers and backyard herb gardens.

Depending upon whom you ask, the root word from which thyme gets its name means either “to fumigate” or “courage” in ancient Greek. Either way, legend tells us that Roman soldiers bathed in thyme-infused waters before entering battle.

But thyme is best known as a antimicrobial. During the Plague, herbalists recommended thyme to protect against plague, leprosy and parasites like lice and ticks. Thyme was also a “strewn” herb used to fumigate homes during times of disease outbreaks.

Characteristics of Thyme Essential Oil

Red thyme essential oil is reddish in color and can range from brownish-red to orange. It has a warm, herbaceous scent with hints of spice and woody undertones.

Thyme made from T. serpyllum will be much lighter in color but have a similar scent. This species of thyme is usually known as “white” thyme.

Psychological Aromatherapy

A number of popular aromatherapy authors have written about thyme. Most agree that thyme essential oil warms the body and stimulates the flow of Qi. Thyme personalities are described as clear-headed and hard-working nature lovers.

Traditional Uses for Thyme Oil

Perhaps thyme’s best-known use was as a preventative and treatment for various respiratory infections. For centuries, thyme has been considered a protective agent against any number of diseases and, today, we know that thyme does, in fact, have antimicrobial actions.

Scientific Studies on Thyme Oil

Thyme is not a particularly pleasant-smelling essential oil but its use has been studied fairly extensively.

Digestive Support

Thyme oil is sometimes listed as an appetite stimulant and a 2007 study from Scotland seems to support this. When added to the normal food given to newborn chicks, thyme increased the amount of food the chicks ate and this, in turn, resulted in higher body mass.

Antioxidant Actions

In laboratory tests, thyme oil exhibits antioxidant actions. This was clearly demonstrated in a 2007 test in which thyme, mixed with clove oil, resulted in a 90% reduction in malonaldehyde formation when tested with human skin lipids.

Antimicrobial Effects

Thyme has long been regarded as an antimicrobial and this effect has been clearly demonstrated over and over in scientific tests. One of the most recent studies on thyme’s germ-killing actions was a 2007 study that found the thymol content in thyme oil a potent agent against one of the most common human infections, Candida albicans.

Thyme also kills various strains of bacteria, as well. A 2006 study looking at various preventatives for Listeria found thyme oil “strongly antimicrobial”. And while this study didn’t actually study thyme as a food additive, a 2005 study of thyme’s effect on E. coli did—producing what the study’s authors referred to as “interesting” while encouraging further investigation into thyme’s value as a food additive to fight E. coli and other food-borne illnesses.

Safety Issues

Like most other essential oils, thyme has not been exhaustively studied for long-term safety. Popular aromatherapy texts generally list is as “non-toxic” but a potential sensitizer. To our knowledge, thyme has not been studied for use during pregnancy or lactation.

References:

Battaglia, S. (2005). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy.

Cross, D., et al. (2007). The effect of herbs and their associated essential oils on performance, dietary digestibility and gut microflora in chickens from 7 to 28 days of age.

Wei, A., et al. (2007). Antioxidant activities of essential oil mixtures toward skin lipid squalene oxidized by UV irradiation.

Braga, P., et al. (2007). Eugenol and thymol, alone or in combination, induce morphological alterations in the envelope of Candida albicans.

Rasooli, I., et al. (2006). Ultrastructural studies on antimicrobial efficacy of thyme essential oils on Listeria monocytogenes.

JuglChizzola, M., et al. (2005). Effects of Thymus vulgaris L. as feed additive in piglets and against haemolytic E. coli in vitro.

Cinnamon

Botanical Nomenclature: Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Extraction Method: Distillation

Cinnamon essential oil—all four varieties—can be made from the evergreen tree Cinnamomum zeylanicum. Cinnamon root and cinnamon twig oils are rarely used in aromatherapy while cinnamon leaf oil is a lighter, less-expensive option to the much pricer cinnamon bark oil. All four oils are steam-distilled but no variety of cinnamon essential oil should be confused with cassia oil, a related but different oil made from C. cassia.

Cinnamon is one of the spices mentioned in the Bible; in fact, it was one of the spices God told Moses to take with him from Egypt. And speaking of the ancient Egyptians, they used cinnamon extensively in mummification. Later, cinnamon become so popular in Europe that, at least according to legend, it was the motivating factor behind the discovery of the shipping route around the Cape of Africa.

Characteristics of Cinnamon Essential Oil

Cinnamon leaf oil—the least expensive and more readily available of the two cinnamons in use today— should range from yellow to light brown and have a spicey cinnamon scent with strong overtones of clove. Cinnamon bark oil, on the other hand, should be much darker in color and more viscous texture. This type of cinnamon, which will be far more expensive, will have a strong, true cinnamon scent.

Psychological Aromatherapy

Cinnamon is universally regarded by aromatherapy experts as “warming” and “stimulating”. People who feel drawn to this scent are said to have strong, independent personalities and tend to be intelligent decision-makers. Psychologically, cinnamon oil is used to strengthen resolve, banish depression and fight melancholy.

Traditional Uses for Cinnamon Oils

Cinnamon essential oil is still widely used in both the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. It’s a popular flavoring in oral care products, especially, and performs as a base note in perfumery. Salvatore Battaglia assigns the following therapeutic properties to cinnamon oils:

• Anesthetic
• Antiseptic
• Aphrodisiac
• Anti-Parasitic
• Anti-Microbial
• Stimulant
• Stomachic

Scientific Studies on Cinnamon Oils

Unlike many essential oils, the various forms of cinnamon essential oil have seen extensive testing for a number of medicinal purposes. Today, for example, we know exactly why cinnamon was so highly prized in mummification—it’s a powerful anti-microbial. But cinnamon and the oils made from it have other uses as well.

Inflammation

A 2007 study of the major components of cinnamon twig oil led researchers to pronounce that this oil has, in their words, “excellent anti-inflammatory activities and thus have great potential to be used as a source for natural health products”.

Anti-Microbial Properties

Cinnamon has long been used as a preservative and today we realize why. Cinnamon oil has been repeatedly shown to have strong anti-microbial properties and can be used to destroy the germs that cause infections like pneumonia, E. coli, lysteria, salmonella and other potentially dangerous diseases.

Repellant Properties

The various cinnamon oils are also proving themselves useful in the fight against some of our most annoying (and in some cases, dangerous) pests. Cinnamon oil has been successfully used to control pests that destroy food crops and pests that pose direct dangers to humans. A 2006 Korean study found that creams made with 5% cinnamon oil provided up to 94% protection against the mosquito that spreads yellow fever among humans.

Safety Issues

Cinnamon oil, especially when it’s made from the bark, can be both a sensitizer and a strong dermal irritant. Numerous studies report case after case of allergic-type reactions after topical exposure to various forms of cinnamon oil. This has led some in the aromatherapy community to call for a ban on some cinnamons, especially cinnamon bark oil.

There is also some concern that cinnamon may pose a risk as a lung irritant. A study of workers in a factory where powdered cinnamon was produced found that 87% of them reported some form of discomfort after working around the spice and 22% of them had asthma.

References:

Battaglia, S. (2005). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy

Tung, Y., et al. (2007). Anti-inflammation activities of essential oil and its constituents from indigenous cinnamon (Cinnamomum osmophloeum) twigs.

Chang, C., et al. (2007). Antibacterial activities of plant essential oils against Legionella pneumophila.

Senhaji, O., et al. (2007). Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by essential oil from Cinnamomum zeylanicum.

Shan, B., (2007). Antibacterial properties and major bioactive components of cinnamon stick (Cinnamomum burmannii): activity against foodborne pathogenic bacteria.

Chang, K., et al. (2006). Repellency of Cinnamomum cassia bark compounds and cream containing cassia oil to Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) under laboratory and indoor conditions

Uragoda, C. (1984). Asthma and other symptoms in cinnamon workers.

Basil

Botanical Nomenclature: Ocimum basilicum
Extraction Method: Distillation

Basil essential oil made from Ocimum basilicum is called “holy basil” in India and this is due to the fact that basil is enormously important to the Hindu faith and is dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi. Also known as tulsi, basil, which is native to tropical Asia, is now cultivated around the world.

Characteristics of Basil Oil

A good basil oil will be thin and nearly clear. Basil has a slightly sweet and grassy scent with just a hint of licorice in it. Basil should always smell fresh and not musty.

Psychological Aromatherapy

Aromatherapists write that basil is a warm essential oil that improves mood and revives the fatigued mind. Basil oil is diffused to ease depression, stimulate thinking and banish melancholy.

Traditional Uses for Basil

Basil was once believed to ward off evil spirits. But basil had medicinal uses, too. It is a popular home remedy for digestive conditions, nervous disorders and to expel parasites. Aromatherapist Salvatore Battaglia assigns the following therapeutic properties to basil oil:

• Analgesic
• Antidepressant
• Antiseptic
• Antispasmodic
• Carminative
• Digestive
• Expectorant
• Nervine

Serious Medical Studies Of Basil Oil

Parasites

Basil has become a favorite folk remedy for various parasites in recent years and this use has at least some basis in science. A 2007 study confirmed that basil essential oil is effective against Giardia lamblia, a protozoan parasite that can infect humans, pets and lifestock. This study looked at the effects of adding basil oil to drinking water.

Fungal Infections Basil has been used for centuries to treat fungal infections. A 2003 study showed that basil could effectively inhibit the growth of fungi on fruit. This backed up findings from a 2002 study which found basil oil effective against 13 fungal species, including some that infect humans.

Ear Infections

When compared to a placebo in a 2005 study, basil essential oil, in the words of researchers, “cured or healed” the majority of inner ear infections in laboratory animals. In this test, animals were intentionally infected then treated with basil oil dropped into their ear canals.

Safety Issues

Basil oil may be as much as 85% methyl chavicol, a suspected carcinogen. As such, basil is often listed as contra-indicated during pregnancy. Basil may be also be a skin irritant.

References:

Battaglia, S. (2005). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy.

de Almeida, I., et al. (2007). Antigiardial activity of Ocimum basilicum essential oil.

Kristinsson, K., et al. (2005). Effective treatment of experimental acute otitis media by application of volatile fluids into the ear canal.

Edris, A., et al. (2003). Antifungal activity of peppermint and sweet basil essential oils and their major aroma constituents on some plant pathogenic fungi from the vapor phase.

Sokovic, M., et al. (2002). Antifungal activities of selected aromatic plants growing wild in Greece.

Frankincense

Botanical Nomenclature: Boswelli frererana
Extraction Method: Distillation

Frankincense essential oil has few rivals among aromatherapy oils when it comes to the sheer number of major religions that have incorporated it into their most sacred rituals. The ancient Egyptians, Persians, Hebrews, Greeks and Romans all used frankincense in their practices. And, of course, frankincense continues to be used in Christian worship, as well.

Today, five species of Boswelli, or frankincense, are widely available for aromatherapy use. These are:

• B. carteri
• B. frereana
• B. papyifera
• B. sacra
• B. serrata

The most common essential oil found in North American aromatherapy is probably B. frereana while the most-studied form of frankincense in laboratory tests is probably B. serrata. Regardless of its botanical origin, all frankincense essential oil is made in the same way. Workers make wounds in the bark of the tree then collect the milky liquid that “bleeds” from the incision. This sap is allowed to dry into an amber-colored crystals called “tears” and then the tears are distilled.

Additionally, an absolute, made through solvent extraction of the tears can also be made. This resinoid product is not often use in aromatherapy; it is most often produced for the perfume industry.

Characteristics of Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense essential oil should be yellow in color and quite thin in texture. Frankincense is one of those essential oils that changes with age but all frankincense should have a strong, full scent. Frankincense will be less “woody” than other wood oils and should have fresh, spicy undertones.

Psychological Aromatherapy

Spiritual aromatherapists tell us that frankincense lovers are deeply spiritual people who may seem a bit aloof or secretive. They tend to be mature, rational thinkers rooted in a deep understanding of nature.

Aromatherapists will diffuse frankincense into a room to dispel evil, deepen concentration, enhance contemplative prayer and meditation and to maximize psychological maturity.

Traditional Uses for Frankincense

As important as frankincense is to the world’s major religions, it is also extremely important in the world of cosmetics and toiletries. It is widely regarded as anti-inflammatory and healing. It is a common ingredient in “natural” cosmetics, especially those marketed for wounded, extremely dry or “mature” skin.

Salvatore Battaglia also assigns these therapeutic actions to frankincense:

• Astringent
• Antiseptic
• Aphrodisiac
• Carminative
• Diuretic
• Expectorant
• Sedative
• Uterine

Scientific Studies on Frankincense Oil

While frankincense (and extracts made from it) have seen fairly extensive testing for its potential health benefits, the essential oils themselves have not. Unless specifically noted, the scientific studies discussed in this section may have used preparations other than the essential oils in their tests.

Frankincense & Immune Support

Avicenna recommended frankincense preparations for fever and now we know that he was right. A 2003 study from Egypt identified chemical properties in frankincense essential oil that potentially make frankincense a powerful immune support.

Collagenous Colitis

A small study of colitis patients found that when given a 6-week regimen of boswellia extract, 5 of 7 patients experienced a complete remission of their condition. This study, done in Germany, involved 3 daily doses of 400 mg of boswellia extract taken orally. These findings support previous studies which also found boswellia better than placebo in laboratory tests.

Anti-Cancer Potential

A 2007 study published in the journal Apoptosis found that a chemical isolated from B. serrata induced apoptosis in human leukemia cells. What, if anything, this means for cancer sufferers remains to be seen.

Safety Issues

Frankincense, like most other essential oils, has not been extensively tested for safety in humans. In popular aromatherapy texts, frankincense is listed as non-toxic, non-sensitizing and non-irritating.

References:

Battaglia, S. (2005). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy

Mikhaeil, B., et al. (2003). Chemistry and immunomodulatory activity of frankincense oil.

Midisch, A., et al. (2007). Boswellia serrata extract for the treatment of collagenous colitis. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.

Bhushan, S., et al. (2007). A triterpenediol from Boswellia serrata induces apoptosis through both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways in human leukemia HL-60 cells.