Myrrh has rock star status around the world thanks to gold and frankincense. Egyptian, Hebrew, Aramaic, Indian, and Chinese texts have written about the magical qualities as well as the value of myrrh for centuries. The Egyptians used it for embalming; the Hebrews used it for incense; it was traded by camel caravans in Arabia, and the Chinese and Indians used it as medicine. The New Testament as well as neo-paganism significance has kept myrrh in the minds of billions of people; it has never lost its ability to mystify cultures around the world. Popular pharmaceutical uses for myrrh include [...]
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Carrots have been around the Middle East and throughout Europe for centuries. The Greeks and the Romans were well aware of the medicinal properties of the oil from carrots. Vitamin A and carotene were identified by early alchemists who used a mixture of carrot seed oil, bergamot, and lemon oil to treat a variety of skin and stomach disorders. The oil is harvested from wild carrot seeds using steam distillation. The plant is also the source for carrot oil. The familiar edible root, which is unmistakably orange, was actually developed by the Dutch during the 17th century. The wild flower [...]
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The aborigines of Australia were the first humans to discover the healing qualities of the eucalyptus tree, but the Koala, Australia’s lovable herbivorous marsupial, was actually the first mammal to discover the amazing leaves of the eucalyptus. A Koala spends at least three of its five active hours eating the leaves of several varieties of eucalyptus leaves because they are low in protein, and high in phenolic compounds, which are powerful antioxidants… plus they’re rich in terpene compounds, which are the primary constituents in the essential oil of the eucalyptus tree. The aborigines undoubtedly noticed the affect of eucalyptus on [...]
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Elegant and colorful geraniums graciously compliment gardens across America, but they are native to South Africa, Madagascar, Morocco, and Egypt. Geraniums were introduced to Spain, Italy, France, and England in the 17th century, and they made their way to America around the same time. These beauties were considered sacred messengers in the old Anglo-Saxon belief about the god, Wotan. The fertility power of the geranium petals was an underlying belief, but they were also prominently display in ceremonies to attract prosperity and abundance. Modern research has identified the hormone balancing ability of geranium oil so those old fertility claims may [...]
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The Greeks called it “joy of the mountain,” and the Italians called it a natural “flavor enhancer,” which eventually became a signature ingredient in Italian recipes. Oregano has been used by tribal healers for over 5,000 years. Ancient medicine men believed oregano could cure fungi and bacteria as well as eliminate pain and inflammation. The Greek goddess Aphrodite reputedly created oregano as a symbol for happiness so bridal couples were crowned with garlands of oregano, and plants were placed on tombs so the departed could find peace in the next life. Modern researchers have discovered numerous benefits when oregano oil [...]
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Man’s connection with nature is well documented through the centuries. Plants and trees have played a vital role in human mental and physical wellness, and they continue to present new avenues for general well being and emotional stability. Angelica oil has been used for over five hundred years to cure a variety of physical issues, especially when flatulence and stomach issue create discomfort. The angelica plant is native to countries in colder climates like Russia, Lithuania, and Norway. Even the inhabitants of Iceland have had a close relationship with the angelica plant through the years. In Lapland the plant was [...]
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The allspice tree is one of those finicky members of the plant family that only grows in certain areas of the world. Jamaica is well known for allspice tree growth, but some South American countries have also been successful in growing and harvesting allspice berries. Different types of allspice berry oil are made using not only the berries, but the stems and leaves as well. When allspice berries are steam distilled, very light and very heavy chemicals emerge. Those chemicals are combined to produce allspice berry oil. Leaves and stems are also used to produce allspice oil, but the berry [...]
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The precious oil from the nuts of the argan tree is only cultivated in in the southern region of Morocco. The goats there know a great thing after they experience it. They have been feasting in areas with argan trees for decades because they enjoy the fruit from this wonder tree which the indigenous people call the “tree of life.” The argan tree is considered the tree of life because it arrests soil erosion and the seeds are used to express the valuable oil that has health properties. In the past the women of the area would work for twenty [...]
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Ancient texts list cinnamon as an important ingredient in incense and in perfume making over 4,000 years ago. The Egyptians used it everyday thanks to its irresistible aroma and taste. The Hebrew Bible mentions cinnamon several times. Moses said the oil should be used in the holy anointing, and Proverbs mention it as a perfume for a lover’s bed. Cinnamon was also a component in Hebrew incense (Ketoret), and it was described in the Hebrew Talmud as Haketoret. Cinnamon bark oil has always been a highly prized gift; it was given to monarchs and even gods like Apollo to express [...]
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The phrase “what’s old is new again” certainly fits as a description for what the Greeks called “Gold of the Sun.” Helichrysum, from the flowers of the Helichrysum angustifolium, and the Helichrysum italicum plants, has been used for centuries to create an oil that has cicatrisant properties to reduce scar tissue, and the chemical constituents linalool, limonene, a-pinene, geraniol, camphene, nerol, 1, 8 cineole, terpinen-4-ol, neryl acetate, vitalidone, and eugenol, which have the ability to treat respiratory conditions as well as sinus infections, coughing, arthritis, as well as enhance tissue regeneration. Most people in the US aren’t familiar with this [...]
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