Amber as such is a solid mass of tree resin. Amber oil is produced from this resin. Its botanical name is Pinus succinefera fossil because it is the fossilized sap of conifer tree Pinus Succinfera. When the fossil resin is made to undergo dry distillation process, crude Amber oil is obtained. When the extract of this resin is blended with Sunflower oil, Frankincense, agar wood and some other exotic oils, the end product is Amber oil. It is transparent in appearance and yellow in color. Amber resin is obtained from more than one tree and so, there is plenty of variety in the aroma and quality of the oil. It is extensively used in aromatherapy, perfume manufacturing and as a health product. Amber oil can be manufactured in three different methods and the quality of the oil obtained from each of these differs.
Aromatherapy
Health Benefits of Anise Oil
Anise oil is an essential oil that is used for a number of purposes. The botanical name of the oil is Pimpinella anisum. The oil is distilled from anise seeds through steam distillation method. The oil is clear in color and has a thin consistency. The aroma strength is of medium strength. The plant is native to Greece, Asia Minor, Egypt and Crete.
Most Popular Carrier Oils and Their Benefits
Carrier oils are extracted from fatty parts of a plant like the kernels of nuts or seeds. Essential oils need to be diluted with carrier oils to reduce their concentration for they can otherwise cause severe skin irritation. The name ‘carrier’ was used to denote that they ‘carry’ the benefits of essential oils to the skin. It is important to know the characteristics and properties of carrier oils so that the right blends can be used.
Health Benefits of Wintergreen Oil
Wintergreen generally refers to the plant species belonging to the genus Gaultheria. However, the most commonly used plant species is Eastern Teaberry which is scientifically known as Gaultheria procumbens of the Ericaceae family. Wintergreen oil is extracted through a process of steam distillation from the leaves of the wintergreen plants that have initially been soaked and softened. These shrubs are widely found in North America. Due to the medicinal properties, there are many health benefits of wintergreen oil.
Health Benefits of Cypress Essential Oil
Cypress essential oil, with botanical name Cupressus Sempervirens, is extracted from the twigs and needles of cypress tree. Specific trees which are at least 75 feet in height and have a conical shape are chosen for collecting needles and twigs for oil extraction. The oil is extracted by steam distillation method. The oil is pale yellow in color and of thin consistency. It has a masculine fresh, woody herbaceous aroma. The tree is native to Italy and Southern Europe. However, it is cultivated for commercial purposes in Morocco, Spain and France.
Health Benefits of Neroli Essential Oil
Neroli essential oil is extracted from the flowers of Bitter Orange tree, which are highly fragrant small white flowers. It is extracted by means of steam distillation. The biological name for these flowers is Citrus aurantium and the sub species is Amara. The tree is grown in Egypt, Algeria, France, Italy, Haiti, Spain and Morocco. However, it is native to South-east Asia. The finest quality neroli essential oil is produced in Tunisia and France. They are also the most expensive. The health benefits of neroli essential oil are numerous. It is one of the best natural Eau de Cologne.
Health Benefits of Patchouli Oil
Patchouli is a standard herb which predominates from the mint family and is scientifically known as ‘Pogostemon cablin’. Being a botanical herb, it is the health benefits of Patchouli Essential Oil that have made it resound in the market. Since it is a favorable resource, the plant’s growth is extensive in the tropical grounds of Asia, where cultivation is widespread in countries like Philippines, China, Malaysia and India etc.
Health benefits of Camomile Oil
Camomile Oil is extracted from the popular flowering plant of Camomile which is scientifically named as Matricaria Chamomilla. Its flowers have been used to treat health ailments since ages now. Camomile oil vastly used for medicinal purpose is extracted fromtwo kinds of plants- Roman Camomile and German Camomile, though the medicinal properties of the two are similar but differ in constituents.
Why is Camomile Oil unique?
Health benefits of Camomile oil is due to Azulene and Bisabol constituent present in the oil which lends it its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-irritant nature.
Health Benefits of Cedarwood Essential Oils
Cedarwood essential oil was one of the ancient oils used by Greeks, Egyptians and other civilizations in prehistoric times due to various health benefits of Cedarwood essential oil. The scientific name of Cedarwood is Cedrus Atlantica. In today's time, many people confuse Cedarwood tree to the Texas Cedarwood tree or the Virginian Cedarwood Tree which are commonly sold in the US , but the aroma therapists prefer using the Cedarwood essential oil obtained from the Atlas Cedarwood tree to the others mentioned above.
Therapeutic properties of cedar wood oil are owing to its main chemical components- Thujopsene, a-cedrene, b-cedrene, cedrol, sesquiterpenes, and widdrol.
Health Benefits of Juniper Essential Oil
Juniper oil is extracted from Juniperus communis, of the Cupressaceae family from crushed, dried or slightly dehydrated ripe berries or needles by steam distillation. Though the oil extracted from berries is more enriched with therapeutic qualities but it can also be extracted from needles and wood of the plant.
Why is Juniper oil unique?
Health benefits of Juniper essential oil are owing to the chemical components of juniper oil. It is composed of a-pinene, terpinen-4-ol, b-pinene, myrcene, sabinene, p-cymene, a-terpinene, a-phellandrene, y-terpinene, b-phellandrene, 1,4-cineole, camphene, bornyl acetate, cayophyllene and traces of camphor, limonene, linalool, borneol, linalyl acetate, and nerol.