Hello Everyone

I’m Adam Michael and I have another instalment of all things essential oils.

On the website I have noticed quite a few products with very little content, so this month I am going to write in more detail about Benzoin, Spearmint and the Lavender essential oils. Please note all the Lavender Essential Oils are now available in 50ml bottles at discounted prices.

Benzoin Essential Oil

Botanical name: Styrax Benzoin

Benzoin is a resin sometimes referred to as gum benjamin and the oil is obtained via solvent extraction. This is still a very thick material so it is cut/diluted further in DPG (di-propyl-glycol). Our material is 50/50.

If you have ever wondered why it has a creamy Vanilla note it is because it contains vanillin, although the main constituent found in Benzoin is benzoic acid at upto 40%. Its uses in aromatherapy in my opinion are best achieved by using the oil on a oil burner and inhaling the aroma as it’s very difficult to work with due to it’s ‘gunkyness’ if that is a word!

It is useful for treating respiratory conditions such as coughs, colds and bronchitis.

Asthma

I also find Benzoin useful for helping keep my asthma under control. If you do suffer with asthma you, like me, may also find Eucalyptus Radiatta and Ravensara to be very effective, even more so if you use the oils alongside your medication. If you do try these oils to help with asthma, I advise you use them individually on an oil burner for a few hours at a time.

It maybe worth noting that Benzoin has been used in Incense creations for thousands of years and in my opinion bends very well with Patchouli.

Lavender Essential Oil

Grades of Lavender

At Hermitage Oils we offer 3 grades of Lavender all of which are grown in France.

The botanical name for all the Lavenders we sell is ‘Lavendula Angustifoliam’ and the essential oil is produced via steam distillation of the flowers and flower-stalks.

The prized ingredient in Lavender is linalyl acetate, the higher the percentage, the higher the price. Linlyl acetate is normally found at about 35% in Lavender BP (British Pharmaceutical), 40/42% in Lavender 40/42% (hence the name) and upto 52% in Lavender High Altitude. If you want to use Lavender in Aromatherapy I personally recommend the Lavender 40/42% for value for money but if you have a little extra money and want a super rich Lavender aroma, then I advise the High Altitude.

Lavender uses in Aromatherapy The most popular essential oil and the one that just about everybody instantly recognises by the delightful floral aroma it exudes. Lavender essential oil is soothing and balancing, it is the first recourse of the aromatherapist. Strongly antiseptic (as are most essential oils) but gentle to the skin, lavender is useful for the treatment of ‘everyday’ injuries.

Did you know?

A hybrid Lavender that goes under the name of Lavandin occurs via cross breeding through pollination by insects of the two species - Angustifolium & Latifolia.

There is also a species which goes under the name of Lavendula Stoechas, this is a very attractive plant that only grows in sand or other crystalline rocks, and never on limestone, thus the reason why you find it near the sea-side. However this is not cultivated as the essential oil is unpleasant and contains a high percentage of camphor.

Latifolia species rarely contain no more than 20% ‘linalyl acetate’ but upto 60% camphor and cineol.

As such the Latifolia varieties are usually cheaper which are used mainly as an insecticide and not something I would personally recommend to practising therapists.

Spearmint Essential Oil

Spearmint grows just about everywhere in the world, in fact I plan to grow some this year!

The Spearmint essential oil we sell comes from China, the botanical name is Mentha Viridis and the oil is obtained via steam distillation of the flowering tops.

Although Spearmint and Peppermint are part of the mint family its important to say the chemical profile of the oils are very different. The major constituent in Spearmint is r-carvone at anywhere upto 75% and d-limonene at about 10%. Peppermint’s (mentha piperita) major constituent is menthol at about 50%. As such the uses of the oils are different.

Spearmints aroma is much lighter and sweeter than Peppermint and it is very useful at lifting your spirits and getting you in a good frame of mind.

You may also find it useful at settling upset stomachs via way of massage and if you’re very creative then how about adding a drop to your homemade mouthwashes, 1 drop per 100ml of mouthwash is more than sufficient.

I think for the time being that will do, so until next month I hope everybody is well and I remain with kind regards.

Cheers

Adam Michael