Category Archives: Essential Oils

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary Essential Oil is one of the stalwarts amongst the oils – providing a wide range of uses as well as documented physical benefits to the user. Originating in the Southern Mediterranean regions its intensity is increased by high sun levels , but grows well in Northern Europe too and is a reliable and attractive [...]

Clary Sage Essential Oil

Introduction As with so many plants which give us their oils, the Clary Sage plant originates in the Southern Mediterranean as well as Central Asia. It comes from the Salvia family of plants and so looks very similar to amny of the annuals we have in our gardens. Its a short lived plant but provides [...]

Black Pepper Oil

Introduction Black Pepper originates from Southern India and has long been a central requirement in the kitchen. The black pepper is the ripe fruit of the plant piper nigrum, (the green pepper berry being just a less ripe berry of the same plant) and is usually dried and ground to be used in the kitchen. [...]

Patchouli Oil

Introduction Patchouli oil has been used in perfumes for centuries and its deep heavy scented oil goes a long way diluted, providing long lasting scent. There are a number of different ways of distilling the oil and different providers will either adhere to the dried leaves or the fresh leaves as being the best source. [...]

Tea Tree Oil

Introduction Tea tree oil has a wide range of uses and is particularly valued for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, as well as a number of other cosmetic and everyday uses. Like the eucalyptus plant, its origins are Australian, but similarly it is now cultivated and harveted around the world, particularly China. Traditional Aromatherapy Uses [...]

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is one of the most versatile oils available and deserves a place in every oil lovers collection. Harvested from the Eucalyptus trees (originally native of Australis but

Eucalyptus
now grown and harvested around the world) its fragrance provides a fresh stimulating scent for the bathroom, and a wide range of cosmetic and self-grooming products, as well as being an excellent antibacterial agent on wiping clothes and dusters!

Bergamot

Bergamot oil originates within the citrus family – and is derived from a fruit which is describes as being less sour than a lemon but more bitter than a grapefruit. Originally native to Asia, so wide spread has its adoption been that for the past few centuries it has been grown in France and Italy, the source of the finest harvests!

Bergamot
Its most wide spread day-to-day use is as the fragrance which gives Earl Grey tea is distinctive taste and aroma.

Frankincense

Frankincense is derived from the aromatic resin of the tree Boswellia, and comes in a range of varying levels of intensity and quality which is dictated by the time and method of harvesting. Of course it was one of the gifts that the Three Wise Men brought to the newly born Jesus, and Tutankhamen also prized its qualities as it was found in his tomb when the archaeologists prized open the three thousand year old burial chamber.

Vetiver

Vetiver, with its distinctive deep noted scent is one of the most widely used oils for high end perfumes and fragrances – and in the Western market is in approximately 95% of all perfumes! Derived form the roots of the vetiver grass plant from China, Brazil, India and many other Far Eastern countries, it is closely related to other highly perfumes grasses such as lemon grass.

Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang – the name deriving from Tagalog, a Philippine language, meaning either ‘wilderness’ being a reference ot hte remoteness of its natural habitat or ‘rare’ suggesting its exceptionally delicacte scent. (See the Wikipedia entry for mor einformation about its origins and background)