FREE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $75

Essential Oil Profile: Calamus

April 14, 2020

by Amelia E. Hoard, RN

Common Name: Calamus

Synonyms: East Asian Calamus, Jammu calamus, sweet flag, Calamus aromaticus, sweet root, sweet rush, sweet myrtle, myrtle grass, myrtle sedge, cinnamon sedge

Latin Binomial: Acorus calamus var. angustatus

Family: Araceae

Production Method: steam distilled roots

Countries of Origin: India, Russia, Nepal, China some varities are found in Europe and USA

Typical Constituents: b-Asarone (42.5-78.4%), Isoeugenol (2.3-25.0%),

Calamenene (3.8-5%), Calamene (3.8%), Calamol (3.2-7.8%), Asaronaldehyde (tr-5.7%), Methyl isoeugenol (tr-2.8%), Methyleugenol (tr-2.0%), a-Asarone (1.3-6.8%)

Description of Oil: Pale yellow to pale brown viscous liquid with a strong warm spicy scent.

Description of Plant: A reed like aquatic plant about 1 meter tall with sword shaped leaves and small geenish-yellow flowers. It grows wild all over swampy areas of temperate zones in Europe, Asia and America.

History, Folklore and Myth: Historically a highly esteemed aromatic stimulant and tonic for fever, nerves, vertigo, headaches, and dysentery. Currently used in England, Turkey and India as herbal medicine for dyspepsia, bronchitis and coughs.

Properties and Uses: Anticonvulsant, antiseptic, bactericidal, carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant, hypotensive, insecticide, spasmolytic, stimulant, stomachic, tonic.

Precautions and Contraindications: The oil is Not to be taken internally as it is carcinogenic and hepatotoxic.

References:

Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. Virginia, Queensland, Australia: The Perfect Potion. 1995.

Lawless, Julia. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. Shaftesbury, Dorset. Element Books. 1995.

Tisserand, Robert, and Tony Balacs. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. 1995.

Also in Essential Oil Profile Directory

Essential Oil Profile: Angelica Root

April 14, 2020

by Jeffrey S. Hoard Common Name: Angelica Latin Binomial: Angelica archangelica L. Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Other Common Names: Angel’s Herb, Root of the Holy Spirit, Garden Angelica, Archangelica officinalis Part Used: Root (An oil is also distilled from the seed – see below.) Production Method: Steam Distillation Countries of Origin: Angelica archangelica is considered to be

Essential Oil Profile: Aniseed

April 14, 2020

by Jeffrey S. Hoard Common Name: Anise, Anise Seed, Aniseed Latin Binomial: Pimpinella anisum Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Other Common Names: Anisum officinalis, Anisum vulgare Part Used: Seeds, dried and crushed. Production Method: Steam distillation. Countries of Origin: Native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. Poland and Russia are among the largest producers of Aniseed oil from locally

Essential Oil Profile: Basil

April 14, 2020

by Amelia E. Stone, RN Common Name: Basil (ct. linalool) Latin Binomial: Optimum basilicum L. Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) Other Common Names: Sweet basil and common basil Production Method: steam-distilled Countries of Origin: tropical Asia and Africa, Egypt Typical Constituents: Linalool (34.4%), Eugenol (33.7%), Linoleic & linolenic acids (9.7%), 1,8-Cineole (3.1%), T-Cadinol (1.9%), Palmitic acid