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Essential Oils: Clove Bud

You probably know clove as a traditional holiday scent. But when distilled into essential oil form, you have one of the world’s most powerful natural antiseptics on your hands! You can use the essential oil from both clove buds and clove leaves. Yes, these are the same clove buds used in cooking. They come from evergreen trees found mainly in Indonesia and Zanzibar; the tree can bear cloves for a century or more. Clove bud essential oil has a component called eugenol that is often found in dental products. Both clove essential oil and eugenol alone are used for numbing … Continue reading →

Essential Oils: Basil

Across the Mediterranean, people have been using basil medicinally for centuries, even thousands of years. Basil (also known as ocimum basilicum) originally comes from India but is perhaps best known in Italian cooking. Pesto, pizza, sauces… but basil is much more than a seasoning! In the sixteenth century, basil was used as an antidepressant — herbalist John Gerard wrote that the herb “taketh away sorrowfulness.” Basil is still used in aromatherapy today to help ease negativity and mental fatigue. Use basil to help your mind stay sharp; the scent promotes circulation and can help you stay alert on a long … Continue reading →

Essential Oils: Chamomile

Compared to other essential oils, chamomile can be a little more expensive… but it is worth the price! Chamomile is a great all-around essential oil — it is mild enough for use on all skin types and is known to be great for easing stress and tension. Look for German chamomile or Roman chamomile, but get the German variety if you can. You’ll know you have the real deal on your hands if the essential oil has a blue-green color. Other chamomile varieties will show up as a paler yellow color. The other varieties of chamomile do the same things; … Continue reading →