Category: Essential Oils

Nelumbo nucifera TraditionalRevered for its fleeting beauty and alluring fragrance have ensured a lasting legacy for the Lotus flower as a sacred plant. Its complex aroma is soft and enticing yet dries down to a …

Citrus reticulata The energy of mandarin oil is like a babbling brook, sparkling, gurgling, splashing, and giggling away without a care in the world. Its joyous character brings out the child in us and invites …

Leptospermum scopariumAlso known as New Zealand Tea Tree or Tea Rose plant, this pretty, sweetly fragranced, flower-covered shrub is in fact a tough shield and protector plant. In New Zealand, it grows largely on areas …

Calendula officinalis Few herbs have a more sunny and cheerful disposition than the humble Marigold. Their orange-yellow flowers look like little herbal suns. No wonder one of the vernacular names for Marigold is ”Maidens of …

Origanum majorana‘Mountain Joy’ is what the Latin name translates as and a joy it is indeed, when one comes across it in the mountains. Their crowns of pink-purplish flowers are a playground for butterflies. Marjoram …

Litsea cubebaDue to the appearance of its little peppercorn-like seeds May Chang is also known as ‘Mountain Pepper’. It is actually a relative of Cinnamon and other fragrant members of the Laurel family. But unlike …

Melissa officinalisSometimes the humblest of herbs bear the greatest treasures. Melissa is a common garden herb and spreads so liberally that some people regard it as a weed. No showy flowers, nor pretty seeds, yet …

Artemisia vulgarisLike many members of the Artemisia genus, Mugwort has a long history as a magical and medicinal plant ally. An ancient Anglo-Saxon herb charm dating to the 10th or 11th century refers to it …

Commiphora myrrhaMyrrh embodies hardship and pain. Growing in the most desolate of places near the Red Sea, it bears its resinous tears from wounds of sorrow. The myth of Myrrha is a sad story of …

Myrtus communisIn the shrubby macchia forest of the Mediterranean hills the sweet fragrance of Myrtle scents the air. The scent, both subtle and distinct, can often be detected before one spots the Myrtle tree among …

Citrus aurantiumNeroli epitomizes the fragrant essence of being in love, the sweet excitement of a romantic encounter under a full moon. It is the sweet scent of nymphs beckoning to venture out into the night, …

Melaleuca viridifloraNiaouli is very closely related to Cajuput and Tea-tree, the source of one of the most popular oils of aromatherapy. Niaouli shares many of their properties but is somewhat milder in action and smell. …

Evernia prunastri Oakmoss is the ‘Green Man’ of essential oils, it embodies the spirit of an ancient forest. Its deep green, earthy, musky scent is raw and primal, yet conveys the gentle side of the …

Commiphora wildiiOmumbiri is a type of Myrrh native to some of the most arid deserts of Namibia. Growing close to the ground, it spreads its thorny crown over the sun-baked rocks. Few plants can survive …

Commiphora erythrea Much confusion surrounds the origins of this oil. Despite its name, it is not derived from Ferula opoponax, a member of the carrot family that exudes a milky substance which, on drying, turns …

Citrus sinensis Oranges are the feminine counterpart to Lemons. Their sunny aroma spreads a warm glow. Orange is the most popular flavour in the food industry and likewise, one of the most popular scents in …

Oreganum vulgareOregano is a well-known kitchen herb of Mediterranean origin. The Romans were instrumental in spreading it all over Europe. But, it did not need much encouragement. Much to the delight of butterflies who love the …

Osmanthus fragrans Osmanthus is a small, highly aromatic ornamental tree of the Lilac family. It is at home in China and Japan, where it is often planted as a street tree. In the late summer …

Aquilaria agollachaThe legendary Agarwood or Aloeswood, as it is sometimes referred to, is one of the most mysterious and precious substances used in perfumery and magic. Even in biblical times it was highly sought after …

Cymbopogon martiniiA close relative of Lemongrass, Palmarosa is another sweet-smelling member of a family of fragrant grasses native to India. Its scent is reminiscent of Geranium and Rose, a fact that was not lost on …