Julia Lawless - Encyclopedia of Essential Oils - The complete guide to the use of aromatic oils in aromatherapy, herbalism, health and well-being.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITIONThe leaves are used locally for antiseptic purposes and to ward off insects. In western herbalism, the leaves are used for infections of the genito-urinary system, such as cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis. Current in British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983.

ACTIONSAntiseptic (especially urinary), diuretic, insecticide.

EXTRACTIONEssential oil by steam distillation from the dried leaves.

CHARACTERISTICSDark yellowy-brown oil with a penetrating minty-camphoraceous odour.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTSDiosphenol (25–40 per cent), limonene and menthane, among others.

SAFETY DATAShould not be used during pregnancy. The toxicity of buchu is unknown but since B. betulina yields oils high in diophenols and B. crenulata yields oils high in pulegone, they should both be regarded as questionable at present.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USENone.

OTHER USESA tincture, extract and oleoresin are produced for pharmaceutical use. Limited use in blackcurrant flavour and fragrance work, for example colognes and chypre bases.

Myrocarpus Fastigiatus

FAMILYFabaceae (Leguminosae)

SYNONYMSCabureicica, ‘Baume de Perou brun’.

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONA graceful, tall tropical tree, 12–15 metres high, with a very hard wood, extremely resistant to moisture and mould growth. It yields a balsam when the trunk is damaged, like many other South American trees.

DISTRIBUTIONFound in Brazil, Paraguay, Chile and north Argentina.

OTHER SPECIESMany varieties of Myrocarpus yield cabreuva oil, such as M. frondosus. It is also botanically related to the trees which yield copaiba, Peru and Tolu balsam.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITIONThe wood is highly appreciated for carving and furniture making. It is used by the natives to heal wounds, ulcers and obviate scars. It was once listed in old European pharmocopoeias for its antiseptic qualities.

ACTIONSAntiseptic, balsamic, cicatrisant.

EXTRACTIONEssential oil by steam distillation from wood chippings (waste from the timber mills).

CHARACTERISTICSA pale yellow, viscous liquid with a sweet, woody-floral scent, very delicate but having great tenacity. It blends well with rose, cassie, mimosa, cedarwood, rich woody and oriental bases.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTSMainly nerolidol (80 per cent approx.), farnesol, bisabolol, among others.

SAFETY DATANon-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE

Skin Care: Cuts, scars, wounds.

Respiratory System: Chills, coughs.

Immune System: Colds.

OTHER USESFragrance component and fixative in soaps and high-class perfumes, especially floral, woody or oriental types. Previously used for the isolation of nerolidol, now produced synthetically.

Juniperus oxycedrus

FAMILYCupressaceae

SYNONYMSJuniper tar, prickly cedar, medlar tree, prickly juniper.

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONA large evergreen shrub up to 4 metres high, with long dark needles and brownish-black berries about the size of hazelnuts.

DISTRIBUTIONNative to southern France; now common throughout Europe and North Africa. The tar is produced mainly in Spain and Yugoslavia.

OTHER SPECIESThere are many varieties of juniper which are used commercially apart from the prickly juniper: J. communis produces juniper oil, J. virginiana produces Virginian cedarwood oil, and in Yugoslavia an oil is produced from the fruits and twigs of J. smreka.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITIONUsed in the treatment of cutaneous diseases, such as chronic eczema, parasites, scalp disease, hair loss, etc. especially in France and other continental countries. It is also used as an antiseptic wound dressing and for toothache.

ACTIONSAnalgesic, antimicrobial, antipruritic, antiseptic, disinfectant, parasiticide, vermifuge.

EXTRACTIONThe crude oil or tar is obtained by destructive distillation from the branches and heartwood (usually in the form of shavings or chips). A rectified oil is produced from the crude by steam or vacuum distillation. In addition, an oil is occasionally produced from the berries by steam distillation.

CHARACTERISTICSThe rectified oil is an orange-brown, oily liquid with a woody, smoky, leatherlike odour. It blends well with thyme, origanum, clove, cassia, tea tree, pine and medicinal-type bases.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTSCadinene, cadinol, p-cresol, guaiacol, among others.

SAFETY DATANon-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization problems. Use with care, especially when treating inflammatory or allergic skin conditions. Turpentine (terebinth) oil makes a useful alternative, with less possibility of an allergic reaction.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE

Skin Care: Cuts, dandruff, dermatitis, eczema, spots, etc.

OTHER USESExtensively used in pharmaceutical work as a solvent for chemical drugs, in dermatological creams and ointments, as well as in veterinary medicine. Rectified cade is used in fragrance work, in soaps, lotions, creams and perfumes (especially leather and spice).

Melaleuca cajeputi

FAMILYMyrtaceae

SYNONYMS M. minor , cajuput, white tea tree, white wood, swamp tea tree, punk tree, paperbark tree.

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONA tall evergreen tree up to 30 metres high, with thick pointed leaves and white flowers. The flexible trunk has a whitish spongy bark which flakes off easily. In Malaysia it is called ‘caju-puti’, meaning ‘white wood’, due to the colour of the timber.

DISTRIBUTIONIt grows wild in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Java, Australia and south eastern Asia.

OTHER SPECIESSeveral other varieties of Melaleuca are used to produce cajeput oil, such as M. quinquenervia – see Botanical Classificationsection. Closely related to other members of the Melaleuca group, notably eucalyptus, clove, niaouli and tea tree.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITIONHeld in high regard in the East, it is used locally for colds, headaches, throat infections, toothache, sore and aching muscles, fever (cholera), rheumatism and various skin diseases. Only the oil is used in the Western herbal tradition, known for producing a sensation of warmth and quickening the pulse. It is used for chronic laryngitis and bronchitis, cystitis, rheumatism and to expel roundworm.

ACTIONSMildly analgesic, antimicrobial, antineuralgic, antispasmodic, antiseptic (pulmonary, urinary, intestinal), anthelmintic, diaphoretic, carminative, expectorant, febrifuge, insecticide, sudorific, tonic.

EXTRACTIONEssential oil by steam distillation from the fresh leaves and twigs.

CHARACTERISTICSA pale yellowy-green, mobile liquid (the green tinge derives from traces of copper found in the tree), with a penetrating, camphoraceous-medicinal odour. Compared with eucalyptus oil, it has a slightly milder fruity body note.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTSCineol (14–65 per cent depending on source), terpineol, terpinyl acetate, pinene, nerolidol and other traces.

SAFETY DATANon-toxic, non-sensitizing, may irritate the skin in high concentration.