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

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE

Skin Care: Insect bites, oily skin, spots.

Circulation Muscles And Joints: Arthritis, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism.

Respiratory System: Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sinusitis, sore throat.

Genito-Urinary System: Cystitis, urethritis, urinary infection.

Immune System: Colds, ’flu, viral infections.

OTHER USESUsed in dentistry and pharmaceutical work as an antiseptic; in expectorant and tonic formulations, throat lozenges, gargles, etc. Used as a fragrance and freshening agent in soaps, cosmetics, detergents and perfumes. Occasionally employed as a flavour component in food products and soft drinks.

Calamintha officinalis

FAMILYLamiaceae (Labiatae)

SYNONYMSC. clinopodium, Melissa calaminta , calamint, common calamint, mill mountain, mountain balm, mountain mint, basil thyme, nepeta (oil), French marjoram (oil), wild basil (oil), catnip (oil).

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONAn erect, bushy, perennial plant not more than one metre high, with square stems, soft oval serrated leaves, greyish-green beneath, and rather inconspicuous pale purple flowers. The whole plant has a strong aromatic scent which is attractive to cats.

Calamintha

DISTRIBUTIONNative to Europe and parts of Asia (Himalayas), naturalized throughout North America and South Africa. Cultivated for its oil in the Mediterranean region, Yugoslavia, Poland and in the USA.

OTHER SPECIESThere are numerous similar species found throughout the world, such as the lesser calamintha (C. nepeta) which has a stronger odour and is often used interchangeably with common calamint. It is also closely related to catmint or catnip (Nepeta cataria) also known as calamint, with which it shares similar properties. Not to be confused with winter and summer savory (Satureja montana and S. hortensis).

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITIONIt has a long history of use as a herbal remedy mainly for nervous and digestive complaints, also menstrual pain, colds, chills and cramp. Catmint is current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a specific for flatulent colic in children and for the common cold.

ACTIONSAnaesthetic (local), antirheumatic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, nervine, sedative, tonic.

EXTRACTIONEssential oil by steam distillation from the flowering tops.

CHARACTERISTICSA pale yellow liquid with a herbaceous-woody, pungent odour, somewhat resembling pennyroyal.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTSCitral, nerol, citronellol, limonene and geraniol, among others. The active ingredient that attracts cats is metatabilacetone (3–5 percent). Constituents vary according to source.

SAFETY DATANon-irritant, non-sensitizing; possible toxic effects in concentration. (The Chinese shrub Actinidia polygama also contains metatabilacetone, which is responsible for its hallucinogenic and narcotic effects.) Use in moderation. Avoid during pregnancy.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE

Circulation Muscles And Joints: Chills, cold in the joints, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism.

Digestive System: Colic, flatulence, nervous dyspepsia.

Nervous System: Insomnia, nervous tension and stress-related conditions.

OTHER USESUsed as a wild cat lure in the USA. Occasionally used in perfumery work.

Acorus calamus var. angustatus

FAMILYAraceae

SYNONYMS Calamus aromaticus , sweet flag, sweet sedge, sweet root, sweet rush, sweet cane, sweet myrtle, myrtle grass, myrtle sedge, cinnamon sedge.

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONA reed-like aquatic plant about 1 metre high, with sword-shaped leaves and small greenish-yellow flowers. It grows on the margins of lakes and streams with the long-branched rhizome immersed in the mud. The whole plant is aromatic.

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