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Allspice is an oil that is very high in the phenol Eugenol and has a significant amount of methyleugenol as well. Before I get to its benefits, I'd like to note that Allspice is a powerful essential oil and if used, MUST be used in very low dilutions and for short periods of time. I'll explain more about its safety precautions below. For the moment, let's look at the therapeutic benefits of Allspice.
Allspice essential oil acts as a local anesthetic - where it is applied, it numbs the nerves and blocks pain signals from reaching the brain. It is also anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, a vasodilator, hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), antiseptic, anticoagulant, antihistiminic, carminative, protective of the brain and liver, antioxidant, rubefacient, and stimulates circulation. This oil can do a lot - it is powerful. It also has significant cautions and contraindications. Phenols are chemicals that are very harsh and can damage the skin. Allspice's chemical composition is more than 70% phenols, which means it will damage the skin if used in too high of a dilution or for too long a period of time. Keep the maximum dilution of Allspice to 0.15% or less of a blend - Robert Tisserand recommends 0.07% (due to methyleugenol content). Calculated out, this is 0.42 drop Allspice essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil (or 1 drop per 2.5 oz carrier oil). Contraindications: Do not use if you have a blood-clotting disorder or are taking blood thinning medications. Do not use before surgery. Do not use on children. Do not use neat. Do not ingest. Do not use on broken skin. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not use on mucous membranes. Use for short periods of time - no more than 2 - 3 days.
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When I started out using essential oils, Copaiba was an oil that was highly recommended to me. I experimented with it a little, but was more focused on other oils. Fast forward to the present, and it's one of my key oils. What have I learned about Copaiba that makes me such a big fan?
The main factor in my love for Copaiba is its high content of a chemical called β-Caryophyllene. (You can read about β-Caryophyllene in the January 2019 archives of Karen's Blog.) In short, β-Caryophyllene is a natural cannabinoid that attaches to and activates our CB2 (immune system) receptors (like CBD oil does). So Copaiba works with our endocannabinoid system to help reduce inflammation and pain. Its actions also include: antispasmodic, antidepressant, antibacterial, antiviral, and skin cell regenerative. There are two species of Copaiba essential oil: Copaifera officinalis and Copaifera langsdorfii L. The C. officinalis in my stock contains about 39% β-Caryophyllene, about 5% a-Humulene, and about 13% Germacrene D. This oil has a mellow, sweet-resinous-woody aroma. My C. langsdorfii L. has 69% β-Caryophyllene and about 5% each of a-Humulene and Germacrene D. The aroma is a sharp contrast to that of C. officinalis - it has a sharp, almost medicinal scent that makes me think of Eucalyptus (though it does NOT smell like Eucalyptus). This oil needs a drop-by-drop technique when being blended with other essential oils because it may 'clash' aromatically with other oils. Both oils have similarities in their major constituents and therapeutic properties. The main difference is the amount of the individual components. Interestingly, I was recently asked to see if I could alter my Total Knot Out to make it usable for someone who takes blood thinners. That meant substituting out the Helichrysum. Of course, I had to experiment - and my first thought was to try my new C. langsdorfii L. So I made one ounce of TKO with C. langsdorfii L. instead of Helichrysum italicum. It smells just as good as the original recipe. I've been using the altered blend twice a day for 8 days now, and I'm very happy to say I love it! I've called it Total Knot Out Alternate, and I (personally) think it's more effective than my original TKO. Copaiba doesn't have any known safety issues. Like Lavender, Tea Tree is a staple in 'oily' households - most notably for its antimicrobial properties.
This oil is often used to help control acne and treat minor infections (both fungal and bacterial) and minor inflammation. In addition, Tea Tree is good for the respiratory system especially in the case of cough (antispasmodic). Its antihistiminic properties may help reduce allergic tendencies. The main concern with Tea Tree essential oil is to make sure it doesn't oxidize. If oxidized, it can irritate the skin. The best way to prevent oxidization is to store it in a cool, dark place and to keep air exposure to a minimum. When you are buying a bottle of Tea Tree, it's a good idea to be aware of how that bottle has been stored. Has it been sitting on a store shelf for a year or more? Is the ambient temperature in that store really warm? Look for a date on the bottle - when does it expire, or when was it bottled? As with any essential oil - dilute, dilute, dilute! There is no need to use this oil neat, and doing so may cause you to become allergic to it. Angelica essential oil comes from the root of the Angelica archangelica plant. Made up of primarily monoterpenes, this oil has a powerful aroma! The earthy and herbaceous scent will overpower other aromas, so it's best to make it a very small part of a blend.
It's antibacterial and antifungal, analgesic and antispasmodic, antioxidant, immunostimulant, and expectorant. Energetically, it grounds the emotions and strengthens determination. Emotionally, it can help relieve anxiety. This is an oil that most people either love or hate - I happen to love it! It's also been scientifically studied (along with Black Pepper) as an agent to help with quitting smoking which is why I use it in my PQ Minder blend. I put a drop on my diffuser necklace or earrings to help me cut back on smoking cigarettes. Yes, I know smoking is bad for me and I've quit many times - then stressed out and started again. When I use this blend I'll go nearly all day and not even think about smoking and not be irritable. Because Angelica is a base note, the aroma lasts a couple of days on the lava stone. Angelica EO is phototoxic and must be diluted to 0.8% or less in a topical blend to keep your skin safe during UV exposure. If you use a topical blend with more than 0.8%, avoid UV exposure for 12 - 18 hours after application. The H. italicum species is what most people think of when they are looking for Helichrysum essential oil. This species is considered the premium oil to get -- it's great for healing the skin, reducing inflammation, pain, and muscle spasms, is anti-microbial, can enhance the effects of other essential oils, and is not toxic or irritating to the skin. It's also very expensive.
There are several other species of Helichrysum, and I have found each to have its own particular benefits. You can see that in some of my recipes. In The Cut Away, I use Helichrysum italicum, while in Joint Candy I use Helichrysum bracteiferum. If you're asking "Why? What's the difference?", then you're asking a great question. The differences between essential oils of the various Helichrysum species occur in their chemical compositions and in their therapeutic properties. H. splendidum has similar properties to H. italicum - antimicrobial, antispasmodic, skin healing - it just uses different chemicals to get the same result. It is also A LOT less expensive than H. italicum! H. Bracteiferum adds decongestant, expectorant, and mucolytic properties to the therapeutic properties listed above. It contains significant quantities of 1,8 Cineole, beta-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, and alpha-humulene. This variety will work with the immune system to help support homeostasis. H. gymnocephalum is predominantly 1,8 Cineole and is therefore great for the lungs - including for allergies and especially during cold and flu season. It adds decongestant and expectorant properties to the list. H. splendidum and italicum are considered safe and non-irritating to the skin. Due to the high levels of 1,8 Cineole in H. bracteiferum and H. gymnocephalum, these oils should not be used on or near the faces of children under the age of 10. One last note on the varieties of Helichrysum, in small quantities, they can enhance the effectiveness of other oils in a blend. For example, if making a 1% dilution, you'd use 1 - 2 drops of Helichrysum and 3 - 5 drops of other oils for a total of 5 - 6 drops of essential oils per ounce of carrier oil. |
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