Elemi - Canarium luzonicum

Spicy, lemony, and peppery with hints of a woody aroma, Elemi Essential Oil has a special affinity for the lungs, skin, and psyche.  It's made from the resin of the Elemi tree.  This calming, uplifting oil is a cousin to Frankincense and Myrrh - no wonder it does so much for us!

Elemi is great at opening airways and clearing congestion in the sinuses and lungs.  You can use it in diffuser blends and chest rubs when you have a cold, the flu, bronchitis, or any kind of wet, boggy respiratory conditions.   It can help calm a cough yet encourage loosening and expectoration of excess mucous.  Its antibacterial and antiviral properties make it helpful with infections in the airways and on the skin.  This is an oil that would be great for daytime diffusion - perhaps blend it with Eucalyptus and peppermint when you have a cold or chest congestion.  You might enhance the effects of diffusing by drinking an herbal tea made with Elderberry, Ginger, and Star Anise.  Combining the use of external application/inhalation of essential oils like Elemi with the ingestion of herbal teas or tinctures can go a long way to helping your body do what it needs to in order to heal itself.

Elemi's benefits also extend to the skin.  Cuts, rashes, fungal infections, yeast infections, and irritations may all respond well to diluted applications of Elemi.  Because it's a skin cell regenerator, scars and wrinkles may be minimized as well.  It is rubefacient, so it may cause areas of application to turn a bit red.  Imagine infusing Rosehip Seed Oil  with Plantain then adding Elemi, Helichrysum italicum, and Frankincense essential oils.  Such a blend would make a powerful skin serum!  

Perhaps Elemi's best feature is its ability to calm stress without causing drowsiness.  Sometimes we find ourselves overwhelmed with work and daily life.  Sometimes, we grieve for lost family members or friends.  Sometimes we just feel like a situation is hopeless.  Elemi can help calm the anxiety, lift the weight of the grief, and encourage us to see light and hope.  A few deep breaths of Elemi during some quiet meditation time can help bring back a measure of positive perspective.   

While Elemi essential oil is generally regarded as safe, you need to check the GC/MS report for each batch of oil you buy.  Some batches may contain small amounts of a phenol called methyleugenol.  If that chemical is present, then there are specific dilutions recommended for skin application.  The one other caution with Elemi is to make sure it doesn't oxidize.  It has a three year shelf life if stored in a cool, dark area.