Elemi Essential Oil Uses
Essential oils are substances that are stored either inside of plants or in glands on their leaves. They are extracted from plants by a process of steam distillation, and the extracted oil is a very potent source of active compounds that play an important role in plants and provide us with plenty of benefits too.
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The Role of Essential Oils Within Plants
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Oils help plants to survive and adapt to their surroundings. Here are some of the important jobs that an oil does for plants:
They Attract Pollinating Insects
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Insects are attracted to flowers because of their color, scent, or structure, with scent being by far the biggest attractor. The oils attract insects like bees, who then ensure that cross-pollination occurs, and so the continued breeding and survival of the plant.
They Prevent Competing Plants from Growing Too Close
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The oils release chemicals that prevent other plants from growing too close to them and competing for sunlight and essential nutrients.
They Deter Predators and Insects
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The oils contain compounds that either deter pests and predators because they are repulsed by the scent, or they act as toxins when ingested, and can make an animal sick.
They Protect the Plant from Disease
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Some compounds in essential oils are antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial agents, so they can protect a plant from diseases that threaten its survival.
The History of Essential Oils
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Essential oils have been used for therapeutic purposes for thousands of years. There is evidence in hieroglyphics and other ancient manuscripts that healers and priests used essential oils to treat the sick. The ancient Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used them in cosmetics, perfumes, and medicines and also in spiritual and healing rituals.
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Essential oils, especially frankincense, were traded in the Middle East, and many were considered to be more valuable than gold. Fast forward to the time of the black death, and essential oils were used to treat the sick.
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By the 1920’s, there was a growing interest in the healing properties of essential oils after a French chemist suffered a burn in his lab, and applied lavender oil to it. He was amazed to discover that the oil could not only reduce the pain, but it also sped up healing and prevented scarring. From here, he started to study the chemical compounds in oils, and knowledge of the medicinal properties of oil spread, leading to them being used to treat wounded soldiers in the Second World War. By the 1950’s oils began to be used by massage therapists, beauticians, nurses, physiotherapists, and doctors, as complementary therapy became more closely aligned with conventional healthcare. Today, there is a growing interest in the use of oils to supplement or use in place of conventional medicines. Many in the medical profession are wary of recommending oils, as many studies that have been carried out on their effectiveness have been done on animals and not humans, so the evidence on their safety is not conclusive. Essential oils have never been touted as a ‘cure’ for anything, rather they encourage balance and normal functioning in the body, so it returns to its natural healthy state.
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How to Use Essential Oils
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Essential oils aren’t just useful for plants, they are very beneficial for us too. Here are just some of the ways you can use essential oils:
In the Bath
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Oils are great in the bath for a relaxing treat. Add the oil to the bath, or dilute it with milk or honey so it disperses better in the water. Take care with oils that are known irritants. Add up to 8 drops of oil to your bath, and then mix well so the oil does not sit on top of the water. Relax in the bath for 30 minutes, then rinse it well afterwards so you aren’t left with a slippery surface.
As a Chest Rub
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Many essential oils are effective for clearing congestion from colds, flu, and sinus infections. Mix up to 20 drops of your chosen oil with a carrier oil and rub it on the chest and upper back to keep your airways clear.
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Add them to a Compress
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Add some oil to a bowl or warm or cold water, then soak a washcloth in it, wring it out, and apply it to the affected area. This is an excellent remedy for joint pain, muscle pain, menstrual cramps, and headaches.
Add them to a Diffuser
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Add oil to a diffuser to create a relaxing ambiance in a room, freshen the air, and reduce congestion from colds, flu, and sinus infections.
Topical Application
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Oils like lavender and tea tree can be applied neat to the skin to treat insect bites, cuts, and burns.
In a Foot Bath
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Oils absorb through the feet very quickly, and adding essential oils to a foot bath can soothe aches, pains, and tired feet.
In a Gargle
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Essential oils can be very effective when used as a gargle to freshen breath or to soothe a sore throat. Mix the oil with a teaspoon of honey, then gargle with it and spit it out. Rinse your mouth with fresh water.
Inhale Them
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Oils can be inhaled from a handkerchief or direct from the bottle as needed, or if you need to clear your head of congestion, add some oil to a bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel, close your eyes, and inhale.
Ingestion
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Essential oils should not be ingested unless you are doing so under the supervision of a trained professional. Essential oils are present in chewing gum and mouthwash, but they are generally not swallowed. Some oils can be very toxic if they’re ingested.
Use Them in a Massage
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Massage is one of the most effective ways to use oils as massage boosts the circulation, and increases the oil absorption so it can disperse throughout the body and have its effect. Always dilute an oil with a suitable carrier oil before using it on the skin, and do a patch test on the upper arm to check for a skin reaction.
As a Mouthwash
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Essential oils have antiseptic and antibacterial properties which make them perfect for using as a mouthwash to freshen the breath and maintain good oral health. Add a few drops of oil to a glass of water and swill it around the mouth. Do not swallow it.
Essential Oil Safety
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Essential oils are natural, but they can be harmful if they are not used correctly. Before you use any oils, consult your doctor to make sure that they are appropriate for you.
Essential oils should never be used on the skin unless they have been diluted as they can cause a skin reaction. It’s a good idea to carry out a patch test before using it too. Apply a drop of diluted oil to a small area of your skin and wait for 24 hours to see if there is any reaction. If there is a reaction do not continue to use the oil.
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Some essential oils increase sensitivity to the sun and if the skin is exposed to the sun after using these, inflammation, blistering, and redness can occur. The citrus oils are known for this, so if you are using these oils on the skin, wait at least 24 hours before exposing it to the sun.
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If you are pregnant or you have an existing health condition, you should avoid using essential oils. There is not enough evidence on safety in pregnancy, and because essential oils contain active compounds, they can affect the way drugs work in the body.
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Start off using a small amount of oil if you have just started using them, as they are very concentrated. Make sure you follow advice on dosage and usage at all times to reduce the risk of adverse reactions.
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Keep oils away from children and pets, as some oils can smell pleasant to them and they may accidentally ingest them. Some oils can be very toxic and can cause damage to the liver and other organs when they are broken down into toxic substances in the body.
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Don’t take essential oils internally unless you are doing so under qualified supervision. Some oils can be very toxic, even in small amounts.
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Elemi Essential Oil
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This oil is a gentle, fragrant oil which is extracted from the resin of the Canarium luzonicum trees. For more than a century, the name ‘elemi’ was used as an umbrella term for several resins derived from certain species of plant in particular locations.
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Today, ‘elemi’ is generally used to only describe resin and essential oil that originates from the Philippines, which is known and commercially sold as Manila elemi.
The elemi tree is related to frankincense and myrrh, which all belong to the Burseraceae family. Just like its closest relatives, it produces a white or yellow resin when the bark is stripped. The fragrance of this resin is sharp, fresh, and pungent.
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Canarium luzonicum is a tropical tree or shrub found in the forests of Luzon and the other islands that make up the Philippines. It is thought to be native to here, but it is also found in South and Central America, Australia, Brazil, India, the Malay Peninsula, and Moluccas. It tends to spread, and it has leaves that pair on both sides of the stem, and small pale yellow-white flowers. It also produces an almond shaped nut, known as ‘pili’ in the Philippines. This tree can easily grow to a height of 30 metres and has a thick and hardy trunk measuring 1-1.5 metres in diameter.
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Elemi essential oil is stored in resin channels inside of the bark, and the tree produces it mainly in the rainy season. The oil is extracted by cutting into the trunk with deep incisions, which is known as tapping. The main compounds in the oil are dipentene, elemicin, elemol, limonene, phellandrene, and terpineol. These are what provide the oil with its health-giving properties.
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This oil is used mainly in soaps, cosmetics, perfume, and paints, and it was traditionally used as an embalming oil in ancient Egypt.
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Traditional Uses of Elemi Oil
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Elemi was one of the oils used by the ancient Egyptians to embalm the dead, along with frankincense, myrrh, galbanum, and Lebanese cedar. There is also evidence that the Egyptians used it in their skincare products as well as in medicines, poultices, and incense. It was also used in the Middle East for thousands of years as an antiseptic, and for healing scars and wounds.
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In the 16th century, elemi was introduced into Europe and began to be used widely as medicine. It was used in poultices for ulcerated wounds, and in ointments and balms for skin infections.
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In the 17th century, a doctor used elemi oil to treat the wounds of soldiers who had been wounded in battle.
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How the Oil Is Harvested and Distilled
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The trees can be tapped at any time of the year for the oil in the Philippine rainforests, but in areas that have a dry season, elemi is harvested mainly during the rainy season when there is a greater flow of resin from which the oil can be extracted. The workers who harvest the oil cut into the trunk to remove strips of the bark using a wooden mallet and a machete. More strips of bark are removed a few days later to encourage the resin to flow down the bark. It is left to trickle down the bark where it becomes waxy, turns pale yellow, and begins to look and feel a little like honey.
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After it’s been collected, the resin is cleaned to remove any debris from the bark, before it is steam distilled. The distillation process produces about 15-25% of the elemi essential oil.
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The essential oil that is extracted is colourless or the same colour as pale straw. It has a woody, fragrance, with hints of spice and lemon.
What is elemi oil usually used for?
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Elemi essential oil has a stimulating, energy boosting, strengthening, cleansing, and clarifying action. Just like Frankincense, these qualities make it a perfect ingredient to treat dull, older skin that is beginning to wrinkle.
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Just add a few drops of elemi essential oil to a face cream or lotion and apply it at night for an intensive nourishing skin treatment that works hard while you sleep.
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It is also a very potent antiseptic and antimicrobial agent that can be used to treat a wide range of health conditions including coughs, colds, wounds, and fungal infections. When inhaled, elemi essential oil can relieve respiratory infections and problems because of its natural expectorant properties. It is particularly effective for relieving annoying dry coughs.
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The oil also benefits emotional health. It is effective for use in mediation, as it boosts focus and has a grounding effect. It’s also a very good stress reliever and energy booster.
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The Benefits of Elemi Essential Oil
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The health benefits of Elemi essential oil are due to its antiseptic, analgesic, expectorant, stimulant, and immune boosting properties.
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It Prevents and Fights Infection
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It was used for embalming in Egypt, and probably because of its antiseptic properties. The oil protects the body from microbes, bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and it also prevents sepsis and tetanus from developing in wounds, but it doesn’t only work well on wounds. It prevents infections in the urethra, urinary bladder, urinary tract, colon, kidneys, intestines, stomach, and wherever a wound, ulcer, or other potentially damaging condition exists in the body.
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It’s an Effective Painkiller
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Most painkillers we know have side effects. Many essential oils have analgesic properties but without unpleasant side effects, and elemi oil is one of them. It can get rid of aches and pains from colds and flu, joint sprains, headaches, migraines, muscle pain, pain in the joints, and pain in the ears.
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It Treats Respiratory Problems
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The oil is a natural expectorant, so it helps to clear the chest, lungs, and nasal passages of any congestion. It loosens phlegm so it comes out easier, which lessens the chance of getting a chest infection.
It’s an Effective Stimulant
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An effective stimulant will boost circulation, hormone production, digestion, the nervous system, the respiratory system, and the reproductive system. If the body’s hormones are all working as they should be and they’re balanced, the body will function better as a whole and illness are far less likely to occur.
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It’s a Very Effective Health Tonic for the Body
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A tonic can help the body’s systems to function at their best and boosts overall immunity, so this means a healthier respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, circulatory, neural, excretory, nervous, and endocrine system, and a healthier you.
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Other Benefits of Elemi Essential Oil
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The oil is known to be effective for treating sinusitis, joint pain, digestive problems, mumps, and chills.
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Elemi Essential Oil Safety
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This oil can be irritating to the skin, so it should be used with caution if you have sensitive skin.
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Blending the Oil
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The oil goes very well with frankincense, lavender, rosemary, myrrh, and sage oil.
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