Essential Oil & Herbal Fun Facts
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Did you know that Essential Oils can serve as a type of Aphrodisiac?
While, technically, there is no essential oil that will arouse someone who does not want to become aroused; if you, personally, find an essential oil sensually stimulating or stress relieving, it can work as an aphrodisiac for you. Essential oils are there to “help” alleviate emotional or physical ailments that may interfere with sexual desire or arousal. Some of the most commonly known “Aphrodisiac” and “Arousing” Essential Oils or Absolutes are
Jasmine, Neroli, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Clary Sage, Clove, Patchouli, and Vetiver. Click here to get Romantic Recipes!
Did you know that throughout the year, your body can become polluted, and herbs, oils, and more can help clean the body out? The saying, “You are what you eat” is very true. Nobody is perfect, and with busy lives, you may have found yourself stopping for that quick burger or drinking a caffeine filled beverage, one too many times, just to keep going. Even if you have the extra time to slow down and eat organic home cooked meals, everyday, the body still needs a digestion break once and awhile.
For a total body cleanse, you should cleanse for at least 7-10 days, while flushing the body with water. Depending on your initial diet will depend on how thorough you need to be.
Click here to find your cleansing choice, and Start the New Year off with a “New You”. Do a TOTAL BODY CLEANSE!
Did you know that the Holiday’s are the perfect time to enjoy blending and diffusing Essential Oils that will get us into the spirit of the season?
Resinous oils, mints, citrus, spices, and conifers all have a place in bringing the spirit of the season, while maintaining a level of health with in the home.
Click Here to learn about the different Holiday Oils and for Holiday Recipes to diffuse!
HERB FUN FACT:
Did you know that in earlier centuries, if you were caught using herbs in a “strange” way, you were hanged as a witch?
People were given a list, based off the Malleus Maleficarum (a witch-hunting manual) of how to tell if one of their neighbors was a witch. They were told that some witch’s spells require strange herbs. The witches dry and crush the herbs and are said to also soak them in blood. Then, when the herbs are mixed together, it creates a special potion that the witch will use for her evil intentions. Unfortunately, false accusations were frequently made and many good people lost their lives.
Did you know that it is not possible for Scientists to combine all the chemical components from an Essential Oil, even in the correct proportions, and get an identical oil?
Even with the best human efforts, the chemical components that nature combines is still a secret. A single oil is made up of more than a hundred components, and can run into thousands, depending on the oil. This could explain why Pharmaceutical company’s don’t use essential oils….there’s no money in it when just anybody can grow what they need.
Did you know that Royal Herb Strewers were employed to walk ahead of the King or Queen to strew herbs in their path and help sweeten the air and ward off diseases?
The first recorded Royal Herb Strewer was appointed in 1660. They walked through the royal residences, strewing a mixture of camomile, mint, sage, rue, lavender and roses to cover up the stench from the pipes and bring relief to the royal noses.
By the time George IV came to the throne, improvements in hygiene had removed the need to fill the air with fragrance, so he appointed Anne Fellowes to scatter flowers and herbs at his coronation. The job was passed down through the family: Anne’s descendants still claim the title today.
EO FUN FACT:
Did you know that Essential oils are most often described by their scent or smell?
They fall under the following groups:
Floral (Rose, Jasmine, Geranium and Lavender)
Citrus (Grapefruit, Lemon, Mandarin, Orange and Tangerine)
Mint (Peppermint and Spearmint)
Woody (Cedarwood and Sandalwood)
Herbaceous (Basil, Oregano, Marjoram and Thyme)
Earthy (Vetiver and Patchouli)
Spicy (Cinnamon, Cloves and Nutmeg)
HERB FUN FACT:
Did you know that in the history of Rosemary, it was used to cure anxiety, bad dreams, and retain youthful looks? Therefore it was also used to dress the bodies of the dead.
The French botanist Jacques-Christophe Valmont de Bomare (1731-1807) records that when coffins were opened, branches of rosemary that had been held in the corpse’s hand had grown to cover the whole body
Learn more of the history of the Rosemary plant, here.
Did you know that the rediscovery of essential oils involved an accident in which chemically burned hands were plunged into a bucket of Lavender essential oil?
Because of this, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist who worked in his family’s perfume business, is considered the “Father of Aromatherapy”. Gattefosse sustained severe burns in a chemical fire and decided to test out the reputed pain-relieving properties of lavender oil on his burns. To his surprise, he found that the lavender oil not only relieved his pain, but also helped heal his wounds without scars or infection!
Did you know that aspirin is derived from the bark of the Willow Tree?
Although, Willow Bark had been used for its pain relieving and fever reducing properties since at least Egyptian times, by the nineteenth century pharmacists were experimenting with and prescribing a variety of chemicals related to salicylic acid, the active component of willow extract.
The folks at Bayer came up with the name Aspirin, it comes from the ‘A” in acetyl chloride, the “spir” in spiraea ulmaria (the plant they derived the salicylic acid from) and the ‘in’ was a then familiar name ending for medicines.
Today, Americans consume over 80 million tablets of aspirin a year, and the world consumes over 100 Billion each year!!
Did you know that Essential oils cannot be patented?
This means that Pharmaceutical companies will never use essential oils in a pharmaceutical drug, or even waste money studying them. Inadvertently, the vast majority of doctors will not recommend essential oils as an alternative therapy, because their knowledge is limited.
HERB FUN FACT:
Did you know that the word drug comes from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘drigan’ and Dutch word ‘droog’ which means ‘dry’ or ‘to dry’?
This is in reference to how ancient healers and physicians would dry plants for use as medicines. In fact, the use of medicinal herbs predates human history…AND we are only 70 years removed from actual “drug” stores, which were herbal apothecaries.
Learn how to dry your own herbs, here.
Did you know that there is ONE tree that can produce three Different essential oils?
The Bitter Orange Tree (Citrus aurantium var. amara) produces essential oils from three places; Neroli essential oil from the blossoms, Petitgrain essential oil from the leaves and twigs, and Bitter Orange essential oil from the rind of the fruit.
Not only is this versatile in producing essential oils, but the fruit also helps give us Marmalade, the liquor Triple Sec, and the extract is rich in synephrine, which is known as very good appetite suppressant.
Did you know that you can eat every part of the Dandelion?
From the root to the flower, every part of the dandelion plant can be eaten and is packed full of nutrients! While most people are trying to kill this delicious plant, others are making them into cookies, salads, tea, and fritters! Even Vitruvian’s Herbal Coffee has dandelion root in it! Here is a link showing at least 10 dandelion recipes. Enjoy!
EO FUN FACT:
Did you know that it takes massive amounts of plant matter to produce a small amount of essential oil?
In fact, depending on which plant is processed will depend on how much essential oil it makes. For example, 100 pounds of Lavender produces 1 pound of essential oil, while it takes over 4000 pounds of Rose petals to produce the same amount of essential oil. Because of this, essential oils come in different prices.
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HERB FUN FACT:
Did you know that the study of herbs can be dated as far back as 3500 B.C.? Ancient records reveal that Egyptians studied herbs and used them in medicinal and religious ceremonies as early as 3500 B.C. Recipes have been discovered for herbal infused oils and creams in the tombs of legendary Egyptians, such as Cleopatra. From 2500 B.C., the Chinese were organizing the study of herbs, and written records were found in China, as early as 100 B.C., listing the uses of many different herbs, one by one. |
Did you know that Steam Distilling Essential Oils dates back several centuries?
While fashioned as a crude method that was more of an extraction than a distillation, an ancient terra-cotta distillation apparatus was discovered in the archaeological museum at Taxila, that was dated back to 3000 B.C. Although most scientists believe that the process of steam distillation didn’t get invented until the 11th Century, by a Persian scientist named Avicenna (Ibn Cina). Avicenna introduced and documented many medical procedures still used today, including aromatherapy.
Did you know that herbs and flowers were used for masking odors, in the form of what was called a nosegay?
A nosegay was a small bouquet of flowers or a sachet of dried flowers and herbs. Originating in the medieval times, people would wear them or hold them up to their noses while walking in large crowds. As it was custom not to bath, wash clothing, and openly pour sewage out, the nosegays helped mask those pungent odors.
Nosegay is a Middle English term; the latter word gay, meaning “ornament”, so a nosegay was an ornament that appeals to the nose. Still used today, more for adornment, we now call them bouquets,
corsages, or boutonières.
Did you know that Essential Oils were NOT used in biblical times, like some may believe?
In fact, the different oils that are mentioned throughout the bible are actually Infused Plant Oil. These healing oils and unguents were made largely from macerating plant matter in olive oil, palm oil, or tallow. Although, infused oils do not possess the potency and concentration of steam distilled essential oils; they still have the ability for healing and preservation.
Did you know that depending on what liquid you use in your Tincture Preparation, will depend on what constituents are drawn out of the Plant?
Herbal tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts of the medicinal properties of herbs. A tincture, using Alcohol, will extract volatile oils, acids, and most alkaloids from your herbs, but draws out very little vitamins and minerals, unless water is added. Glycerin Tinctures are very sweet and will dissolve mucilage, vitamins and minerals of the plant, but will not dissolve the resinous or oily properties of herbs very well. Vinegar Tinctures primarily dissolves alkaloids, and does not draw all the medicinal properties from your herbs, but can be very good for digestion.
Did you know that the Aroma of Floral Essential Oils can help alleviate emotional stress, including depression?
Aromatherapy can play an important part in enhancing your emotional outlook on life, and Floral Aromas are widely used in aromatherapy because of their ability to invoke positive thoughts and feelings of joy, happiness and hope. Floral Aroma can boost self esteem, confidence, and mental strength, while efficiently fighting depression and anxiety. They can also take away grief, irritability, stress, and anger, thus creating a feeling of calm, happiness, and peace within oneself. Remember, the Aroma of Essential Oils are at least 70 times more concentrated than the flower itself. So next time you want to buy your loved one flowers, try getting a concentrated floral essential oil instead. The Essential Oils do not wither away like cut flowers, and will help their overall emotional well-being, with lasting results!