Category: Properties of Oils

Litsea Cubeba

Originally published in the Plant Prana Newsletter November 9, 2020.

Litsea Cubeba- (also known as May Chang) – may be sensitizing to the skin

​IMMUNE: epidemics

DIGESTIVE: indigestion

​MUSCULAR: contracture and spasms

​RESPIRATORY: slows down respiratory rate (used for anxiety, panic, and paradoxical ​​​breathing)

​NERVOUS: psychosomatic conditions

​PSYCHOLOGICAL: anxiety

​ENERGETIC: inhibits the meng mein, solar plexus, and the forehead

SPIRITUAL: helps one to be non-reactive, conductivity

​Used extensively by the Atayal Aborigines in Taiwan.

Cape Snowbush

Originally published in the Plant Prana Newsletter November 16, 2020.

IMMUNE: colds, influenza (especially recovery after the initial infection)

RESPIRATORY: relaxes the diaphragm, constricted bronchioles

MUSCULAR / CIRCULATORY: relaxes fascia, high blood pressure

NERVOUS: stress related conditions 

PSYCHOLOGICAL: sense of well-being, trauma, issues in the unconscious 

ENERGETIC: activating to the heart, activating to the basic

SPIRITUAL: helps to cultivate unconditional love

Lemongrass

LEMONGRASS:

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus or related species) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, herbalism, and mystical practices. 

Digestive Aid:
Lemongrass tea is commonly used to alleviate indigestion, bloating, and stomach discomfort. It stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes.

Anti-inflammatory:
Lemongrass contains compounds like citral and geraniol, which have anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for conditions such as arthritis.

Antibacterial and Anti fungal:
Lemongrass essential oil exhibits strong antibacterial and antifungal activity, making it effective against infections, including skin conditions like athlete’s foot and acne.

Antioxidant:
Rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds, it helps neutralize free radicals, supporting overall cellular health.

Stress Relief:
Lemongrass tea or essential oil is widely used in aromatherapy to relieve anxiety, improve mood, and promote relaxation.

Fever Reducer:
Traditionally referred to as “fever grass” in some cultures, it is used as a febrifuge to reduce fevers.

Pain Reliever:
Used topically in diluted essential oil form, it can relieve muscle pain, headaches, and menstrual cramps.

Supports Detoxification:
It is a diuretic, promoting urination and helping to flush toxins from the body.

Supports Respiratory Health:
Traditionally used for colds and respiratory infections due to its antimicrobial and expectorant properties.

Cleansing and Purification:

Lemongrass is burned as incense or used in spiritual baths to cleanse negative energy, banish entities, and promote clarity.

Protection:

It is used in ritual work for protection against psychic attacks and to create a protective energetic barrier.

Enhanced Focus and Clarity:

Lemongrass is thought to open the mind, increase focus, and enhance psychic awareness during meditation or divination.

Love and Prosperity:

In folk magic, lemongrass is believed to attract love and financial abundance when carried or used in rituals.

Chakra Work:

Associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra, lemongrass is used to boost confidence, personal power, and vitality.

Applications: 

• Internal 1-4 drops in water as needed (1-3x a day)
• Ointments
• Body Tonics
• Salt Baths 7-10 drops with 1lb. Of salt
• Sustained inhalation 
• Diffuser
• Incense
• Anointing

*great in a diffuser or sustained inhalation for prevention of colds and flu’s 

*Sustained inhalation for a wide range of conditions including balancing and toning the nervous system and pain management 

*Can be a little irritating applied directly to skin so always mix with a carrier (such as sesame oil, coconut oil, almond oil, lotion, massage oil, alcohol or witch hazel for body tonics) when applied topically

SKIN:

Excessive perspiration, toning to tissue, insect repellent, scabies, open pores, athlete’s foot, deodorant 

DIGESTIVE:

Sluggish digestion, Relaxes smooth muscle, indigestion, colitis, gastroenteritis, constipation, parasites, anti inflammatory 

CIRCULATION:

Poor circulation.

IMMUNE:

Infectious conditions, fever, antiseptic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti fungal, anti inflammatory 

GENITOURINARY: insufficiency of milk  

MUSCULAR/JOINTS:

Pain, muscle relaxer, muscle tone, poor circulation, relaxes the diaphragm, slack tissue, trigger point activity, anti inflammatory 

NERVOUS SYSTEM:

Pain, Sedative, Balances the autonomic nervous system, regulator of the parasympathetic nervous system, (rest, repair, digest), Nervous exhaustion, debility, tension, stress-related conditions, headaches, considered a sedative on the central nervous system, tension due to pain

PSYCHOLOGICAL:

Antidepressant, Stress, somatization, calming.

ENERGETIC:

Regulating, inhibiting to over-activated chakras, impacts and improves the solar plexus

SPIRITUAL:

Purification, renewal, vitality, and protection 

Galbanum

Originally published in the Plant Prana Newsletter September 1, 2020.

SKIN: Boils, abscess, skin inflammations, skin issues, acne, ulcer

IMMUNE: wound healing, may have an impact on chaotic cell growths

GENITO-URINARY: antispasmodic, diuretic, aphrodisiac

DIGESTIVE: diarrhea, indigestion, digestive complaints

CIRCULATION: Lymphatic function (detoxification process), blood pressure

RESPIRATORY: antispasmodic, expectorant

MUSCULAR: Aches and pains, rheumatism, inflammations, antispasmodic (smooth muscle of the respiratory, digestive, and urinary tract)

NERVOUS: Tonic, restorative, Stress-related complaints, nervous complaints, body tension associated with pain syndromes, polyneuritis (inflamed nerves over a large area, muscle losing tone, paralysis), stress, pain, epilepsy, psychosomatic conditions, tension in body caused by injury or pain

PSYCHOLOGICAL: Stress, fear, higher mental faculties (intuitive mind), restorative to the emotional body, shock, glamours

ENERGETIC: activates the heart, activates the crown, cleansing, fortifying

SPIRITUAL: transmutation (mental), conductivity, expansion within the form, ceremony, ritual, prayer, transition, transcendence

• 12th century used in the Jewish tradition for deliberate and unrepentant sinners
• Used in several anointing oils
• Given to Moses on Mt.Sinai
• The ancient Egyptian “Green Incense” was Galbanum

Yarrow

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a versatile herb that has been used for centuries in various medicinal, therapeutic, and folk remedies. It is valued for its wide range of health benefits and its applications in traditional medicine. 

Here’s an overview of the uses of yarrow:

Astringent Properties: Yarrow has strong astringent properties, making it effective for stopping bleeding from cuts and wounds. Historically, it was used by soldiers on the battlefield to treat wounds, earning it the nickname “soldier’s woundwort.”

Antiseptic: The herb has antiseptic properties, which help prevent infections in wounds.

Reduction of Inflammation: Yarrow contains anti-inflammatory compounds that help reduce swelling and pain, making it useful for treating conditions like arthritis, muscle pain, and joint inflammation.

Analgesic Effects: It has mild analgesic properties that can help alleviate pain.

Stomach Soother: Yarrow is known to soothe the digestive tract and can be used to treat indigestion, bloating, and gas.

Stimulates Appetite: The bitter compounds in yarrow stimulate appetite and promote digestion by increasing bile flow.

Menstrual Regulation: Yarrow is used to regulate menstrual cycles and alleviate menstrual cramps due to its ability to balance hormones and its antispasmodic properties.

Heavy Menstruation: It can help reduce heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) due to its astringent qualities.

Diaphoretic: Yarrow is a diaphoretic herb, meaning it induces sweating, which can help break a fever and support the body in fighting infections like colds and flu.

Immune Support: Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties also make it useful in treating respiratory infections.

Diuretic: Yarrow has mild diuretic properties that help promote urine flow and cleanse the urinary tract, making it useful for treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney issues.

Treatment of Skin Conditions: Yarrow is used in the treatment of various skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, and acne due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

Healing Burns and Bruises: It is also applied to minor burns, bruises, and other skin injuries to promote healing and reduce scarring.

Expectorant: Yarrow acts as an expectorant, helping to loosen phlegm and clear the respiratory tract, making it useful in treating coughs, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions.

Calming Effects: Yarrow has mild sedative properties, which can help reduce anxiety, stress, and promote relaxation.

Sleep Aid: It can also be used to improve sleep quality, especially in cases of insomnia caused by stress or nervous tension.

Folk Remedies:

Protection and Purification

Folk Beliefs: In various folk traditions, yarrow is believed to have protective qualities. It was often hung in homes or carried as an amulet to ward off evil spirits and negative energies.

Safety and Precautions: 

Allergies: Some people may be allergic to yarrow, particularly those who are allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family (such as ragweed). A patch test is recommended before topical use.

SKIN: Inflammation, wounds, rashes, cuts (especially fresh cuts – can help stop bleeding,) eczema, rashes, may have a toning effect on the skin.

IMMUNE: Fever, colds, flu, allergies in the digestive tract.

DIGESTIVE: Colitis, inflammation in the digestive tract, may help stop any sort of bleeding in the digestive tract, cramping, indigestion, gas, hemorrhoids.

NERVOUS: The effects of stress, hypertension, any stress-related condition.

MUSCULAR: Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, pain.

CIRCULATORY: May help high blood pressure, may be helpful with thrombosis, may be useful with arteriosclerosis.

PSYCHOLOGICAL: Old emotional wounds, trauma, abandonment, transmutation of emotions

ENERGETIC: Helps to heal old emotional and mental wounds, helps to stabilize the emotions, has an inhibiting effect on the Meng Mein chakra.

SPIRITUAL: Divine Love