Bliss Home Spa Blog
Blood Orange Essential Oil
by Bliss Home Spa on 04/12/11
Botanical Name: Citrus sinensis
Plant Part: Crude Fruit Peel
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed
Origin: Italy
Description: Citrus sinensis is a middle-sized evergreen tree, covered with bark of a greenish-brown color, having auxiliary spines on the branches. The leaves are alternate, ovate-oblong, acute, shining green, the stalk more or less winged. The blood orange has streaks of red in the fruit, and when squeezed the juice is often reddish.
Color: Oily reddish-orange to orange liquid.
Common Uses: Blood Orange Essential Oil is considered to have anti-depressant, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic and aphrodisiac properties. The scent is said to be uplifting and stimulating.
Consistency: Light
Note: Middle
Strength of Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Scent: Blood Orange essential oil has a warm, fresh citrus scent, radiant, fruity and tangy.
History: Also known as Maltese Orange, the fruit originated in India (some say Vietnam) and was called na rangi in Sanskrit. The na rangi or naranja was translated as norange, and in English usage a norange was back-formed into the more acceptable an orange. The same thing happened in French and Italian, but in Spanish it is still naranja.
Cautions: Avoid exposure to sunlight after skin application due to possible photo-toxicity.
Bergamot Essential Oil
by Bliss Home Spa on 04/12/11
Botanical Name: Citrus bergamia
Plant Part: Crude Fruit Peel
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed
Origin: Italy
Description: The Bergamot tree can grow up to four meters high, with star-shaped flowers, and smooth leaves, bearing citrus fruit resembling a cross between an orange and a grapefruit but in a pear-shape. The fruit ripens from green to yellow.
Color: Light yellowish green to yellowish brown liquid.
Common Uses: Bergamot Essential Oil can be used in the treatment of depression, stress, tension, fear, hysteria, infection (all types including skin), anorexia, psoriasis, eczema and general convalescence.
Consistency: Thin
Note: Middle
Strength of Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Scent: The aroma is basically citrus, yet fruity and sweet with a warm spicy floral quality, and is reminiscent of Neroli and Lavender Oils.
History: The name Bergamot is derived from the city Bergamo in Lombardy where the oil was first sold. This tree is native to South East Asia but was introduced to Europe, and particularly Italy, but is also found in the Ivory Coast, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.
Cautions: Bergamot Essential Oil can cause severe burns when used on sensitive skin that has been exposed to sunlight due to the high bergaptene content.
Bay Essential Oil
by Bliss Home Spa on 04/12/11
Botanical Name: Laurus Nobilis L
Plant Part: Leaves
Extraction Method: Steam Distilled
Origin: Turkey
Description: This is an evergreen tree which can grow up to 20 meters high with dark green, glossy leaves and black berries.
Color: Pale yellow green to orange brown liquid.
Common Uses: Bay Essential Oil is said to have antiseptic, anti-biotic, analgesic, anti-neuralgic, aperitif, astringent, emmenagogue, febrifuge, insecticide and sedative properties. Bay can be used in the treatment of rheumatism, muscular pain, circulation problems, colds, flu, dental infections and skin infections.
Consistency: Thin
Note: Top
Strength of Aroma: Strong
Aromatic Scent: Bay has a strong, spicy bay leaf scent.
History: Bay Essential Oil was very popular with the Romans, who thought Bay was a symbol of wisdom, peace and protection. The Latin 'Laudis' means 'to praise, which is why the victors at the Olympic Games were presented with a Laurel (Bay) Wreath. In the past Bay leaves were distilled with rum. The Bay rum so obtained was a famous hair tonic and body rub for colds and muscle pains.
Cautions: Bay has a high eugenol content and may irritate the skin and mucus membranes, so use with caution. Avoid during pregnancy.
Basil Sweet Essential Oil
by Bliss Home Spa on 04/12/11
Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum
Plant Part: Leaves
Extraction Method: Steam Distilled
Origin: India
Description: An annual herb, Basil grows 20-50 cm (8-20 in), and when in bloom the purple- white flowers appear in clusters, framed by oval pointed green leaves.
Color: Pale yellow to amber color liquid.
Common Uses: Basil Essential Oil can be used to clear the sinuses, promote digestion and stimulate circulation, especially in the respiratory system. It is prized in Ayurvedic medicine for its ability to strengthen compassion, faith and bring clarity.
Consistency: Thin
Note: Top
Strength of Aroma: Strong
Aromatic Scent: This variety has a sweet vaguely anise-like, mint, smoky odor.
History: In Greek its name means 'royal remedy' or 'king'. It is a beloved culinary plant of Indian, Asian and Mediterranean countries.
Cautions: May irritate sensitive skin. Do not use during pregnancy.
Anise Star Essential Oil
by Bliss Home Spa on 04/12/11
Botanical Name: Illicium verum
Plant Part: Seeds
Extraction Method: Steam Distilled
Origin: China
Description: A small to medium evergreen tree of the magnolia family, reaching up to 8m (26ft). The leaves are lanceolate and the axillary flowers are yellow. The fruits are harvested before they ripen, then sun dried. It is, as the name suggests, star shaped, radiating between five and ten pointed boat-shaped sections, about eight on average. These hard sections are seedpods. Tough skinned and rust colored, they measure up to 3cm (1-1/4”) long.
Color: Colorless to pale yellow liquid.
Common Uses: Anise Star Essential Oil has carminative, stomachic, stimulant and diuretic properties. In the East it is used to combat colic and rheumatism.
Consistency: Light
Note: Top
Strength of Aroma: Strong
Aromatic Scent: Anise Star has a powerful and licorice-like scent.
History: Anise Star is often chewed in small quantities after each meal to promote digestion and sweeten the breath. The Japanese plant the tree in their temples and on tombs; and use the pounded bark as incense. Homeopaths can prepare tinctures from the seeds.
Cautions: Anise star is generally non-toxic and non-irritating (unlike Illicium anisatum the Japanese variety that is long considered toxic).
