BLACK PEPPER
(PIPER NIGRUM)
Extraction
Essential oil by steam
distillation from the dried & crushed peppercorn.
Description
& History
A very important stimulant in the treatment of certain
digestive disorders, constipation, loss of appetite. It helps cold and can be used
as a sexual tonic, might help in diarrhea,
flatulence, pains, and poor circulation. As a Carminative it can be added to foods. Occasionally used in blends for energetic
enhancement. Used for toothache and
externally for joint and muscle aching.
Caution
It is Non-toxic, non-sensitizing, Irritant
in high concentration due to its rubefacient properties.
Use in moderation only.
CARDAMOM
(ELETTARIA
CARDAMOMUM )
Extraction
The oils are distilled from the Plants.
Description
& History
The Cardamom of commerce consists of the dried ripe fruit
of Elettaria Cardamomum. There are
two varieties of this species.
1. Var. minuscule Burkhill, also called Alpha Minor.
2. Var. Bita Major,
also called Elettaria major, or Long Wild Cardamoms.
Cardamom fruit is official in most pharmacopoeias. However, the
United States
and the British Pharmacopoeias confine the definition of
cardamom to the decorticated seed only;
moreover, the British Pharmacopoeia requires that the seed must have been recently
removed from the capsules.
Like the spice itself, the essential oil is employed widely
for the flavoring of various food products, such as cakes, confectionery, ginger-bread,
sausages, and pickles. It finds use
also in spicy table sauces, curry preparations, and in certain bitters and liqueurs.
Medicinally, the oil is frequently employed as an adjuvant
or corrective of tonic, carminative, and purgative preparations.
CASSIA
(CINNAMOMUM CASSIA)
Extraction
Essential oil by steam distillation from
the Plant.
Description
& History
Cassia are contains medicinal qualities similar to cinnamon
but its smell is sweeter and more pleasant.
It is used to give colors to many perfume blends.
In certain areas the primitive distillation apparatus, still used, contains
copper piping which gives a red tone to the oil.
Rare because it comes from
China
and
Vietnam
.
Caution
Its too much used can be irritating to the skin.
CELERY
(APIUM GRAVEOLENS
L.)
Extraction
Essential oil by steam distillation from
the seeds .
Description
& History
Celery is today widely cultivated in the temperate zones
as an important garden crop, the bleached leaf stalks being relished as a popular
vegetable. The volatile or essential
oil distilled from Celery seed is used extensively for flavoring purposes.
Celery seed located in
Southern France
,
India
, and lately also in
California
. Use of this oil – Canned soups and meats, sausages, and
particularly in the flavoring of the popular celery salts, celery tonics, and culinary
sauces. Celery seed oil is one of the
most valuable flavoring agents, imparting warm, aromatic, and pleasing notes to
food products.
OLEORESIN CELERY :-
The so – called Oleoresins of celery have in late
years attained ever – increasing popularity
among food producers. These oleoresins
are prepared by extracting celery seed with volatile solvents, filtering and freezing
the solutions, and driving off the alcohol in vacuo.
Depending upon the solvent used, the consistency, appearance and flavor of the resulting oleoresins will vary.
CINNAMON
(CINNAMOMUM ZEYLANICUM)
Extraction
Essential oil by steam distillation from
the Plant.
Description
& History
Cinnamon is one of the best oils for circulation, especially
during menopause. It improves sexual
function, increases sexual desire, and improves digestion and appetite.
Because it enhances circulation, it is very supportive of the heart. It is empowering to the will.
Cinnamon bark oil has a high percentage of aldehyde and is not recommended
for use on the skin as it can be irritating.
Cinnamon leaf oil has a very low percentage of aldehyde and is more suitable for
use in liniments or message oils.
Caution
Do not use in condition of high pitta ; will aggravate bleeding
disorders; skin irritant in high dose; convulsive in high doses.
CLOVE
(CAROPHYLLUS AROMATICUS)
Extraction
Clove are actually the unexpanded flower
buds of the clove tree.
Description
& History
Centuries before Christ, envoys to the Han
court of China held clove oil in their mouths to freshen their breath during audiences
with the emperor. Later, the oil was
to serve as a Protective agent against
the bubonic plague. Clove oil is one
of the most effective antiseptics known, good for treating infections, especially
colds and flu. It is often an ingredient
in commercially available mouthwashes and digestive tonics and will bring a welcome
numbness if applied topically for toothache or sore gums.
Caution
All clove oils can cause skin & mucus
membrane irritations, because of the eugenol content.
Use in moderation, in very less dilution.
CORIANDER
(CORIANDRUM SATIVUM)
Extraction
The oil is distilled from the leaves.
Description
& History
This fresh herb is also known as cilantro or Chinese parsley,
and is a favourite in Mexican food.
The essential oil is produced from the seed, is an antidote to hot food, very decongesting
to the liver, and is a great reducer of fire and heat in the body.
It is thought to be an aphrodisiac because of its phyto-estrogen content. It`s also a carminative, stimulating
digestion.
Caution
Except high Vata with nerve tissue deficiency; may cause kidney irritation in high
dose, do not take during pregnancy.
FENNEL
(FOENICULUM
VULGARE)
Extraction
The oil is distilled from the roots.
Description & History
Fennel is another essential
oil from the carrot family. It is useful
during pregnancy to prevent morning sickness, and is excellent for the traveler,
helping to reduce or prevent sea sickness.
One of the most important carminative oils, it is useful for upset stomachs, gas,
flatulence, indigestion and is traditionally used in Indian restaurants in herb
form as an after dinner promoter of digestion.
It has been recommended for reducing stomach acidity and prevention of ulcers.
GARLIC
(ALLIUM SATIVUM)
Extraction
Essential oil by steam distillation of
the roots.
Description
& History
The bulbs or cloves of the common garlic have been used since
antiquity, particularly in Mediterranean Countries, as a popular prophylactic and
curative against all kinds of intestinal ailments chronic infections of the stomach
and the intestines, dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera, etc and even against arteriosclerosis
and hyperpnea. Phoenician sailors carried
good stocks of garlic on their long sea voyages. Oil of garlic has lately come to
be appreciated as a valuable flavoring agent, for use in all kinds of meat preparations,
soups, canned goods, and table sauces.
GINGER
(ZINGIBER OFFICIANLIS)
Extraction
The oil is distilled from the roots,
plants
Description & History
Ginger is one of the
most commonly used herbs in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine.
Because of its digestive properties, it is without peer in cases of illness
due to poor absorption and assimilation. Its wonderful for regulating the blood,
for motion sickness, weight loss; Its
helpful in bringing any condition in to balance. For sea sickness, air sickness,
or problems in balance use it on a small circular bandage behind the ear.
Light often adds it to her bath on cold mornings and to daily skin massage
lotion in the winter.
Caution
Don’t use if inflammatory skin diseases, high fever, bleeding, or ulcers are present.
NUTMEG
OIL
(MYRISTICA FRAGRANS)
Extraction
Essential oil by steam distillation or
water distillation from the dried nutmeg seeds.
Description
& History
May be useful in pains, aches, poor circulations,
rheumatism, sluggish digestion, impotence, nervous fatigue, bacterial infection
etc. It is said to be
very calming. When diffused before bedtime, nutmeg is said to promote dreamtime.
Both oils and oleoresin are used in most major food categories, including alcoholic
and soft drinks.
Caution
Generally non-toxic, non-sensitizing & non-irritant.
But use only in moderation only. However, used in large doses it shows
signs of toxicity such as nausea, stupor, and tachycardia, believed to be due to
the myristcin content.
TURMERIC
(CURCUMA LONGA)
Extraction
The oil is distilled from the Roots.
Description
& History
Turmeric has received recent attention because of its energizing
effect on the immune system, and is being used in some treatment of AIDS.
It is used in cosmetics for oily skin and to cleanse and detoxify.
It is a favorite with the food flavoring industry, in part because of its
bright yellow color. It has grounding
properties, helping you to feel present and in charge.
Excellent for confusion and anxiety.
There is some indication that use of turmeric helps stabilize blood sugar.
Caution
Do not use in cases of acute jaundice, hepatitis, high Pitta, or pregnancy.