by Amelia E. Stone, RN Common Name: Benzoin Latin Binomial: Styrax benzoin Family: Styracaceae Other Common Names: gum benjamin, gum benzoin Production Method: solvent extracted Countries of Origin: Laos Typical Constituents: Benzyl benzoate (39.3%), Benzyl alcohol (38.8%), Benzoic acid (18.4%), Ethyl cinnamate (0.8%) Description of Oil: Resinoid, sticky solid, grayish brown, sweet, like vanilla […]
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Essential Oil Profile: Patchouli
By Amelia E. Stone, RN Common Name: Patchouli Latin Binomial: Pogostemom cablin Family: Labiatae or Lamiaceae Other Common Names: Patchouly oil Production Method: steam-distilled Countries of Origin: India Typical Constituents: α-pinene (.05-1%), b-pinene (0.5-1%), limonene (trace), b-elemene (1%), α-bulnesene (10-25%), b- bulnesene (14-17.2%), α-guaiene (6-15%), b-guaiene, α-patchoulene (1.9-5.7%), b-patchoulene (2.9-3.8%), seychellene (5-9.4%), cyclo-seychellene (<1%), […]
Essential Oil Profile: Peppermint
by Amelia E. Stone, RN Common Name: Peppermint Latin Binomial: Mentha piperita Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) Production Method: steam-distillation Countries of Origin: USA Typical Constituents: [-]-Menthol (19.0-54.2%), Menthone (8.0-31.6%), [-]-Menthyl acetate (2.1-10.6%), Neomenthol (2.6-10.0%), 1,8-Cineole (2.9-9.7%), [6R]-[+]-Menthofuran (tr-9.4%), Isomenthone (2.0-8.7%), Terpinen-4-ol (0-5.0%), [1R]-[+]-b-Pulegone (0.3-4.7%), [+]-Limonene (0.8-4.5%), Germacrene D (tr-4.4%), b-Caryophyllene (0.1-2.8%), [E]-Sabinene hydrate (0.2-2.4%), b-Pinene […]
Essential Oil Profile: Basil
by Amelia E. Stone, RN Common Name: Basil (ct. linalool) Latin Binomial: Optimum basilicum L. Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) Other Common Names: Sweet basil and common basil Production Method: steam-distilled Countries of Origin: tropical Asia and Africa, Egypt Typical Constituents: Linalool (34.4%), Eugenol (33.7%), Linoleic & linolenic acids (9.7%), 1,8-Cineole (3.1%), T-Cadinol (1.9%), Palmitic acid […]
Essential Oil Profile: Geranium
by Amelia E. Stone, RN Common Name: Geranium Latin Binomial: Pelargonium odorantissimum/graveolens Family: Geraniaceae Other Common Names: Rose geranium, Sweet scented geranium Production Method: Steam Distillation Countries of Origin: Algeria, Morocco, China, Egypt, and Reunion Typical Constituents: Citronellol (36.5-39.1%), Citronellyl formate (9.2-10.1%), Geraniol (8.7-8.9%), Guaia-6,9-diene (6.5-6.8%), Isomenthone (5.4-5.7%), Linalool (3.6-3.9%), Menthone (1.4-2.4%), Geranyl formate […]
Weight Loss
QUESTION: I am interested in trying to lose the 35 or so pounds I have gained due to a back injury. I have tried over-the-counter type diet pills but they don’t really do anything for me. There are just to many web sites that are trying to sell the so-called ‘easy way’ to lose weight, […]
Parkinsons
QUESTION: I am looking for a natural way to help my mother. Her doctors think she has Parkinson’s Disease but they aren’t sure. She has tremors in both of her hands, and everyday activities are becoming more difficult for her. Can you recommend some natural products that she can try? The drugs that her doctors […]
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
QUESTION: I was recently diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. The doctors are busy writing me prescriptions that I don’t want to take, however I do wish to care for my health. I am a novice at herbal remedies and need your advice. What can I take for irritation & spasm of the bowel? I would […]
Fibroid Tumors
Question: I have fibrous tumors in my uterus and on my ovaries. Have you researched this area at all? If you have, I was wondering if you could direct me because I understand that short of surgery there is no remedy. I was wondering if you have come across an herbal remedy. Answer: There are […]
ADHD – Alternatives to Ritalin
Question: I am desperately trying to avoid giving my 9 year old Ritalin for ADHD. Her behavior, impulsiveness and distractibility have caused all facets of her life to suffer. Of course the “mental health” professionals have an easy answer, a little green pill twice a day. We have switched to a whole foods diet but […]