Thursday, July 16, 2020

Bergamot: The love child of Lemon and Lavender


Bergamot (Citrus bergamia):

A lot of people associate the aroma of Bergamot with Earl Grey tea. To me, Bergamot smells like the love child of Lemon and Lavender. It is both citrusy and herbal, with a hint of pepper. Imagine slicing a fresh lemon in half and then sprinkling dried lavender and fresh ground pepper on it, and that’s what it makes me think of. There is a bit of woodiness in there too, which comes from that Lavender-like note.

The light citrus notes uplift the spirit, while the herbal, green notes are calming and grounding. Bergamot is helpful for anxiety and insomnia. It is the oil of Self-Acceptance. Bergamot cleans out stagnant energy that causes low self-esteem and limiting beliefs. It helps encourage feelings of optimism and confidence in the self. 


                                        

Bergamot is a powerful anti-spasmodic, and can be very helpful for reducing coughing and stomach cramps. It is helpful in supporting digestion in general (which could be why Earl Grey tea is so popular). You never want to apply Bergamot neat to the skin, as it can be phototoxic. Always dilute it when using topically, and wear sunscreen or avoid being in the sun outdoors. It can be helpful for drying up pimples and balancing oily skin.

Bergamot is cold pressed from the rind of the fruit. (I like how the rind is bumpy, and when you cut it in half, it forms waves around the flesh inside.) In Italy it has been historically used to cool fevers and expel intestinal worms.


                                    


Bergamot is often used in perfumery for “eau de cologne” type fragrances. It is a top note, and blends well with other citrus oils as well as the herbal aromas like Lavender, Rosemary, and Clary Sage.

Thursday, July 2, 2020

Pink Pepper: It's not just for fajitas



Pink Pepper (Shinus molle):

As we enter the season of grilling here in the U.S., it seems appropriate that I introduce you to an essential oil that might be more associated with seasoning BBQ. This is an oil that I’ve just recently been introduced to, and I wasn’t sure if I was a fan of it at first. After spending a little bit of time with it, it’s started to grow on me.

My initial impression of Pink Pepper was of melons that have been sprinkled with spices and pepper. The first notes I pick up are fruity, floral, and somewhat green, and then they’re followed up with a kick of whole, fresh, peppercorns. Light and relaxed at first, Pink Pepper reminds you she has a strong backbone and isn’t to be taken for granted. I think this oil would work well in a blend as either a top or middle note.

Pink Pepper essential oil comes from the pink peppercorn tree. The oil is steam distilled from the fruit of the tree. Historically Pink Pepper was used by the Incas for medicinal purposes.


                         


When used internally, Pink Pepper could be helpful for the digestive, respiratory, and immune systems.* Energetically and emotionally, it is both relaxing and uplifting. Two of it’s main chemical components, Limonene and a-Phellandrene, could be calming for the nervous system.

Of course when most of us think of pepper, we think of cooking, and Pink Pepper is an oil that can be very handy in the kitchen or on the grill. It’s especially good on grilled veggies. Here’s a recipe I shared a little while back on Instagram.

                          

Some other ways to use Pink Pepper are to add a few drops to a diffuser, or add one to two drops to a lotion or massage oil.**

I think Pink Pepper would blend well with Lavender, Rosemary, and Cedarwood.

*Use caution when taking essential oils internally. Always consult with a certified aromatherapist before using essential oils internally.

**May cause skin sensitivity. Test a small amount on a small area of skin before using. Do not use topically on children under the age of five, and if you are pregnant or nursing.

Sources: doTerra.com

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)

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