essential oil

Jasmine is a vine that breeds white, star-shaped flowers (some varieties are yellow or purple). They grow from April to September and there are more than 200 known species. The flowers give off a sweet, strong scent popular in women's fragrances, and when pressed, their essential oil can be extracted through an expensive and elaborate process called enflourage.

The highest quality of jasmine is grown in the perfumery capitol of Grasse, France. It also grows naturally in India, China, and Australia. Jasmine is also used in a raw form to balance hormones, treat depression, improve the appearance of stretch marks, and soothe sensitive skin. It is used in tea to calm nerves and to reduce headaches. Additionally, Yasmin (Persian for Jasmine) is a popular name for girls.

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Clary Sage is a Spanish flowering herb that can be distilled to produce a sweet and nutty essential oil. The oil comes from the purple flowers and the leaves of the plant and is often used as an antiseptic, a holistic treatment for the kidneys and the stomach, and a calming agent for anxiety and nervousness. It has actually been known to create a kind of light-headed euphoric feeling, which is why it should be avoided when pregnant.

In small quantities, clary sage is also commonly used in women's fragrances and bath and body products. Lisa Hoffman likes it so much that she named one of her Variations scents after the plant.

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I am not sure why, but I have been under the impression that bergamot — an ingredient I often come across in fragrances — is a spiny flower. Indeed it is, but did you know that the Italian and Ivory Coast-based plant also produces a pear-shaped yellow citrus fruit? (It is not, however, related to the bergamot herb.)

The skin of the fruit yields a delicate, yet spicy, essential oil that is found in one-third of all fragrances. It is also used to treat acne, eczema, and sebhorrhea. When it's not being used for its aroma, it can be found in Earl Grey tea (it aids digestion), insect repellent, and medications that treat urinary tract infections and depression.

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Melissa is a sweet- and pleasant-smelling essential oil that is also commonly referred to as lemon balm. In Greek, Melissa means honey bee and the plant is often found growing near bee hives. It is considered to be one of the most medicinally powerful oils in aromatherapy practice due to its strong antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and sedative qualities.

Since it is antiviral, it is a safe and effective cold-sore treatment. In addition, its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties also make it a terrific, nondrying and nonabrasive spot treatment.

Melissa is expensive because it takes anywhere from three to seven tons of plants to make one pound of oil. Therefore, it is usually diluted to make it more affordable. Melissa oil is associated with helping nervous disorders, headaches, and emotional imbalances such as anxiety and stress.

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Neroli is an extremely precious and expensive material. It is a fragrant oil that comes from the orange blossom (also known as the bitter orange flower) and it grows mainly in Morocco, Tunisia, Spain and various other areas of southern Europe. It has a soft, fruity smell that has become increasingly popular in many of today's fragrances.

One of the reasons neroli oil is so costly is because once the blossoms are picked, they are almost immediately distilled since the quality of the oil will weaken once the flowers begin to wilt. Therefore, it can not be harvested and dried should any crop issues arise.

Neroli oil has many different beauty benefits such as excellent skin toning and brightening properties. It is also good for problematic (blemished) skin, stretch marks, scars and mature skin since it improves elasticity as well as circulation.

Other common uses for neroli include antiseptics and antibacterials. It is also believed to treat those who experience hormonal surges during menopause or bouts of PMS — good to know!

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