C H A P T E R 4
Infused Oils
nfused oils are made from plant materials that are extracted into a carrier oil medium. Since they are already heavily diluted, these oils can be used without adding a carrier oil. This method is usually used for plants that yield a very small amount of essential oil.
The following infused oils are covered in this chapter:
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera Butter
Arnica
Bladderwrack (Seaweed)
Mullein
Usnea Lichen
ALOE VERA
ALOE VERA BUTTER
Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis, Aloe vera
Family: Liliaceae
The oil and butter are obtained from the leaves.
History and Information
• Aloe vera is native to Africa. The plant grows to a height of about 5 feet (1.5 meters), has swordlike leaves and orange-red flowers. There are 300 varieties of aloe, however, only a few are suitable for herbal medicine.
• The Arabs were thought to have been the first to master the art of pressing the juice from the plant, which was done with their bare feet.
• Clay tablets in Mesopotamia reveal the use of aloe vera in 1750 B.C.
• The Egyptian Ebers Papyrus from 1550 B.C. described the use of aloe vera for burns, skin ulcers, and infections.
• The Greeks, credited with the early research of aloe in 25 A.D., were already using it to regulate the bowels.
• In the first century, the Greek physician Dioscorides suggested that aloe vera be used to heal skin problems.
• The Greeks and Romans used aloe for wound healing.
• Alexander the Great and Aristotle were known to have enjoyed aloe’s soothing and healing effects. It is said that Aristotle asked Alexander the Great to conquer the African island of Socotra in order to obtain a supply of aloe.
• Cleopatra used the gel of the aloe as a cosmetic and skin moisturizer. It is said that aloe vera was one of the main ingredients in her secret beauty cream.
• Aloe juice has been used to cleanse the intestines and lower fevers.
• In Mexican folk medicine, two tablespoons of aloe gel are taken to relieve stiff joints.
• In Africa, aloe is utilized as a purgative for internal systems and to eliminate strong body odors.
• In Asia, aloe is applied on the scalp to stimulate hair growth. Internally it is taken for colon inflammations.
• In the Amazon region, aloe juice is used for inflammation and toothaches. The mucilage is used to stop hair from falling out, soothe an irritated throat, ease coughs, and for gall bladder problems.
• In the United States, aloe is well known for its healing properties of skin tissue.
• A tea made from the plant is taken to regulate blood sugar levels, help menstrual problems, as a contraceptive, laxative, and to improve skin conditions.
Practical Uses
Soothing to the digestion
Lessens pain
Healing, moisturizing, and rejuvenating to the skin
Makes the hair more manageable, hydrates dry hair
Documented Properties
Abortifacient, analgesic, anthelmintic, antiaging, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antipruritic, antiseptic, antitumor, aphrodisiac, calmative, cholagogue, decongestant, demulcent, deodorant, depurative, digestive, emmenagogue, emollient, hypotensor, immunostimulant, insecticide, larvicide, laxative, moisturizer, purgative, regenerator (damaged tissues), stimulant (blood circulation), stomachic, tonic, vermifuge, vulnerary
Aromatherapy Methods of Use
Application, massage
Comments: Aloe vera is excellent for healing tissues of any kind.
ARNICA
Botanical Name: Arnica montana
Family: Asteraceae
The infused oil and CO2 extract are obtained from the flowers.
History and Information
• Arnica is native to Europe. The plant grows to a height of about 2 feet (.5 meter) and has daisylike yellow flowers.
• From the early 1800s to 1960, arnica was officially listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia for its ability to reduce pain and swelling.
• The oil is used to soothe muscle aches, sprains, and heal bruises and wounds. It was said to help promote the growth of hair when applied to the scalp.
Practical Uses
Lessens pain
Helps injured skin tissue heal faster, as well as wounds and black and blue bruises
Documented Properties
Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, cardiac, counterirritant, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, febrifuge, healing (sprains, dislocations, fractures), hypertensor, rubefacient, stimulant (circulatory system), tonic, vulnerary
Aromatherapy Methods of Use
Application
Caution: Arnica is not recommended to be used on an open cut or wound; use only on unbroken skin. The oil is toxic.
BLADDERWRACK (Seaweed)
Botanical Name: Fucus vesiculosus
Family: Fucaceae
The infused oil is obtained from the seaweed plant.
History and Information
• Bladderwrack is a green seaweed that floats on the surface of sea water and is approximately 3 feet long.
• Sea vegetables were perhaps the first sign of life on our planet.
• In ancient Chinese writings, seaweed was used for water retention, abscesses, and to reduce tumors.
• Tribesmen of the south seas used the herb for skin, stomach problems, and inflammations.
• In 1750, a jelly made from the plant was rubbed on the body to reduce obesity. Also in the eighteenth century, a British physician prescribed bladderwrack as a treatment for goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland.
• The extraction of iodine from kelp (derived from bladderwrack) was discovered by Professor Courtois in 1812 and used by overweight people who previously had been unsuccessful in reducing weight by other methods.
• In 1862, Dr. Duchesne-Dupart found that while treating patients with skin problems, bladderwrack not only improved the skin, but there was also a reduction in the person’s weight.
• In 1867, a French physician named Bonnardiere coined the term thalassotherapy from the Greek word meaning “therapy from the sea.” The therapy involves the use of various seaweeds added to the diet, in addition to bathing and being massaged with extracts from plants found in the sea. Thalassotherapy has been part of the European tradition for centuries with impressive results. Besides helping overweight individuals lose weight, the seaweeds produce other beneficial effects. Studies in Japan have shown improvement in goiters, high blood pressure, joint problems, and nervous disorders, and an increase in longevity for those who consume the sea vegetables regularly.
• Scientists at McGill University in Canada, found that after sea vegetables are eaten, they combine with radioactive strontium inside the body and help remove this harmful substance. This research was conducted in the 1960s and 1970s and was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
• Sea vegetables provide an abundant source of all the minerals contained in sea water and a high concentration of iodine, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland to produce its hormone, thyroxin. Seaweeds are consumed daily by millions of people in Asia and parts of Europe.
Practical Uses
Stimulates the metabolism and the thyroid gland; improves circulation
Reduces cellulite and obesity
Encourages dreaming
Documented Properties
Alterative, antisclerotic, depurative, diuretic, emollient, hemostatic, laxative, stimulant (circulatory system; combats fatigue), tonic (immune system), rejuvenator (wrinkles and sagging skin, conditions the hair and leaves it silky looking)
Aromatherapy Methods of Use
Application, massage
MULLEIN
Botanical Name: Verbascum thapsus
Family: Scrophulariaceae
The infused oil is obtained from the flowers.
History and Information
• The infused flower oil has traditionally been used as ear drops for earaches, providing the ear drum is not punctured.
See Mullein in Chapter 3, page 143.
Practical Uses
Ear oil (Infused oil only)
Inflammation
Documented Properties
Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, expectorant
Aromatherapy Methods of Use
Application
USNEA LICHEN
Botanical Name: Usnea barbata
Family: Usneaceae
The infused CO2 extract is obtained from lichen.
History and Information
• Usnea is a combination of algae and fungus and is also known as tree moss and beard moss.
• Usnea has been used throughout the world for infections and to enhance immune system function, help with breathing congestion, urinary tract problems, and kidney conditions.
• Usnea is used for infectious inflammatory conditions, sores, wounds, and to help stomach problems.
• Usnea lichen CO2 extract is added to personal care products for its antimicrobial activity. It has been proven effective against various organisms.
• Lichens are a source of a red dye.
Practical Uses
Helps to breathe easier
Calming, reduces stress, relieves tension
Mood uplifting
Loosens tight muscles
Documented Properties
Analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent, deodorizer, product preservative
Aromatherapy Methods of Use
Application, massage