Saro essential oil is obtained from the steam distilled leaves of Cinnamosma fragrans. This small, evergreen and aromatic tree is endemic to Madagascar and classified in the Canallaceae family. This relatively small family (nine species in four genus) is distributed around the world between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn—it is most…
Celebrating Imbolc and New Beginnings
In the Celtic and pagan calendar, Imbolc, a Gaelic traditional festival marking the beginning of spring, is taking place on Saturday, February 2nd 2019. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals – along with Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain – and is also celebrated by pagans and Wiccans as a day of power. Although…
Essential Oils for Dysmenorrhea – Part III
From an aromatherapist’s point of view, the inhalation and dermal application of essential oils is a proven way to provide symptom relief (e.g., pain, nausea) from dysmenorrhea while also assisting mind-states (e.g., irritability, anger, depression) and stabilizing a woman’s terrain (some say “hormone balance”) by affecting the neuro-endocrine network. Following are select essential oils and…
Painful Periods: Dysmenorrhea and Essential oils – Part II
Modern Treatment Strategies Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the first line of treatment by clinical specialists for Primary dysmenorrhea (PD). The most commonly used NSAIDS for menstrual pain are aspirin, ibuprofen, mefenamic acid and naproxen. They work to reduce pain in dysmenorrhea by inhibiting the action of cycooxygenase (COX), an enzyme responsible for prostaglandin production. There…
Painful Menstruation: Dysmenorrhea and Essential Oils – Part I
Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea, the term for painful periods, is derived from the Greek words dys (difficult, painful, or abnormal), meno (month), and rrhea (flow). Cathleen Morrow and Betsy Naumburg, authors of the excellent chapter “Dysmenorrhea” in Women’s HealthPrimary Care: Clinics in Office Practice, offer a thorough introduction to the topic. Primary dysmenorrhea is a gynecological condition…
Essential Oil Allies: Valerian
Valerian essential oil is obtained by steam distilling the roots and rhizomes of the perennial herb Valeriana officinalis. The resulting essential oil is an amber-brown that gets darker with age. It is often grown and distilled for its essence in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia and China. The plant is classified as one of…