Vanilla like top notes with warm hints of Chocolate
The Origins Of Benzoin Essential Oil
A tropical tree with pale green leaves and a hard shelled fruit. Incisions are made into the bark of the tree to extract the material which will make the oil. The incised extracted resin is hard browns and reds.
Extraction
The resin is dissolved in ethyl glycol to make it suitable for aromatherapy purposes. Naturallythinking Benzoin is 30% dissolved in order to make it a usable and familiar consistency.
INCI
Dipropylene glycol, Styrax benzoin (Benzoin) Gum Oil
Aromatherapy Uses
Benzoin essential oil is used for anxiety, infection, digestion, odours, inflammation and aches and pains.
Skin Uses
Benzoin essential oil is astringent which helps to tone skin appearance. This makes Benzoin useful in facial products to tone and tighten the skin.
Hair Uses
Used on inflammation and to treat odours, Benzoin can be used in Shampoos, Conditioners and Hair Treatments to calm the scalp.
Therapeutic Properties
Benzoin Essential oil has long been used to improve circulation. It is recommended by therapists to raise spirits and uplift moods. It is used in many religious ceremonies throughout the world.
Benzoin Blends well with
Bergamot, Coriander, Cypress, Frankincense, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Myrrh, Orange, Petitgrain, Rose, Sandalwood.
Precautions
Benzoin can have a drowsy effect, so if you know you need to concentrate on something it is best to avoid it.
Understanding Oil Extraction Methods
What is Steam Distillation?
Steam Distillation is the most popular method of distillation of Essential oil. High pressure hot steam is passed through the plant material. The volatile compounds of the plant material are transferred to the steam and pass through a coil where they are cooled.
On cooling, the oil being lighter than water will separate from the water where it is possible to syphon off.
The remaining water becomes the floral water / hydrolat of the plant material.
What is Expression?
This is just like the process of peeling a citrus fruit. Effectively it is the cold processing of the fruit to extract the essential oil.
Primarily this technique is used on Citrus Essential Oils where the heat of steam would destroy the scent and properties.
Mechanical pressure is applied to the fruit and the resulting oil is the essential oi.
What is an Absolute?
Absolutes require solvent extraction in order to extract them.
Some plants are very difficult to extract the essential oil, either to produce a quality product or to obtain a yield which is economical. Examples of oils which are normally obtained by Solvent extraction are Vanilla, Jasmine and Rose.
Normally Organic ethanol is used to steep the flowers and then evaporated to leave just the concentrated absolute of the plant.
Important Information
Naturallythinking Essential oils are for external use only. We do not sell aromatherapy oils / products for internal use. The information contained on these pages is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Aromatherapy should not be used by those who are pregnant or under the supervision of a medical practitioner / doctor without consultation with the medical practitioner / doctor. If you have a medical condition or any worries, always consult with a doctor / medical practitioner first.