A fresh and fatigue relieving oil often used by the perfume industry
The Origins Of Ho Leaf Essential Oil
The oil is steam distilled from the leaves of a tall evergreen tree that grows in abundance in China. This is the same tree that produces White Camphor (Camphor comes from the wood of the tree) and the harvesting of its leaves plays a beneficial role in the local eco-system.
Extraction
The Ho Leaf Essential Oil come from the leaf of the cinnamomum camphora tree.
INCI
Cinnamomum camphora
Aromatherapy Uses
Ho Leaf is a gentle oil that can help relieve fatigue, soothe the mind and balance the emotions. It is used by Aromatherapists for stressed, tired and fatigued clients. It can be found extensively used in the perfume industry and increasingly due to the scarcity and ethical concerns of Rosewood, as a Rosewood alternative.
Skin Uses
Ho Leaf is a mild and gentle oil to use on acne prone skin. It can be useful in blends for sensitive skin.
Hair Uses
The gentle nature of Ho Leaf makes it useful for scalps that are easily irritated. Though Ho Leaf doesn't influence the hair itself too much, the gentle scent makes it an ideal inclusion in an Aromatherapy Hair Treatment.
Therapeutic Properties
As Ho Leaf is used for nervous exhaustion, it is useful for tired and run down bodies. Combine with Bergamot and Neroli and you can make a blend that uplifts the body whilst bringing comfort and reassurance. This property of Ho Leaf can aid the bodies recovery time by reducing stress levels.
Ho Leaf Blends well with
Ho Leaf blends well with all other citrus and spice oils and also with Bergamot, Palmarosa, Neroli, Rosemary, Cypress, Juniper, Lavender, Jasmine, Rosewood and Ylang ylang.
Precautions
As with all essential oils we do not recommend using Ho Leaf Essential Oil during pregnancy.
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.