A few questions we often get asked are ‘what benefits does each essential oil have’ and ‘what’s the best way to use them?’
While there are many ways to enjoy essential oils, we have a few tips and tricks to take full advantage of them using aromatherapy.
And today, we’ll go over these for each of our three new essential oils.
Black Pepper (Latin name: Piper Nigrum, Country of Origin: India)
Cedarwood (Latin Name: Cedrus Atlantica, Country of Origin: Morocco)
Patchouli (Latin Name: Pogostemon Cablin, Country of Origin: Indonesia)
Most of the time, it all comes down to what benefit you hope to get from using aromatherapy and essential oils as well as which scents you like.
Choosing the right one is easier when you understand the different properties each oil has and the effects they bring.
Remember, whatever your needs, there is an essential oil for you!
We are excited to share with you our three new essential oils which give you a whole new range of benefits and scents to choose from.
Fresh from the fields of India is our new Black Pepper essential oil, bringing you some of the world’s most ancient and well-researched benefits.
Black Pepper has been a treasured ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Some of it’s most prized benefits include detoxifying, improving digestion, relieving nasal congestion and pain relief.
Most of us think of the popular table spice to flavour our food when we think of black pepper. It may not sound the most appealing out of the essential oils you already know, but you’d be surprised to learn that there is a lot more to this spice and its essential oil than just a compliment to your table salt!
Black Pepper essential oil is notable for its powerful effects on digestion. It stimulates the movement of energy through the body.
Spicy peppers are great for circulation and powerful for the heart - yet another awesome benefit of Black Pepper essential oil.
When applied topically, this essential oil brings circulation to the area in need and is a great support for respiratory health. If you’re someone who needs more oxygen, or wants to perform at your best, Black Pepper essential oil can help you.
As well as soothing aches and pains, Black Pepper can even reduce cigarette cravings because of how powerful it is against the grip of nicotine- the addictive compound in cigarettes.
Black Pepper essential oil is a great detoxifier. Use it topically or diffuse it to help eliminate things from your system (yes, we’re looking at your constipation!).
For topical application, a 1% dilution with a carrier oil like Coconut or Jojoba works perfectly (1% is one drop of essential oil to 1 teaspoon carrier oil). Black Pepper essential oil is pretty strong and can be an irritant in high doses, so make sure to do a patch test so that it doesn’t cause a bad reaction on your skin. Always combine it with carrier oils.
In short, Black Pepper is amazing so if you are someone who likes deriving the benefits of essential oils - Black Pepper is a must!
The grounding, warm and woody scent of Cedarwood essential oil is finally here!
Great for skin support, concentration, relaxation and breathing, Cedarwood essential oil is one of the most calming oils - perfect for anxiety and stress-relief.
This essential oil comes from cedar trees which are able to withstand extreme climates.
These trees can reach anywhere between 1.5 - 30 metres high. Some cedar trees have impressive life spans, and can reach up to 900 years old!
The cedar of Lebanon was thought to be one of the first essential oils extracted from nature and was prized for power and immortality.
When we think of Cedarwood we can’t help but think of a good night’s sleep. Like Frankincense and Lavender, Cedarwood essential oil is a wonderful sleep aid. Add a few drops of diluted Cedarwood essential oil to the soles of your feet before bed or diffuse 3 drops with either Lavender or Patchouli to switch off a busy mind.
Cedarwood also helps with concentration so give it a try if you are feeling a bit distracted, stressed or overwhelmed. Diffuse a few drops of its essential oil or rub a diluted amount on the base of the skull or temples anytime you need to knuckle down, focus or be more productive.
And if you’re looking for a bug spray, Cedarwood essential oil should be on your list. Store bought insect repellents have an ingredient called ‘deet’, which is a neurotoxin. Cedarwood is an effective, natural alternative. Just get a spray bottle and mix some distilled water and witch hazel with a few drops of Cedarwood essential oil and spray it around the desired area. Not only will it deter mozzies, it smells heavenly!
A nice blend for repelling insects is Cedarwood and Tea Tree essential oil (2 drops each). Dab some on a cotton ball and let it diffuse its scent wherever you’d like. If you’ve got a moth problem, this is particularly effective. Prevent the growth of mildew and repel moths and insects by putting essential oil-infused cotton balls into a cupboard or drawer (or wherever the bugs flock).
Looking for a remedy for an itchy scalp caused by dryness or dandruff? Just dilute some Cedarwood essential oil with Fractionated Coconut Oil to soothe an irritated scalp.
One or two drops of diluted Cedarwood essential oil before bed can help ease long term chronic pain or dull aches in the muscles, joints and body.
It’s also great for respiratory problems like coughing. Try a diluted mix of Cedarwood and a carrier oil on the chest, lung and throat area to ease congestion. You can blend it with Lavender, Tea Tree and Fractionated Coconut Oil or diffuse 3 drops in the diffuser.
Cedarwood has a grounding aroma that evokes feelings of spiritual well being and is ideal for creating a relaxing environment. It calms strong emotions and can help evaporate sad and anxious thoughts.
As if its benefits could have no end, Cedarwood is well-known for its skin-clarifying properties. Add it to your daily face cleansing routine to promote healthy skin. You can also do a body or foot massage by adding a drop or two to a tablespoon of carrier oil. For hair and skin support, Cedarwood is a versatile beauty essential oil which is great for hydration and goes well with Lavender and Rosemary.
Cedarwood blends well with Lemon, Bergamot, Patchouli, and Cinnamon. Customise your own blend in a diffuser or roller bottle to enjoy its benefits.
We are proud to announce that our Patchouli comes from where it grows as an indigenous species: Indonesia. This is also the region where the best quality Patchouli comes from in the world.
Patchouli belongs to the mint family, and has small pinkish flowers that blossom as the plant grows. But Patchouli essential oil is actually extracted from the leaves and stems of the Patchouli plant, which is where it gets its earthy qualities from.
Its strong stems stand straight up, and are taken with their leaves, crushed and steam-distilled to keep the essential oil’s purity and integrity intact.
Patchouli essential oil has a very distinct and unique aromatic profile. It’s a musky, luxurious scent, with spicy and minty notes. It can be hard to put a finger on Patchouli - but one thing you need to know - this is a big scent, particularly in the perfume industry!
As a heavier scent, it makes a great base note for your blends.
Essential oil fragrances that go well with Patchouli are the floral, citrus and herbal/woody families - think Lavender, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Geranium, and Lemongrass. It also works well with Clary Sage and Sweet Orange essential oils.
So what are the benefits of Patchouli essential oil? Well first and foremost it is a stimulant - it promotes serotonin release (the happy hormone) and can give you a burst of energy.
When blended with Cinnamon oil it can perk you up and for good vibes all round try Sweet Orange with Patchouli essential oil.
As a grounding essential oil, Patchouli encourages feelings of stability and harmony. When paired with Bergamot, a known anti-anxiety essential oil, it can induce relaxation.
Patchouli essential oil also supports healthy digestion and detoxification like Cedarwood, and it’s gentle cleansing properties also extend right through to the skin. Applying Patchouli topically can help reduce the appearance of blemishes and other minor skin problems. A topical rub onto the body’s pressure points in the feet and underarms can further aid in releasing its benefits.
How to use Patchouli essential oil?
- Apply a few drops to your cleanser or moisturiser to enhance your daily skin care routine.
- Diffuse a few drops of patchouli essential oil to promote feelings of balance and harmony.
- Create your own signature scent or deodorant by mixing Patchouli with one of it’s recommended essential oil blends.
Fun fact: Patchouli has a reputation as being the ‘hippie’ essential oil because of its ability to mask the smell of certain substances, including alcohol.
We hope that this little introduction to our new range got you as amped as us! And if you’re not 100% sure about this whole aromatherapy thing, read our Aromatherapy Guide to learn more about what aromatherapy is and how you can start using it today to improve your health and wellbeing, naturally!
You don’t need to buy every single essential oil to get started with aromatherapy. Think about the effects you’d like to get from essential oils and which ones you find the most pleasant and enjoyable. You will appreciate aromatherapy much more if you’re aware of the benefits of each oil and you like their scent.
