Natural Soap *Bali Sensation*

Cestrum nocturnum / Night Queen / Solanaceae (Nightshade family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Opopanax chironium / Opopanax / Umbelliferae (Carrot family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Opopanax chironium, Pastinaca opopanax, Opopanax, Rough Parsnip.

Scent

Its fragrance is strong and disagreeable to some. When warmed it becomes soft, exhaling an onion-like odor.

Contents

Besides vegetable impurities it contains starch 4.2%, wax, volatile oil, resin 42%, and gum 33.4%.

Historical

It is seldom used in medicine now, but in olden times was one of the gum resins thought to be applicable to almost all ills, hence the name Opopanax, meaning the "All-healing juice". It is now regarded as a medium of feeble powers, but was formerly considered of service in medicine. Now it is employed in incense formulas and perfumery. King Solomon allegedly regarded the Opoponax as the noblest of incense gums.

Plant Description

This plant, called "Rough Parsnip", is indigenous to the south of Europe but also grows in cooler climates. A perennial, with a thick, fleshy root, yellowish in colour. It has a branching stem growing about 30-90cm high, thick and rough near the base. Leaves pinnate, with long petioles and large serrate leaflets, the terminal one cordate, the rest deficient at the base, hairy underneath. The flowers, yellowish, are in large, flat umbels at the top of the branches.
On wounding the stalk-base, or the root, a yellowish lactescent juice exudes and concretes. This is Opopanax. The best grade is that which occurs in irregularly angular pieces, or sub-globular tears, varying in size, and of a reddish or yellowish- brown color. It readily fractures, displaying a waxy interior, and often exhibits imbedded fragments of vegetable tissues.

Citrus sinensis / Orange / Rutaceae (Rue family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Pogostemon cablin / Patchouli / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Pogostemon cablin, Pogostemon patchouli, Patchouli, Patchouly, Putcha-pat.

Scent

The scent of Patchouli is heavy and strong. A rich Musky-sweet, strong spicy and herbaceous smell. Perfume-note: Base.

Aromatic Properties

The fragrance of Patchouli has a grounding and balancing effect on the emotions and banishes lethargy, while sharpening the wits. Helpful with depression and anxiety. It is also said to create an amorous atmosphere.
Patchouli balances and stimulates the Yin meridians of the body. Also balancing to the base and spleen Chakra and all conditions associated with them. Aligns the lower two Chakras with the heart center, stimulating greater energy for life. The scent calms emotions and strife and can be used to ease argumentative conditions and environments. Known as an aphrodisiac, partly due to its affect on the feminine energies within the body. Also good for easing melancholy and problems with overeating. Influences particular to sex, physical energy, and money.

Contents

The principal constituents of patchouli are patchoulol (up to 50 percent), patchoulene, pogostol, bulnesol, bulnese, eugenol, cadinene, carvone, and benzoic and cinnamic aldehydes, among others.

Synergic Combinations

Patchouli blends well with Bergamot, Frankincense, Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender, Myrrh, Ginger, Lemongrass, Pine, Rosewood, and Sandalwood.

Historical

During the 18th and 19th century silk traders from China travelling to the Middle East packed their silk cloth with dried Patchouli leaves to prevent moths from laying their eggs on the cloth. Many historians speculate that this association with opulent eastern goods is why Patchouli was considered by Europeans of that era to be a luxurious scent. This trend has continued to the present day in modern perfumery.
Patchouli oil and incense underwent a surge in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, mostly among devotees of the free love and hippie lifestyles, due in part to the fact that the pungent smell of Patchouli is known to cover the smell of burnt Cannabis. During the Vietnam war, American soldiers used Patchouli to mask the smell of the graves of enemy soldiers killed in combat. War protesters of the time used Patchouli on themselves, to demonstrate that "We are all one race, we are the same as the enemy soldiers". Also, the Hare Krishna movement may have been partly responsible for this surge, as the god Krishna is said to "inhabit" Patchouli.

Plant Description

Patchouli is a tropical member of the Mint family, grown in the East and West Indies. The Patchouli plant is a bushy herb reaching two or three feet in height. The plant grows well in southern climates. It enjoys hot weather but not direct sunlight. If the plant withers due to lack of watering it will recover well and quickly once it has been watered. The seed-bearing purple-tinged white flowers are very fragrant and bloom in late fall. The tiny seeds may be harvested for planting, but they are very delicate and easily crushed. Cuttings from the motherplant can also be rooted in water to produce further plants. Leaves are harvested several times a year, dried, and exported for distillation of the oil, although the highest quality oil is usually produced from fresh leaves, distilled close to the plantation.

References

Patchouli, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Patchouli, A Modern Herbal, by M. Grieve
Aromatherapy: Patchouli, by Kathi Keville, Howstuffworks

Cornus stolonifera / Red Willow / Cornaceae (Dogwood Family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Rosmarinus officinalis / Rosemary / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Aniba rosaedora / Rosewood / Lauraceae (Laurel family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Rosewood, Aniba rosaedora, Palo de Rosa, Pau Rosa, Bois de Rose Femelle, Pau Ferro, Cara-cara.

Scent

Rosewood has a fantastic warm and woody fragrance, while at the same time being both floral and fruity. Perfume-note: Middle.

Aromatic Properties

Rosewood oil fragrance has calming and steadying effects on the nerves. The scent is relaxing and calming, and works as an aphrodisiac. Uplifting and reviving to the senses. It is used in meditations, because it is a good oil to burn that relaxes without causing drowsiness. There are various ways to use Rosewood oil to help in natural healing.

Contents

Alpha-pinene, camphene, geranial, neral, myrcene, limonene, 1, 8-cineole, linalool, benzaldehyde, linalool oxide and a-terpineol.

Synergic Combinations

Blends well with Lavender, Orange, Lemon, Tangerine, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Palma Rosa, Geranium, Neroli, Jasmine, Pine, Rose, Ylang Ylang.

Historical

Rosewood oil has for a long time been used in the preparation of more expensive perfumes and soaps. Brazil is the main producer of the essential oil. The oil contains high amounts of linalool, which can be transformed into a number of derivatives for the flavour and fragrance industries. Nowadays the industry uses mainly synthetic forms of linalool. The wood itself has a long history of use for making furniture, boats, turnery, flooring, plywood, veneer and the making of musical instruments. Because of its density and durability, Rosewood is often used in Chinese martial arts weaponry, particularly as the shaft of spears.

Plant Description

It is an aromatic, evergreen tree that is native to Southern Brazil and to Bolivia. It is a fast growing thornless tree which blooms in spring. Leaves are briefly decidious, leathery and trivial. They are alternate, opposite and imparipinnate. They can be up to 12cm long. Individual leaflets are about 6cm long. The foliage of the Rosewood is similar to that of the Black Locust, Robinia pseudoacacia. Flowers are grouped in axillary or terminal racemes, and bloom in spring. They are yellow, with a brown part at its basis. The fruits are brown, flattened and winged, similar to that of some Maple trees, and can be more than 7cm long.
Rosewood oil is steam distilled from the wood, branches and roots of the tree.

Santalum album / Sandalwood / Santalaceae (Sandalwood family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Sandalwood, White Sandalwood, Sandal.

Scent

Sandalwood essential oil provides perfumes with a striking wood base note. Sandalwood smells not unlike other wood scents, except it has a bright and fresh edge with few natural analogues. When used in smaller proportions in a perfume, it is an excellent fixative to enhance the head space of other fragrances.

Aromatic Properties

Sandalwood is balancing and stimulating to all of the Yin meridians in the body. It can be used for protection. It stimulates greater concentration in any activity. Sandalwood fragrance is believed to bring about calmness and serenity. Some traditional uses: to lift melancholy, enhance meditation, heal the skin, help breathing, for calming and reducing stress, restful sleep. Emotional profile: to relieve possessiveness, lack of forgiveness, cynicism, insecurity, loneliness, nightmares, dwelling on the past.
It is said that individuals who use any form of touch to heal will increase their ability to channel energies through the hands by anointing the palms with a drop of sandalwood oil.

Contents

Chemical constituents: 3% to 6% essential oil, resin, tanins. The essential oil contains high amounts of alpha- and beta-santalol.

Synergic Combinations

Blends well with: Cypress, Frankincense, Lemon, Myrrh, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Spruce

Historical

In Hinduism, sandalwood is often used for rituals or ceremonies. Its use as an embalming paste is used in temples on idols. A vast majority of hindus wear a small mark of this paste on their forehead right above the middle of the eyes. It is supposed to keep cool the body and the mind. Sandalwood is considered in alternative medicine to bring one closer with the divine. Sandalwood essential oil, which is very expensive in its pure form, is used primarily for Ayurvedic purposes. It is said to have been used for embalming the corpses of princes in Ceylon since the 9th century. In Buddhism, Sandalwood are considered to be of the Padma (lotus) group and attributed to the Bodhisattva Amitabha. Sandalwood scent is believed to transform one's desires and maintain a person's alertness while in meditation. Sandalwood is also one of the more popular scents used for incense used when offering incense to the Buddha. Sandalwood, along with agarwood, is the most popular and commonly used incense material by the Chinese and Japanese in worship and various ceremonies. It is also used extensively in Indian incense, religiously or otherwise. Firekeeping priests, who have maintained sacred fires for centuries, accept Sandalwood twigs from Zoroastrian worshippers as their contribution for sustaining the fire.
Sandalwood oil is used in rituals for converting to Wicca.

Plant Description

It is a small evergreen tree with slender drooping branches, the sapwood is white and odourless, the heartwood yellowish brown and strongly scented. Leaves elliptic lanceolate, sub-acute petioles 1-1.3 cm long slender, flowers brownish red, inodourous, in terminal and axillary cymes shorter than leaves. The fruit is a drupe.

References

Database on Medicinal Plants Used in Ayurveda: Vol.3., Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (Govt. of India)

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Santalum album - Wikipedia

Hierochloe odorata / Sweetgrass / Poaceae (Grass family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Sweetgrass, Holy Grass, Mary's Grass, Vanilla Grass, Bluejoint, Buffalo Grass, Zebrovka.

Scent

It has a sweet, long-lasting aroma that is even stronger when the grass has been harvested and dried and is then moistened or burned.

Contents

Sweetgrass owes its specific aroma to the presence of coumarin.

Preparation

Sweetgrass is burnt after smudging with Sage (Salvia apiana), to welcome in good influences after the bad had been driven out.

Historical

Many Native tribes in North America use Sweetgrass in prayer, smudging or purifying ceremonies and consider it a sacred plant. It is usually braided, dried, and burned. Sweetgrass braids smolder and doesn't produce an open flame when burned. Just as the sweet scent of this natural grass is attractive and pleasing to people, so is it attractive to good spirits. Sweetgrass is often burned at the beginning of a prayer or ceremony to attract positive energies.
Sweetgrass is used to "smudge"; the smoke from burning Sweetgrass is fanned on people, objects or areas. Individuals smudge themselves with the smoke, washing the eyes, ears, heart and body. Sweetgrass is one of the four medicines which comprise a group of healing plants used by the people in Anishinabe, Bode'wad mi, and Odawa societies. The other three are Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica, Nicotiana tabacum), Cedar (Thuja plicata, Libocedrus decurrens), and Sage (Salvia apiana, Artemisia tridentata).
Sweetgrass was strewn before church doors on saints' days in northern Europe, presumably because of the sweet smell that arose when it was trodden on. It was used in France to flavor candy, tobacco, soft drinks, and perfumes. Widely used in neo-pagan practice (syncretized from North American indigenous practice). In Russia, it was used to flavor tea. It is still used in flavored vodka, the most notable example being Polish Ubrówka.

Plant Description

Sweetgrass is a circumboreal plant which is common above 40 degrees north latitude in Asia, Europe, and North America (Walsh 1994). It can be found growing wild in wet meadows, low prairies, the edges of sloughs and marshes, bogs, shaded streambanks, lakeshores, and cool mountain canyons. Sweetgrass is a very hardy perennial. It grows to about 60 cm in height, leaves grow 60 cm long by late summer. Base of leaves, just below soil surface is broad and white, without hairs, underside of leaves are shiny, no hairs. Sweetgrass rhizomes and roots form a dense mat beneath the soil surface (Walsh 1994).

References

Uses for Sweetgrass, NativeTech: Native American Technology & Art
Sweet Grass, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia