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Myrrh and Patchouli


Before I get into the uses for these wonderful essential oils I would like to share the importance of doing a patch test before using a new botanical in any of your preparations. It's simple and only takes 15-20 minutes to find out if you or someone else is sensitive to an oil or botanical. Put a drop of the essential oil in question on a cotton ball and dab the inside of your arm right below the elbow. If any redness, itching or irritation occurs within the next 15-20 minutes avoid using that substance in any of your creations.

MYRRH
~Myrrh has a warm, resinous scent that is soothing in states of stress, panic, fear, confusion and apathy. To use for this purpose, place a drop or two of the essential oil in a diffuser or bowl of hot water to help disperse the scent throughout the room. A more portable solution is to take a whiff or two straight from the bottle.
~Myrrh is anti-inflammatory, anti fungal, antimicrobial and antiseptic making it a good addition to topical preparations for dry, cracked skin and athletes foot.
~The tincture and powdered forms are commonly used in mouth washes for treatment for gingivitis and canker sores.
~ While it isn't associated with any side effects ,myrrh should be used in moderation and not at all during pregnancy.

PATCHOULI
~Patchouli is a useful addition to preparations for use on the skin as it is anti inflammatory, anti fungal and antiseptic. Put a few drops in lotions and bath oils or with tea tree oil for a soak for athletes foot.
~If you have a problem with bookworms or silverfish, put a couple of drops on a cotton ball to keep them away.
~Patchouli stimulates the pituitary gland and can increase feelings of euphoria and is an aphrodisiac.
~Patchouli is an excellent deodorant.
~Use as a fixative for other scents when formulating your own perfume or making potpourri.
~Great for keeping moths out of woolens and smells way better than moth balls- that is if you like patchouli.
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Comments

  1. whyteJanuary 3, 2010 at 5:32 PM

    I'm so glad I found you via the etsy forums! I do not have any natural herb blogs in my list of favs. Your's is delightful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. maninthemoonherbsJanuary 3, 2010 at 6:21 PM

    Thanks, Whyte! I enjoy your forum posts - they are very inspirational!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2010 at 8:00 AM

    I love oils but usually more in my home or as you mentioned as a homeopathic use (not necessarily everyday perfume-too strong for me) great post!

    ReplyDelete
  4. maninthemoonherbsJanuary 4, 2010 at 10:44 AM

    Thanks, Denise! The pure oils are too strong for most uses unless diluted. One exception is lavender oil which can be used neat on bug bites and minor burns. Jojoba oil is good for dilutions to use on your skin. It doesn't have much of a scent by itself, it's quickly absorbed and has a stable shelf life.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anna K.January 5, 2010 at 9:57 PM

    Thanks for this very informational post!

    ReplyDelete
  6. SandyJanuary 7, 2010 at 9:43 AM

    Nice, informative post. I find oils to be a bit too much for my tastes, especially Patchouli. My daughter-in-law used to wear it right out of the bottle and it gave me a headache. Now, Lavender, that's another story. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. maninthemoonherbsJanuary 7, 2010 at 5:11 PM

    Patchouli is intense. Traditionally it was used in very small amounts as a fixative for other scents, not as the main scent. A very small amount of patchouli and rosemary mixed with lavender is an amazing combination that I found in an old herbal.

    ReplyDelete

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