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Botanical Name: Coriandrum sativum

Common Method of Extraction: Steam distillation

Part Typically Used: Crushed ripe seeds

Color: Pale yellow

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Top

Strength of Initial Aroma: Sweet, spicy, warm smell.

Coriander also known as Cilantro Chinese Parsley or Dhania, is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. Coriander is native to regions spanning from southern Europe and northern Africa to southwestern Asia. An herb originating in Egypt.

The annual or biennial plant is a native of Morocco and grows to about 1 meter in height. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly lobed at the base of the plant, and slender and feathery higher on the flowering stems. The flowers are borne in small umbels, white or very pale pink. The fruit is a globular, dry schizocarp 3-5 mm in diameter. The seeds are generally used as a spice or an added ingredient in other foods or recipes, although sometimes they are eaten alone.

The leaves, when crushed, give off an unpleasant odor like squashed bugs. The Greek name "Koris"  is the root word for Coriander.

The seeds have been used for thousands of years by the Egyptians, as an aphrodisiac (with seeds even found in the tomb of Tutankhamun) and by the Romans and Greeks to flavor their wines, while the Indians use it in their cooking.

The Carmelite order in France used the seeds to flavor their 17th century toilet water.

Chemicla strucutre:

Coriander oil is extracted from the crushed ripe seeds bysteam distillation and yields 0,8-1,0 % oil.

Coriander essential oil consists of compounds likeBorneol, Cineole, Cymene, Dipentene, Linalool, Phellandrene, Pinene, Terpineol and Terpinolene.

Crushed Red Pepper or Red Pepper Flakes (RPF) is a condiment consisting of dried and crushed (as opposed to ground) Red Chili Peppers.

The condiment is made from hot dried Red Peppers and is not made of one type of Chili, but from various combinations of Ancho,Bbell, Cayenne and other dried Red Peppers.

Often there is a high ratio of seeds, which some people believe intensifies the heat of this flavorful condiment, whereas the heat actually comes from the vein of the Pepper pith (off of which the seeds grow).

Pepper hotness is measured by Scoville units - the higher the Scoville unit, the hotter the Pepper. For example, a Sweet Bell Pepper has zero Scoville units whereas the mighty Habanero Pepper ranges from 100,000 to 350,000. The hottest Pepper on the scale is the Trinidad Scorpion Butch at 1,463,700.

The flavor lasts a bit longer if they are kept refrigerated or kept in a cool dark cabinet away from the heat of the stove and feel that works just fine.

Good - quality Pots and Pans made of the right materials really can improve cooking.

Good heat conductors, such as copper and aluminum, are responsive to temperature changes. They'll do what the heat source tells them to do - heat up, cool down - almost instantly.

For cookingacidic foods, such as tomato sauces, wine sauces, and fruit fillings, a saucepan lining should be nonreactive. Stainless steel, enamel, and anodized aluminum won't react no matter what they touch, while plain aluminum can discolor white sauces and foods that are acidic, sulfurous or alkaline. It can even make those foods taste metallic. Eggs, vegetables in the cabbage family, and Baking soda are some of the other foods vulnerable to aluminum's graying effect. 

Linden is the essence of love and compassion, the Green Tara of Trees.

It can be used to meditate on the Motherenergy and to celebrate the mother aspect of the Great Goddess. It represents love in action, compassion and caring.

It can be used to meditate on spiritual and transcendental love and to open the Heart Chakra. Its protective and healing energy is well suited to any healing ritual.

Linden protects against demons that torture the mind with anguish and fear.

Botanical Name: Angelica archangelica

Common Method of Extraction: Steam distillation

Part Typically Used: Roots, rhizome, seeds and and the herb itself

Color: Pale yallow

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Top to middle

Strength of Initial Aroma: Sharp, green, herbaceous, with peppery overtones.

Archangelica comes from the Greek word "Arkhangelos" (Arch - angel), due to the myth that it was the archangel Michael who told of its use as medicine.

It is called Angelica, since it normally flowers on the 8th May, which is St Michael the Archangel's Day, and for this reason it is often planted in monasteries and is referred to as "Angel Grass". It is a sweet herbal smelling oil that has a spicy undertone and is also known as European Angelica.

Angelica Archangelica, commonly known as Garden Angelica, Holy Ghost, Wild Celery, and Norwegian Angelica, is a biennial plant from the Apiaceae family, a subspecies of which is cultivated for its sweetly scented edible stems and roots.

Angelica is unique amongst the Umbelliferae for its pervading aromatic odor, a pleasant perfume entirely different from Fennel, Parsley, Anise, Caraway or Chervil. It has been compared it to Musk and to Juniper.

Even the roots are fragrant, and form one of the principal aromatics of European growth - the other parts of the plant have the same flavor, but their active principles are considered more perishable.

Angelica Archangelica grows wild in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, mostly in the northern parts of the countries.

It is cultivated in France, mainly in the Marais Poitevin, a marsh region close to Niort. It also grows in certain regions in Germany like the Harz mountains, and in certain regions of Romania, like the Rodna Mountains, and some South East Asian countries like Thailand.

During its first year it only grows leaves, but during its second year its fluted stem can reach a height of two meters. Its leaves are composed of numerous small leaflets, divided into three principal groups, each of which is again subdivided into three lesser groups. The edges of the leaflets are finely toothed or serrated.

The flowers, which blossom in July, are small and numerous, yellowish or greenish in colour, are grouped into large, globular umbels, which bear pale yellow, oblong fruits.

Angelica only grows in damp soil, preferably near rivers or deposits of water.

The plant is said to originate from Africa and was introduced to Europe in the 16th century. From the 10th century on, Angelica was cultivated as a vegetable and medicinal plant and achieved popularity in Scandinavia in the 12th century and is still used today, especially in Sami culture.

Chemical structure:

The essential oilis composed of various chemical constituents such as: a-pinene, camphene, b-pinene, sabinene, a-phellandrene, myrcene, limonene, b-phellandrene, cis-ocimene, trans-ocimene, p-cymene, terpinolene, copaene, bornyl acetate, terpinen-4-ol, cryptone, b-bisabolene, rho-cymen-8-ol, humulene oxide, tridecanolide and pentadecanolide.

Botanical Name: Cedrus deodora

Common Method of Extraction: Steam distillation

Part Typically Used: Wood

Color: brownish-yellow

Consistency: Slightly viscous liquid

Perfumery Note: Middle / Base

Strength of Initial Aroma: Clean balsamic, woody, rich, herbaceous, pleasant, woody-balsamic undertone.

The botanical name, which is also the English common name, derives from the Sanskrit term Devadāru, which means "Wood of the gods", a compound of Deva "God" and Dāru "Wood, tree". Among Hindus, as the etymologyof Deodar suggests, it is worshiped as a Divine tree.

It is widely grown as an ornamental tree, often planted in parks and large gardens for its drooping foliage. General cultivation is limited to areas with mild winters, with trees frequently killed by temperatures below about −25 °C.

Cedrus Deodara (Deodar Cedar, Himalayan Cedar, or Deodar, Devdar, Devadar, Devadaru) is a species of Cedar native to the western Himalayas in eastern Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, north Republic of India (Jammu, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand states), southwestern Tibet and western Nepal, occurring at 1,500 - 3,200 maltitude.

It is a large evergreen coniferous tree reaching 40 - 50 m tall, exceptionally 60 m with a trunk up to 3 m in diameter. It has a conic crown with level branches and drooping branchlets. Its needle - like leaves are triquetrous, present in whorls and dark green with a silver sheen.

Flowers, open in autumn, are cone - like in shape and occur upright on horizontal branches. Similar to other Cedars, the Heartwood of Himalayan Cedarwood is highly aromatic and yields about 2,1% of essential oil.

Deodar is in great demand as building material because of its durability, rot -r esistant character and fine, close grain, which is capable of taking a high polish. Its historical use to construct religious temples and in landscaping around temples is well recorded. Its rot - resistant character also makes it an ideal wood for constructing the well-known houseboats of Srinagar, Kashmir.

Forests full of Deodar or Devadāru trees were the favorite living place of ancient Indian sages and their families who were devoted to the Hindu god Shiva. To please Lord Shiva, the sages used to perform very difficult tapasya (meditation) practices in Deodar forests. Also the ancient Hindu epics and Shaivite texts regularly mention Darukavana, meaning a Forest of deodars, as a Sacred place.

Cedarwood essential oil is collected from wood chips and sawdust.

The inner wood is aromatic and used to make incense. Inner wood is distilled into essential oil. Produces an oil very similar to the Atlas Cedarwood. Cedar trees date back to the Bible where they symbolised everything fertile and abundant.

Most of the Cedarwood oils are obtained from wild trees but little information is published on the extent to which oil production may have affected the natural resource. In Kenya, as already noted, there has been a serious depletion of the wild trees as a result of over - exploitation for timber and oil. The position in the People's Republic of China is not known. American oil production utilizes waste wood from trees felled for timber as well as the considerable areas where the junipers grow as invasive "weeds".

For those cases where the trees are utilized for both timber and oil production sawdust, wood shavings and other waste wood materials from the saw mills are taken to the distillery for steam distillation and recovery of oil in the normal manner. Sawdust should not be exposed to direct sunlight before distillation, otherwise oil yields and quality are diminished.

In steam distillation process, the plant material is heated with water which produces a steam that contains the volatile oils from the plant. The steam is then cooled, which condenses the oil, and it is separated from the water and collected.

The deodar tree is the national tree of Pakistan.

Chemical structure:

Chemically and biologically this oil can be used as Atlas Cedarwood. It is also a true cedar. Since it is from the Himalayan Mountains and is associated with Tibet, there is a special place for this oil just to have these vibrations in our home. 

Botanical Name: Cupressus sempervirens

Common Method of Extraction: Steam distillation

Part Typically Used: Needles and twigs

Color: Pale Yellow

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Top  / Middle

Strength of Initial Aroma: Fresh, herbaceous, slightly woody, evergreen aroma.

Cupressus Sempervirens, the Mediterranean Cypress (also known as Italian Cypress,Tuscan Cypress, Graveyard Cypress, or Pencil Pine) is a species of Cypress native to the eastern Mediterranean region, in northeast Libya, southern Albania, southern coastal Croatia, southeast Greece, southern Turkey, Cyprus, northern Egypt, western Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Malta, Italy, western Jordan, and also a disjunct population in Iran.

Cupressus Sempervirens is a medium - sized coniferous evergreen tree to 35 m tall, with a conic crown with level branches and variably loosely hanging branchlets. It is very long - lived, with some trees reported to be over 1,000 years old.

The foliage grows in dense sprays, dark green in colour. The leaves are scale - like, 2-5 mm long, and produced on rounded (not flattened) shoots. The seed cones are oval or oblong, 25-40 mm long, with 10-14 scales, green at first, maturing brown about 20-24 months after pollination.

The essential oil of Cypress is obtained through steam distillation of young twigs, stems and needles. Cypress, a needle bearing tree of Coniferous and Deciduous regions, bears the scientific name of Cupressus Sempervirens.

Has been used for thousands of years as a cleansing incense for several Nepalese and Tibetan cultures. Cypress trees were planted outside of temples and burial grounds by the Greeks and Romans.

Chemical strucutre:

The essential oils extracted from Cypress contain components like alpha pinene, beta pinene, alpha terpinene, bornyl acetate, carene, camphene, cedrol, cadinene, sabinene, myrcene, terpinolene and linalool, which contribute to its medicinal properties. 

Achillea Millefolium, known commonly as Yarrow or Common Yarrow, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe, and North America.In New Mexico and southern Colorado, it is called Plumajillo (Spanish 'Little Feather') from its leaf shape and texture.

Other common names for this species include Gordaldo, Nosebleed Plant, Old Man's Pepper, Devil's Nettle, Sanguinary, Milfoil, Soldier's Woundwort, Thousand-Leaf, and Thousand-Seal.

Yarrow grows from sea level to 3,500 metres in elevation. The plant commonly flowers from May through June. Common Yarrow is frequently found in the mildly disturbed soil of grasslands and open forests. Active growth occurs in the spring.

"Achillea" refers to Achilles, an ancient hero. He said that he used Yarrow for himself and for his soldiers. "Millefolium" means "Coming of a Thousand Leaves". This refers to the very small, fine and feathery leaves of this plant.

Achillea Millefolium is an erect herbaceous perennial plant that produces one to several stems 0,2 - 1 metre in height, and has a spreading rhizomatous growth form. Leaves are evenly distributed along the stem, with the leaves near the middle and bottom of the stem being the largest.

The inflorescence has 4 to 9 phyllaries and contains ray and disk flowers which are white to pink. The generally 3 to 8 ray flowers are ovate to round. Disk flowers range from 15 to 40. The inflorescence is produced in a flat - topped cluster. The fruits are small achenes.

It was one of the herbs dedicated to the Evil One, in earlier days, being sometimes known as Devil's Nettle, Devil's Plaything, Bad Man's Plaything, and was used for divination in spells.

Roses are a group of herbaceous shrubs found in temperate regions throughout both hemispheres. There are over 100 species of Rose. Rosa Canina is used especially for its Rose Hips.

Rosa Canina, commonly known as the Dog-Rose, is a variable climbing Wild Rose species native to Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia.

It also known that it was used in the 18th and 19th centuries to treat the bite of rabid dogs, hence the name "Dog Rose" may result from this (though it seems just as plausible that the name gave rise to the treatment). Other old folk names include Dogberry and Witches Briar.

Historical The word "hips" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word hiope and "Dog Rose" comes from dag meaning "Dagger".

It is a deciduous shrub normally ranging in height from 1 - 5 m, though sometimes it can scramble higher into the crowns of taller trees. Its stems are covered with small, sharp, hooked prickles, which aid it in climbing.

The flowers are usually pale pink, but can vary between a deep pink and white. They are 4 - 6 cm diameter with five petals, and mature into an oval 1,5 - 2 cm red-orange fruit, or hip.

Rosa Canina loves to grow in woodlands, copses, scrub, and hedges up to altitudes of 550 metres. Where offered support, they can climb high into trees. The smaller Hedgehog Rose, will be found growing at altitudes of up to 400 metres.

All Roses can be grown in sun or light shade, and thrive in well-drained, slightly acid soil.

Simple, yet beautiful blooms are borne singularly or in small clusters on the Dog Rose, from late spring to mid - summer.

Historically, Roses have been important since ancient times, in the preparation and use of foods, medicines, cosmetics, ritual, and perfumery. It is known that the Greeks, Persians, and Romans, employed many kinds of Rose as medicines.

The Dog Rose was the stylized rose of medieval European heraldry, and is still used today. It is also the county flower of Hampshire. Legend states the Thousand - year Rose or Hildesheim Rose, that climbs against a wall of Hildesheim Cathedral dates back to the establishment of the diocese in 815.

Botanical Name: Eucalyptus citriodora

Common Method of Extraction: Steam distillation

Part Typically Used: Leaves and twigs

Color: Pale Yellow

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Top / Middle

Strength of Initial Aroma: Fresh, medicinal, heavy lemon aroma.

Corymbia Citriodora is a tall tree, growing to 35 metres in height, from temperate and tropical north eastern Australia. It is also known as Lemon - Scented Gum, Blue Spotted Gum, Lemon Eucalyptus and Eucalyptus Citriodora.

Corymbia Citriodora has smooth, pale, uniform or slightly mottled bark, white to coppery in summer, and a conspicuously narrow - leaved crown which smells strongly of Lemons. The bark is smooth for the entire height of the tree, often powdery, shedding in thin curling flakes.

Eucalyptus Citriodora is one of the most popular Eucalyptus trees grown throughout Melbourne in Australia, which is its native country. This species is believed to have originated from a restricted area of Queensland on the Tropic of Capricorn, and is now found growing throughout the world’s tropical climates.

There are many types of Eucalyptus used to distill oil. Oils high in Eucalyptol are used medicinally, and oils such as the Eucalyptus Lemon are used more in thefragrance industry. More recently it has become a popular addition to natural bug repellents.

Although large quantities of Eucalyptus Citriodora essential oil were distilled in Queensland during the 1950 and 1960, very little of this oil is produced in Australia today. The largest producing countries are now Brazil, China and India, with smaller quantities originating from South Africa, Guatemala, Madagascar, Morocco and Russia.

The essential oil of the Lemon-Scented Gum mainly consists of citronellal(80%), produced largely in Brazil and China.

In Brazil, leaf harvesting may take place twice a year, whereas most of the oil produced in India comes from smallholders who harvest leaves at irregular times, mostly depending on convenience, demand, and oil trading prices.

After collection, the leaves, stems and twigs are sometimes chipped before quickly loading into the still for extraction by steam distillation. Processing takes approximately 1,25 hours and delivers a yield of 1,0% to 1,5% of a colourless to pale straw coloured essential oil.

Chemical strucutre:

The odour is very fresh, Lemon-Citrus and somewhat reminiscent of Citronella oil (Cymbopogon Nardus), due to the fact that both oils contain high levels of the monoterpene aldehyde, citronellal.

Botanical Name: Foeniculum vulgare

Common Method of Extraction: Steam distilled

Part Typically Used: Seeds

Color: Palle yallow

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Middle

Strength of Initial Aroma: Sweet, almost peppery, earthy.

Fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare) is a flowering plant species in the celery family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae. It is a hardy, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. It is indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean but has become widely naturalized in many parts of the world, especially on dry soils near the sea-coast and on riverbanks.

Family is also known as Fenkel and Roman Fennel.

It is a highly aromatic and flavorful herb with culinary and medicinal uses and, along with the similar-tasting anise, is one of the primary ingredients of absinthe.

Fennel, Foeniculum Vulgare, is a perennial herb. It is erect, glaucous green, and grows to heights of up to 2,5 m, with hollow stems. The leaves grow up to 40 cm long. The flowers are produced in terminal compound umbels 5-15 cm wide, each umbel section having 20-50 tiny yellow flowers on short pedicels. The fruit is a dry seed from  4-10 mm long, half as wide or less, and grooved.

The ancient Greeks thought Fennel conveyed long life, courage, and strength. Their name for Fennel was Marathon from Mariano, meaning “To grow thin”. Fennel’s ability to stave off hunger was employed during fasting days in Europe.

Another version: The word "Fennel" developed from the Middle English Fenel or Fenyl. This came from the Old English Fenol or Finol, which in turn came from the Latin Feniculum or Foeniculum, the diminutive of Fenum or Faenum, meaning "Hay".

Fennel oil has a herby, slightly spicy smell, much like Aniseed and it is clear in viscosity.

Chemical structure:

Fennel Aniseed flavour comes from anethole, an aromatic compound also found in Anise and Star Anise, and its taste and aroma are similar to theirs, though usually not as strong.

The main chemical components of Fennel oil are a-pinene, myrcene, fenchone, trans - anethole, methyl chavicol, limonene, 1,8 - cineole and anisic aldehyde.

Fennel seeds are sometimes confused with those of Anise, which are similar in taste and appearance, though smaller.

Fennel is also used as a flavouring in some natural toothpastes.

Botanical Name: Helichrysum italicum

Common Method of Extraction: Steam distilled

Part Typically Used: Fresh flowering tops

Color: Yellow - reddish

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Middle / Base

Strength of Initial Aroma: Herbal smell, strongly straw-like, fruity smell, with a honey and tea undertone.

The genus Helichrysum consists of an estimated 600 species, in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). The type species is Helichrysum Orientale. The name is derived from the Greek words Helisso "To turn around" and Chrysos "Gold". It is commonly known as Everlasting oil, Immortelle and St. John's herb (not to be confused with St. John's Wort which is known as Hypericum Perforatum).

The plants may be annuals, Herbaceous Perennials or shrubs, growing to a height of 60 - 90 cm. Their leaves are oblong to lanceolate. They are flat and pubescent on both sides. The bristles of the pappus are scabrous, barbellate, or plumose. The receptacle (base of the flower head) is often smooth, with a fringed margin, or honey - combed, and resemble daisies.

When cut young and dried, the open flowers and stalks preserve their colour and shape for long periods.

Helichrysum Italicum is an European herb native to France, Italy and a few neighboring countries. This is a very costly oil and scarcely available, but unlike other essential oils which have a short shelf life, this oil can be stored for a very long time (5 - 7 years).

Helichrysum Italicum (synonym Helichrysum Angustifolium) is steam distilledto produce a yellow-reddish essential oilpopular in fragrance for its unique scent, best described as a mixture of burnt sugar and ham. Angustifolium means narrow leaved. The name is commonly misspelled as "Augustifolium".

Chemical structure:

The main chemical components of helichrysum oil are a-pinene, camphene, b - pinene, myrcene, limonene, 1,8 - cineole, linalool, terpinen - 4 - ol, neryl acetate, nerol, geraniol, eugenol, italidone and other b - diketones.

The essential oil yield for Helichrysum is quite low at approximately: 0,2 - 0,3%. This would be a contributing factor to its cost. The average price at the time of writing for 5mls is $32 - 40. US.

Kelps are large seaweeds belonging to the Brown Algae (Phaeophyceae) in the order Laminariales. Kelp grows in underwater "Forests" (kelp forests) in shallow oceans, and is thought to have appeared in the Miocene, 23 to 5 million years ago. The organisms require nutrient-rich water with temperatures between 6 and 14 °C. They are known for their high growth rate - the genera Macrocystis and Nereocystis can grow as fast as half a metre a day, ultimately reaching 30 to 80 metres.

Kelp, also known as Brown Algae, is an herb that comes from deep under the sea. It is, essentially, Seaweed that thrives on sunlight and takes in the host of nutrients and minerals present in the water around it.

Growth occurs at the base of the meristem, where the blades and stipe meet. Growth may be limited by grazing. The kelp life cycle involves a diploid sporophyte and haploid gametophyte stage. The haploid phase begins when the mature organism releases many spores, which then germinate to become maleor female gametophytes. Sexual reproduction then results in the beginning of the diploid sporophyte stage, which will develop into a mature individual.

Some of the earliest evidence for human use of marine resources, coming from Middle Stone Age sites in South Africa, includes the harvesting of foods such as abalones, limpets, and mussels associated with Kelp forest habitats.

Rose Petals are high in nutrients and especially high in polyphenols, an important antioxidant.

You can use wild or domesticated Rses. First, you want to be sure that they haven't been sprayed with harmful chemicals.

Secondly, your best bet is to use Roses that are aromatic. Roses that have no smell may not be as good for medicine or food, so use your nose to find the best Roses.