New to the Quinessence Aromatherapy Collection for 2012 is infused Arnica Oil, which is renowned for its unique anti-inflammatory, soothing and healing properties. Arnica’s reputation for reducing pain and swelling is both legendary and well deserved, and this is why we included it in the formula for Aroma-botanicals Therapy Base Cream almost 10 years ago!
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German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is a flowering medicinal plant that has truly stood the test of time, with over 2,000 years of documented medical use by luminaries such as Asclepius, Galen, Hippocrates and Culpepper. It would be almost impossible to find a herbal book published during the past 500 years that does not include the virtues of this amazing healing herb. Read more…

Clove bud essential oil is derived from the small reddish-brown, unripe flower buds of the tropical evergreen tree known botanically as Syzygium aromaticum. Like all spices, clove has a long and rich history of use in both culinary and medicinal applications, having first been put to use by the ancient Chinese and then later imported into Alexandria for use throughout Egypt and Europe. Clove bud was also used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine over 2,000 years ago. Read more…

Cedar atlas (Cedrus atlantica) is an unassuming essential oil that lays claim to a rather notable history. It is believed to be one of the very first essential oils ever to have been distilled, and ancient records show both the oil and wood were used for a wide range of purposes including incense, medicine and cosmetics. However, it is important to make sure that you are using the correct species of cedar which using the essential oil in aromatherapy since Virginian cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana) has quite different therapeutic properties. Read more…

There are several fir essential oils extracted from the needles and twigs of trees belonging to the Pinaceae family, and most notably these fall within the Abies, Picea and Pinus genera. Strictly speaking, only those of the Abies genus should be considered true ‘fir’ oils. As always, it is the use of common names that have introduced confusion within this taxonomic group.
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Sweet marjoram is a frost-tender perennial plant which can grow to a height of 60 centimetres (24 inches), producing oval leaves and pale or dark pink-purple flowers. These flowers are small but plentiful and form in spiky clusters, blooming between June and September. It is a warm climate plant, preferring lots of sun and well-drained soil.
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The cinnamon tree belongs to the Lauraceae family and is a bushy, tropical evergreen that ranges in height from 5 metres (16ft) to 15 metres (45 ft) depending on origin. The bark is rough, scaly, and highly aromatic. When stripped off and dried, this fragrant bark forms the familiar cylindrical quills that are powdered to produce what is possibly the worlds oldest and best known spice. Read more…