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…

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…

Lemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogon citratus) is derived from a versatile plant that has been used for countless centuries throughout Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and India in folk medicine and cuisine. The fragrant leaves are still used to treat a wide range of illnesses, sometimes using methods which are specific only to a certain area.
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Eucalyptus globulus was first discovered in Tasmania in 1792 by the botanist Labillardiere, and since that time 4 sub-species and several variations of the species have been identified and described. However, the close physical similarities and wide variability in leaf biochemistry of the Eucalyptus genus has presented many difficulties to botanists over the years, and to say that the taxonomy of Eucalyptus is confused and incomplete would be a major understatement.
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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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As the botanical name of this particular ‘cedarwood’ implies, Juniperus virginiana is not really a true cedar but rather it belongs to the genus Juniper, of the Cupressaceae family. There are several cedarwood essential oils extracted from trees of the Cupressaceae family, but very few are used in aromatherapy.
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Cypress is the common name given to several genera of evergreen, aromatic trees and shrubs that belong to the coniferous family of Cupressaceae. Only the species of the genus Cupressus are considered to be true cypress, and it is not uncommon to find ‘cypress’ essential oil derived from species other than Cupressus sempervirens being sold by less experienced oil suppliers.
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The vast genus of Eucalyptus includes almost 700 species, and continues to expand as unknown species are discovered and catalogued. The close physical similarity of many species and the wide variability in leaf biochemistry has proven to be a huge challenge to botanists ever since it was first discovered.

Initially, some species of Eucalyptus were incorrectly identified and even today revisions of taxa continue to take place in an attempt to clarify the state of affairs, with apparently varying levels of success. To say that the taxonomy of this species is confusing and incomplete would be something of an understatement! Read more…