Guaiacwood
History
Guaiacwood Essential Oil
The guaiac botanically known as Bulnesia Sarmientoi is an evergreen tree that is native to Latin America. This tree grows up to 20 meters. It blooms blue flowers, which turn white as they age. Additionally, the tree’s bark is thick, and the wood is exceptionally fragrant.
Traditionally, Guaiac oil was considered sacred wood and used as incense burned to deter evil spirits. It was also used to provide relief to other health-related conditions like chronic rheumatism, uterine infections, and respiratory infections.
Guaiacwood oil has been commercially produced since the late 1890s. The intense use of guaiacwood in the 20th century nearly resulted in the tree’s extinction. Today, the Guaiac trees are protected by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
Guaiacwood essential oil is produced by steam-distilling a mixture of the tree’s wood and sawdust. The resulting oil is a greenish-yellow semi-solid paste that needs heating to liquefy.
This oil is often confused with Palo Santo, another essential oil derived from the same tree. However, while Guaiacwood comes from the tree’s wood, Palo Santo is extracted from the bark. In South America, Guaiacwood is considered an oil that helps with emotional challenges, such as grief and transition. Meanwhile, Palo Santo is more about calming the mind and connecting with the spirit.
The primary constituents of Guaiacwood include Bulneso, Guai Oxide, and Alpha-Bulnesene. These components contribute to its various therapeutic benefits.
Guaiacwood Essential Oil Uses
Guaiacwood essential oil has been used since time immemorial as a home health remedy. When used correctly, Guaiacwood can treat respiratory infections, stimulate the immune system, and relieve chronic pain. Guaiacwood essential oil can also be used to address skin conditions.
Definitive findings of Guaiacwood’s advantages are hard to come by. Nevertheless, there is considerable evidence that this oil offers the following benefits.
1. Guaiacwood Essential Oil for Immune support
Daily, our bodies are exposed to toxins that can strain our immune system, resulting in illnesses or severe health issues. Guaiacwood oil is believed to have the ability to boost immunity. Its antioxidant properties prevent damage to cells by free radicals. This prevents infection and increases the body’s immune efficiency.
2. Meditation
The woody scent of guaiacwood essential oil promotes the feeling of being grounded and calm. After a long day, Guaiacwood can encourage the mind and body to wind down.
This essential oil is also used to remove negative emotions and thoughts from the mind, particularly during meditation.
3. Tighten and Tone the skin
Guaiacwood essential oil has antioxidant properties that prevent skin cell damage and fight free radicals. This oil also boosts collagen, which prevents the skin from sagging, and it shrinks large pores on the skin, creating a flawless and youthful look.
At the same time, it also relieves fungal skin infections and acne-causing bacteria with its antiseptic properties.
4. Boost respiratory health
Studies have shown that Guaiacwood essential oil can be recommended for boosting respiratory health. It helps to soothe laryngitis symptoms, sinus congestion, common cold, severe cough, and sore throat.
Guaiacwood oil can be used to calm these symptoms. Simply dilute it in hot steaming water and inhale the steam. Alternatively, you can mix a few drops of guaiacwood oil with a carrier oil and rub the mixture onto the chest and throat.
5. Anti-inflammatory
Inflammation can occur in different parts of the body. It is caused by numerous factors, including injuries, illness, poor diet, and lack of exercise. Guaiacwood essential oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial when dealing with various types of pain. It is useful when used topically on the affected areas.
6. Laxative
Guaiacwood essential oil has properties that help relax muscles in the digestive tract, enhancing the digestive system’s proper functioning. This effect helps relieve constipation in people suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
If you are constipated, mix a few drops of Guaiacwood essential oil with a carrier oil and massage the mixture on the abdomen.
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