Essential Oils

Nutmeg has the Latin name Myristica fragrans. It is also known by other common names such as mace, muscdier, magic, muskatbaum, noz moscada, myristica, nuez moscada and nux moschata.

The nutmeg tree grows very tall and may reach up to seventy feet. Nutmeg oil is obtained from the seed of the fruit of this tree. The fruit when dried gives nutmeg which is the seed and mace which is the covering. Traditionally, nutmeg was believed to be effective against plague and hence it was popular during the time of Elizabeth.

Nutmeg oil is colorless or light yellow and smells and tastes of nutmeg. It's commonly obtained by the steam distillation of the seed of ground nutmeg. There also mace oil which distilled from the mace.

Scent:
Rich, sharp, spicy, sweet and rather musky.

Effects:
Warmly uplifting, sedative, stimulant, relaxing, anti inflammatory, antiseptic, bactericide.

Patchouli (also patchouly or pachouli) is a bushy herb of the mint family, with erect stems, reaching two or three feet (about 0.75 metre) in height and bearing small pale pink-white flowers. The word derives from the Tamil patchai (green), ellai (leaf).

Pogostemon cablin, P. commosum, P. hortensis, P. heyneasus and P. plectranthoides are all cultivated for their oils and all are known as 'patchouli' oil, but P. cablin is considered superior.

Patchouli oil color is dark brown, in some cases could be light brown though. It produced by steam distillation of the fresh or dried leaves.

Scent:
Rich, earthy, woody smoky, musty-sweet, heavy, strong spicy aroma with a nearly hidden fruity note.

Effects:
Uplifting, Antidepressant, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal, reduces fluid retention (diuretic).