NUTMEG – spicy-mystic reconnector of our “body-mind”

The Nutmeg species of trees belongs to the Myristica genus. The botanical name of the commercially most significant species is Myristica fragrans, an evergreen tree indigenous to the Moluccas or “Spice Islands” of Indonesia. Nutmeg yields 2 different spices from the fruit, one is the actual inner kernel of the fruit and the other the…

LEMON VERBENA – a treasure house of wisdom and peace

VERBENA belongs to the Verbenaceae plant family. There are about 800 different species in this group. The botanical name is Lippia citriodora. The plant was introduced in the Isle of Wight in England at the end of the 18th century. Planted as a shrub it became for some time a decorative plant in European gardens….

NUTMEG – spicy-mystic reconnector of our “body-mind”

The Nutmeg species of trees belongs to the Myristica genus. The botanical name of the commercially most significant species is Myristica fragrans, an evergreen tree indigenous to the Moluccas or “Spice Islands” of Indonesia. Nutmeg yields 2 different spices from the fruit, one is the actual inner kernel of the fruit and the other the…

NIAOULI – breathe and protect with motherly care

The name “Niaouli” is derived from Nyelayu, a New Caledonian language, translated into Niaouli in French. The botanical name is Melaleuca viridiflora or Melaleuca quinquenervia, commonly known as Niaouli or “broad-leaved paperbark”. The genus name “Melaleuca” means “black and white” – referring to the colour of the bark which resembles the bark of the birch…

GERANIUM – animate, uplift, relax

Geranium oil – with its Latin genus name Pelargonium – belongs to the Geraniaceae plant family. The beautiful plant has its origin in South Africa. Today it occurs in many different species, most of which grow in North Africa, East Africa, Egypt, and Middle East regions, but it is also abundantly found in the gardens…

MANDARIN – Golden Gift from Mother Nature

Mandarin belongs to the citrus fruits like Orange, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Yuzu, Tangerine… with the difference that the Mandarin is more yellow in colour and contains pips, whereas the Tangerine is more orange in colour and has no pips. Both of them belong to the Rutaceae plant family and the botanical name of Mandarin and Tangerine…

FENNEL – an ancient panacea for body, mind and spirit

Fennel with its Latin name Foeniculum vulgare belongs to the Apiaceae (former: “Umbelliferae”) plant family. The name is derived as a diminutive of the latin word “fenum” meaning “hay” which certainly has to do with the grass like feathery appearance of the leaves. Originally, in Europe, the plant was only native to the Mediterranean area…

CINNAMON – spicy power medicine wrapped in sweetness

Cinnamon, known to man since time immemorial, is an amazing spice gained from the dried inner bark of an evergreen bushy tree belonging to the Laurel family (Lauraceae). The tree does not grow higher than 30 feet and is native to countries of South-Asia and South-East Asia, especially to Sri Lanka, the Indian Malabar coast,…

THUJA – matter to clean – spirit to rise

Thuja oil or – English “Cedar leaf” oil – stems from Thuja occidentalis, a specie of the Cypress family (Cupressaceae). The tree can become 6-20 m high. The branches are horizontally ramified, the leaves are dark green at the top side and light green at the underside. One can really say that the Cypress family…

MAGNOLIA – Queen of the blossoms

Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is a member of the Magnoliaceae plant family. There are more than 240 different species, many of them deciduous as well as evergreen ones among them. The tree is native to south and south-east Asia, especially India. The name Magnolia was given in honor of Pierre Magnol (1638-1715), a French professor of…

CLOVE oil – healing with tropical fire

CLOVE with its Latin name Eugenia caryophyllata belongs to a tree of the Myrtaceae plant family. Its dried flower buds spread a strong aromatic scent. The tree is native to Indonesia. It belongs to the evergreens and reaches a height ranging from 8-12 m and prefers shadowy places – under tropical suns! All parts of…

LEMON oil – luminous radiance for the soul

With its fresh and fruity fragrance the Lemon oil reminds us of Mediterranean orchards under a blue sky and a soft breeze from the ocean. Its luminous, volatile-etheric character mobilizes our energies, relaxes and sharpens the mind, and opens the heart. The essential oil stems from cold pressed ripe Lemons with most of it present…

PINE – ever green, ever fresh, for ever strong

Pine trees are evergreen trees of the Pinaceae family (Conifers) which reach a height up to 50 m and may become 1000 years old. The essential oils of them spread an aromatic, woody-fresh and unique fragrance which is popular especially in aromatherapy. In comparison with other species of Conifers Pine needles are very long, mostly…

SANDALWOOD – Fragrance from Beyond

The name Sandal (wood) is derived from the Sanskrit “chandana” meaning “white, bright like the moon, fragrant”. Sandalwood belongs to the Santalaceae family of the genus Santalum. Santalum album oil (Indian Sandalwood) represents the highest quality of all Sandalwood oils. Other oils derived from the genus Santalum are Santalum spicatum (Australian Sandalwood), Santalum paniculatum (Hawaiian…

CYPRESS – the green flame to Heaven

The Cypress with its botanical name Cupressus sempervirens – is a perennial evergreen (lat. “sempervirens”) tall tree, cone-shaped growing to a height of 25-45 meters. The name “Cypress” appears in many plants of the Cupressaceae (Cypress family). Most of the plants belonging to this family are from the genus “Cupressus” and “Chamaecyparis”, but also the…

CAJEPUT – Air in Action – Moving the inner Winds

Cajeput oil (Melaleuca leucadendron) stems from the distillation of the fresh leaves of a beautiful strong tree with a bark resembling the bark of the Birch tree. It grows wild or cultivated in South East Asia, but also in India and Northern Australia. The oil is produced all year long with help of rural mobile…

BAY ST. THOMAS (Pimento) – Pures Feuer in der Flasche

Bay St. Thomas mit dem botanischen Namen Pimenta dioica, auch Piment“ genannt, gehört zur Pflanzenfamilie der Myrtaceae. Die Ureinwohner Mittelamerikas nutzten den Baum nicht nur als Heilpflanze, sondern auch zur Einbalsamierung ihrer Toten. Piment wurde ursprünglich in den tropischen Wäldern Süd- und Mittelamerikas, aber auch im Süden Mexikos und auf den Westindischen Inseln als Medizin…

AGLAIA ODORATA – floral seduction, floral bliss

A specie of the mahogany family, Aglaia odorata is an evergreen tropical bush or small multi-branched tree growing up to 3 metres high.  It is native to China and also called Chinese Rice Flower, Chinese Perfume Plant, Chinese Perfume Bonsai Tree, Peppery Orchid, or Mock Lemon. Its Chinese name is Mizilan – and for the…

NAGARMOTHA – go to the roots

Nagarmotha or Cypriol (Cyperus rotundus) is one of the world’s most invasive plants ? and one of the most incredible essential oils, hardly known to so many people, even in the world of modern Aromatherapy. Mother Nature is always amazing in her ways how she spreads medicinal plants through eons of time over the Earth…

LEMONGRASS – a Power Grass and much more…

One of the most anti-microbial oils so far known is distilled from Lemongrass oil. This oil is derived from a highly fragrant tropical grass belonging to the Poaceae family, the same family as our barley or wheat. The essential oil in Lemongrass is gained by steam-distillation resulting in a watery liquid of dark yellow colour…

BENZOIN – a Gentle Touch of Sweet Embalming Nature

Benzoin was already described in medieval times by the famous Persian physician Ibn Senna (Avicenna) as “Javan frankincense”. The resin then found its way to Europe by the crusaders and already in the 12th century became an appreciated trade article under the term “gum Benjamin”. It was even subject to tax in the Europe of…

ROCK ROSE – Cistus

a miracle healer from the Mediterranean ROCK ROSE with its Latin name Cistus ladaniferus consists of about 20 subspecies. The name Cistus comes from the Portuguese language where “cesto” means “capsule” or “basket” referring to the capsule-shaped fruits which form after the floral season. Cistus or Rock Rose is not related to the Rose family….

CEDAR – an Oil to Rise in Vitality and Strength

Like the Rose is regarded as the queen within the flower kingdom the Cedar can be called the king among the conifers. With its roots well fastened into the earth and its crown high stretching to the sky, the tree represents the majestic power of Mother Nature. Cedars can grow up to 50 m high,…

BAY LAUREL – the Oil for Courage and Strength

Just to take a drop of Bay Laurel oil on your fingertip and smell it is quite an experience. You are right away taken into a spicy fresh energy which – within seconds – enlivens your spirit from deep inside, as if a whiff of fragrant air breathes through you and imbibes the whole system…

DAVANA – gift of the Goddess

Davana oil is another gift from the Artemisia genus. What a wonderful fragrance it radiates ! Its essential oil is known in the world of Aromatherapy for its very special herbal-sweet perfume notes. Botanically known as Artemisia pallens, Davana is a member of the family, of Asteraceae. The herb is indigenous to the southern parts…

YLAND YLANG – a Flower from Heaven

The “flower of flowers” as it is called sometimes has its firm place today in modern aromatherapy and perfumery. According to some sources the name “Ylang-Ylang ” is derived from Tagalog, the main language of the Philippines. It stems either from “ilang” meaning “wilderness” hinting at the natural habitat of the tree or from “ilang-ilan”…

YARROW – A Thousand Leaves, A Thousand Cures

Yarrow, with its botanical name Achillea millefolium, is a perennial medicinal plant popular throughout Europe. The Latin name goes back to the Trojan hero Achilles who came to Troy in search of the king of the Mysians, Thelephos. He injured Telephpos on the thigh, and healed the wound with a medicinal plant, which was later…

FRANGIPANI – An Intoxicating Seducer

Frangipani (Plumeria alba) is a genus of flowering plants in the Apocynaceae family, containing seven or eight main species of shrubs and trees. They are native to Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America but have been spread by missionaries and early travellers throughout the world’s tropics, especially Hawaii. The name Plumeria can be…

GERMAN CHAMOMILE OIL – Caring and Motherly

Chamomile ‘matricaria’ contains the latin word ‘matrix’ in its botanical name – meaning ‘caring for the womb’. This finds its echo in folk medicine which has always emphasized Chamomile’s emmenagogue properties and its connection with the female system. The word ‘Chamomile’ is derived from Greek ????? (chamaí) ‘on the ground’ and ????? (m?lon) ‘apple’ hinting…

CARDAMOM – Healthy Breathing, Healthy Feeding

Cardamom is a perennial plant and grows up to 2-3 metres in height. It has white flowers with reddish stripes in the centre. The fruit capsules (pods) grow near the ground and contain the seeds which are used as spice. They are gathered before they are ripe to prevent bursting during the drying process which would…

LEMON BALM – Healing with Angel Wings

Balm or Lemon-Balm was introduced to the monastic gardens in Europe by Charlemagne in the early 9th century. The plant had been known for its sedative, anti-depressive as well as carminative effects long before. Due to its fresh lemony fragrance Balm was also called Cedronella. The botanical name Melissa (greek for “honey bee”) indicates the…

NEEM – The sacred tree of Ayurveda

The Neem tree (Azadirachta indica) is a tropical evergreen tree native to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma. It belongs to the plant family of the Meliaceae related to the Mahagony tree. It is a fast growing tree that can reach a height of up to 35-40 metres. Its leaves have a very bitter taste, whereas…

THE ARTEMISIA OILS – Part 2: Thoughts on Malaria and Cancer

Artemisia annua, also called “Sweet Wormwood”, is another amazing medicinal herb from the Artemisia genus. Extracts of Artemisia annua have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for over thousands of years. The plant has stirred up strong interest over the last decades because of its highly efficient results on treating Malaria. Until today Malaria…

THE ARTEMISIA OILS – Aromatic Challengers and Benefactors, Part 1

The genus “Artemisia” belongs to the Asteraceae family – the “star blossomers” (lat. “aster” = star), so called because of the star-like structure of their blossoms. It was also called before the “composite” or “daisy” plant family. “Composite” because of their special way to compose their flowers in a circular group together, giving the impression…

ROSE – Making A Myth Our Fragrant Reality

Mankind has given to the Rose the name ‘Queen of the Flowers’ – and this is certainly not a misnomer… Rose, this wonderful floral being has always – and particularly since the beginning of historical writing – held a particular fascination in the awareness of mankind. It inspired men of so many cultures to create…

GINGER – An Ancient Universal Healer

The name Ginger stems from the Sanskrit word “shringan” meaning “horn of a dear”. It refers to the special form of the Ginger rhizomes which have been used in Asian cooking and medicine over thousands of years. Ginger has abundantly been used since old in the Ayurvedic kitchen of India. Confuzius has already praised the virtues…

BLACK CUMIN – One of the Most Successful Natural Remedies of the Past Decade

Black Cumin or with its Latin name Nigella Sativa belongs to the crowfoot plant family (Ranunculaceae). In Arabic the plant is named Habbah-al baraka which means ‘seed of blessing’, often also called “the miracle herb from heaven”. This high reputation explains why Black Cumin has an almost four thousand years old history in the Orient….

ECALYPTUS GLOBULUS and Radiata – Giving New Breath for Life

Airy and light, refreshing outside, warming inside, a mighty oxygenizer drying out dampness and cold, Eucalyptus means freedom, vitality, and space beyond boundaries. Its energy is rhythmic like “moving winds on the top of mighty trees”, and conveys a potential to spread, to create, to nourish, to absorb, to enjoy. Eucalyptus’ colour is green, bluish…

VETIVER – The Golden Root of Mother Earth

This herbal grass with its Latin name Vetiveria zizanoides is a strong, resistant and aromatic plant native to south India, China, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, today also grown in Réunion, the Philippines, the Comoro Islands, Japan, West Africa and Latin America. Vetiver is a perennial plant with a straight stem, a plentiful network of underground…

ANISE – healing with the sweetness of space

Anise (Pimpinella anisum) is an old healing plant of the Mediterranean, already used by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans against digestive and bronchial problems. Pythagoras, Heraclite of Ephesus and Plinius mention Anise in their scriptures. Medicine in the Middle Ages puts Anise among the dry and hot plants – meaning those which heal digestive problems…

LOTUS: Embodiment of Love and Joy

The Lotus flower was well known in Old China long before Indian monks spread Buddhism in the country. Many old scriptures show the great worship for this plant and in vernacular it was called ‘ho’, which means peace. A disciple of Confucius has written a hymn on the Lotus flower saying that it symbolizes the…

Neroli: Stimulating Freedom

The tender white blossoms of bitter orange trees yield a very precious essential oil of a fresh-sweet, angelic fragrance that has charmed man over centuries. The story is told that Anne-Marie, Countess of Nerola, adored the fragrance and had all her clothes sprayed with Neroli, scented her bathwater with it and even perfumed her gloves…

CLARY SAGE: Wakes up Feminity

Earthy, musky, a summer meadow of secret scents and yet light and sweet: Clary Sage, called “the good one” by farmers in Provence, means memories of old and hidden laughters behind hedges and hay. It is the Sage of good fortune that saves from worry and distress, a female helper that opens closed up and…

VANILLA: Sweet Seduction by Mother Earth

The scent of Vanilla takes us on a journey to the various tropical islands of the Indian Ocean. Specifically Madagascar and La Reunion today are home of Vanilla Planifolia, what is being considered “True Vanilla”. It is from there that the Queen of all Spices conquers the world with enormous success. Who hasn’t come across…

Ebook edition of Essays on Holistic Aromatherapy Now Available!

The ebook edition of Essays on Holistic Aromatherapy written by Dr. Malte Hozzel is a compilation of deep insights into medicinal plants and essential oils.  Over the last 25 years, Dr. Hozzel has travelled the world in a quest to find the purest and finest oils, sourcing them directly from the growers to bring forward the…

The magic of SYNERGIES

  Synergy means combined energies in togetherness. It is natural for the relative field of life to be expressed in diversity, but this diversity becomes compact in a greater directedness when it is intelligently and harmoniously put together to create new units of wholeness. Thus, a bouquet of flowers finds its charm in a collectedness…

RAVINTSARA: The Medicine Tree

Among all the aromatic treasures offered by Nature, there is a pearl with countless benefits: Ravintsara (Cinnamonum camphora). Known as the “beautiful leaf” in the Malagasy traditional medicine and praised as the “oil that heals”, it serves today to answer a wide demand in treating diverse psycho-physiological problems. Cinnamonum camphora belongs to the Lauraceae family…

MYRRH: An Ancient Sacred Healer

The legendary precious Myrrh oil (Commiphora myrrha), derived from sun-charged tropical resins, is used since Antiquity in sacred rites and for its rejuvenating effects on body and mind. Native from Eastern areas of Africa, the essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the resin from a thorny shrublike tree. It has a spicy-warm, earthy…

KEWRA: Smelling into the Heart of a Spirit Opener

India can be considered lucky to possess a great treasure of aromatic plants – many of which have not been known outside the country until quite recently. Among these plants we find Kewra or Kewda. The botanical name Pandanus odoratissimus conveys that the essential oil of it must be extremely fragrant. The remarkable aromatic depth streaming…

PATCHOULI: The “Green Leaf” Oil with Power

One cannot be indifferent to the fragrance of this one-of-a-kind essential oil. Patchouli is an amazing oil that brings you to the depth of the earth, grounds you – and thereby leads you back to the body. The name “Patchouli” derives from Tamil language (South Indian), “patchai” meaning “green” and “ellai” denoting “leaf”. Yes, this…

BERGAMOT against winter depression: Sparkling with joy

Bergamot essential oil, as a Citrus oil, is a magician of the Sun. Its fragrant beauty is created by a rare and harmonious balance of diverse odor compounds resulting in an experience combining fruity-sweet notes with a lively freshness. It is a choice oil for adding happiness and enthusiasm to our life. Just breathing in…

CONIFER ESSENTIAL OILS: powerful pillars of light

We are already heading towards winter… Temperatures are falling, the days are becoming shorter and the trees in the forest are loosing their leaves. But one family of majestic trees is still showing signs of strength. They are standing tall, strong and evergreen rising high into the sky as if the growing cold is their true element….

ANGELICA: Subtle Spiritual Healer

Whoever gave the name to this plant must have been aware of an immensely powerful, truly celestial energy hidden behind its already very amazing appearance. Already its height is impressing. Angelica is certainly one, if not the tallest of all the Umbelliferae (Apiaceae) plants rising vigorously up to two meters from the soil and spreading…

FRANKINCENSE – Illuminate your body and soul

The spirit of the sacred and of meditation surrounds frankincense since ages. Resins and their oils (Frankincense, Myrhh, Benzoin, etc.) have always been easily associated with fumigation and purification. The special mind set-up they create is “vertical” like the smoke that rises to heaven. Vertical means also away from the boundaries of worldly “airs and…

HELICHRYSUM: Golden Magician of the Sun

The subtle floral notes of this precious and rare oil have nothing comparable in aromatherapy. Let us look at a few of its properties : Helichysum excels as a blood purifier It is without doubt the strongest anti-congestive agent so far found in nature and works wonders, particularly in cases of blood congestions (hematomes, thrombosis…)…

JATAMANSI: Balance for Life

Native from the “Seat of the gods”, the Himalayas, Spikenard, since thousands of years, is one of the most sacred essences known both for its spiritual and medicinal properties. With its Latin name Nardostachys jatamansi, the plant is native to the humid Himalaya regions and grows in the wild of Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim in…

BASIL: The Plant King

Basil derives its name from the Greek word “Basileus” which means “king” emphasizing its fabulous rank among other plants in the ancient Mediterranean civilizations. It is really one of the royal essential oils to strengthen mind and heart and to reinforce resistance against infectious disease. This plant, member of the mint family and originally native…

PALO SANTO – dying to be reborn

Palo Santo is an aromatic wild-growing tree that belongs to the Burseraceae family, the same group to which belong Myrrh, Frankin-cense, Copal sanctum, etc. The name is derived from Spanish and means “holy wood”. It refers to an age-old healing practice structured in the knowledge and ceremonial tradition of South- and Mesoamerican shamans or healers…

The unknown benefits of GINGER hydrolate

Today we are pleased to present a rare gift of Nature whose amazing benefits are not yet well known. This is Ginger hydrolate! Ginger was among the first oriental spices to reach Europe. Native to Southeast Asia, ginger is considered in Ayurveda as a must cure because it increases Agni (digestive fire) and decreases Ama (toxins). In aromatherapy it…

6 MUST-HAVE AROMATHERAPY OILS

Aromatherapy oils are natural oils derived from the aromatic plant parts, especially their flowers, leaf, and bark. They are used to achieve relaxation, alleviate stress, and treat various physical as well as emotional disorders. Basically, they ignite your senses and enliven your body. However, research shows that they are beneficial for various disorders as well….

JASMINE – “Queen of the night”

Jasmine, beautiful sweet relaxing Jasmine…! The very word Jasmine summons up a warm, exotic and mysterious feeling. And when you experience the aroma, whether it is drifting gently downwind on a warm Mediterranean evening or in the intensity of the fragrance direct from a bottle, it transports you in milliseconds of delight to a place…