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 traced to the seventeenth century French botanist Charles Plumier who travelled to the New World documenting many plant and animal species. The name Frangipani comes from the Italian Marquis Frangipani who created a perfume used to scent gloves which at the time didn’t really smell…
Tag: calming
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 at a connection of the fragrance of the Chamomile flower similiar to some kinds of apples. The surprising blue colour of the essential oil is due to a specific oxygenation process of compounds which happens during distillation. The matricine compound changes into chamazulene, a sesquiterpene….
