Tag: analgesic

What are Hydrosols?

Todays post is about Hydrosols.

We have just spent the last week camping. We stayed for a few nights at the beach, then a couple of nights on a private property. During our stay at the beach, March flies bit both of us and we were quite itchy.

When we arrived at the second property, the host has a skin care range that she sells. She sprayed a product on our arms and legs and the itch started to subside. The spray is a Lemon Myrtle Hydrosol blend. We had never heard of a hydrosol before, so I asked a few questions and did a bit of research. Here is what I found.

What is a hydrosol?

It is basically an end product of the essential oil distilling process. The distillation process— by water or steam — of the plant matter produces two end products:

  • Essential oil: the oil-soluble parts of the plant
  • Hydrosol: the water-soluble parts of the plant (this liquid also contains microscopic drops of essential oil)

Just like essential oils, many different types of plants can be made into hydrosols. The process makes use of the whole plant including bark, roots, and leaves not just flowers. Essential oils and hydrosols have some similar properties, but hydrosols contain a higher water content.

This means they’re gentler than essential oils and can be applied directly to the skin without the need to dilute them with carrier oil. They also have a more subtle scent than their essential oil counterparts.

The hydrosol used in the spray was Orange Jasmine.

Orange Jasmine

Further research found that the essential oil from orange jasmine has analgesic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This means that it has the capacity to ease the irritation associated with insect bites and rashes.

Lemon Myrtle

The other ingredient in the spray was Lemon Myrtle essential oil. This product has long been used in medicinal and personal care products.

I have previously written about the many benefits and uses of lemon myrtle.

The essential oil is used as an antiseptic, disinfectant and expectorant and is said to be more powerful than Tea Tree.

Lemon Myrtle has amazing benefits in skin care. It works as an astringent to help tighten pores and reduce irritations. With its antibacterial properties this oil can assist with skin infections, wounds and acne

The pure essential oil can be applied topically to reduce inflammation of insect bites and help soothe the itch.

It is also excellent for soothing inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis and acne.

 

So a relaxing holiday also provided a learning opportunity.

Till the next post,

 

Live clean n Prosper.

If you are interested in this product, the link to the website is – http://www.anderleigh.com.au/aga/product-category/essential-oil/

Sources – Healthline – US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health – Wiley Online library –

All about Boswellia

Today’s post is about a herbal supplement called Boswellia.

Scott and I have been talking to several people recently about this product. So I thought it would be a good idea to share what we know about it.

So what is Boswellia?

The Boswellia are a species of trees located in India, Ethiopia, Somalia, and the Arabian Peninsula. They produce a gum resin called Olibanum, also known as Frankincense.

Historically, Boswellia use was divided into three categories: religious, cosmetic and medicinal. The Egyptians used the gum, or frankincense, to embalm their dearly departed. The Egyptian women also made heavy kohl eyeliner by grinding it into a fine powder.

Roman and Greek Catholics also used frankincense as incense in rituals.

However, boswellia was most prominently utilised for its medicinal properties. The Chinese used boswellia as a stimulant, a topical ointment for injuries, mouthwash for mouth and throat problems, and pain reliever for menstrual discomfort.

In India, the Ayurvedic practice relied on boswellia to help treat: arthritis, bursitis, diarrhoea, urinary disorders, asthma, coughs and many other ailments.

 In todays medicine?

Over 200 different compounds have been identified in the resin of different Boswellia species that have been studied. The most active component of the resin was identified to be Boswellic acids. These acids have shown to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, and analgesic properties.

The boswellic acid in the herb assists with preventing leukotriene formation in the body. Leukotrienes have been identified as a cause of inflammation and possibly a trigger for asthma symptoms.

Common side affects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin and ibuprofen) is damage to joint cartilage in arthritic conditions. Studies have found that the boswellic acids significantly reduce damage to the cartilage caused by inflammation.

A clinical trial conducted in India has shown that the extract can reduce pain and considerably improve knee-joint functions. in some cases providing relief even within seven days. Clinical trials of the gum resin alone have shown to improve symptoms in patients with osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

(Sources –www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, www.mercola.com, ww.sciencedirect.com)

What conditions can it assist with?

Boswellia serrata can assist in reducing body inflammation.It can be used to treat conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. It’s also a painkiller, and can help inhibit cartilage loss.

It can be used to alleviate asthma and may have protective effects against diseases like leukaemia and breast cancer.

Boswellia is typically given as an extract standardised to contain 37-65% BAs (yielding 150–200 mg per capsule). It has been well tolerated in most studies with few side effects. Although a few rare symptoms have been reported including, stomach discomfort, nausea, acid reflux, or diarrhoea.

Today, you can purchase boswellia either as a resin, pill, liquid, cream or powder.

Our personal experience with boswellia has been very positive. Scott’s mother suffers from osteoarthritis and has found a significant reduction in pain and inflammation since taking it.

I hope this information helps you or a family member who may have joint pain or inflammation.

Till the next post,

Live clean n prosper