Guaiac Tree - Beneficial Properties And Uses Of Guaiac Tree Essential Oil

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Guaiac tree

Benefits and Uses of Guaiac Essential Oil

Guaiac tree

The guaiac tree is an evergreen tropical tree with a height of up to 15 meters. The tree grows slowly, drought-resistant. The guaiac tree belongs to the parifolia family. With its many long, curved branches, the tree looks like a large dome. It grows in large numbers in America. The dark green leaves are opposite each other. After 25 years from the date of planting the tree, it begins to bear fruit. The flowering of the tree begins in spring and lasts about a month, beautiful white flowers appear on the tree, having a purple or light blue color. Over time, the flowers turn white. Each long peduncle has a flower of 5 petals. Flowers in the amount of 5-10 pieces are collected in inflorescences, which in appearance cannot be distinguished from inflorescences of a simple cherry.

The fruit of the guaiac tree is a fleshy yellow-orange (light brown) berry containing two black seeds. When the fruit ripens, it opens into two parts and the seeds of the fruit appear for everyone to see. From one kilogram of the fruit of this tree, about 3500 puffed seeds are obtained.

The tree has wood that sinks in water due to its weight. As soon as the bark is removed from the tree, it is whitish-gray in color, but over time it will turn greenish: this is due to the fact that resin is oxidized inside the bark. The bark of a tree, 5 mm thick, is the densest and most resistant to decay.

Guaiac essential oil

The essential oil of this tree is obtained from heartwood using a distillation method. This oil has a very amazing sensual and pleasant aroma. Its aroma combines strong notes of tea rose with a delicate shade of smoke, and there is very little aroma of violets, which is why this oil is used as an imitator of the aroma of violets, roses and many other smells.

The oil can be mixed with various ingredients, for example, in combination with jasmine absolute and white cognac essential oil, it gives the smell of prunes with oriental fruits. And if you mix the essential oils of guaiac tree with vetiver, cedar and frankincense, then from oriental, smoky and hot tones you get an "expensive" men's perfume.

Guaiac essential oil has anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic effects on the human body. It improves blood circulation by helping to cleanse the blood. It is used by nursing mothers who want to increase lactation. Guaiac oil relaxes, relieves stress, promotes meditation. In addition to all this, guaiac essential oil is considered a very powerful aphrodisiac.

Essential oil is used not only in traditional medicine, but it has also found application in the industrial field, for example, it is used in the production of soap, drinks and even some food products.

As for whether guaiac oil is dangerous, the answer is clear: no! It is non-toxic, non-irritating to the skin and non-phototoxic. The only drawback of using this oil is that lethargy and inattention can appear.

Medicinal properties and uses of guaiac wood

The guaiac tree contains many medicinal substances, due to the presence of which this plant has even been called the “tree of life”. This tree improves metabolism, normalizing the functions of the skin, kidneys and intestines. Guaiac wood is used in the form of infusions and decoctions. Decoctions from this plant are used for syphilis, aches, rheumatism, uterine upset and many other diseases. In case of metabolic disorders, guaiac wood is added to various mixed teas, excellent and quickly helping to cope with the problem of metabolic disorders.

Contraindications to the use of guaiac wood

Children under two years of age are strictly prohibited from taking guaiac wood products. Pregnant and lactating mothers should also avoid taking medications from this plant. People who have any disease of the chronic type with regards to the gastrointestinal tract are not allowed to use guaiac wood for treatment.

If taking guaiac wood products lasts two weeks, and there is no improvement, then you need to see a doctor. Observe the dosage of taking medications!

The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist

Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).