Coriander (CO2)

Distillation Method: CO2-to
Country of Origin: Russia
Plant Part: Seed
Latin Name: Coriandrum sativum
Cultivation: Certified Organic

• Therapeutic grade • Middle note • Warm, mildly spicy and woody aroma.
• Aromatherapy use: With the aroma of ground coriander seeds, the aroma of this oil may bring joy and creative energy. Useful for stomach conditions and lack of appetite. It's estrogen content may bring relieve to painful pms symptoms.

About the Oil: Our Coriander essential oil is an incredibly beautiful aromatic, perfectly distilled to retain the complexity of the spice. And we’ve just added a lovely CO₂ extract,which has more pronounced middle notes. Very highly recommended!

Note: CO2 extracts are generally used topically. CO₂ extracts have larger molecules compared to their steam-distilled counterparts. Some may not be suitable for use in a nebulizing diffuser (unless blended with a thinner oil) – though most will be just fine in an ‘ultrasonic’ unit.

About The Plant

Clove is a medium sized evergreen tree native to Indonesia. Clove buds are a widely used spice and flavor ingredient. Our Clove Bud essential oil is made from the immature buds and is the safest type of clove oil, but still should be use with caution (use in low dilution of 1% or less).

About The Oil

We offer two Clove essential oils: an organic CO2 processed oil, and a wild-grown steam distilled oil. The CO2 process benefits the distillation as it seems to with all spice oils, resulting in a more viscous and complex, yet more tenacious scent. It is the best choice for antimicrobial purposes. The Madagascar clove is simply wonderful, being spicy, warm and sweet. For aromatic purposes this is likely the best choice.

Due to its exceptional antioxidant capabilities and its efficacy as a dietary supplement (read cautions before ingestion), Clove Essential Oil has been included in many recipes for health and long life.

Of Interest

During the Renaissance, Clove oil was used to reduce the spread of epidemics and plague, thanks to its strong anti-microbial actions. In TCM, the oil was first used as a remedy for bad breath. Currently, the whole and ground spices are principally used for culinary spices, and to produce pickles and sauces. Indonesia is one of the largest consumers of cloves, mostly for the manufacture of the kretek cigarette.

Therapeutic Properties

THERAPEUTICS DESCRIBED BY AROMATHERAPY SPECIALISTS

From Chrissie Wildwood’s The Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy¹:

Analgesic
Antibiotic
Antirheumatic
Antioxidant
Carminative
Expectorant
Stimulant
Stomachic
From Salvatore Battaglia’s The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy²:

Antihistamine
Digestive stimulant
Mental tonic
Generates warmth
Beneficial for conditions associated with cold
Dynamic & self-assured
Full of energy

PROPERTIES OF CLOVE REPORTED IN PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH

Anti-inflammatory^3,4,5
Memory-enhancing³
Pain-blocking⁴
Regenerative⁵
Antioxidant⁶
Antifungal⁶
Detoxifying⁷
Anti-cancer^7,8,9

SUMMARY OF RESEARCH STUDIES

Clove essential oil was found to have significant pain-relieving and memory improving effects in mice.³
Clove essential oil showed anti-inflammatory and pain blocking activity in a study on rats, which the researchers cite as "support for the popular use of eugenol in folk medicine for some inflammatory and pain ailments."⁴
Clove essential oil exhibited significant anti-inflammatory and regeneration effects on human skin cells in vitro.⁵
An in vitro study found that clove essential oil has significantly stronger antioxidant activity than common synthetic antioxidants. It also showed strong antifungal activity.⁶
A number of the primary compounds found in clove essential oil were found to act as detoxifying agents in mouse liver and intestine, which supports the potential of clove as an anti-carcinogen.⁷
Eugenol extracted from clove essential oil induced cell death of leukemia cancer cells in vitro.⁸
Eugenol from clove oil was also found to reverse the spread of cervical cancer cells in vitro.⁹

Application

INHALATION

Direct inhalation, diffuser, oil vaporizer

TOPICAL

Massage, compress, ointment
Dilute to a solution of 1% or less, as Clove can be irritating to skin. Great for massaging sore joints.
A drop or two of Clove oil added to a cotton swab and applied directly to mouth sores or aching teeth alleviates pain for hours.

INGESTION

Add one or two drops to 4 ounces of water and gargle. Clove oil can also be consumed internally in the same fashion.

Aromatherapy Details

Clove essential oil is a yellow liquid with a spicy, warm, sweet aroma and a fresh top note.
Clove blends well with: Bay Laurel, Bergamot, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Nutmeg, Orange, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary, Vanilla, and Ylang Ylang. Clove mixed with Peppermint can help ward off drowsiness.

For measuring blends using % concentrations, or for measuring fractions of milliliters, see measuring essential oils. Also see our aromatherapy essential oils recipes page.

Safety

Clove Essential oil has been reported to be a dermal (skin) irritant, and sensitizer. When using topically, take care to heavily dilute blends with carrier oil. Always test a small amount of essential oil first for sensitivity or allergic reaction.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN; high doses of Clove oil can be near fatal, especially in small children.

If pregnant or nursing, seek the advice of your medical practitioner.

Can act as a blood thinner, and SHOULD BE AVOIDED IF USING A PRESCRIPTION BLOOD THINNER SUCH AS COUMARIN OR WARFARIN.

Eric's Extra Notes

Coriander Essential Oil is steam distilled from the seeds of a strongly aromatic hardy annual herb, growing about 1 meter high with bright-green leavens and dainty white flower as well as bunches of fruit that turn from green to brown as they ripen. Native to Europe and Western Asia, naturalized in North America, and cultivated throughout the world, the oil is mainly produced in Russia, Yugoslavia, and Romania.

Coriander has been a popular aromatic stimulant and culinary spice cultivated for over 3,000 years. Coriander is mentioned in all the medieval medical texts, by the Greeks, in the Bible, and by early Sanskrit writers. Indigenous to the Holy land, Coriander was compared by the Ancient Hebrews to the manna provided by God to the Children of Israel and was one of the bitter herbs eaten during Passover. The Ancient Egyptians believed it to the 'secret to happiness' and combined it with fresh garlic in wine to be drunk as an aphrodisiac. In fact, Coriander seeds were found in the tomb of Ramses II.

The seeds and leaves are widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. A featured herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a tonic of the Stomach and Heart, the herb in Ancient China was thought to promote longevity and ease pain. Traditionally classified as an herb of protection, Coriander oil imbues a feeling of peace, security, and steadfastness all of which are related to the earth element.

Energetically, Coriander oil is warm and dry in nature sharing many of the same digestive, carminative properties as other essential oils distilled from Umbelliferae plants; caraway and fennel included. In addition, Coriander has a slightly spicy and musky odor that is often described as euphoric and balanced the fire element with a sense of calm joy and creative energy. Similar to Cardamom, Coriander seed oil strengthens the function of the Spleen-pancreas and Stomach, and therefore invigorates the intellect. Coriander essential oil may help with respiratory infections, gout, measles, skin conditions &#40acne, psoriasis, and dermatitis).

Coriander assists in circulating Qi-energy in the Stomach and inner ecology making it an excellent digestive antispasmodic that is useful in instances of poor appetite, indigestion, nausea, and flatulence. It can also assist in circulating the Qi and dispersing of cold in cases of painful obstruction-the energetic condition now described as osteoarthritis, neuralgia, and rheumatic pain as well as muscle aches and pains.

Due to its estrogen content, Coriander oil may regulate and help control pain related to menstruation. Fortifying both the Qi and the nerves, the oil is indicated for general debility, mental fatigue, and nervous exhaustion as well as headaches and various other generalized stress patterns.