Native to India, now growing in Brazil, Guatemala, Madagascar, Indonesia,
Africa. It is a wild growing, herbaceous green and straw-colored grass, with
long slender stems, terminal flowering tops and fragrant grassy leaves.
There are two varieties of grass from which the oil can be extracted - motia
and sofia.
Description of Palmrosa essential:
A perennial, sweet scented grass, 1.5-2.5 m in height. Leaves linear
lanceolate, finely caudate, flowers in spikelets turning reddish brown when
mature. Palmarosa is a bright and cheerful oil with slightly floral and
woodsy notes and just a hint of citrus undertones. Palmarosa is such a
refreshing addition to any massage or facial because it is uplifting and
cleansing at the same time.
Appearance : Liquid
Aroma : Soft, Fresh, Citrus, Green and Rose-like
Color : Colorless to pale yellow
Chemical constituents: Palmrosa oil has various chemical
compounds that include myrcene, linalool, geraniol, geranyl acetate,
dipentene and limonene.
Extraction: It is extracted by the hydro distillation of
fresh leaves.
Aromatherapy uses:
The therapeutic properties of Palmarosa oil are antiseptic, antiviral,
hydrating, cools body, bactericide, cytophylactic, digestive, cicatrizant,
cellular stimulant, , tonic (nervous and uterine) febrifuge and hydrating.
Pharmaceutical uses:
It is used to counter physical and nervous exhaustion, stress-related
problems and nervousness. It is most useful during convalescence and cools
the body of fever, while aiding the digestive system, helping to clear
intestinal infection, digestive atonia and anorexia nervosa. It is effective
in relieving sore, stiff muscles. Palmarosa is beneficial for use in facials
and is a gentle, effective treatment for acne. Palmarosa oil moisturizes the
skin, while balancing the hydration levels and stimulating cell
regeneration. Palmarosa oil is useful in bronchitis, otitis, sinusitis,
digestive atonia, intestinal infections, poor appetite, cystitis, vaginitis,
acne, athlete's foot, broken capillaries, dermatitis, dry skin, inflamed
skin, insect repellent, scalp conditioner, scars, minor skin infections.
Palmarosa oil calms the mind, yet has an uplifting effect, while clearing
muddled thinking. It is used to counter physical and nervous exhaustion,
stress-related problems and nervousness. It is most useful during
convalescence and cools the body of fever, while aiding the digestive
system, helping to clear intestinal infection, digestive atonia and anorexia
nervosa. It is effective in relieving sore, stiff muscles. Palmarosa oil
moisturizes the skin, while balancing the hydration levels and stimulating
cell regeneration. It balances production of sebum, to keep the skin supple
and elastic and is valuable for use with acne, dermatitis, preventing
scarring, rejuvenating and regenerating the skin, as well as fighting minor
skin infections, sore tired feet and athlete's foot.
Cosmetics and Toiletries
Palmarosa oil could be used with good effect on the skin, for nervous and
stress-related problems and for the digestive system. It is also used in
various toiletries preparations.
Burners and vaporizers
In vapor therapy, palmarosa oil can help during convalescence. It relieves
fatigue, nervousness, exhaustion and stress, while having an uplifting
effect on the mind and clearing muddled thoughts.
Blended massage oil or in the bath :
In a blended massage oil or diluted in the bath, palmarosa oil can be used
on convalescent patients, to fight exhaustion, fatigue, nervousness, stress,
bolstering the digestive system, while boosting the health of the skin.
Wash, lotions and creams Palmarosa oil can help clear up
infections and prevent scarring when added to the water used to wash the
wound. When included in creams and lotions, it has a moisturizing and
hydrating effect on the skin, which is great to fight wrinkles. It also
balances the natural secretion of sebum which keeps the skin supple and
elastic.
On cellular level, it helps with the formation of new tissue and for that
reason is great for rejuvenating and regenerating the skin. It is most
useful when fighting a dry skin and to sort out skin infections. Some people
find that they have great results when applying palmarosa oil neat to the
affected area of athlete's foot.
Perfumery
It is used extensively as a fragrance component in cosmetics, perfumes and
especially soaps due to its excellent tenacity. It is recommended as an oil
to diffuse during flu epidemics. Its action against viral illnesses and
bacteria - coupled with the attractive smell - make it a great oil to use to
disinfect a room. Palmarosa oil is widely used in soaps and lotion bases. It
is used for bath and shower gel, bubble bath, conditioner, hand and body
lotion, shampoos and liquid castille soaps.
It is also used in making floral waters. Each of these floral waters can be
added to a bath, added to the manufacturing process in place of normal
water, used as a deodorant, facial spritzers, room sprays, linen sprays and
for direct application to the skin, as a cooling agent, in saunas, in hair
care applications, as a fragrance or for massage.
Palmarosa oil blends well with roseoil, ylang-ylang and lavender.
