CUBEB AND CANANGA ESSENTIAL OILS FROM BALI, OH LA LA

Bali, one of the jewels of Indonesia, is a world producer of
rice and a producer of fine essential oils.

After travelling, one of the most fun things to do is to talk to people who just came back from a trip. A student recently went to Bali and brought back cubeb and cananga (ylang ylang) essential oils. Thanks Chantal for this amazing sensory experience. The names sound so exotic don’t they! As are their scents! I wish they could cross cyberspace to reach your nose. So far, only nature has really mastered the ability to create perfumes that truly can touch the soul and give a sense of connection with the world and with the self. And at this time of year, these essences and other wonderful essential oils have the ability to generously keep us warm as the fall and winter seasons are already at our doorstep.

Cubeb

Opening a bottle of cubeb essential oil definitely warms the heart and the senses. Not too surprising since the seed is known as Java pepper. 

Although the taste of cubeb is described as pungent, acrid, slightly bitter and persistent I find the aroma of the essential oil much sweeter, mellow and round than pepper’s. Imagine a mellow Pitta person and you'll get a good sense of the plant's nature. I tell you, that scent alone is a great incentive to plan a trip to this dream destination.

Given it’s properties to heal the throat, bad breath, vocal cords and cough, it looks like a good friend for the throat chakra. A keeper for singers, story tellers, teachers, politicians and anyone who expresses their gifts to the world through speech. This one will definitely be among essential oils presented for selection at the Aromas for writing and music lovers coming up on October 11 and November 15.

The spice is said to taste somewhere
between black pepper and allspice.

In its herbal form, Tibetan doctors used to treat the spleen. The Chinese valued it to restore appetite and darken the hair. Arab physicians used it with other ingredients, including ylang ylang, to prepare aphrodisiac remedies. In England it was used to treat infertility, ghonorrea, infections of the urinary tract, and even (though not by doctors) in love sachets, spells and exorcism.

Cananga

The cananga essential oil Chantal brought is more subtle but just as sweet and luxurious than any other I’ve ever smelled. Hawaiian women use it to add fragrance in coconut oil and to make mwarmwars (head garlands), in a fashion similar to Polynesian woman who make leis and crush the tiare flower in coconut to make monoi.

The cananga flower, the star of Bali.

I would say that ylang ylang is Pitta-Kapha in nature. Various parts of the plant have been used to treat stomach ailments, travel sickness, malaria, asthma, depression, distressed breathing, high blood pressure, anxiety, and as an aphrodisiac, a laxative and an anti-bacterial. Shamans and other recent healers used it to ward off evil spirits. Its essential oil is extracted from the root, which looks like ginger (belongs to that family too). 

Since the powers of procreation and creativity come from the same source in the 2^nd chakra, my assumption is that, again, this essential oil would be great to inspire artists and art lovers of all description. A definite asset for anyone seeking to quieten the mind and connect with the body.

Mother Nature is so bountiful and caring! Imagine creating medication that smells that delightful! But even better, imagine what YOU could create by simply trying it on.

Interested in exploring the arts with aromatherapy for fun or for professional benefits? Contact me at info@facetograce.com and we’ll develop a program for you with results above and beyond your expectations.