Also known as West Indian Bay this Bay is not to be confused with Laurus Nobilis or Sweet Bay which is a different species. The fruits of Bay are an ingredient of Allspice. The essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the plant but is also both warming & aromatic. West Indian Bay is the main ingredient of the old-fashioned Bay Rum hair tonic which was said to stimulate hair growth & help with greasy or problem hair. For a home-made hair tonic try adding two or three drops of Bay to your usual shampoo or conditioner. Alternatively blend 3 drops with a teaspoon of vodka (to dilute) add to warm water & use as the final rinse after shampooing. Bay has a high Eugenol content which makes it irritating to mucous membranes it should not therefore be used in the bath & should be used in moderation & not on young children. For a winter-warming aroma try adding 2 drops of Bay 1 drop of Cinnamon & 3 drops of Sweet Orange to a burner or diffuser. ...

The two main types of Benzoin are Siam (styrax tonkinensis) & Sumatra (styrax benzoin). The Sumatran type is much cheaper to produce & coarser than the superior Siam quality. As Benzoin is a resinoid it comes in solid form. Absolute Aromas has used an odourless diluent
- benzyl benzoate
- to liquefy it so that it is practical to use. Even diluted to 40% it can still solidify easily & the bottle may be warmed in the hands before use. Benzoin is balsamic warming & penetrating but gentle. It is useful for all the family particularly during the winter months when it is ideal to be used in steam inhalations as well as in baths or massage blends for dry or weather-worn skin. In a steam inhalation try blending with Eucalyptus (especially Eucalyptus Radiata for children) Tea Tree or Frankincense. As a treat for weather-worn skin (gardeners windsurfers etc take note!) add a 2 drops each of Benzoin Lavender & Orange to a jar of unfragranced hand cream or to 10ml of Sweet Almond oil & massage in thoroughly.

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The two main types of Benzoin are Siam (styrax tonkinensis) & Sumatra (styrax benzoin). The Sumatran type is much cheaper to produce & coarser than the superior Siam quality. As Benzoin is a resinoid it comes in solid form. Absolute Aromas has used an odourless diluent
- benzyl benzoate
- to liquefy it so that it is practical to use. Even diluted to 40% it can still solidify easily & the bottle may be warmed in the hands before use. Benzoin is balsamic warming & penetrating but gentle. It is useful for all the family particularly during the winter months when it is ideal to be used in steam inhalations as well as in baths or massage blends for dry or weather-worn skin. In a steam inhalation try blending with Eucalyptus (especially Eucalyptus Radiata for children) Tea Tree or Frankincense. As a treat for weather-worn skin (gardeners windsurfers etc take note!) add a 2 drops each of Benzoin Lavender & Orange to a jar of unfragranced hand cream or to 10ml of Sweet Almond oil & massage in thoroughly.

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Expressed from the peel of the Bergamot fruit this Bergamot oil is FCF (Furocoumarin-free also known as bergaptene-free). The bergaptene content of the full version of this oil causes photosensitivity ie it should not be used on the skin before exposure to sunlight or UV sunbeds. Absolute Aromas has this Bergamot oil re-distilled in the UK to remove the waxes & terpenes including bergaptene. After distillation the oil is clear compared with the deep green colour of the original oil & is safer to use on the skin. A really special rounded citrus aroma Bergamot is the perfect oil to help lift that Monday-morning feeling any day of the week! Try adding 20 drops to a bottle of unfragranced shower gel to give you get up & go in the mornings. Bergamot is also strongly anti-septic cleansing & astringent & is therefore ideal in skincare for oily or problem skin – try 2 drops each of Bergamot & Ylang Ylang in 10ml of Jojoba oil as an alternative to a moisturiser for spotty or problem skin. ...

Expressed from the peel of the Bergamot fruit this Bergamot oil is FCF (Furocoumarin-free also known as bergaptene-free). The bergaptene content of the full version of this oil causes photosensitivity ie it should not be used on the skin before exposure to sunlight or UV sunbeds. Absolute Aromas has this Bergamot oil re-distilled in the UK to remove the waxes & terpenes including bergaptene. After distillation the oil is clear compared with the deep green colour of the original oil & is safer to use on the skin. A really special rounded citrus aroma Bergamot is the perfect oil to help lift that Monday-morning feeling any day of the week! Try adding 20 drops to a bottle of unfragranced shower gel to give you get up & go in the mornings. Bergamot is also strongly anti-septic cleansing & astringent & is therefore ideal in skincare for oily or problem skin – try 2 drops each of Bergamot & Ylang Ylang in 10ml of Jojoba oil as an alternative to a moisturiser for spotty or problem skin. ...

Expressed from the peel of the Bergamot fruit the bergaptene content of this oil causes photosensitivity in sunlight. It is recommended for use in massage only by qualified aromatherapists but is ideal for the home oil burner/diffuser. Absolute Aromas also stocks a bergaptene-free Bergamot known as Bergamot FCF which is safer for use on the skin. A really special rounded citrus aroma Bergamot is the perfect oil to help lift that Monday-morning feeling any day of the week! Try adding 20 drops to a bottle of unfragranced shower gel to give you get up & go in the mornings. Bergamot is strongly anti-septic use in a burner to cleanse & uplift a room’s atmosphere. Experiment by blending with the other citrus oils Cedarwood Frankincense Lavender or Clary Sage. ...