The Fragrance of Refreshing Sunny Days

The family of fragrant myrtle plants includes the species-rich genus of evergreen eucalyptus or blue gum trees. They are native to Australia, Tasmania and Indonesia. Eucalyptus globulus or the “fever tree” is perhaps the best-known species of eucalyptus, and is cultivated in many parts of the world. The essential oils contained in the leaves of the eucalyptus tree provide excellent protection against insects and other animals. Only the koala bear has adapted its digestion to this special food, and feeds exclusively on it. At high temperatures, the essential oils evaporate from the leaves of the plant to form a fine mist that shimmers like a blue haze above mountains in Australia, hence their name “Blue Mountains”. Eucalyptus has the ability to transform that which is earthy and watery into the airy and fiery. Eucalyptus oil has a cooling effect on the skin and a refreshing and invigorating effect on our thoughts.

The epitome of summer, sun and holidays in Provence. Its blossoms cast whole landscapes in bright purple, and give off a wonderfully clear, aromatically floral to sweet balsamic fragrance that radiates cleanliness and freshness. It’s not by chance that lavender oil, with its anti-bacterial properties, is a popular ingredient in soaps and cleaning products. Indeed, lavender oil is considered a veritable jack-of-all-trades of aromatherapy, offering a broad spectrum of applications like no other. Its fragrance is both mild and invigorating. It relaxes and calms against stress, but is also refreshing and stimulating to counter tiredness and fatigue. True lavender grows wild in southern France at higher altitudes. It is also cultivated on larger plantations in Moldova and Bulgaria. 
 

“It smells like lemon!” That’s what people usually say when they smell Litsea cubeba. But the plant is not even related to the citrus trees, instead belonging to the laurel family. Litsea cubeba, also called May Chang, comes from Southeast Asia and grows as a shrub or small tree at altitudes up to 3,000 metres above sea level. The essential oil is won from the plant’s ripe fruit – black berries around five millimetres large which look similar to peppercorns. The scent ranges from lemony-fresh to sweet and balsamic; it refreshes the spirit and enlivens our senses. The oil owes its citrus note to the intense smell of a substance called citral, which is present in such high concentrations in few other oils. Indeed, litsea oil has around ten times more citral than lemon oil, and far surpasses its fragrance intensity.

The scent of Roman chamomile (Latin name: Chamaemelum nobile) differs significantly from the smell of the easily recognisable, typical “chamomile scent” of German or “true” chamomile. Roman chamomile has a warm, sweet floral smell, almost like honey. Mild yet intense, it brings to mind a wildflower meadow in midsummer. It’s hard to believe that the essential oils of these two very different plant species are so often confused. Not only are they markedly different in terms of their fragrance but also their composition and effect. Roman chamomile brings comfort to the soul. Like the first warm rays of sunshine in spring, its fragrance helps to release emotional tension, soothing our spirits. The essential oil of Roman chamomile is also very skin friendly and often used in preparations for sensitive or slightly inflamed skin.