Elemi Essential Oil : Benefits, Uses, DIY Recipe And Precautions

What Is Elemi Essential Oil?

Elemi essential oil is achieved through the process called steam distillation of resin. This resin is taken from the tree whose botanical name is Canarium luzonicum, one of the Asian trees and is native to the Philippines [1]. The oils achieved through the distillation process have many health benefits, especially for healing wounds.

What Are The Benefits Of Elemi Essential Oil?

There are several benefits of elemi essential oil ranging from its use in skincare, healthcare, and dealing with anti-ageing, aromatherapy etc.

Elemi Essential Oil For Skin

1. Help Reverses The Damage To the Skin

One of the major benefits of elemi essential oil is seen for skincare. Today, the lifestyle of people has become very hectic and the increasing pollution and dirt causes a lot of damage to their skin.

So, they intend to detox their skin from time to time but in an easy and convenient manner. Elemi oil has many medicinal benefits and has the ability to fight free radicals and reduce the chances of breakouts. It is also useful for users who wish to have even skin tone. Elemi oil removes impurities from the skin giving a rejuvenated look.

2. Promotes Youthful Skin

Elemi essential oil also possesses age-defying properties and helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles giving a much healthier younger-looking skin.

3. Soothes The Skin

Elemi oil contains monoterpenes which is also found in frankincense essential oil and myrrh essential oil, and this has the ability to offer calmness to the user as it relaxes the skin tissues.

4. Improves Skin Tone

Elemi oil evens the skin tone giving a glowing and hydrated look. It also helps in fighting acne and reducing blemishes and acne scars leaving a brighter and even skin.

5. Hydrates and Nourishes Skin

Elemi oil is known for its water retention properties and this makes the skin much more hydrated, nourished and moisturized. It can solve the issue of dry skin.

Elemi Oil Promotes Calmness

Oil for Meditation

All those people invested in the deep-rooted beliefs of manifestation and meditation would love using the refreshing and rustic elemi essential oil. It is perfect for grounding people in themselves and their inner selves.

What Are The Uses Of Elemi Essential Oil?

Elemi oil has all the necessary chemical and biological compositions for reducing skin conditions, healing our fatigues, ending breathing difficulties and even helping you feel energized and fit again. With all its versatility, listed below are a few ways to hack the system and use this amazing oil:

Elemi Oil For Skincare

1. Oil for Dry Skin

Elemi oil deeply moisturizes the skin and gives it a soft and smooth look. This oil is beneficial for those with dry skin. The oil keeps the skin moisturized for a long period of time.

2. Age defying Oil

Elemi oil has the ability to improve water retention of skin thus making the skin much more moisturized and healthy. It also fights the signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles. It is found as an important ingredient in many cosmetics.

3. Elemi Oil for Blemishes

It treats spots and blemishes to give a supple and radiant skin [6]. The oil is mixed with carrier oil or other creams and lotion and left on the skin for at least half an hour.

How To Use Elemi Oil As Moisturizer for Skin

To give your skin the moisture it needs, here's a hack. Take a few drops of your favorite skin cream or lotion and mix it with some Elemi essential oil. Once it is fully mixed, gently rub it into your face and watch the magic happen!

• Per 5ml of moisturizer or carrier oil, use no more than 4 to 5 drops.
• Massage the mixture all over the skin, then pat it dry or let it absorb completely.

*Note- Before applying to your body make sure to do a patch test for your safety.

Traditional Uses Of Elemi Oil

1. Elemi Oil For Health

The elemi tree stems come from the same botanical family as frankincense [8]. This Elemi tree has been long witnessed as a traditional remedy to a lot of problems related to skin, and body ailments.

2. Religious Use of Elemi

A lot of religious institutions also believe in this botanical family and often use these oils for skin care, wound healing and mix it with other oils to offer to their sacred gods.

3. Ancient Analgesic Uses of Elemi Oil

The tangy sweet aroma is associated with ancient Egypt and their belief in the oil's analgesic properties.

5. Rejuvenating Properties

It is a rejuvenating powerhouse which is responsible to cure and treat many customers who use it for spot treatment and wound care.

Improves Skin Elasticity And Radiance

1. Ingredient For Cosmetics

Big brands like Chanel add a bit of Elemi to their recipes purely because of how beneficial the oil is. To lift and pump your skin, Elemi oil increases your collagen production and gives you tighter skin [9].

2. Maintains Skin Elasticity

In addition to reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and crow's feet, it will tone the skin and make it tighter. It maintains the skin’s elasticity.

Aromatherapy Vapor Rub With Elemi

This vapour rub is a great sleep cough cure since it can reduce coughing, remove phlegm, and ease chest congestion. It is used to treat cold and flu as well [11]. Following is the procedure to perform aromatherapy vapor rub by using elemi essential oil:

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces of your favourite wax

• ½ ounce organic butter

• Fractionated Coconut, 1 oz.

• Elemi essential oil drops

• Glass Jar, 4 ounces

Procedure:

• Melt and combine the Shea Butter and Soy Wax in a double boiler.

• The combination should be taken off the fire and allowed to cool.

• Add the carrier oil made from fractionated coconut and the essential oil gradually.

• Transfer the mixture to a Glass Jar once it has been thoroughly mixed.

• Store in a cool and dry environment.

• Please ensure your safety while making the same.

African Elemi Benefits

Elemi is native to the Philippines, but there is another species of the oleoresin present in a different part of the world – Africa (Uganda, Mali Nigeria and Angola). The large tree is botanically called Canarium schweinfurthii. It has several other names including African elemi, bush candle and African olive. In West Africa, the bluish-purple resin from the plant is used for spiritual practices and for fumigating homes. African elemi also has several other benefits.

The plant belongs to the Burseraceae family of trees, the same as the uber beneficial Frankincense. The African elemi oil is extracted from the fruit of the tree. The green-colored oil has been to prepare traditional cuisines. However, the oil is nutritious and contains oleic acid and limonene, which are known for its terrific effect on skin health 

African Elemi Oil Benefits & Uses

1. African Elemi Oil Benefit for Stomach Health

African elemi has been used traditionally in herbal medicines to deal with stomach-related ailments. The essential oil version of the oleoresin can be used to massage stomach to get relief from any distress. However, it is not to be used in lieu of any medicines.

2. African Elemi Oil Benefit for Breathing

Essential oils are renowned for their aroma and elemi oil is no different. Diffuse the oil in the room and inhale its aroma deeply to create a positive breathing experience. It can be diluted in a bowl of hot water and the steam can be inhaled.

3. African Elemi Oil Benefit for Skin

African elemi oil is used as an ingredient in many cosmetic products due to its benefits for the skin. The oil can be diluted and included in daily skincare routine. Elemi oil provides the skin with moisture.

4. African Elemi Oil Benefit for Healing

Diluted essential oil of African elemi has the ability of healing the skin and is applied on wounds. However, it should only be used on minor wounds. In case of major wounds or burns consult a physician.

DIY Recipes with Elemi Essential Oil

Recipe #1 - Super Aphrodisiac Spray

Ingredients

• Spritzer or spray bottle
• 4 drops of elemi essential oil
• 4 drops of neroli essential oil
• 8 drops of bergamot essential oil
• 6 drops of coriander essential oil
• 5 drops of wild orange essential oil
• 2 drops of cardamom essential oil

Instructions

• Add all the ingredients in the spray bottles.
• Always shake well before use.
• Use it in the bedroom to fire up your romance.

Recipe #2 - Summertime Diffuser Blend

Ingredients

• 6 drops of elemi essential oil
• 3 drops of ylang ylang essential oil
• 3 drops of lavender essential oil
• 4 drops of geranium essential oil

Instructions

• Add these oils in an aroma diffuser to experience the joy of spring time.

Recipe #3 - Essential Oil Blend After Long Day’s Work

Ingredients

• 3 drops of cedarwood essential oil
• 3 drops of lemongrass essential oil
• 5 drops of elemi essential oil
• 6 drops of cypress essential oil

Instructions

• Add these oils in an aroma diffuser to experience the joy of spring time.

Can Elemi Essential Oil Be Used For Animals?

Essential oils are very beneficial for human beings, but this might not be necessary for animals. One animal however that appreciates the goodness of Elemi essential oil is horses, who find a lot of tranquillity in the oil itself.

A few ways to give the oil to them are:

• Pour very few drops of the oil on your own hand and let the animal take a small whiff of the oil through its nose. Ensure no oil gets inside their mouth.

• Apply a very small amount of dilute essential oil to your hand and slowly massage it onto its non-sensitive parts.

What Are Some of The Precautions Related to The Use of Elemi Oil?

• It is truly important to take note of how you use essential oils in your daily life.
• Essential oils are responsible for a lot of mishaps if used incorrectly therefore proper guidance is required.
• As essential oils are made from potent materials pregnant women, old people and young children should be wary of using them.
• Essential oil safety is a key part of using any essential oil. This oil can make skin more sensitive and may include methyl eugenol.
• Never apply undiluted essential oils to mucous membranes such as the eyes. If you are not dealing with a licensed and knowledgeable practitioner, avoid taking it internally.
• Keep children at a distance. Harmful chemicals should never be missed with essential oils. Skin irritation is common hence a patch test is mandatory.
• Apply a little amount of diluted essential oil to your inner arm or back as a patch test before using topically, then cover the area with a bandage. If there is any irritation, wash the area. It is safe to use on your skin if there is no irritability after 48 hours.
• Please contact a health care practitioner or medical practitioner in case of any reaction.
• If possible, consult a doctor before you start using any essential oils.