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 and dealing with respiratory issues [2].

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 Health

It 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.

It Protects The Skin From Infections

Elemi oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties protecting skin from infections and thus promotes healthy skin. It is highly useful for people with sensitive skin.

Elemi Oil For Youthful Skin

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

It 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.

Elemi Oil Treats Skin Wounds

Elemi oil also fights the signs of skin ailments caused by disease-causing microbes like cuts, scrapes, and burns in order to prevent infection. It gives relief from infections skin conditions.

Oil for 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.

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.

Elemi Oil for Healthy Life

Protects the Body Against Pathogens

Elemi oil has many health benefits as well. This oils antiseptic characteristics helps in developing a shield to protect against all the viruses, bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms. One of the many uses of elemi oil is to heal harsh wounds [3].

Boosts Digestive Functions

Elemi oil is also good for proper functioning of digestive system as it promotes better circulation and hormonal releases that are necessary for digestive system.

Oil Good for nervous System

The nervous system runs our body and using this Elemi essential oil stimulates nerve reactions which help in jump-starting the body. This can help the holistic health of our body and increase the natural functioning of its systems [4]. 

Pain Relieving Oil

Elemi oil has the ability to release users from different sorts of pain like muscular pain, back aches and even sometimes extreme headaches. Elemi oil has properties to offer relief and relaxation in muscular fatigue.

It Brings Down Fever

This oil is beneficial in high fever as it naturally brings down the fever without any adverse side effects [5].

Essential Oil For Coughs

One of the common benefits of elemi oil is seen in coughing and other respiratory congestion issues. It also has the ability to give relief from chronic coughs and respiratory tract infections

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 energised 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

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.

Anti-ageing 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 link fine lines and wrinkles. It is found as an important ingredient in many cosmetics.

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. 

Treats Skin Infections

Many bacterial infections cause skin damage. Elemi oil has antiseptic and antibacterial properties and thus can be used for fighting skin infections [10]. 

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.

Elemi Oil For Wounds And Pain Treatment

Essential Oil for Back Pain

The pain-reducing elements of the oil help it become one of the best oils for people with any sore parts of their body. Many people use Elemi oil on their backs to reduce back aches.

An Excellent Oil For Outdoors

For people who love being outdoors and are sporty, this oil can help reduce tension in your muscles and body.

Massage Oil for Joints

As a massage oil, Elemi oil works as a miracle oil in improving all your bodily joints and movements. It has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the swelling and pain in the joints.

Improves Respiratory Health Conditions

Elemi Oil Eases Breathing

One of the common use of elemi oil is seen in treating respiratory issues. It helps release congestion and promotes easy breathing.

It is Used to Boost Immunity

Elemi oil can also support a stronger immune system to assist you to avoid becoming sick. Its therapeutic properties lower the pressure on the immune system, thus making it stronger.

Used to Combat Nerve Pain

It can also be used to relax nervous systems giving a refreshing experience to the users. The oil is mixed with carrier oils and applied along the nerve path.

Treat Colds and Coughs with Elemi Essential OIl

Elemi, a less popular expectorant essential oil, helps ease irritated airways to treat chest colds and coughs. Use an essential oil diffuser to diffuse the oil and clear your nasal passageway [7].

Applied Topically To Ease Breathing

Elemi oil can also be used in the form of vapour rub to get relief from congestion. Please ensure this oil is adequately diluted and then apply it. Take a deep breath and apply it to your chest. Be careful if you have sensitive skin.

Traditional Uses Of Elemi Oil

Elemi Oil For Health

The elemi tree stems comes 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.

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.

Ancient Analgesic Uses of Elemi Oil

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

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.

Alternative Medicine

It is a trusty alternative to conventional medical practices and has been used for centuries. It acts a complementary solution for several ailments.

Improves Skin Elasticity And Radiance

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].

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.

Elemi Oil Promotes Stimulation

It Regulates and Balances Hormones

We all have hormones constantly running rampant in our bodies. The secretion and movement of these in our body are aided and created by the endocrine glands. This can also be regulated and stimulated with the help of elemi oil

It Boosts Stomach Functions

Even gastronomical activities which moderate the digestive system can be aided using Elemi essential oil.

Promotes Other Body Functions

When evaluated, it was found that our body is stimulated by the usage of Elemi oil. Cosmetics to family medicine use this oil to aid the breathing, circulatory and menstrual functioning of our body.

How To Use Elemi Essential Oil?

• It can be directly inhaled or diffused to enjoy a meditative environment

• It can be added or mixed with serum, moisturizers, or other facial essences in order to get a healthy and glowing skin

• For all those people who feel heavy fatigue, aromatherapy using essential oils can help counter that and bring emotional calmness.

• It can be used directly on spots and blemishes

• It can be used directly to massage on affected areas like in case of headaches and body aches

• It can be applied on temples, crown region, ear lobes, etc. to enjoy its refreshing fragrance

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.

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 very vary 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.