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ELEMI ESSENTIAL OIL (CANARIUM LUZONICUM) - ESSENTIAL OILS

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BASE / GENERAL DATA

Information submited: May 5, 2014 Modified: March 12, 2018 By: OperaDreamhouse
Canarium Luzonicum commonly known as Elemi, is a tree native to the Philippines, and an oleoresin harvested from it. Elemi resin is a pale yellow substance, of honey-like consistency. Aromatic Elemi oil is steam distilled from the resin. It is a fragrant resin with a sharp pine and lemon-like scent. One of the resin components is called amyrin.

Botanical Name:
Canarium luzonicum

Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled

Part Typically Used: The oleoresin

Color: Pale yellow colour.  Pale straw coloured essential oil

Consistency: Slightly oily feeling

Perfumery Note: Base

Strength of Initial Aroma: Pale yellow-white flowers. Woody and balsamic fragrance, with citrus and spicy overtones.

Canarium luzonicum is a tropical dioecious tree or shrub found in the primary forests of Luzon and other islands that make up the Philippines, where it is believed to have originated. It has a spreading habit, alternate pinnate leaves, and small pale yellow-white flowers. This species can easily reach a height of 30 metres. The tree exudes a pale yellow resin when the tree sprouts leaves. The resin solidifies on contact with the air and the resin stops flowing when the tree loses its leaves.

Elemi oleoresin is contained mostly in resin channels on the inside of the bark, and is produced mainly during the rainy season. Like other canarium trees it produces an almond shaped nut which is known locally as ''pili'', and the tree is called ''malapili''. Canarium luzonicum grows mainly in the Philippines, but it is also found in South and Central America, Australia, Brazil, India, the Malay Peninsula, and Moluccas.

Elemi was possibly one of the first aromatics used by the ancient Egyptians to embalm the dead, along with Frankincense, Myrrh, Galbanum and Lebanese Cedar. It is also documented that the Egyptians used it in their daily skincare preparations as well as in medicinal salves, poultices, unguents and incense.

As the oleoresin ages, it becomes waxy and yellow, losing most of its balsamic smell. Elemi essential oil is obtained by distillation of the oleoresin, and is colourless or a very pale yellow. It smells strongly balsamic, hot and aromatic, due to its main constituent, phellandrene.

Elemi resin is a pale yellow substance, of honey-like consistency. Aromatic Elemi oil is steam distilled from the resin. It is a fragrant resin with a sharp pine and lemon-like scent. One of the resin components is called amyrin. (The amyrins are a pair of closely related natural chemical compounds of the triterpene class. They are designated α-amyrin and β-amyrin. Each has the chemical formula C30 H50 O. They are widely distributed in nature and have been isolated from a variety of plant sources.).

Extraction:

The tappers cut into the trunk to remove oblong strips of bark using a wooden mallet and a single edged machete known locally as a 'bolo'. Subsequent strips of bark are removed every few days to stimulate the flow of exudate. The oleoresin is left to trickle down the bark where it becomes waxy, turning a pale yellow colour and resembling crystallized honey in consistency.

After harvesting, the oleoresin is steam distilled to release a colourless or pale straw coloured essential oil with a woody and balsamic fragrance, with citrus and spicy overtones.
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SPIRITUAL PRACTISES DATA

Information submited: February 19, 2015 Modified: March 12, 2018 By: OperaDreamhouse
Elemi essential oil open one to mystical experiences and assist in balancing and integrating spiritual and earthly energies.
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MEDICINE / HEALTH DATA

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