Home / Herbalist / Guaiac wood

Guaiac wood

Useful properties and applications of the essential oil of guaiac wood


Guaiac wood

Guaiac wood is a tropical evergreen tree, which reaches up to 15 meters. The tree grows slowly and is resistant to drought. Guaiac wood belongs to the family zygophyllaceae. Thanks to many long, curved branches of the tree like a big dome. In large quantities it grows in America. Dark green leaves are arranged oppositely from each other. After 25 years from the date of planting the tree it begins to bear fruit. Flowering tree starts from spring and lasts about a month, the tree has beautiful white flowers with purple or light blue color. Over time, the flowers turn white. On each long peduncle is the flower consisting of 5 petals. Flowers in number of 5-10 pieces in racemes, which look not unlike inflorescences simple cherry.

The fruit of guaiac wood – a fleshy yellow-orange (light brown) in color berry that contains two seeds of black color. When the fruit is ripe, it reveals into two parts and all on display appear the seeds of the fruit. From one kilogram of the fruit of the tree would be about 3500 aerial seeds.

The tree has wood, sinking in water because of its severity. Once the tree bark is removed, it is whitish-gray in color, but over time it will become greenish hue: it is due to the fact that the inside of the crust is oxidized resin. Tree bark thickness of 5 mm is the most dense and resistant to decay.


Essential oil of guaiac wood

The essential oil of this wood is produced from pith of the wood, applying the method of distillation. This oil has a very sensual and pleasant fragrance. Its aroma is strong notes of tea rose with a delicate hint of smoke, and there is quite a bit of the scent of violets, which is why this oil is used as a simulator of the aroma of violets, roses and many other odors.

Oil can be mixed with different ingredients, for example, combined with Jasmine absolute and essential oil of white brandy, he gives the smell of prunes with the Eastern fruit. And if you mix essential oils of guaiac wood with vetiver, cedar and incense of the East, smoky and hot tones get expensive men's fragrance.

Essential oil of guaiac wood has anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic action on the human body. It improves blood circulation, helping to cleanse the blood. It is used by nursing mothers who wish to increase lactation. Oil guaca relaxes, relievesnervous tension, promotes meditation. Besides all this, the essential oil of guaiac wood is considered a very powerful aphrodisiac.

The essential oil is used not only in folk medicine, but also it has found application in the industrial sector, for example, it is used in the production of soap, beverages and even certain foods.

As for is it dangerous oil of guaiac wood, the answer is simple: no! It is not toxic, does not irritate the skin and has no phototoxicity. The only downside of using this oil is that there may be apathy and inattention.

Therapeutic properties and application of guaiac wood

In the guaiac tree contain many medicinal substances, due to which this plant even became known as the "tree of life". This tree improves metabolism, normalizes the function of the skin, kidneys and intestines. Guaiac wood is used in the form of infusions and decoctions. Decoctions of this plant are used in syphilis, aches and pains, rheumatism, disorder of the uterus, and many other diseases. When the metabolic guaiac wood added to various mixed teas, perfectly and quickly to help cope with the problem of metabolic disorders.


Contraindications to the use of guaiac wood

Children under two years of age are forbidden to take funds on the basis of guaiac wood. Pregnant and nursing mothers also should not take medicines from this plant. People who have any disease of the chronic type with regards to the gastrointestinal tract, may not be used for the treatment of guaiac wood.

If receiving funds from guaiac wood lasts for two weeks, but the improvements are not identified – then you need to go to the doctor. Follow the dosage of the drugs!