Quick Facts

Botanical Name: Amyris balsamifera
Family Name: Rutaceae
Common Name: Torchwood or Candlewood, Amyris Essential Oil,West Indian Sandalwood
Part used: Woods of Amyris tree
Specific Gravity: 0.950 - 0.970 @ 20°C
Refractive Index: 1.502 - 1.512 @ 20°C
Optical Rotation: 15° -40°
Blends Well With: Amyris oil blends well with Geranium,Lavender, Lavandin, Nagarmotha, Oakmoss, cedarwood, sandalwood, patchouli,vetiver and ylang ylang essential oils

Uses:

Amyris Oil has many benefits which can uplift the body and mind and have many health advantages which make it effective herbal oil. The oil is widely used in meditation and therapeutic massage and also as a base fixative in making perfumes and soaps. The oil is also added in creams, cosmetics, incense, and perfumes for added fragrance. Amyris oil is appropriate for use in bath, inhaler, mist spray, steam inhalation, steam room, and sauna. The oil is an effective sedative, decongestant and antiseptic and has emollient properties. Amyris oil works well in skin regeneration and slows down premature aging. The cooling property of the oil eases irritability, sexual tension and frustration. Amyris oil can be used by poets, artists and musicians because it improves imagination and creativity. The oil can be used by adding a few drops to an oil burner or diffuser and this relieves the mind from anxiety or stress. It can also be added to therapeutic massage oil to provide relaxation. It can be used topically only after diluting with any other carrier oil. The oil is considered to be non-toxic, non-sensitizing and non-irritating but people with sensitive skin should be careful while using it because it may cause irritation.

Countries where it’s found: The plant is cultivated in the West Indies and in South and Central America.

Harvesting Information

Amyris is an evergreen bushy tree belonging to the citrus family of Rutaceae and this small tree can grow up to 8 meters tall.Amyris trees sprout from seeds in the wild especially in Haiti and the Dominican Republic but they are also farmed in other countries with favorable tropical climates for oil and lumber production.

History of the Plant

Amyris plant name is derived from the Greek word ‘Amyron’ which means intensely scented. It is has many common names like balsam wood, candle wood,Buddha wood and West Indian Sandalwood and the names were given based on the quality of the wood. In the late 1800s amyris got its botanical name Amyris Balsamifera. The tree was often mistook as sandalwood in history. The plant has white flowers which grow into black-bluish edible fruits and it is widely cultivated in the West Indies and in South and Central America.

Extraction Process: Steam Distillation

Commonly known Benefits

Amyris has a sweet-woody and balsamic aroma with good fixative value and it relaxes and calm the mind and helps in lessening stress and anxiety. The oil uplifts the mood and acts as an aphrodisiac when used in small amounts in a blend. It is a very effective antiseptic, sedative and helps in improving blood circulation and it calms the skin and mind.