Quick Facts
Botanical Name: Polianthes tuberosa
Family Name: Amaryllis
Common Name: Polianthes tuberosa, flower oil, tuberose oil
Part Used: Flowers
Specific Gravity: 0.9200 - 0.9800 @ 20°C
Optical Rotation: +3.00 to +8.00 @ 20°C
Refractive Index: 1.4800 - 1.5200 @ 20°C
Blends Well With: Bergamot, clary sage, Patchouli, Ylang,ylang, Lavender,rose,cedarwood, cinnamon etc
The scientific name is Polianthes Tuberosa and the tuberose oil is extracted from its flowers picked before the petals open. The extraction method used to extract the oil is solvent extraction method. Tuberose oil has many health properties like aphrodisiac, deodorant, relaxing, sedative and warming substance. Tuberose oil is popular and priced among perfume manufacturers. The flowers have an excellent fragrance which is active in the night. The flowers bloom in the night and because of this reason it is also known as Night Queen or Mistress of the Night. The flower grows in abundance in India and Central America and is in high demand for the production of perfume in Indian Subcontinent, Middle East and Africa
The main components of Tuberose oil are benzyl acetate, butyric acid, eugenol, farnesol, geraniol, menthyl benzoate, menthyl anthranilate and nerol. Tuberose oil has many medicinal properties. This oil is an aphrodisiac and is widely used as an aphrodisiac in aromatherapy and in herbal medicines. It has a strong, powerful and exciting floral scent and it has the power to fill the atmosphere with romance and love. It is widely used in treating frigidity and lack of libido. There are components in the oil which boosts the parts of the brain which are responsible for arousal, sexual feelings and libido and this is effective when used in aromatherapy or taken orally.
Relax the Mind
It relaxes the mind and has a warming effect on the organs and this in turn will increase the circulation of the blood. Proper circulation of blood means it cures erectile dysfunctions and impotency. Tuberose oil is known for its deodorant properties and it is world famous for its use in perfumes. The fragrance of the oil is rich, intense and long lasting and this makes it the ideal component for the production of deodorants. The oil is in demand in countries with hot and humid climates where the people have to deal with sweat and ensuing body odour.
The pleasing fragrance and different chemical components of the tuberose oil have relaxing effects on the brain, nerves and muscles. It relieves people from stress, anxiety, tension, depression, anger, nervous problems, convulsions, cramps, diarrhoea and spasmodic coughs. It is good for sedative inflammations connected to the nervous system and respiratory system. But make sure that the oil is used in relatively high dilution. Tuberose oil boosts and increases the blood circulation throughout the body resulting in a warming effect on the body. This is effective to counter the feeling of cold during winters and keeps the respiratory system warm thus preventing the deposition of phlegm and catarrh. It increases activities and also helps cure sexual disorders.
Sweet and Heavy Fragrance
Tuberose oil is also used for keeping the skin free of infections and cracks; it is used in hair oil to counter nausea and reduces the tendency of vomiting and effect of foul smells in some areas. Tuberose oil has a spicy, heavy and sweet fragrance. Tuberose is a tender, tall, slim perennial with long slender leaves, tuberous root and large, fragrant and white lily like flowers and it grows wild in Central America and India. It is grown widely in Egypt, France, China and Morocco for its oil. In other parts of the world it is grown for the cut flower trade.
Tuberose oil is ideal for removing bad body odour and is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing oil. Since the odour is too strong it may cause headaches and irritation to the nerves if used in high concentration so it is important to use it in mild doses for better results. Tuberose oil blends well with essential oil of Jojoba and it blends well with other essential oils like bergamot, clary sage, geranium, frankincense, lavender, mandarin, neroli, orange, patchouli, sandalwood, rose and vetiver.
Scent Producing Flowers
Tuberoses are the ideal flower to grow if you love flowery scents and these are one of the most scent producing flowers. Even though these plants grow in warm weather conditions it can be grown in colder areas where there are warm sunny planting sites. The flowers f these plants are funnel shaped and have a waxy whitish colour. The tuberose is called so because it forms a bulb-like stem underground and this is called tuber. In India it is called rajnigandha and in Singapore it is called Ye Lai Xiang. In Cuba it is called azucena and the meaning of all these words are same, fragrance that comes in the night.
Tuberose flower can be grown on outdoor gardening sites and for this you have to select a well drained soil area. Organic materials can be added to improve the drainage of the soil. The quality of the soil can be increased by adding compost, ground bark and peat moss. Make sure that the soil selected for growing the plant is dry type of soil because the plants will die in water logged soil. These plants can be grown through container gardening like clay pots and well drained soil mixture. Make sure that enough holes are there in the pots to drain the excess water. Plant the bulbs in a place that there is enough and more sunlight for the plants.
Needs Water
The plant needs water especially in the initial stages so you have to keep watering the tuberose generously by soaking the soil. The watering has to be done till the growing season especially if there is no rain. Tuberose plants need a lot of nutrition so it is important to keep supplying heavy dose of fertilisers in the growth stage. The flower in the plant appears during the middle of summer or late in the summer after 3 or 4 months after plantation.
Once the blooming season is over leave the undergrowth as it is and do not do perform any trimming. The leaves will get its nourishment from the sun and keep watering the plant whenever it is required. Seeing yellow leaves on the plant is not a good sign and you have to trim them off and keep caring the tuberose plant because this plant is going to offer you flower next season also