Benefits of Buddha Wood Essential Oil

What is Buddha Wood Essential Oil?

Buddha wood essential oil is yet another wonderful product from Australia. Also known as false sandalwood, this essential oil is often used as a substitute for true sandalwood but the properties and scent are a little different.

Buddha wood essential oil is derived from a small tree belonging to the figwort species known scientifically as Eremophilia mitchellii. This small tree or large shrub is an evergreen plant growing to an average height of around 3 meters. The scientific name Eremophilia is derived from the Greek language word ‘eremos’ meaning desert and ‘phileo’ meaning love. The name is apt since these small Australian trees thrive best in a desert climate.

The tree has long, thin leaves, which give off a powerful aroma when they are crushed, and white, tubular shaped flowers. The plant grows very easily, so easily in fact that in many parts of Australia including Western Australia where it is not allowed to be grown, it is regarded as a pest. Because of this, the plant is not commonly cultivated and its essential oil is often wildcrafted instead.

The essential oil itself is derived from the tree’s bark and heartwood by a process of steam distillation. The oil has a powerful aroma variously described as rugged, rich, smoky and woody. Its scent is considered to be somewhat masculine but it is also used in perfumery as a base note because it does not overpower the other notes.

Medicinal Properties of Buddha Wood Oil

The main chemical constituents found in buddha wood oil are eremophilones (30-60%) 2 -, hydroxyeremophilone (5-25%) and 2-hydroxy-2-dihyrdoeremophilone (5-10%)

The plant may have developed a reputation for being a nuisance among Australian farmers but buddha wood essential oil has a surprising number of medicinal benefits. Its therapeutic properties include analgesic, anti-inflammatory, tonic, sedative and anti-anxiety properties. These properties make it a good, natural choice for several physical complaints as well as emotional issues like anxiety and stress.

Uses of Buddha Wood Essential Oil

Buddha wood essential oil does not have the long list of medicinal benefits that we often see in better known essential oils. It does however have several therapeutic properties. It has natural sedative properties and anti-anxiety actions making it a good choice to diffuse in the home and office. It also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions and can be applied to the body to relieve muscle pain and soreness.

1) For Muscle and Joint Pain

Because of its anti-inflammatory and pain killing properties, buddha wood essential oil can be applied as a massage oil to ease pain and soreness. Whether you are aching after a heavy exercise session or from a long day at work, massaging this soothing oil into your body can give your muscles a treat.

Buddha wood oil is can also help relieve pain and inflammation in the joints and may be a useful natural remedy for people with rheumatism or arthritis.

It is important that you dilute your essential oil with a carrier oil before massaging it into your skin. There are many suitable carrier oils to choose from including coconut oil, sweet almond and olive oil.

2) For Stress and Anxiety

Like so many other essential oils, buddha wood can be diffused around your home or office to help elevate your mood in general. It also has mild sedative properties which can help calm down your mind during periods of stress or anxiety.

3) For Insomnia

If you are one of the millions of people affected by poor quality sleep or you find it difficult to drop off at night, then buddha wood oil might be extremely useful. Many people have found that essential oils are an effective weapon against sleeping difficulties such as insomnia. Buddha wood essential oil can help calm down your racing mind and relax your body at night. Try diffusing the oil near to your bed through the night and you should find that you get of to sleep more easily and your quality of sleep is improved.

4) As an Insect Repellent

Ongoing research suggests that buddha wood essential oil is an excellent natural insecticide and repellent and has proved extremely effective against termites. The heartwood of the tree was already known to be effective against termites before studies were done on the oil.

According to experts, the eremophilone found in buddha wood oil is the main reason that it can effectively repel a range of bugs including harmful mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, flies and ants. Another advantage is that compared with many commercial insecticides, buddha wood essential oil has extremely low toxicicity.

5) As a Deodorant

Diffusing buddha wood essential oil at home can help eliminate nasty odors from cooking, smoking and pets. Its delightful woodsy aroma makes the home smell great and impress visitors.

You can also add a few drops to your bathtub and let your body soak up the oil. Not only will you benefit physically and mentally but your body will smell cleaner and it will help keep body odor at bay.

Precautions and Side Effects

• Buddha wood essential oil is generally regarded as non-toxic.
• Do not take this oil internally as it may cause unwanted and potentially severe side effects.
• Always dilute your essential oil with a carrier oil before applying it topically.
• Research into this oil is at a very early stage and there is no safety data related to pregnant women or nursing mothers. Stay on the side of caution and avoid topical use.