Benefits of Fragonia Essential Oil

What is Fragonia Essential Oil?

Australia produces a wide variety of wonderful essential oils from the much vaunted tea tree oil to lesser known natural  wonders like balm mint bush oil. Fragonia essential oil is yet another unheralded treasure from down under.

Fragonia essential oil is derived by steam distillation from the fragonia plant which has the scientific name – Agonis fragrans. It is harvested produced by the Paperbark company in Western Australia from a specific type of the flower known as Taxandria fragrans. The twigs, leaves and branches of the plant are all used to produce a clear or pale yellow oil with a thin consistency oil with a floral, slightly woodsy aroma.

Fragonia Constituents and Therapeutic Properties

When it comes to its therapeutic uses, fragonia oil is best known for its respiratory uses but it is also antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory in nature. Apart from its physical benefits, it can also instill a profound feeling of calm and harmony and is a wonderful choice for people suffering from emotional issues like stress, nervousness and anxiety.

It contains a variety of medicinal compounds including cineole, a-pinene, linalool, terpinen, terpineol, myrcene and limonene.

Health Benefits of Fragonia Essential Oil

1) For Muscle and Joint Pain

Fragonia essential oil has excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties making it an effective topical treatment for sore muscles and painful joints. Whether you are aching after a difficult day on your feet or your muscles are sore following exercise, fragonia essential oil can help ease the pain.

People suffering from arthritis or rheumatism may also benefit greatly from the analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions of this oil.

To treat your muscles and joints, make sure that you dilute the fragonia oil with a suitable carrier oil. Jojoba, sweet almond and coconut are all popular choices of carrier oil but there are many more to choose from.

2) For Congestion and Respiratory Health

Fragonia essential oil really shines when it comes to respiratory health. It has outstanding decongestant actions along with anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritation in the nasal passages and the lungs.

Whether you are suffering from a cold, cough, sinus or bronchial condition, fragonia essential oil can do a great deal to ease your symptoms. Being antimicrobial in nature, this essential oil can also help treat the source of your condition whether it is a virus or bacterial infection.

The best way to use the oil for a respiratory issue is by inhalation. Simply inhaling the oil directly can be effective but it is even more effective if you use it to make a steam bath and inhale its rich, therapeutic vapors. Add a few drops to a sink full of very hot water, cover the top half of your body lean over the sink and inhale deeply for around 5 minutes.

3) Stress and Anxiety

Like many essential oils, fragonia is an excellent remedy for a range of emotional issues including stress, anxiety, nervousness, fatigue and even mild forms of depression. Many people have used the oil to improve their emotional state and anecdotal evidence as well as a limited amount of research suggests that it is very effective.

There are many ways to use the oil to overcome your emotional troubles. Try diffusing the oil at home, in the bedroom or in the office. Alternatively, add a few drops to your bath every evening, lay back and let your troubles wash away.

4) Insomnia

Many people who suffer from stress, anxiety or depression also find good quality sleep difficult to come by. This often means people turn to powerful sleep medications in an attempt to get the sleep they need but these drugs do not always work and also bring a risk of nasty side effects and dependency.

Essential oils like fragonia are a much gentler option but for many people they prove extremely effective especially as part of a larger sleep plan. Try diffusing fragonia essential oil near to your bedside every night and with any luck the duration and quality of yours sleep will improve dramatically.

5) Antimicrobial Benefits

Studies published by the University of Western Australia show that fragonia essential oil has excellent antimicrobial effects. In fact, the actions of this oil compare favorably with another much more famous Australian essential oil – tea tree.

According to research, the oil is effective against fungal infections like thrush and Candida albicans. It may also be effective against common viruses and may protect against the spread of certain bacteria.

How to Use Fragonia Oil

Fragonia essential oil can be used in several different ways depending on the condition that you are trying to treat. These are some of the most common uses.

• Diffuse : You can diffuse the oil at home or at work to deal with stress, anxiety or insomnia.
• Inhalation : A steam inhalation is a great way to overcome congestion and clear the airways.
• Massage : When combined with a carrier oil, fragonia essential oil makes for a great massage oil to soothe sore muscles and painful joints.

Side Effects and Precautions

• Fragonia essential oil is a gentle acting oil and is not regarded as toxic, irritating or sensitizing.
• It should never be taken internally. Ingesting essential oils can cause severe side effects.
• Like the vast majority of essential oils, care should be taken when applying fragonia topically. It is important to dilute your essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba before application.
• Always perform a patch test on a discrete area of skin even after you have diluted it to make sure you are not sensitive to it.
• Pregnant women and nursing mums should consult their doctor before using fragonia essential oil.