Known for an extremely pleasant “fragrance” is an essential oil known as Rosewood Oil. This oil is extracted from the wood of a tree belonging to the “Aniba rosaeodora” species in the plant kingdom. Furthermore, the oil is derived from the “Rosewood” tree using the process of “steam distillation”. In addition, the wood of the tree basically yields about 1% of oil. Apparently, a number of techniques that would enable the extraction of oil from the leaves of the tree are being developed, so as to resolve the issue of “overharvesting” and “species depletion”.
A. Chemical constituents of Rosewood Oil:
This oil is basically obtained from the wood of a tree known as “Rosewood” belonging to the “Aniba rosaeodora” species in the plant kingdom. Furthermore, this oil also comprises of organic compounds such as Alpha Terpineol, Alpha Pinene, Benzaldehyde, Cineole, Camphene, Geranial, Geraniol, Neral, Myrcene, Limonene, Linalool and Linalool Oxide.
B. The uses and benefits of Rosewood Oil:
There are a number of health related benefits that an individual can gain by using this oil. However, one should also consider the adverse reactions or side effects reported from its use:
1. Analgesic:
This oil when used helps in relieving pain caused by headaches, sprains etc, and thereby serves as an analgesic.
2. Antidepressant:
This oil exhibits an “antidepressant” property when used and thereby helps in the suppression of depression.
3. Antibacterial:
This oil also serves as an “antibacterial” when used, and thereby helps in inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
4. Antiseptic:
This oil helps in the treatment of wounds when used by destroying the growth of microorganism, and thereby serving as an antiseptic.
5. Aphrodisiac:
This oil also stimulates sexual desire in an individual when used, and thereby serves as an aphrodisiac.
C. The adverse effects of Rosewood oil:
There is one major adverse effect that may occur on using this essential oil. It is as follows:
- This oil when used severely affects pregnancy, and hence pregnant women must avoid using it.
