The Best of South African Essential Oils
Howzit! Did you know you can be even more lekker than you already are? South Africa boasts its own range of indigenous plants and healing essential oils. Some of these magical additions to your collection are invaluable and often get missed by mainstream suppliers and retailers. At Escentia, we are absolutely committed to exploring every avenue we have available to support our local farmers, and what better way than to bottle up the therapeutic benefits of our indigenous species? Lekker, right?!
The push towards sustainability has been increasing over the last decade, and will only become a more integral aspect of daily life for all on this earth whether you’re in charge of a corporation, or your family food and medicine cupboard! Not to mention the not-so-heartwarming information we are all bombarded with in regard to the pharmaceutical industry, and the big money machine. It’s becoming more important, no, ESCENTIAL – to take your healing into your own hands and support yourself and the environment with your choices and purchases.
The list of medicines, supplements, household items and necessities seems to be growing longer by the day. With the innate drive for optimal health, it’s only natural to want the best for you and your family and community. When you purchase from Escentia, not only are you getting the finest quality oils, but you’re playing a part in the livelihood of local farmers, all around South Africa. We believe in the magic that is the African spirit, and that it is held in the soil of our lands. Why not explore a few indigenous blends and see how your inner African Spirit comes alive?
Buchu:
The Buchu plant is native to South Africa and grows in the mountains of the Cape Province. It has been used as a traditional medicine by the Khoisan people for many years. Some of these traditional remedies included mixing buchu with brandy to make the “boegoebrandewyn” tincture for stomach ailments; or soaking crushed buchu leaves in vinegar, to treat bruising or sprains. Buchu can be mixed with a carrier oil to relieve dry itchy skin, calm irritations, or assist with any joint inflammation and issues with pain!
Cape Snowbush:
Cape Snowbush is also known as Kapokbossie, African rosemary, Wild Rosemary or Eriocephalus. Medicinally, Eriocephalus is known as an anti-spasmodic and was traditionally used as a diuretic, a diaphoretic, as well as treatment for coughs, colds and stomach ailments. It is quite a well-known oil; it is commonly used in aromatherapy for its anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antidepressant and antiseptic properties.
Helichrysum:
The Helichrysum genus belongs to the Asteraceae family and has over 600 species, spread throughout the world of which about 246 are found in Southern Africa. Its name is derived from the Greek word ‘helios’, meaning sun, and ‘chrysos’ meaning gold.
The leaves and stems are widely used as incense to invoke the goodwill of the ancestors, doubling as an effective parasite and insect repellent, especially towards mosquitos. The high calarene content is said to bring with it sedative and anti-anxiety properties and the germacrene D-4-ool is said to possess anti-microbial and antifungal properties, and it is often utilised to fumigate rooms. Tswana women make perfume by pounding the whole plant to powder and mixing it with fat.
Cape May:
Cape May has a herbaceous and fresh scent with wonderful analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties due to its themes of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenoids.
It’s wonderful for aiding congestion and stagnation in lymph and blood. This makes it a great support for haemorrhoids, cellulite and varicose veins. Its recommended to diffuse this oil to aid in focus, gaining perspective and removing emotional obstacles.
Sink into your heart and feel the spirit of Ubuntu, and honour this great magnificent country and the medicinal spectacles it has to offer.
These magnificent plants are key additions to ‘Saffas’ essential oil collection. With their immense capabilities for healing and stellar medicinal properties, you can rest assured you’re making the best decision to honour your health and healing.
You’re also feeding and supporting the wider community when you buy Escentia’s South African essential oils! We will continue to strive to create more opportunities for well-being and success in the lives of local farmers and their families, and we wouldn’t be able to do this without your help, so before we go –
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Thank you! Ngiyabonga, Dankie, Ndiyabulela kakhulu, Ndi a livhuwa
Wazviita, Ke a leboga , Ndzi khense ngopfu, Ke a laboha, Giyakhona ngiyabonga!
