A powerful essential oil you may not immediately recognize, Elemi oil has numerous therapeutic benefits to strengthen your wellness routine. Its tangy-sweet aroma has layers of lemon and musk to uplift the mood and revitalize the senses.

Through steam distillation, Elemi oil is derived from the resin of evergreen trees found in the tropics of the Philippines. Its botanical name is Canarium luzonicum. Elemi essential oil is in the same family as Myrrh and Frankincense oil. Similar to Frankincense essential oil, Elemi has been used for centuries as a medicinal remedy to produce an array of health benefits.

What Is Elemi Essential Oil Used For?

Rich in monoterpenes, Elemi is often used for wound healing, fatigue, respiratory issues, muscular pain and skin conditions. It's an incredibly versatile essential oil and a must-have in many aromatherapy circles. To explain the specific uses and benefits of Elemi, continue reading below.

Skin Care

A very popular ingredient in beauty products and cosmetics, Elemi is a top pick for helping to improve the appearance of dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and more. It helps deeply moisturize dehydrated skin and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a smoother overall appearance and is featured in our Scar Therapy Roll-On blend. 

A natural detoxifier, Elemi oil can help eliminate toxins and impurities from the skin to help reduce acne, smooth discoloration and promote vibrancy. Essential oils are extremely potent and should always be diluted with a carrier oil before applying to the skin. Some of our favorite carrier oils for facial application include Evening Primrose, Grapeseed and Jojoba oil.

Wound Care & Healing

Elemi essential oil is packed with natural antiseptic and analgesic properties that help eliminate bacteria and protect against infection. It can help fight microbes, fungi or viruses in minor wounds and cuts.

Powerful as a healing tonic, Elemi oil's anti-inflammatory properties can also help reduce aches and pains. It can be incredibly effective at soothing tired muscles or reducing body aches after exercising or engaging in strenuous physical activity. Effective in massage oil, Elemi can help ease both mental and physical stress.

Respiratory Health

When cold or flu symptoms strike, Elemi can support healthy respiratory function. It naturally helps break up excess mucus and clear congestion in the lungs, nose and throat to encourage easy breathing. Elemi oil can also help boost your immune system to ward off sickness.

When used in an essential oil diffuser, like our Diamond Diffuser, Elemi oil can be used to ease chronic coughs and relieve bronchial conditions. Although a lesser-known expectorant essential oil, Elemi can help heal inflamed air passages to relieve chest colds and coughs.

Homemade Vapor Rub With Essential Oils

An excellent bedtime cough remedy, this vapor rub can help clear phlegm, suppress coughs and relieve chest congestion. It can also be applied during the day to relieve symptoms of colds and flu. 

Ingredients: 

1.5 oz Soy Wax

½ oz Shea Butter

1 oz Fractionated Coconut

50 drops Elemi or Deep Breath

4 oz Glass Jar

How to

In a double boiler, melt and mix the Soy Wax and Shea Butter. Remove the mixture from heat and allow it to cool. Slowly mix in the Fractionated Coconut carrier oil and essential oil. After the mixture is completely blended, transfer it to a Glass Jar. Store in a dry, cool place. To use the Vapor Rub, scoop a small dollop out and rub it onto the chest area. Take a few deep inhales and exhales and allow for deeper breathing. 

SOURCES:

1. Ali, Babar & Al-Wabel, Professor Dr. Naser & Shams, Saiba & Ahmad, Aftab & Khan, Shah & Anwar, Firoz. (2015). Essential oils used in aromatherapy, A systemic review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 5. 589-598. 10.1016/j.apjtb.2015.05.007. 
2. Tisserand, R. & Young, R.. (2013). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals: Second Edition.