O

obeah The science of traditional medicine and
herbs according to African bush medicine.
See also FOLK MEDICINE.

oils, essential Herbal extracts used in flavoring,
medication, perfume, massage, therapeutic baths,
compresses, and aromatherapy. Essential oils are
absorbed by the skin and are not meant to be taken
orally unless under the supervision of a trusted
aromatherapist or other practitioner. Essential oils
have various effects, including bactericidal proper-
ties and psychological benefits for individuals being
treated for anxiety, depression, stress, and other
problems. Plants produce essential oils in the form
of globules in or on the surface of the plant tissues
as a way to ensure their environmental safety. The
oils may attract beneficial insects and ward off
harmful ones; the evaporated oil gives off a vapor
barrier that may protect the organism from exces-
sive heat or cold, and the oil’s fragrance may also
be a subtle means of communication between
plants. Some healers believe the oil is the essence
of the plant and therefore its vital force, or energy,
which can be used therapeutically.
The essential oils of a plant are extracted
through various methods, including distillation,
and the cold-press method, enfleurage method,
chemical solvent method, resinoid method, and
carbon dioxide method. There is evidence of distil-
lation devices used more than 5,000 years; ancient
Egyptians, for example, used essential oils for
many purposes, such as mummification and cos-
metics. Ancient Babylonians, Chinese, Asian Indi-
ans, Greeks, and Romans documented their use of
essential oils, which may be blended for intensified
effects. Synthetic oils are not considered for use by
healers because they lack the energy of a living
organism. Among the many oils are the following:

• Ajowan: herbaceous, spicy; Trachyspermum
  ammi (family, Apiaceae [Umbelliferae]), from
  fruits or seeds or whole aerial plant, India; pro-
  duction method: steam distillation; avoid during
  pregnancy, possible dermal; sensitization irritant


• Allspice berry: spicy, Pimenta officinalis(family,
  Myrtaceae); used in potpourris and flavoring of
  beverages, sweets, and other foods; warming,
  cheering, sense-enhancing; avoid use in sun;
  also known as pimento, P. dioica; from fruits,
  Cuba, Mexico, and the United States; produc-
  tion method: steam distillation; aphrodisiac;
  blends well with ginger, geranium, lavender,
  labdanum, ylang ylang, patchouli, orris; may
  irritate skin


• Almond: sweet; Prunus amygdalus, P. dulcis(fam-
  ily, Rosaceae); from the nut of the tree and native
  to Asia and the Mediterranean, a carrier oil for
  aromatherapy blends; also a skin moisturizer


• Ambrete seed: spicy; Abelmoscyhus moschatus;
  also known as Hibiscus abelmoschus(family, Mal-
  vaceae); sweet, floral, musky aroma that inten-
  sifies and improves after a few months of
  storage; blends well with other oils; for muscu-
  lar aches and pains related to fatigue and poor
  circulation, also an antidepressant; from seed,
  France; production method: steam distillation;
  balancing, calming; emollient aphrodisiac;
  blends well with neroli, olibanum, rose, sandal-
  wood, other floral oils


• Amyris: woodsy; Amyris balsamifera, Schimmelia
  oleifera(family, Rutaceae); for stress relief, mus-
  cle relaxation, and a meditation aid; also known
  as sandalwood amyris; from wood, West Indies;
  production method: steam distillation; blends
  well with lavandin, citronella, cedarwood

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