Olbas Oil: The Power to Breathe from Nature’s Medicine Chest! Part II

Essential oils are powerful plant compounds that are steam distilled from flowers, roots, and fruits. They can be up to 100 times more concentrated than dried herbs and flowers! As mentioned in Part One of our series, the Olbas Oil formula is a 100-year-old, masterful blend of Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Cajuput, Wintergreen, Juniper Berry, and Clove. We have already explored the many ways Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Cajeput can help us; now, let’s discover the benefits of Wintergreen, Clove, and Juniper Berry oils.

Essential Oils: The Power of Nature – Concentrated

Wintergreen Oil (Gaultheria procumbens)

Wintergreen is a North American berry-bearing evergreen shrub. Wintergreen was highly regarded in traditional Native American remedies. Historically, the leaves were enjoyed as a therapeutic tea for minor aches and pains and to promote free breathing. The essential oil from the crushed leaves has a distinctive sweet mint-like aroma. Wintergreen’s refreshing scent uplifts and revitalizes the senses. For massage therapy, it imparts a warm, soothing effect, readily absorbed into the skin.

Methyl Salicylate is the primary constituent and active ingredient found in Wintergreen and, as such, is formulated into ointments and liniments designed for relieving muscle soreness and providing pain relief. Since this is a potent essential oil, Wintergreen should be diluted before use. Olbas Oil contains only a very small amount (less than 4%). Wintergreen oil also promotes healthy respiratory function and calms coughs when inhaled or used in a diffuser.

Juniper Berry Oil (Juniperus Communis)

Juniper is a hardy evergreen shrub native to Europe and commonly found in North Africa, Canada, and Northern Asia. The essential oil extracted from Juniper imparts a woody, balsamic aroma often used in men’s colognes and aftershave lotions, as it evokes images of the wild outdoors.  A versatile botanical, all parts of the plant have value.  The berries are used as a flavoring for gin and in pickling spices. The stems and leaves were used by Native Americans to make a remedy for joint pain and employed in cleansing rituals.

An archaic use describes burning Juniper twigs to help purify the air in French Hospitals during a late 1800s smallpox outbreak. Today, along with its use in cosmetics and spirits, aromatherapists recommend Juniper to uplift the spirits and to ease tension and stress.

Clove Oil (Caryophyllus aromaticus)

The Clove tree is an evergreen that grows up to 40 feet high.  It is cultivated in Indonesia, Madagascar, and the Philippines. Its use as a spice goes back to antiquity and was introduced into Europe for this use in the 4th century. The essential oils are distilled from the bud of the plant.

Clove has been highly prized for soothing minor joint discomfort and promoting respiratory, digestive, and dental health. In aromatherapy, Clove’s sweet-spicy aroma emits a comforting fragrance. It supports memory function and helps alleviate mental fatigue.

So there you have it- we’ve explored the benefits found in all six truly unique pure essential oils that, when blended by Swiss Herbalists over a century ago, became known today as Olbas Oil. Whether used in a diffuser, as part of your aromatherapy massage, or post-workout recovery regime, Olbas supports breathing, endurance, and deep relaxation. It’s a must yearlong for your Natural Medicine Chest!

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