Vanilla lover, today is your lucky day!
Vanilla is such a popular and well-loved aroma around the world. However, there’s really no pure Vanilla Essential Oil available in the market. Good thing, there’s Peru Balsam Essential Oil– a cost-effective and equally desirable substitute for vanilla in the perfumery and aromatherapy industry.
Simply Earth’s Peru Balsam Essential Oil is extracted through extrusion from the bark of Myroxylon peruiferum tree of Central America. This oil is more than just a vanilla aroma alternative. Traditionally, it has long been used because of its great benefits for the skin. It also has a soothing aroma that you will surely love. Learn about Peru Balsam Essential Oil benefits and more below!
Peru Balsam Essential Oil Benefits, Uses & Recipes
Supports Skin Healing
Peru Balsam Essential Oil benefits for skin healing have long been recognized. It has been supported by this source1 that indeed Peru Balsam contains mild antiseptic, antifungal, and antiparasitic attributes that are beneficial for the skin.
Assists Respiration
According to this Drug Database2, Peru Balsam Essential also works as a natural expectorant. Hence, it can help soothe symptoms related to cough, cold, flu, and bronchitis. Diffusing this oil can help clear phlegm and assist in easy breathing.
Soothes Stress
The sweet, fresh, earthy, and balsamic aroma of Peru Balsam Essential Oil is very soothing! It has calming effects that alleviate stress and improve overall mood. This is great for on-the-go aromatherapy like roll-ons and jewelry diffusers.
Improves Gum and Teeth Health
Peru Balsam Essential Oil can also reduce bacteria and prevents dental infections, thanks to the oil’s antiseptic and antibacterial properties1. No wonder Peru Balsam is a common natural ingredient for commercial dental hygiene products.
Keeps Healthy Hair
Diluted Peru Balsam Oil when used on the hair can cleanse the scalp and help get rid of dead skin cells which in effect can impede further development of dandruff. Add it to our all-natural Shampoo and Conditioner base for healthy hair.
Peru Balsam Essential Oil Blends Well With
Peru Balsam Essential Oil has a pleasant aroma that resembles vanilla. It blends well with Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cinnamon Leaf, Copaiba Balsam, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Patchouli, Peppermint, Sandalwood, Spearmint, Vetiver, and Ylang-Ylang Essential Oils.
Simply Earth Blends That Use Peru Balsam Oil
Timber Essential Oil Blend
Timber Blend is Simply Earth’s gentle blend perfect for DIY recipes for men. It has a masculine, woody, and vanilla aroma.
What’s the Science Behind This Oil?
By looking into the components of each essential oil, we can determine the benefits and properties of that oil. The main constituents present in Peru Balsam Essential are Benzoic acid, Cinnamic acid, Benzyl cinnamate, and Cinnamyl cinnamate.
Benzoic Acid
Benzoic Acid occurs naturally in many plants and has been found to have antifungal abilities. It was used as an expectorant, analgesic, and antiseptic in the early 20th century.
Cinnamic Acid
Cinnamic Acid is an organic compound commonly found in balsams and cinnamon. It has a honey-like aroma and is largely used as a precursor for the perfume industry.
Benzyl Cinnamate
Benzyl Cinnamate is a chemical compound used as a fixative, perfume, and flavoring agent. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties4 that are beneficial for pharmaceutical use.
Cinnamyl Cinnamate
Cinnamyl Cinnamate is a fragrance ingredient used in fragrances, cosmetics, personal care products, as well as household cleaners, detergents, and more.
What Earthies Are Saying About This Oil
What I Love About Peru Balsam Essential Oil
I really adore Peru Balsam Essential Oil’s aroma. I especially love to add it to my DIY candles because it gives off that gentle soothing fragrance that relaxes and calms me.
Things to Remember When Using This Oil
Always dilute an essential oil when using it on the skin. This essential oil recipe is unlikely to cause skin irritation when diluted properly. If the oil has been oxidized (left with the cap off for long periods of time) it is more likely to cause skin irritation. Check out this dilution chart for diluting this essential oil properly.
This oil has a maximum dilution rate of 0.5% for dermal application.
This oil is generally safe to use if you are pregnant. Consult your doctor prior to use.
This essential oil is safe to use with kids 10+.
This essential oil is generally safe to diffuse and use topically on cats. For more information on using essential oils with cats, check out this blog post.
This essential oil is generally safe to diffuse and use topically on dogs. For more information on using essential oils with dogs, check out this blog post.
We don’t recommend ingesting essential oils unless under the direction of a doctor certified in aromatherapy. For more information on why we don’t ingest essential oils check out this blog post.
*Please note: This post is a compilation of suggestions made by those that have extensively used essential oils and has not been verified scientifically with clinical tests nor reviewed by medical experts. It is anecdotal information and should be treated as such. For serious medical concerns, please consult your doctor. The statements given in this blog post have not been verified by the FDA
A Great Addition to Your Aromatherapy Collection!
Common scents like vanilla should always be in your essential oil collection. Try Peru Balsam Essential Oil, or our very own Vanilla Woods Essential Oil Blend to achieve that vanilla aroma for your all-natural DIYs. Do you agree that Peru Balsam’s aroma resembles vanilla? We’d love to hear about it on social media with @fromsimplyearth and in the comments below!
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References:
- Vanessa Ngan. Balsam of Peru allergy. 2002
- Drugbank Online. Balsam of Peru
- Julia Lawless, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Updated Edition) (London: Harper Thorsons, 2014), 43.
- Korošec, B.; Sova, M.; Turk, S.; Kraševec, et al. Antifungal activity of cinnamic acid derivatives involves inhibition of benzoate 4-hydroxylase (CYP53). 2014