Santolina cypress

CantolinachamaecyparissusL.(cotton lavender)

Santolina cypress is often called cotton lavender. Santolina belongs to the Aster family. Homeland - Southern Europe. It grows wild on the Mediterranean coast. Now it is cultivated as an ornamental plant. An evergreen shrub with unusual whitish-gray foliage adorned with small yellow leaves. If you touch the branches or rub the leaves, the air will be filled with a thick herbaceous aroma with a slight bitterness, vaguely reminiscent of the smell of chamomile.

Santolina essential oil is obtained from the flowers and seeds by steam distillation. To extract 1 kg of oil, 100-120 kg of raw materials are needed.

The chemical composition of the oil continues to be studied. Some books contain information about the possible toxicity of santolinone, one of the components of the oil. Santolina cypress has long been used in folk medicine as an effective anthelmintic and antidote for snake bites. Santolina branches were placed in the house to repel moths. There is information that the Arabs washed their eyes with freshly squeezed juice from the plant. In modern aromatherapy, Santolina essential oil is still rarely used.

Medicinal properties

1. Activates the stomach. A strong anthelmintic.
2. Regulates the menstrual cycle.
3. Normalizes liver function.
4. A good wound healing agent, used for fungal skin infections.
5. In folk medicine it is known as an insecticidal, antitoxic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, analgesic, stimulating, healing, fungicidal agent. Used for jaundice, against pinworms, roundworms.
6. Improves mood, tones.
7. Tones the skin, relieves irritation.

Dosage

Prescribed individually by an aromatherapist.

Contraindications. Individual intolerance.