Root essences have an earthy aroma and evoke the quiet and mystery of old growth forests
Essential Oil Properties by Plant Part
Essential Oils can be produced in virtually all plant parts; aromatherapists and distillers have passed down the knowledge of which plant part, for example the root or the blossom, contains the essential oil that addresses the medicinal need(s) desired. Many plants produce valuable, medicinal oil in more than one plant part. For example, the bitter orange tree (citrus aurantium) produces the essential oil of Neroli in the blossoms, Orange Petitgrain essential oil in the leaves and twigs, and Orange Bigarade essential oil in the rind.
Each plant part has some common health benefits benefits, and it is good to be familiar with this fact, in case a plant you are interested in produces more than one type of oil, or you have a particular physical/emotional/spiritual issue you would to focus on. Of course, essential oils are highly versatile, and can address many, many issues at each level, but the plant part information is a helpful place to start. Knowing the part of the plant from which an oil is produced gives us valuable insights into the uses of that oil – for example, root essences are inherently centering, calming and sedating. This section of the website categorizes our entire essence portfolio according to the plant or tree part from which they are produced (e.g., root, blossom), and describes some common therapeutic properties associated with each category. Enjoy!
Pure Essential Oils from Citrus Peels
As a group, citrus essences are wonderful for lifting your spirits; they provide comfort and a sense of well-being. Additionally, they are highly anti-bacterial, anti-cancerous and relaxing. They are great to diffuse in the home or a sick room.
Wisdom of the Earth offers a number of citruses, including Bergamot, Grapefruit (Pink or White), Blood Red Orange, Orange bigarade, Sweet Orange, Lemon (Pressed or Steam Distilled), Mandarin (European Tangerine), Tangerine and Mexican Lime (Pressed or Steam Distilled).
Pure Essential Oils from Cones
The pine cone has, for centuries, been associated with the pineal gland and spiritual expansion. A sculpture of a pine cone can be seen in Vatican City, as well as in ancient art from many cultures, and generally is said to symbolize spiritual enlightenment, divine wisdom and immortality. These essences are excellent for meditation, amplifying intention or prayer, and for brain balance and health. These are a rarity in the world of aromatherapy, and are artisan-produced in the Four Corners area of the US.
Our cone essences include: Pinon Pine Cone, Ponderosa Pine Cone and White Pine Cone.
Pure Essential Oils from Flower Blossoms/Petals
Flower blossom essences are in a class by themselves! Many flower essential oils are produced by chemical extraction (identified by the word Absolute in the title), however we are grateful to have several which are produced by steam distillation (Rose and Neroli). As a group, flower blossom essences are extremely heart opening and are powerful, natural aphrodisiacs. They show us our greatest potential and they show us the power of acting from a place of love.
The exquisite flower blossom essential oils we carry are Carnation, Champaca, Coffee Flower, Jasmine grandiflorum, Jasmine sambac, Magnolia, Narcissus, Neroli (Egypt), Osmanthus, Rose (Bulgaria), Rose (Beach Rose) China, Tuberose, Lotus (Blue), Lotus (Pink), Lotus (White) and Ylang Ylang.
Pure Essential Oils from Flowering Tops
A great many essences are produced from the flowering tops of medicinal plants. While these are not as homogeneous in their healing properties as other categories of oil source, literally all are anti-bacterial, and many are excellent for digestion, stress reduction, headaches, hormonal balance and colds/flu. They help us get or stay in harmony, and are often purifying in nature.
Those included in this category are: True Basil, Sweet Basil, Exotic Basil, Holy Basil, Catnip, Clary Sage, Purple Sage, True Sage, White Sage, Helichrysum gymnocephalum, Wild Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, Blue (German) Chamomile, Cistus, Cornmint, Geranium, Goldenrod, Helichrysum italicum (Albania), Helichrysum italicum (Corsica), Helichrysum italicum (Morocco), Hyssop, Inula graveolens, Lavandin Abrialis, Lavandin Grosso, Lavandin Grosso (Bio-dynamic), Lavandin Sumian, Lavandin Super,Lavender (Albania), Lavender (Bulgaria), Lavender (Greece), Leonardo's Lavender, Fine Lavender, Highland Lavender (harvested at three different elevations – 1400, 1600 or 1800 meters), Spike Lavender, Lavender stoechas, Lavender, NW (USA), Marjoram cineole (Wild), Sweet Marjoram, Monarda, Oregano (True), Patchouli, Pennyroyal, Peppermint (France, India and US), Rosemary cineole, Rosemary high-camphor, Rosemary verbenone, Santolina, Mountain Savory (Albania), Mountain Savory (Highland), Spearmint, St. John’s Wort, Blue Tansy, Common Tansy, Thyme borneol, Thyme geraniol, Red Thyme, Spike Thyme, Thyme thuyanol, White Thyme (linalool), Violet Leaf and Blue Yarrow.
Pure Essential Oils from Grasses
Essences produced from grasses tend to be very anti-bacterial, very purifying and anti-parasitic. Many also have a warming effect on the body.
Examples in our portfolio of oils include American Lemongrass, Citronella, Himalayan Soti, Indian Lemongrass, Palmarosa and Sweet Grass (mascerated in organic Grapeseed oil).
Pure Essential Oils from Leaves and/or Twigs
As this is the part of the tree or plant which breathes, it is not surprising that essences made from them support the human respiratory system. These help us breath in life, as well, reminding us to take in life…and air…fully.
Examples of these types of essence include: Cajeput (White Tea Tree), Cedar Leaf, Cinnamon Leaf, Eucalyptus Blue Gum, Eucalyptus Blue Mallee, Eucalyptus Gully Gum, Eucalyptus (Lemon), Eucalyptus Masala, Eucalytpus (Mint), True Eucalyptus, Laurel Leaf, Tea Tree, Tea Tree (Lemon), Mandarin Petitgrain, Lime Petitgrain, Orange Petitgrain, Manuka, Magnolia Leaf, Niaouli, Nerolina, Rosalina, Purple Sage, White Sage, Violet Leaf (Absolute) and Wintergreen.
Pure Essential Oils from Needles, Twigs and Branches
These are the “leaf and twig” counterparts in the coniferous/evergreen tree system. Again, these essences support the human/animal respiratory system. These are also known for their anti-bacterial, antiseptic properties and their ability to support the immune system. These trees bridge Heaven and Earth, and their essences help us to do the same. They are grounding, yet they allow us to soar.
Essences from this grouping include: Cypress, Balsam Fir, Cork Bark Fir (from the sacred San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff, AZ), Douglas Fir, Hemlock Fir, Noble Fir, Siberian Fir Needle, Siberian Silver Fir Needle, Black Pine, Douglas Pine, Pinon Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Scotch Pine, Norway Spruce, Red Spruce, Sitka Spruce and Tamarack.
Pure Essential Oils from Resins
Essences made from the resin of trees are often some of the more ancient of essences; they help alleviate emotional and physical suffering and help to release deeply held beliefs that no longer serve us. The also help us to access emotions that have been deeply repressed. They are about expression…making external (through voice and writing) what has been internal (thoughts, feelings). In the physical realm, they are often anti-viral and anti-tumor.
Essences in our line that are made via the steam distillation of resin include: Balsam Copaiba (Copal), Benzoin, Elemi, Frankincense, Galbanum, Myrrh, Palo Santo, and Palo Santo Resin.
Pure Essential Oils from Roots and Rhizomes
Essences made from the roots of plants or grasses are inherently centering, calming and many are sedating. Via this mechanism, some can also bring pain relief. They are often aphrodisiacs, and many are anti-parasitic. They have an earthy aroma and evoke the quiet and mystery of old growth forests.
Some of these types of essence include: Angelica Root, Arnica (Mountain Tobacco), Curcuma, Ginger, Ginger Lily, Garlic, Onion, Calamus, Spikenard, Vetiver and Valerian Root.
Pure Essential Oils from Seeds, Berries and Beans
These plant parts often produce an essence that addresses the reproductive system. It is also about sensuality and creativity…giving birth to new ideas, new projects, new life phases. These essences also often address digestion and energy.
Many in our family of essential oils are produced from seeds, berries and beans, among them: Argan Oil (Moroccan Oil), Cardamon Seed, Carrot Seed, Celery Seed, Coffee (Absolute), Coriander Seed, Cucumber Seed, Cumin Seed, Dill Seed, Foraha (Tamanu), Grape Seed Oil, Sweet Fennel, Juniper Berry (Albania), Juniper Berry (Nepal), Litsea Cubeba, Parsley Seed, Rose Hip Seed, Nutmeg, Sugandha kokila (White Cinnamon), and Vanilla.
Pure Essential Oils from Tree Trunks — Wood, Bark and Heartwood
Essences made from the protective covering and/or the heartwood of the tree are very powerful. Some are bold in their aroma (e.g., Sweet Birch), and others are subtle (e.g., Sandalwood). Many are grounding and sedating in nature, many are immune stimulants and are anti-infectious. Most have some benefit for the skin.
Our extensive collection of essential oils contains many produced from wood, bark and/or heartwood, including Amyris, Cade (Prickly Juniper), Buddha Wood, Balsam gurjun, Peru Balsam, Atlas Cedarwood, Himalayan Cedarwood, Texas Cedarwood, Virginia Cedarwood, Cinnamon Bark, Blue Cypress, Guaiacwood, Ocean (Maritime) Pine, Ravensara aromatica, Ravintsara, Indian Sandalwood, Australian Sandalwood, Fijian Sandalwood, and Zanthoxylum.