thread: Aromatherapists - need your help

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jul 2004
    5,756

    Aromatherapists - need your help

    I'm studying aromatherapy and have come across a bit of a problem in one of my work sheets.

    It asks me to give the similarities and differences of Rosewood and Ho Leaf. I can't seem to find anything that suggests they are similar except that they both give an overall calming effect. Not sure how to write the differences either. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jul 2004
    5,756

    *bump*

    Anyone??

  3. #3
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Feb 2006
    South Eastern Suburbs, Vic
    6,054

    I'm not an aromatherapist, but I googled because you got me curious. And Professor Google seems to think that ho leaf is an ecologically friendly alternative to rosewood...
    And both can cause decrease in contractions?
    It says the aroma is similar (can you tell I'm avoiding housework?).

    Maybe (in lieu of aromatherapists), Google could at least point you towards what you should be looking for?

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Rural NSW
    6,975

    I wonder if they are both top, middle, or low note oils? I suspect being a "wood" they both might be low note oils... like sandalwood. But that's just me guessing. I think some people also call oils either High, Middle or Base note.... in which case they both might be "base". ie the opposite of citrus oils which are High note.

    ETA: I'm not an aromatherapist... just a person keen on aromatherapy.

    ETA: Because I'd never heard of Ho Leaf I've been Googling too LOL seems to be lots of info out there... and that the chemical composition between the two oils is quite similar. You could probably track down the two composition charts for a detailed comparison.

    ETA:....but this site says the chemical properties of Ho Leaf are different to Rosewood...
    Description: This has a clean, sweet and floral woody aroma. Very similar to Rosewood in scent but chemical properties are different. White Camphor is distilled from the wood of this tree, while Ho Leaf comes from the leaves of the Ho Sho variety of the camphor tree and contains linalool (80-90%). The properties are similar to camphor, only milder as the leaves contain practically no camphor notes. It is produced from a renewable resource while Rosewood remains endangered.

    It is a calming and comforting oil and balances the emotions. It is non-toxic and non-irritant but with possible sensitization in some individuals. Some aromatherapy uses are for: acne, dermatitis, general skin care, headaches, colds, flu, depression, nausea, scars, sensitive skin, wrinkles.

    Add a few drops to a diffuser or a hot bath to help relieve stress and tension. Would make a nice chest rub when well-diluted.


    .... Ho leaf actually sounds quite nice! LOL thanks for the 'heads up' on it Antheia!
    Last edited by Bathsheba; October 21st, 2008 at 03:02 PM.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jul 2004
    5,756

    Yeah see i don't trust Google on researching Aromatherapy because most sites are written by 'amateurs' and can be very incorrect. I may have to invest in another text book with more information about the differences between oils.

    Thanks for the info though girls, it has helped a bit.

    And Bath, Ho Leaf is very nice and is quite cheap too.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Mar 2006
    soon to be somewhere exotic
    1,550

    talk to the library or your lecturer - when I was studying I had access to professional journals & websites because I was a student - don't have them on this machine anymore - sorry

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jul 2004
    5,756

    I cant speak to the teacher because i am doing it via correspondence and dont have an actual one assigned to me. And whenever i email i never get an answer back and i cant be bothered phoneing them.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Rural NSW
    6,975

    Maybe you could just Google the reputable oil company sites and see what they say? I would trust info posted online by InEssence for example... but I don't think they process Ho leaf... I'm fairly familiar with their range... but I could be wrong. Yes, it did seem very reasonably priced when i was Googling.... I'm going to keep my eye out for it!

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Add Nicole Tracy on Facebook Follow Nicole Tracy On Twitter

    Jun 2008
    East Melbourne and Park Orchards
    105

    Antheia - as far as I know, Ho leaf is in the cinnamon family (maybe Cinnamonium camphorum). I'll double check - I have some amazing Aromatherapy text books... so don't buy a new book yet, I'm onto it!

    More to follow in the next day or two...

    xxx

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Add Nicole Tracy on Facebook Follow Nicole Tracy On Twitter

    Jun 2008
    East Melbourne and Park Orchards
    105

    BTW - I have it on my list of contraindicated oils for pregnancy, as it is high in camphor compounds.

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jul 2004
    5,756

    Thanks for that Nicole!