Gardenia essential oil has many health benefits. Among the benefits of gardenia oil are preventing serious diseases, reducing inflammation, strengthening the immune system, good for increasing sex drive, improving mood, accelerating wound healing and increasing breast milk production. Besides the benefits, the side effects of gardenia essential oil have also been reported but in limited quantities.
Among the possible side effects are skin irritation, skin inflammation, and possible complications in pregnant women and children.
What is Gardenia Essential Oil
Gardenia oil is an essential oil obtained from the extraction of compounds, volatile acids and active ingredients from the petals of the Gardenia flower, scientifically the name of this flower is called Gardenia jasminoides, this is an evergreen shrub-shaped plant originating from the mainland of China. This plant is now widely naturalized in other Asian countries. Gardenias are estimated to have more than 40 species that live worldwide in both subtropical and temperate climates.
The way to extract gardenia essential oil is to use enfleurage, this uses animal fat to extract the essence of gardenia flowers. However, now they no longer use this ancient technique, they use a steam distillation system so that the results are more. Gardenia essential oil has amazing health benefits. This is due to the high concentration of benzyl, and phenyl acetate, there is also the content of linalool and terpineol which act as important antioxidants.
Read more: 15 Best Health Benefits of Drinking Garlic Juice
Gardenia Essential Oil Benefits
For those of you who have poor digestion problems, gardenia oil is the right solution. Likewise if you want to increase sexual arousal, treat colds, coughs, chronic pain, weak immunity, anxiety, stress, depression, fresh sores, low milk production, inflammatory conditions, low milk supply and circulation problems.
Below we take a look at the health benefits of gardenia oil, read on to the end!
1. Reduces Inflammation
Gardenia oil contains two compounds that are very influential in reducing inflammation, these are geniposide and genipin. Both are anti-inflammatory substances that can soothe digestion, relieve aches and pains, reduce symptoms of arthritis, and prevent headaches. When dispersed in the air this oil will be more effective at providing comfort than using it topically.
2. Increase sexual arousal
Gardenia essential oil has long been used as a natural ingredient in stimulating sexual arousal and libido in men. How to use it is to add to the bath or into your perfume.
The aroma of this oil will provide a connection between the limbic system in the brain and smell. This will give sensation and passion to your partner.
3. Accelerate wound healing
One way to make sores heal quickly is to use gardenia essential oil. This is because it acts as an anti-bacterial so that it supports wound healing. If you have bruises, abrasions, scrapes, or cuts, you can apply a small amount of gardenia oil topically to prevent bacterial infection.
This oil can also provide internal relief, stimulating healing and formation of damaged tissue and restoration of blood vessels.
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4. Benefits of gardenia oil for mood
The popular use of gardenia oil is as aromatherapy, this is because it has a direct effect on the liver, relieving symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Just by spraying this oil in the room or adding it in the bath, it can provide calm and comfort and improve your mood. It will lower stress hormone levels and reduce oxidative stress in the body.
5. Boosts Immune System
Gardenia oil contains many important substances such as anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-viral, where these compounds will provide protection for the skin and internal parts of the body. This will prevent pathogens, irritants, and foreign substances from harming the body.
Using oil from gardenia flowers will also stimulate the formation of white blood cells and neutralize various reactions of foreign substances that harm the body.
6. Treating breathing problems
One way to get the health benefits of gardenia oil is to inhale it. You can inhale directly, using a facial stem, aromatherapy, or by using a diffuser. This will provide relief from congestion, sinus congestion, sore throat, respiratory inflammation, and more. The anti-bacterial content is very strong so it can attack the infecting bacteria.
See: The 7 Best Essential Oils for Focus and Concentration
7. Increase breast milk production
This essential oil is called a galactagogue, it can help women increase their milk production. Indeed, this oil is not necessarily safe during pregnancy, but after giving birth it can be proven to increase milk production.
Experts say that gardenia oil is safe for nursing mothers because only a small amount of the active compound is passed in breast milk.
8. Benefits of gardenia essential oil for circulation
This oil has certain stimulant properties that can be useful in increasing circulation. With good blood circulation, the body will get nutrients and oxygen evenly, this will also facilitate various forms of recovery and health problems. The benefits of smooth circulation are improving cognition, preventing fatigue, anemia, accelerating the healing process of injuries, illnesses, and surgeries.
9. Provides benefits for digestion
Gardenia essential oil stimulates probiotic activity in the gut, this will maximize digestion and is great for maximizing nutrient absorption. It is also efficacious in preventing the spread of bacteria and pathogens in the intestines, this is good for keeping the stomach functioning optimally.
Gardenia Essential Oil Uses
The use of gardenia oil can be done in many ways, it can be used topically, namely by smearing on the skin, by using a diffuser and spreading the oil in the air to provide relaxation to the nerves and provide comfort for the whole body or with aromatherapy. It is a versatile oil that is widely used in aromatherapy and cosmetic products.
1. Massage Oil
This oil is often used as a massage oil because of its aromatherapy and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Usually this oil is only used a few drops in massage oil and this is enough to give the sensation of gardenia.
If you are a masseur, you can mix just three drops of gardenia oil in a massage oil to increase its benefits.
See too: 10 Best Essential Oils to Cure Itching Fast
2. Room Odor
If you usually use an essential oil diffuser, then gardenia essential oil can be an alternative to scent your room. It not only makes the room smell good, but also cleans the air from bacteria because of its anti-bacterial properties.
The use of gardenia oil in a diffuser can remove animal odors, smoke, food odors trapped in the room and can eliminate bacteria in the air.
3. Baths
Another way to use gardenia oil is to add just a few drops in the bath. This will fill the aroma of your bathroom with a distinctive and fragrant aroma. Relaxes muscles, relieves stress and soothes feelings.
4. Facial Steam
For congestion problems, you can add a few drops of gardenia essential oil to a container of warm water and then inhale the steam. It will clear your breathing, respiratory infections, increase energy, relieve fatigue, and relieve congestion.
Side Effects of Gardenia Essential Oil
There are several possible side effects of using gardenia oil including relieving inflammation, skin irritation and various other medical conditions. But this oil is very safe if you want to use it personally, which must be noted that you do not consume directly (do not swallow), and do not use excessively.
1. Skin Irritation
Skin irritation can occur when you use gardenia essential oil, especially if you have sensitive skin or use too much of it. So, among the forms of irritation and allergic skin reactions that occur can be itching, skin redness, and irritation.
In use, essential oils are always used in moderate amounts or mixed with a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil. It will be safer for various skins.
Also see: Marigold Essential Oil Facts And Benefits
2. Pregnancy and Children
Gardenia essential oil side effects also have an impact on pregnant women and children. Experts do not recommend the use of essential oils including gardenia oil in pregnant women and children. However, if you are already in the third trimester, pregnant women can use it, especially when giving birth. However, but with the guidance and advice of a doctor.
The difference is if you are breastfeeding, this oil can be used to stimulate milk production or increase the amount.