Oakmoss Oil

Botanical Name of OakmossOil: Everniaprunastri. It comes from the family Usneaceae.

About Oakmoss Oil:

On the branches and trunk of the oak tree, Oakmoss is found growing besides barks of pine, fir and other deciduous trees. Oakmoss is also found on trees like alder, sycamore, willow and maple and also on soil, fences, rocks and walls. During dry winter it is collected, dried and then sold.

The thallus or the thalli is three to four centimetres in length and forms clumps that are large enough, together on the bark in a strap and flat shape. Some of the thallus has resemblance to antlers of the deer and branched high. When Oakmoss is wet it is yellowish green to dark olive green and when dry, its colour range is green to a greenish white. When wet the thalli is rubbery and when dry it is rough.

This aromatic oil blends well with orange, jasmine and lavender and helps in bringing a feeling of relaxation immediately. Oakmoss has an earthy and wood scent and come from a species called lichen.

Before using it on the skin, it must be diluted first. In perfumery it is used as a fixative and base note. Primarily oakmoss oil is used in making perfumes.

In diluted form, the extract of Oakmoss is used in the making of hair products, solutions for cleaning and making of soaps.

History of Oakmoss Oil:

Oakmoss is originally found in Morocco, the Balkans, Italy, southern and central Europe, France, North America, Portugal, and all throughout the hemisphere in the North in temperate and mountainous forests. This oil is also produced by countries like Bulgaria as well.

In South Central European countries Oakmoss is harvested on a commercial basis and mainly exported to France’s Grasse region. Here extracts and absolutes of Oakmoss are extracted which are compounds with fragrance. The lichen has an odor that is complex and distinct and is a bit sweet, woody and sharp. If it grows on the pine tree, the turpentine odor is much pronounced.

Properties of Oakmoss Oil :

Evemic, Atranorine, delta usnic and chloratronorine acid are contained in the essential oil. The solvent extraction method is used to extract Oakmoss essential oil. The method of vacuum distillation is used to obtain the oil.

Health Benefits and Applications Oakmoss Oil:

Demulcent:

Oakmoss oil is an effective demulcent and helps in soothing irritation and inflammation, maintains a perfect balance of oil and moisture in the skin. On the digestive system its effects are soothing enough to reduce irritations, inflammations in the intestines, oesophagus and stomach and even in the nervous system and brain.

Expectorant

It works as an expectorant to loosen accumulations of hard catarrh and phlegm accumulation in respiratory system. The best thing is that it does not make you feel drowsy.

Restorant

It is also an excellent restorative and helps diminishing damages caused due to ageing, wear and tear etc.

Antiseptic

Even if it looks ugly it has treasures hidden in it that cannot be counted. Oakmoss oil has some of the best medicinal properties. It is an excellent antiseptic. Like tincture iodine, it does not burn and smells naturally sweet. It eliminates microbes present in the wounds and body.

Other Uses

Oakmoss oil has culinary uses in making bread as an agent for leavening. In beer it is used as a hops substitute. Since it has antibiotic properties it is used in the industry of pharmaceuticals.