An Interview with Palmarosa Essential Oil

I had the chance to interview Palmarosa essential oil for this blog post . . .

Palmarosa essential oil was featured in my book, The Heart of Aromatherapy, so it's kind of a celebrity now. I feel really lucky to have gotten this interview!

Me: Palmarosa, you're one of my favorite essential oils for skin care, because I know there are so many aspects of healthy skin you've mastered.

Palmarosa: It's true! I am happy to say that I'm good at soothing irritated areas and rejuvenating damaged skin. Inflammation and soreness are no problem for me, either. I'm also good at clearing away fungus, so I make some great foot care blends.

Me: I love your foot care blends! What made you excited to be in the book, other than sharing your talents with Aromatherapy lovers?Palmarosa: I was especially excited to tell people about my skin care research center in India. I am always researching both ancient and new plant therapies, traveling all around the world and collecting plants to study. The book says, "Stepping into Palmarosa's laboratory is like walking into a botanic conservatory, with plants from all around the world growing everywhere you look."That's exactly what I was going for! That kind of focus helps me learn about skin care more thoroughly.

Me: What's one of your favorite recipes from the book?

Palmarosa: I love so many! But right now my favorite is my "Peaceful Earth"Body Oil. I made it with my friends Patchouli, Vetiver, and German Chamomile. It has a deep, earthy floral aroma, and is so good for daily moisturizing to protect skin.

Palmarosa essential oil and I actually chatted for a long time and shared a cup of herbal tea (haha!), so I'll "cut to the chase"and give you its favorite recipe here and now . . .

Palmarosa's "Peaceful Earth"Body Oil

• 1 oz (30 ml) Jojoba Wax (Simmondsia chinensis)

• 4 drops Palmarosa essential oil (Cymbopogon martinii motia)

• 3 drops Vetiver essential oil (Vetiveria zizanoides)

• 3 drops Patchouli essential oil (Pogostemon cablin)

• 3 drops German Chamomile essential oil (Matricaria recutita)

Make this blend in a 1 oz (30 ml) glass bottle. Combine the jojoba and essential oils, and shake gently.

Palmarosa essential oil doesn't really have a research center in India, of course! In The Heart of Aromatherapy, I gave each essential oil a "personality" and a "job" because I know how telling stories can help people remember important information—in this case, that Palmarosa essential oil is great for skin care.

It's one of 40 essential oil profiles I created in this way. If this approach is fun and helpful for you, and if you'd like to learn the 100+ recipes in the book, I'd be honored if you would pick up a copy! You can find The Heart of Aromatherapy: An Easy-to-Use Guide for Essential Oils at Aromatics International (where you can also pick up the ingredients you need to make most of the recipes!)