Cymbopogon martini is a species of grass in the lemon grass genus best known by the common name name palmarosa. Other common names include Indian geranium, ginger grass and rosha or rosha grass. This perennial grass is native to South and Southeast Asia, especially India and it is cultivated for its oil.
Originally from Central and North India, and now cultivated in Africa and Madagascar as well, the grass is slender, bearing panicles of a blue-white color which mature to a dark red.
This particular essential oil is fast becoming a firm favorite in essential oil therapy and aromatherapy, as it has excellent skin care properties and is also used to relieve stiff and sore muscles, while calming the mind and uplifting and invigorating the spirits and clearing muddled thinking.
It is a wild growing, herbaceous green and straw-colored grass, with long slender stems, terminal flowering tops and fragrant grassy leaves. It is harvested before the flowers appear and the highest yield is obtained when the grass is fully dried - about one week after it has been cut.
Also known as Indian geranium or Turkish geranium oil, it is distilled from the leaves and flowers of the grass. It has been distilled since the eighteenth century, especially in Turkey, to simulate or adulterate Turkish rose oil (which is very expensive).
Benefit & Uses: The essential oil of this plant, which contains the active compound geranial, is valued for its scent and for a number of traditional medicinal and household uses. Palmarosa oil has been shown to be an effective insect repellent when applied to stored grain and beans, an antihelmintic against nematodes and an antifungal and mosquito repellent. Palmarosa oil, which has a scent similar to roses, is added to soaps and cosmetics.
Palmarosa oil calms the mind, yet has an uplifting effect, while clearing muddled thinking. It is used to counter physical and nervous exhaustion, stress-related problems and nervousness.
It is most useful during convalescence and cools the body of fever, while aiding the digestive system, helping to clear intestinal infection, digestive atonal and anorexia nervosa. It is effective in relieving sore, stiff muscles.
Palmarosa oil moisturizes the skin, while balancing the hydration levels and stimulating cell regeneration. It balances production of sebum, to keep the skin supple and elastic and is valuable for use with acne, dermatitis, preventing scarring, rejuvenating and regenerating the skin, as well as fighting minor skin infections, sore tired feet and athlete's foot.
The plant has long been used in India, taken internally as a remedy against infection and fever - easily understandable because of the very high proportion of geranial, a natural antiseptic and bactericide. The oil is also stomachic.
The plant is used in curry and meat dishes in India and West Africa, where its properties kill bacteria and help the digestion of fatty food.
It is a very painful situation caused due to an infection in wounds. Wounds are highly prone to infections, since they are open and unprotected. Septic also occurs in vulnerable internal organs such as the urinary tracts, urinary bladder, urethra, colon, and kidneys. It does not only trigger sudden, acute and nearly unbearable pain, but also results in cramps and convulsions. Therefore, it is always advisable to take care of wounds and any type of infection, specifically in the genitor-urinary organs. This can be accomplished with the help of this oil. When applied externally on wounds, it protects them from infections and also kills the bacteria that have already grown on them. When taken internally, Palma Rosa oil inhibits the bacterial growth in the genitor-urinary tracts and provides effective protection against septic.
It is very different than killing bacteria. Viruses develop a protective coating on them, called a cyst, which protects them from the extreme conditions of their surroundings, and is so tough that it can withstand almost anything. Viruses remain dormant within their cyst until it finds a host, which is when the cyst opens up and the virus comes out of its dormancy and starts multiplying. It is at this stage that the Essential Oil of Palma Rosa curbs and inhibits the duplication of the virus and successfully eliminates it.
The essential oil of Palma Rosa is capable of reducing fever by virtue of it antiviral, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Therefore, whether the fever is due to either viral or bacterial infection, this oil can help you cool it down and soothe your system.