Elemi is known locally as Pili and the gum is exported from the Philippines. The ancient Egyptians used Elemi oil in the embalming process. The resin was used in Europe and the Near East for ointments and salves, and in more recent times, as a substitute for Frankincense.
Closely related to the trees that give us Frankincense and Myrrh, Elemi exudes an exotic, fragrant resin when its leaves are sprouting. This yellow resin, similar to Frankincense with a strong woody scent, solidifies when it comes into contact with the air.
Elemi has a spicy, incense-like scent that is soft and somewhat balsamic. A member of the same botanical family as frankincense and myrrh, it has been used traditionally in Europe for the skin. Elemi is highly regarded for reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles, skin support, and for soothing muscles after exercise.
Elemi has been used in Europe for hundreds of years in salves for skin and is included in celebrated healing ointments, such as Baum paralytique. Used by a 17th century physician, The Egyptians used elemi for embalming and subsequent cultures used it for skin care.
Elemi essential oil is a wonderful essential oil that is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing. It comes from a large tropical tree that may grow to about 100 feet high. It is native to the Philippines and is also cultivated there. The essential oil is extracted by steam distilling a resin that oozes from the tree in places where it is punctured or injured. The gum is exported from Manila.
Elemi is a tree found in the tropical forests of the Philippines and some neighboring nations. The essential oil of Elemi is extracted by steam distillation of the gum obtained from the Elemi tree. This oil is used mainly in the soap, cosmetics, perfume, and paint industries. Also, this oil is actually believed to have been used in ancient Egypt for embalming mummies.
Benefit & Uses: Elemi is used as an analgesic, expectorant, tonic, antiseptic and as a stimulating agent. It is known to provide a feeling of peace. It is also effective on wounds and cuts, heavy perspiration, and in the reduction of mucous. Furthermore it is known to improve the appearance of mature skin.
Elemi is antiseptic, soothing to the skin, fortifying and tonic, regulatory, stimulant, expectorant, and stomachic. It helps skin to heal and is excellent for skin rejuvenation as well as infected cuts and wounds. It is known as’anti-wrinkle' oil. Elemi essential oil is also used to help clear bronchitis and is said to be helpful in cases of nervous exhaustion.
The therapeutic properties of Elemi Essential Oil include use as an analgesic, expectorant, tonic, antiseptic and as a stimulating agent. It can give users a feeling of peace, be effective on wounds and cuts, heavy perspiration, and in the reduction of mucous. It is said to enhance the appearance of mature skin.
It was the antiseptic property of the Essential Oil of Elemi which made it useful in the embalming process in ancient Egypt. The antiseptic property protects against every possible infection, including those from microbes, bacteria, fungi, and viruses, along with providing protection against septic and tetanus. It is not only applicable in protecting wounds; it is also effective in preventing infections in the urethra, urinary bladder, urinary tract, colon, kidneys, intestines, stomach, and other internal organs, whether there is some form of wound, ulcer, or other potentially hazardous condition.
The effect of a stimulant is widespread. It stimulates almost all of the functions in the body. It stimulates circulation, the secretion of hormones and enzymes from the endocrinal glands, the discharge of bile and other gastric juices into the stomach. Furthermore, it stimulates nervous responses, including those affecting the neurons in the brain, the heartbeat, respiration, peristaltic motion of the intestines, and menstrual discharges, as well as the production and secretion of milk in the breasts. These last two are due to its stimulating effects on certain hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.