5 Amazing Benefits of Amber Essential Oil
We cherish Amber Essential Oil at Aromachology for it holds the fragrant notes of ancient wisdom. While it falls in the category of ‘not so true’ essential oils, it is popularly used in aromatherapy and perfumery for its healing and aromatic properties.
Weaving a unique combination of warm, woody and slightly musky notes, amber essential oil is available in limited quantities across the globe. This makes amber a rare and precious resin extract.
In this complete guide, we will cover the many benefits, uses, and side effects of amber essential oil and discover how to use it to formulate candles, perfumes, and skincare.
What is Amber Oil?
In the first part of this guide, we will talk about what is amber oil, where does it come from and how is it made.
Amber oil is not a true essential oil because, unlike other bulk essential oils, it is not steam distilled from a plant part. Hence, it will be more suitable to address it as amber extract oil instead of amber essential oil.
Farmers and distillers extract it from the resin of Pinus succinefera trees. The over exploitation of these trees has made it difficult to find them today. However, the resin formed on these trees is what is used to extract amber oil.
Amber oil contains good quantities of terpenoids and rosin acids and has a smoky, earthy and warm scent with a golden color.
To prepare amber essential oil, the distillers first extract the amber fossil and then process it using a solvent. The resulting extract has a higher viscosity and needs to be diluted with a carrier oil to make it pourable and usable.
Amber Essential Oil Benefits
The presence of active bio compounds and a mesmerizing scent makes amber essential oil beneficial for calming the mind and soothing the skin. Here are some noteworthy benefits of amber oil.
Relax Your Mind With Amber Aromatherapy Benefits
Amber essential oil contains Sesquiterpenes as one of the active compounds that have been long known for reducing stress and relaxing the mind. Its other compounds including camphor, pinene, and borneol work in synergy with each other to impact the central nervous system in positive ways.
Some studies have indicated that these could help the body produce happy hormones including serotonin. These hormones, when regulated, relax the mind and also prepare it to navigate challenging situations much better.
Additionally, it instills a sense of positivity in life and might help improve your view on difficult situations.
Aromatherapists often include amber oil to improve sleep quality and sensual energies. It is also believed to have strong aphrodisiac properties that can put you in a romantic mood.
Benefits Of Amber Essential Oil For Diffuser
Adding a few drops of amber essential oil to any diffuser can add a touch of luxury and sophistication to any environment. When used in combination with other aromatherapy oils like ambrette absolute oil, clove essential oil, or frankincense essential oil, amber can bring warmth and comfort. Hotels and spas looking to enhance their luxury quotient or create a welcoming environment can diffuse amber oil.
Placing a diffuser with amber essential oil at the front desk can help guests unwind after a long journey. It sends signals of comfort and togetherness to their brains, instantly putting them at ease.
Connect With Your Innerself With Amber Essential Oil Spiritual Benefits
Using essential oils and absolute oils for spiritual practices is an age-old technique. Natural extracts like amber oil have been long associated with well-being and cleansing. In fact, amber is one of the first aromas used to make incense sticks.
Its deep golden color is often associated with gold and is believed to attract prosperity and abundance. Camphene, abietic acid, and pinene in amber essential oil can help deepen meditation practice by grounding and centering thoughts.
Interestingly, the amber gemstone also derives its name from the amber resin and can be used in combination with the oil for higher spiritual benefits.
Amber Essential Oil Health Benefits For Anti-inflammatory Support
The unique combination of rosin acid, camphene, pinene, and succinic acid in amber essential oil provides anti-inflammatory and antibacterial support. They reduce the body’s response to any allergen or stress and also provide anti-oxidant benefits.
A study(1) explored the effect of these compounds on metabolism and found that they can be used to control sudden glucose spikes.
In traditional healing sciences, amber oil is associated with controlling excess of gas in the body and is used to massage people with dry skin and brittle hair.
Complete Amber Essential Oil Skin Benefits
The strong anti-oxidant properties of amber oil help the skin fight free radicles and create a shield against harmful UV rays. This means it can prevent pre-mature wrinkles, and pigmentation and improve cell regeneration.
In some cases, amber essential oil has also shown a reduction in melanin production, the chemical responsible for pigmentation and dark spots.
Combining amber oil with moisture-boosing carrier oils like flaxseed oil or almond oil enhances the skin’s ability to hold moisture and gives a youthful glow.
Additionally, its antimicrobial properties help maintain the biodiversity on the skin and prevent germ buildup. This makes amber oil an excellent addition to oil-based makeup removers.
How to Use Amber Essential Oil?
Delve deeper into amber essential oil uses for different needs with the following extensive list.
This list gives a complete understanding of harnessing its many benefits and also includes simple DIY recipes and pro tips.
Amber Essential Oil for Skin
Enjoy amber essential oil benefits by applying it topically on the skin with adequate dilution. Its versatile nature allows it to be easily incorporated in face serums, body oils, shower oils, bath salts, and body cleansers.
Dilute 2 drops of amber oil with 70 ml of jojoba oil to create a comforting body massage oil. Apply it before or after the shower and massage well. It will leave your skin softer, more nourished with a natural luxurious scent. Continuous usage may reduce pigmentation and germ buildup.
Combine amber with other essential oils for skin like lavender oil or chamomile oil to create a synergy skin blend.
Amber Essential Oil for Perfume
Perfume making is one of the oldest and most explored uses of amber essential oil. It adds warmth and a smoky texture to any scent and works particularly well with masculine fragrances. Use it to create lasting natural perfumes and oil blends.
When using amber essential oils for perfume making, a key step is to identify top, middle, and base notes. Pair amber’s warmth with other woody notes like cedarwood, frankincense or agarwood to create a perfect base.
The next step is to introduce a middle note. Pick floral or citrusy oils like bergamot oil, jasmine essential oil, or rose essential oil as they balance out the depth of amber and introduce complexity to the perfume.
Finally, bring in a twist in the scent by mixing zesty scents of lemon essential oil or grapefruit essential oil as the top note.
DIY Amber Essential Oil For Pain Relief Recipe
Ingredients:
- 5 drops of ginger root essential oil
- 5 drops of amber essential oil
- 3 drops of wintergreen essential oil
- 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- 50 ml of jojoba oil
- 10 ml of flaxseed oil
- 40 ml of coconut oil
Steps:
Mix all the ingredients well and store them in a dark container. Slightly warm the oil and massage on the affected area for 5-10 mins. Cover it with a warm towel and clean after that.
Consult a medical advisor immediately if you feel the slightest allergic reaction. Feel free to replace any of the ingredients with suitable essential oil substitutes.
Side Effect of Amber Essential Oil
While Amber essential oil is a natural extract known for its soothing and relaxing properties, some people could be sensitive to it and develop allergic reactions. Hence, begin with a patch test if you haven’t used it before.
Make sure you purchase a 100% natural amber oil and don’t fall for fragrance oils or synthetic dupes.
Avoid using it entirely if you are pregnant, lactating or under any medication.
