Siam Wood essential oil, also known as Pemou, Po Mu, Fujian Cypress, Coffin Wood, and Bois de Siam, is an incredibly rare and precious oil extracted from the evergreen conifer Fokienia hodginsii, which is native to Asia. This organic essential oil has a complex and rich aroma that is deeper than the previously sourced wildcrafted oil. It exudes a sensuous, warm, creamy, and sweetly balsamic scent that some people find similar to Sandalwood, with nuances of Rosewood and faint Cypress back notes.
Despite being relatively unknown in Western aromatherapy, Siam Wood essential oil is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable natural oils available. It has an extremely calming and pleasant aroma that can be used as a base note in natural perfume. It is also a less expensive alternative to Sandalwood. Siam Wood essential oil is grounding and is a must-have for spiritual blends. It blends beautifully with Frankincense to create a wonderful meditation blend that helps to regain a new positive or transitional perspective.
The aromatic quality of this precious wood peaks when a tree reaches a height of 80-100 feet. Unfortunately, indiscriminate harvesting for furniture and handcrafts in Vietnam caused ecological damage, but sound ecological replanting practices were started, hopefully saving the Fokienia h. tree from similar over-harvesting situations seen with Rosewood, Sandalwood, and other precious woods. Interestingly, the highest concentration of Fokienol, the main component of this essential oil, is located in the trunk and roots of the tree that are often abandoned by loggers as worthless for timber.
During a trip to Vietnam, I had a chance to experience the effectiveness of Siam Wood essential oil as a natural insect repellent. Huge mosquitoes outside of Da Nang on China Beach left me with a few options, and the spa at the resort suggested a 1% dilution of Siam Wood essential oil to smooth over my legs and arms. The first time I smelled this oil was incredibly pleasing, especially since I am a big Sandalwood fan. They also provided a small candle oil diffuser for diffusing this essential oil in my room, and both worked amazingly well. In fact, this oil was more effective than Citronella, and the small black sand flies that had been bothering me during previous walks on the beach did not like this oil at all!
Siam Wood was once used in Asia to build coffins since the wood demonstrates high resistance to degradation by insects and moisture. Perhaps this characteristic inherent with this precious wood is why Siam Wood essential oil is an effective natural insect repellent, particularly against mosquitoes, as documented in scientific research performed on essential oils with high sesquiterpene content. Overall, Siam Wood essential oil is a remarkable and versatile oil that deserves more attention in natural perfume and spiritual blend creations. Research source:
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As someone who has always been interested in alternative therapies and natural remedies, I have been intrigued by the transformative power of essential oils. I have found that diffusing different blends of essential oils can have a profound impact on my mood, emotions, and overall well-being. However, I have also noticed that there is a scarcity of documented research in the Western world on the therapeutic benefits of Siam Wood essential oil.
In my search for more information, I discovered the work of Dr. Bruce Berkowsky, a highly respected practitioner and teacher in the field of essential oils. His expertise lies in the realm of deep psycho-spiritual work, and he has written extensively on the subject. Dr. Berkowsky's teachings have shed light on the ways in which Siam Wood essential oil can help us connect with our inner selves, promote emotional healing, and deepen our spiritual practice.
Through his writings, I have learned that Siam Wood essential oil has been used for centuries to support physical, emotional, and psychological health. This unique oil works by stimulating the limbic system, which is responsible for regulating our emotions and memories. Dr. Berkowsky writes about Siam Wood:
"this oil is not used much in aromatherapy and so there is little discussion in the aromatherapy literature regarding its properties and uses. The oil is noted as being a neuroendocrine tonic and supportive of the pituitary/adrenal pathway and the pituitary/testes pathway. On a physical level, it may have value in cases of adrenal fatigue and low testosterone levels. Pemou is particularly well suited for symptoms such as feelings of: abandonment, isolation, being all alone in the world, disconnectedness, estrangement from society, vulnerability and introversion. Pemou oil may prove useful in addressing the following symptoms: grief associated with the death of a loved one; ailments from grief; depression after grief; fear of death; feelings of isolation; ailments from disappointed love; feels as if separated; feelings of vulnerability; dreams of: death, coffins, funerals, graves, long, forgotten past."
The Pemou (Po Mu) tree is highly valued in Vietnam for its believed ability to bring eternal life. This tree is widely used in Southeast Asia for its aroma-therapeutic properties, which include its effectiveness as an antiseptic and rheumatic anti-inflammatory agent. It is often used in therapeutic massage to enhance vitality and reduce muscle and skin inflammation. Furthermore, the oil extracted from the tree is commonly used in oil diffusers to purify and disinfect the air, kill bacteria, and effectively repel mosquitoes and other insects.
Batch specific GC/MS analysis for this essential oil is available by clicking on the green tab above.
Aromatherapy use: Ambient diffusing may aid adrenal fatigue, low testosterone, depression, grief, stress, improve mental clarity
General uses: Diffuse in oil diffuser; precious woody base note fixative in natural perfume, meditation, chanting, spiritual blends, natural insect repellent
Contraindications: Avoid if pregnant, breastfeeding, with infants or children. Possible skin irritant, use in moderation.