Styrax, scientific name Liquidambar orientalis, also known as Sweet Gum, is a tree native to Turkey with important uses in cosmetic and as a herbal remedy. Its resin has indeed antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, healing, against itching, expectorant, antispasmodic and relaxing properties. Through steam distillation an essential oil is produced, this oil has still all the properties of the resin but it is better to avoid it in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Let’s see the main applications.
Scabies, wounds, cracked skin, abscesses, gum inflammations
Thanks to its healing, soothing and anti-inflammatory action the styrax essential oil is applied in case of diseases of skin such as scabies or ringworm, it results useful to accelerate the healing of wounds, ulcers or cracked skin. In this case you can add 2-3 drops of essential oil to a plant based oil, such as extra virgin olive oil or wheat germ oil, or also to a tablespoon of lotion that you are using to treat the problems or to aloe vera gel and apply on the part. This essential oil acts also in case of inflammations of the gums, you can add 3-4 drops to a glass of water, previously boiled and cooled down, and gargle.
Menstrual pain, abdominal cramps
Styrax has an antispasmodic action and for this reason its essential oil can be used to massage the abdomen in case of cramps. Take a spoon full of an oil, for example sunflower oil, and add 2-3 drops of essential oil, massage the part with slow and circular movements.
Bronchitis, catarrh
Styrax essential oil acts as an expectorant, for this reason you can use it to treat bronchitis or cough with catarrh. Prepare steam inhalation by adding 2-3 drops of essential oil to a basin full of hot water, cover the head with a towel and breathe. Alternatively you can prepare a bath, add 10 drops of styrax essential oil and stay in water for about ten minutes.
Anger, depression
Finally, styrax essential oil has a relaxing, antidepressive and tonic action, useful for those people that have a problem with anger and nervousness or for those people who feel to be rigid, stuck. Styrax is helpful to bring order in the thoughts and can be used for meditation. You can diffuse the essence in the room with an oil burner.
