You might have noticed that Kalpana NYC doesn’t carry the same extensive product list as massive essential oil companies. There’s a good reason for this. We carefully choose, source and craft each of our products; taking great care with each of our decisions and affiliations. This month, we’re launching three pure and potent essential oils in our shop that have been many months in the making.
Holy Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Holy Basil is associated with the goddess Lakshmi, wife of Vishnu, who was known as “the Queen of Herbs.” It is from a class of herbs known as “adaptogens” that support the human body’s ability to deal with stress.
As you can imagine, Tulsi is known for its calming effects. It is a valuable herb in Ayurveda for a variety of conditions including anxiety, indigestion and vomiting, hiccups, back pain, skin conditions and many more.
In essential oil form, Tulsi has a pungent, sweet, spicy aroma reminiscent of basil and cloves. The clove-like quality comes from a component called eugenol, a terpene (powerful scent chemicals) which is found in both herbs.
Holy Basil is a popular herb to be included in both uplifting and relaxing essential oil blends due to its antidepressant qualities. Kalpana NYC’s new Tulsi oil is not an aromatherapy blend, but 100% pure Holy Basil oil.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
We already mentioned adaptogens; herbs that help with stress levels. Ashwagandha is another one of these amazing herbs, which is why it has been part of traditional Indian medicine for thousands of years. The name literally means “smell of horse”, but don’t let that put you off. This powerful essential oil will give you the strength of a horse as well.
As a traditional remedy, Ashwagandha is used to boost testosterone levels and fertility in men. Regardless of gender, however, Ashwagandha’s rejuvenating effects are great for boosting energy. This makes it a favorite essential oil for active lifestyles.
Ashwagandha is great for stress-reduction. It reduces levels of cortisol, a chemical in our bodies that helps to control stress, metabolism and inflammation. The reduction of these physical symptoms can help stress and anxiety subside.
Blue Vervain (Verbena Hastata)
This beautiful lavender-blue flower is native to North America and gives off a gorgeous, floral, lemony scent. On top of smelling absolutely heavenly, Verbena’s uses are many. You can find it in cooking, natural cosmetics, aromatherapy, and Native American traditional medicine.
Verbena has a host of benefits, but is primarily known as an anti-anxiety powerhouse. You can feel an almost immediate sense of calm when you take a deep breath of Blue Vervain’s lemony-fresh aroma. It’s no surprise it's a popular scent for luxury cosmetics and soaps.
In traditional medicine, Verbena is used as an expectorant, to reduce inflammation, lower fevers, and address respiratory conditions. It’s great for your skin too, as its natural astringent effect helps to unblock pores.