Galbanum has been in use since ancient times not only for therapeutic and medicinal purposes, but also for religious rituals, where it is burned as incense, used for anointing, and even embalming. Nowadays it is mainly used for its health benefits – it can treat respiratory ailments, improve circulation, and relieve rheumatism, among many other things.
Galbanum Essential Oil is extracted from the resin of the galbanum plant, which is native to West Asia, Africa, and some parts of Europe. The soft type of the plant is used, as it typically produces more essential oil. The oil is yellow in color, thick, and has an earthy, bell pepper-like aroma. The main components that give Galbanum Essential Oil its usefulness are cadinene, mycrene, pinene, and cadinol.
Galbanum Essential Oil Benefits
This essential oil was widely used in ancient Rome and Greece in perfumes and in bath water, as well as in cosmetics. Today, in addition to its ancient uses, Galbanum Essential Oil is used to treat ailments inside and outside the body, as well as to keep pests away. Here are some of Galbanum Essential Oil’s uses:
- Anti-rheumatic
- Muscle spasm relief
- Decongestant
- Skin care
- Insecticide and insect repellent
- Anti-parasitic
- Improving blood circulation
- Treating wounds
- Flavoring
- Perfume fixative
In ancient times, Galbanum Essential Oil was an important part of making anointing oil, and was also used as holy incense when combined with frankincense. It was believed to increase spiritual awareness and help people become more open to new ideas. As such, it was a highly prized oil. It was probably used for this purpose due to its actual calming effects and its ability to heal wounds faster, which in ancient times could be considered a miracle.
Galbanum Essential Oil Uses
- Galbanum Essential Oil for Rheumatism Relief. Because of Galbanum Essential Oil’s circulatory stimulation properties, it can help bring relief to rheumatism patients. The increased circulation helps wash away toxins and other problem substances in the body, such as excess salt and uric acid, which is the main cause of rheumatism.
- Galbanum Essential Oil for Muscle Spasms. Galbanum Essential Oil is widely used to treat muscle spasms due to overexertion in sports. It can help relieve cramps and pain from pulled muscles. The anti-spasmodic property also works on nervous or intestinal spasms.
- Galbanum Essential Oil as a Decongestant. This essential oil also shows effectiveness in clearing the nasal pathways and lungs of congestion due to cough, colds, or bronchitis. It can help people with these conditions sleep better at night. Simply inhaling the vapor produced by diffusing Galbanum Essential Oil is enough to decongest your respiratory system.
- Galbanum Essential Oil for Skin Care. Galbanum Essential Oil helps the skin retain moisture and give it a younger, fresher look. It can also help remove stretch marks and wrinkles, acne scars, and pimples. This makes Galbanum Essential Oil a must for those who get acne often, or for women who want to remove stretch marks after giving birth, losing weight, or liposuction.
- Galbanum Essential Oil as Insecticide and Insect Repellent. Like that of many other essential oils, the aroma of Galbanum Essential Oil is loathed by insects. If you have problems with mosquitoes, flies, ants, or cockroaches, it’s good to keep Galbanum Essential Oil handy. To use as an insect repellent, it can be burned as incense or applied at points where insects enter. As an insecticide, it can be mixed with a little water and sprayed directly at certain insects to kill them.
- Galbanum Essential Oil to Improve Blood Circulation. The stimulation of blood circulation relieves rheumatism and gout, and an added benefit to increased circulation is the faster and wider transmission of antibodies produced by lymph nodes, which help protect the body from infections brought by diseases or injuries. This helps the body heal faster and fight off foreign bodies more effectively.
- Galbanum Essential Oil as Insect Repellent. Insects like mosquitoes and flies hate acidic citrus scents, but they especially hate that of lemon. Studies have shown that lemons are an effective alternative to chemical insect repellents, and are significantly less toxic.
- Galbanum Essential Oil to Remove Parasites. Aside from larger insects, Galbanum Essential Oil can also kill and repel common parasites like lice, fleas, and bed bugs. It can be used on both humans and pets, and is a great way to naturally remove head lice.
- Galbanum Essential Oil for the Treatment of Wounds. Applying Galbanum Essential Oil on a wound site protects it from infection due to its antimicrobial properties. It also helps leukocytes and blood platelets gather around the area due to its circulatory stimulation properties, which help the wound disinfect and heal faster.
- Galbanum Essential Oil as Flavoring. Galbanum Essential Oil is an FDA-approved flavoring additive. It can be used to flavor almost anything, from beverages, meat products, breads, and cakes, and this is also done commercially. Just be sure to follow the prescribed amounts.
- Galbanum Essential Oil as Perfume Fixative. Galbanum Essential Oil can enhance the scents of natural perfumes without overpowering them. It works well as a top and middle note, with its refreshing scent, and helps balance other molecules in the perfume so that their scents do not fade away quickly.
Galbanum Essential Oil Side Effects
Galbanum Essential Oil is safe when applied topically even without dilution. It is also safe to consume in small, prescribed amounts. Always consult with a doctor before taking any essential oil internally.
It should be noted that while it is effective in treating animal lice, Galbanum Essential Oil may be toxic to cats and should not be used on them.
How to Use Galbanum Essential Oil
To use Galbanum Essential Oil topically, it can either be applied directly or diluted with water or another carrier oil. For the full healing effect on wounds, it’s recommended to apply directly, but to spread it better along a body part, like for muscle pain, dilution is recommended.
For respiratory uses, pour three to four drops of the oil into the diffuser, and inhale the vapor produced. The effects should be felt after a short while. If you are suffering from a cough or a cold, it’s recommended to just diffuse Galbanum Essential Oil in the room that you will use for a long period of time so that you can enjoy its therapeutic effects upon entering the room.
The aroma can also be inhaled when diluted with water.
To use against insects, apply the oil directly on crevices, small holes, or anywhere insects might use to enter your home to keep them away. Mixing several drops into water and storing in a spray bottle can make a handy insecticide, but be warned that while it is effective on ants, mosquitoes, and lice, it may not kill cockroaches immediately. However, it repels all kinds of insects.
How to Make Galbanum Essential Oil
Because of the nature of harvesting galbanum resin, which is rarely available for sale, it is quite difficult to make Galbanum Essential Oil at home. The resin of Galbanum Essential Oil is taken from the roots and the stems, which contain more essential oil than the leaves. The resin is taken directly from the tree, by making a few gashes on the trunk where the resin is seen leaking out. The resin is then subjected to steam distillation, which means using a constant current of steam to purify a liquid. This process uses up a lot of energy and is mainly used in commercial production. The liquid result of the steam distillation of the resin is Galbanum Essential Oil.
Galbanum Essential Oil Recipe
There are few essential oils that can erase scars as effectively as galbanum oil. Whether it was caused by acne, chickenpox, or by a wound, this Galbanum Essential Oil recipe will remove any small scar:
3 drops of Galbanum Essential Oil
1 drop of lemon essential oil
2 drops of lavender essential oil
2 tablespoons of your preferred carrier oil
Mix them all together and apply on problem areas at night after washing them. After a few weeks, the scars will improve visibly. Keep using until the scars are gone.
Where to Buy Galbanum Essential Oil
Galbanum Essential Oil is readily available at most beauty shops and on the Internet, particularly on Amazon and on the websites of the brands that manufacture the oil. The recommended brands are Eden’s Garden, Miracle Botanicals, Piping Rock, Plant Guru, Nature’s Kiss, and Healing Solutions.
More Information on Galbanum Essential Oil
Galbanum Essential Oil is generally safe to use topically. The recommended dilution is about 2% Galbanum Essential Oil to a 30-ounce carrier oil ratio. Orally, it is best to take only up to one drop at a time.
It is also safe to use when pregnant or breastfeeding, as long as taken in food amounts.
Galbanum Essential Oil FAQs
Q: Can Galbanum Essential Oil be used with other oils?
A: Yes, especially as a perfume. Frankincense and myrrh are good examples, as well as rose, ginger, vanilla, jasmine, and amber. Let your nose decide!
Q: Does Galbanum Essential Oil help in weight loss?
A: There is currently no evidence that Galbanum Essential Oil can be used to help in weight loss.
Q: How often can I apply Galbanum Essential Oil on my skin?
A: You can apply Galbanum Essential Oil as often as nightly for moisturizing and removal of scars. For oral uses, about three drops a day should be the limit.
Q: What is the shelf life of Galbanum Essential Oil?
A: Galbanum Essential Oil has a shelf life of 3 to 4 years.
Q: Does Galbanum Essential Oil interact with medicine?
A: Currently, there is no known interaction between Galbanum Essential Oil and medicine.
