Source:Kashmir, Iran

Description
Crocus plant is bulbous perennial grass that belongs to iris family (Iridaceae). The Crocus flower is very attractive and beautiful. Among the 85 species belonging to the genus Crocus, C. sativus L. (Saffron) is the most fascinating and intriguing species. Questions as when it originated; the native area or areas; the ancestor species and the mechanisms of origin; the wild or naturalized plants; the infertility and consequent absence of fruit and seeds; remain to be explained. Greece (Crete) has been mentioned as probable origin of this old crop with probably more than 4, 500 years of age

Health Benefits
The Saffron spice derived from the flower is a highly appreciated flavour in many parts of the world.

Source:Australia, India, Fiji, East Africa, Indonesia.

Description
Sandalwood is considered indispensable in many social and religious rituals in some parts of the world. There are different varities of Sandalwood such as the Indian Sandal (Santalum Album), the Hawaiian Sandal (Santalum Ellipticum) and the Australian Sandal (Santalum Spicatum), East African ( Osyris Lanceolata ) .

The main constituents are
Alpha and Beta Santalol, Santyl Acetate and Santalenes.

Extraction
The Essential Oil of Sandalwood is extracted through steam distillation of pieces of wood from matured Sandal trees which are 40-80 yrs

Health Benefits

Anti Septic
Essential Oil of Sandalwood is very good as an anti septic. It is safe for both internal and external applications

Anti Inflammatory
This property gives relief from inflammations resulting from fever and viral infections.

Anti Phlogistic
Protects the wounds and ulcers from infections and from being septic.

Anti Spasmodic
Being a relaxant and sedative in nature, this oil works great against spasms too. It relaxes nerves, muscles and blood vessels and hence ends spasms or contraction. Thus it is helpful in treating problems associated with spasm, such as cramps, aches, coughs etc.

Astringent
Although very mild, this oil has some astringent properties which induce contraction in gums, muscles and skin.

Cicatrisant
It soothes skin and helps fading away of scars, spots etc.

Carminative
It induces relaxation in the intestines and abdominal muscles, thereby facilitating removal of gases. healthy, young and vibrant.

Diuretic
Due to its relaxing and anti inflammatory nature, it soothes inflammations in the urinary system and induces relaxation in it, thereby promoting easy passage of urine. odor.

Disinfectant
It increases the tendency of urinating as well as the frequency of urination and quantity of urine. This helps loose weight, lower blood pressure, increase appetite, lower cholesterol and removal of toxins from the body.

Health Benefits

Emollient
Sandal Oil soothes skin, relieves it from inflammations and irritations, cures infections on it and keeps it fresh and cool.

Sedative
This oil sedates inflammations, anxiety, fear, stress, restlessness etc. and induces relaxation and calmness.

Tonic
A healthy tonic especially for growing children, as it is beneficial to the digestive system, circulatory system and nervous system.

Expectorant
Sandalwood Essential Oil behaves as an expectorant and is particularly effective in treating coughs

Hypotensive
It can be taken with milk or even water to reduce blood pressure in patients suffering from high blood pressure. The paste of Sandalwood has the same effect.

Memory Booster
It improves memory and induces concentration

Tonic
It makes right the metabolic functions like decomposition of food and absorption of nutrients by toning up the liver, stomach and intestines, helping you grow stronger and healthier. It is also seen to take care of proper excretion; it regulates the endocrinal secretions of hormones and enzymes and also tones up the nervous system, thus making you more alert and active, and finally, boosts the immune system, protecting you from infections.

Other Benefits
Helps treat eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and sores. Gives relief from constipation and it can also be used as an antidote against insect bites temporarily.

Description
Natural shea butter is extracted from the pit of a fruit that grows only on the magnifolia tree in Central and Western Africa. Shea butter has been used for centuries in Africa for its unsurpassed ability to maintain and protect the skin from environmental damage and for cosmetic and food purposes. It is used externally to protect the skin from sunburn, eczema, as skin rejuvenator, and for its exceptional healing qualities in scalp and hair care.

The main constituents are
Essential fatty acids, such as triglycerides, unsaponifiables and waxy esters. The seed kernels contain about 50% of a fat consisting mainly of stearic (36-47%) , oleic (33-50%) acids and cinnamic acid. The unsaponifiable fraction (2-11%) is composed of phenols: tocopherols, triterpenes (a-amyrin, lupeol, butyrospermol, parkeol), steroids (campesterol, stigmasterol, -sitosterol, aspinasterol, delta-7-avenasterol) and the polyisoprenic hydrocarbon kariten (up to 2%).

Health Benefits

Helps heal scars, burns, and stretch marks.

Shea butter can prevents ashy skin, chapping, and skin rashes.

An ideal hair dressing that protects the scalp from sores and rashes and prevents dandruff.

Helps prevent weak hair from breaking, fading, or thinning out.

Fortifies cuticles and nails.

Helps heal bruises.

You can drain toxins from sore muscles with shea butter: perfect for sports participants.

Helps prevent skin irritation for babies: used for generations to help babies sleep better.

Use shea butter after shaving to prevent irritation and restore skins natural luster.

Ideal for dry skin, dermatitis, eczema, sunburn and athletes foot.

Shea butter rejuvenates skin pores and adds elasticity to skin.

Shea butter firms up aging skin and helps clear wrinkles.

Massage shea butter into areas affected by arthritis, join pains, or other muscular ache.

Shea butter naturally contains vitamins A and E

Source:Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan

Description
The resin of Asafoetida is greyish-white in color and is really difficult to grate, for which traditionally stones were used. The most easily available form of the Asafoetida is the fine powder.
It is known to have very strong odor because of which it should be kept closed in a container so as to avoid the contamination of other spices nearby.

Health Benefits
The prime use of the Asafoetida is its dried sap which can be extracted from its stem and roots as to be used as a spice. It is used in pickles and to coat the fish before frying. It is used as a digestive aid and is also known to be useful in the treatment of Asthma and Bronchitis.

Description
It is a hairy perennial shrub, often used in hedgerows, and stands up to about one meter high (3 feet) with pointed leaves, serrated at the edges and it has pinkish-white flowers. The oil is mostly colorless(but can have a slight light green color to it) with a strong floral aroma and a hint of mint. It has a watery viscosity.

The main constituents are
Alpha Pinene, Myrcene, Limonene, Menthone, Linalool, Geranyl Acetate, Citronellol, Geraniol and Geranyl Butyrate.

Extraction
The Essential Oil of Geranium is extracted through steam distillation of stem & leaves of Geranium plant.

Health Benefits

Astringent
An astringent, it makes the gums, muscles (including contraction of abdominal muscles which gives you a better look), intestines, skin, tissues and blood vessels to contract.

Anti Bacterial & Anti Microbial
This property does not let bacteria or microbes develop on wounds and keeps you safe from infections.

Haemostatic
Geranium Oil can stop haemorrhage in two ways. First, being an astringent (more specifically, a styptic), it causes contraction of blood vessels and helps stop flow of blood. Second, being a haemostatic, it speeds up coagulation or clotting of blood.

Cicatrisant
It helps the scars and other spots on skin to fade and vanish. It facilitates blood circulation just below the surface of skin and also helps make distribution of melanin uniform

Cytophylactic
It encourages the recycling of dead cells and the regeneration of new cells. This helps in the growth of the body cells as well as gametes.

Diuretic
Its diuretic properties increases urination. Urination aids digestion, prohibits formation of gases in the intestine and is effective in the removal of excess acids and bile secreted in the stomach. Urination also reduces blood pressure because the more you urinate, more the sodium is removed and blood pressure is reduced.

Health Benefits

Deodorant
It aids in eliminating body odor and provides an uplifting aroma.

Styptic
It causes the blood vessels to contract and thus slows down or stops flow of blood.

Tonic
The tonic property makes all the systems and functions perform smoothly by influencing endocrinal glands for regulating secretion of various hormones, enzymes, acids and bile etc. and toning up the respiratory system, digestive system, circulatory system, nervous system and excretory system.

Vermifuge
This particular property is very beneficial for those children (sometimes even adults) who suffer from intestinal worms.

Vulnerary
Geranium Oil speeds up healing of wounds, cut and surgical incisions.

Other Benefits
It can be fruitful if employed in treatment of acne, dermatitis and other skin diseases etc, infections of nose, throat and other respiratory organs, eczema, neuralgia, burns, ulcers, tonsillitis, Post Menopause Syndrome etc. Further, it has great mental uplifting effects and can be very effective in treating depression, anxiety, anger etc.