The Healing Powers of our Australian Bush

As you know my love is fusing wildly grown Australian botanicals into my formulations. So can you imagine how excited I was when I stumbled across this unique shrub, grown right here in West Australia by a company who's just as passionate about the healing powers of the Australian bush.

Commonly referred to as 'coarse tea-tree' by the cut flower industry, it was given its common name of Fragonia® to reflect the fragrant nature of both the foliage and the extracted oil.

Fragonia has an aroma reminiscent of the Australian bush, subtle mixture of fresh diffusive eucalyptus, with a beautiful underlying hint of citrus which immediately relaxes and calms your mind - it's simply hypnotic. Currently, our Retinol Serum and Willow Bark BHA Serum both include Fragonia and  guaranteed you'll be seeing a little herbal remedy coming your way soon.

I've added a little bit of science-sy and aromatherapy information below and as you read along, I hope you too, fall in love with this little 'gem' I found.

Like so many other essential oils known for their healing properties Fragonia, has its own additional uniqueness.   

The apparent uniqueness of Fragonia, first identified by world renowned aromatic medical practitioner Dr Penoel, is its ability to work at a deep level, releasing blockages and having the capacity to bring harmony, peace and balance at an emotional, physical and for some, a spiritual level.

It is thought to regulate, bringing the body’s natural healing abilities back into line. Scientific, clinical, testimonial and anecdotal information shows Fragonia to be effective in the following key areas:

Emotional Rebalancing / Shifts of Awareness

• Balancing, regulating, calming
• Letting go of unserving patterns of behaviour

Influence on the respiratory system (Dr Penoel, 2005)

• Anti-inflammatory
• Decongestant – breaks up mucus
• Fights common respiratory infections from the nose through to the lungs
• Soothes the irritation and nervous cough reactions linked to the lungs
• Strengthens and balances the immune system
• Has an analgesic effect when used externally

Anti-Microbial and Anti-Fungal

The University of Western Australia has conducted studies on Fragonia which have shown significant anti-microbial activity making it perfect for pimples and acne as well as treating minor cuts and bites or stings.

Fragonia Hydrosol creates an acidic environment in the throat when gargled, which is beneficial in treating cases of bacterial tonsillitis. (Ref: K. Wallwork, 2006. Aromatherapy Today, International Aromatherapy Journal, Vol 36 August: 6), as well as other inflammatory conditions such as laryngitis. (Ref: M. Webb, 2013. IJPHA, Vol 2 Issue 1 Summer)

Anti-Inflammatory

Preliminary research by the University of Western Australia supports the potential of Fragonia as an anti-inflammatory oil. ((Ref: K. Hammer, C. Carson, J. Dunstan, et al, 2008. Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of five Taxandria fragrans oils in vitro. Microbiol Immunol, Vol. 52: 522-530).

Useful in muscular-skeletal conditions such as pain and inflammation from sprains, strains and joint problems, muscle stiffness, soreness and cramping (Ref: M. Webb, 2013. IJPHA, Vol 2 Issue 1 Summer).

Analgesic

Fragonia is believed to be useful in assisting with relieving minor pain, including joint and muscle pain through topical application.

It appears that Fragonia has some remarkable analgesic properties (Dr Penoel, 2005).

Strengthens the Immune System

Being a very gentle oil, Fragonia can be applied on a daily basis to the skin over the lymphatic nodes in the side of the neck, the armpits and groin to strengthen the immune system (Dr Penoel, 2005).