We discovered another oil this week. Elemi is a tree found in the tropical forests of the Philippines and some neighbouring nations. Its botanical name is Canarium Luzonicum. The essential oil of Elemi is extracted by steam distillation of the gum obtained from the Elemi tree; the main components of this oil are dipentene, elemicine, elemol, limonene, phellandrene, and terpineol.
Quite possibly, it was the antiseptic property of the Essential Oil of Elemi which made it useful in the embalming process in ancient Egypt. The antiseptic property protects against every possible infection, including those from microbes, bacteria, fungi, and viruses, along with providing protection against septic and tetanus, all of which is very important in the embalming process.
There are no known threats except that Elemi Essential Oil can be irritating for people with certain skin types. Therefore, it should not be applied on the skin of babies or young children.
