Aromas of Fruits for Confidence

It is said that aromas from fruits inspire confidence, and strengthen the body-mind connection.  It’s said that Citrus fruits and Berry-like fruits yield essential oils that are relaxing.  And it’s said that aromas of plant parts can modify human emotions.

Citrus fruits:

Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Mandarin, Tangerine,  & Yuzu

Berry-like fruits:

Juniperberry, May Chang, Pimenta Berry, Black and Pink Pepper*

The Peels of Citrus Fruit and a variety of Berry-like fruits are the aromas in essential oils from expression, steam distillation, or other methods of extraction.

Citrus

Lemon – Citrus x limon

Family: Rutaceae is the Rue family, or group of Citrus trees and shrubs

Origin and Biological status: cross between citron and pomelo, possibly by early farmers in region of Asia that spans East India to Burma and north into the Yunnan province of China. Introduced to Europe in the 10th century, brought to America by Columbus in 1492.

Part distilled is the peel, also called “flavedo”, is cold-expressed to catch the oil, at the same time, residual juice is separated from the oil.

Adulteration: frequency is high due to processing in which expressed oil, juice and “albedo” or pith mingle easily.  References to removing terpenes in the oil are common, as the expressed oil yield is “medium”, and flavor and perfume industries requirements vary.

Season: All year except for early fall, when some aromatic/flavor components are low.
Energetics: the essential oil is cooling, activating, strengthening, increases Kapha & appetite

Lemons in Rituals & Medicines: Citrus used to be rare pror to the mid-20th century, considered a luxury fruit. Early pagan rituals and later Christianity cherished citrus fruit as symbolic of Spring. Citron, one of two ancestors of the Lemon, is highly prized in Judaism for the Feast of the Tabernacles. In Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, the peel is medicinal to inflammation, fevers, also made into tea for urinary problems.

Perfumes: used as a top note only in perfumes often with Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) essential oil. Unusual characteristics: a “fragrance category of its own” in perfumery and aroma-therapy, it’s one of the most popular culinary flavors and aromas.

Olfactive features: its smell is very similar to the fruit we consume, to memories; its scent is not tenacious, but is relaxing for its bright, clean, astringent aroma. Aromatic characteristics: a sharp, sweet-spicy scent recalls the fruit itself. Usually expressed from the peel, can be steam-distilled but then is not considered therapeutic with additional processing.