While traveling in France this past summer I discovered the enchantingly sweet, honey-like aroma of Linden Blossoms. When first encountering this delightfully complex, all-encompassing scent, it is easy to understand why the olfactory properties of these trees have long been prized and coveted by perfumists.
Get to Know Linden Blossom CO2 Oil
Commonly referred to as the "Lime Tree" in Europe, the Linden is not closely related to the citrus fruit of the same name. The tree has a long history of medicinal use. In the eighteenth century, Sauer's Herbal Cures, the most influential manual of herbal medicine at the time, noted that a distillation of Linden Blossoms was widely recommended as a treatment for convulsions, dizziness, and other cold distempers of the head, along with colic, blisters in the throat, and facial skin conditions.
Today, the Linden Blossom CO2 Oil (Tilia cordata) is valued for the following properties and applications:- Tension relief
- Wonderfully soothing to the emotions
- Expectorant
- Sudorific (increasing sweating)
- Venous tonifier
- Mucolytic
- Skin tonifier
How to Use a CO2 Total
The best way to be consistent when adding a solid CO2 to your blends is to measure drops by weight. A CO2 total can be initially challenging to work with but well worth the effort. A total contains essential oils as well as plant waxes. The consistency is waxy when cool. To soften the wax to a liquid consistency, heat over low heat until melted.
A select is liquid and very easy to use in blending. Totals will dilute in carriers and will stay diluted. For optimal results, it may be necessary to warm the carrier oil (usually 30-35 C, 85-95 F), and after pouring the warmed total extract (50-55 C, 122-131 F), mix gently and leave at room temperature for a few days.
