Lilac is a deciduous shrub tree growing between 5-15 ft tall, belonging to the oleaceae family, having deep green leaves, leathery capsule-like fruits and oval clusters of colourful flowers (in different colours, such as purple, lavender, red, pink, creamy yellow and white), native to Eastern Europe and the Balkans ( but, found worldwide).
• Its essential-oil comes from the leaves.
Plant Description
Lilac is a fragrant, spring-flowering upright multi-stemmed, large deciduous shrub or small, multi-stemmed tree that normally grows about 6–7 m (20–23 ft.) tall.
The plant is found growing in woodlands, scrub on rocky hills, inland cliffs, rock pavements, outcrops, vacant lots, roadsides, thickets, and areas around abandoned dwellings.
The plant prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soils rich in organic matter.
It also thrives best in well-drained soils in full sun.
It can refer to any of about 25 species of fragrant and beautiful garden shrubs and trees from the family Oleaceae, growing between 5-15 feet in height, native to Eastern Europe and the temperate regions of Asia and are known to be hardy, easy-to-grow and low maintenance plants.
Its Essential Oil is usually pale purple, with a refreshing floral scent.
Roots
The root system gradually develops clonal offsets that can form a thicket of shrubs after a sufficient length of time.Bark
Bark of large old stems is gray to gray-brown, somewhat rough-textured, slightly shredded, and sometimes shallowly furrowed.The bark of young stems is gray to brown and smooth, while new shoots are green and glabrous.
Twigs are stout, angled (almost 4 sided) or ridged, lustrous brown, glabrous, numerous raised lenticels.
Leaf scars are raised, crescent-shaped. Buds are large, green but turning purple in the winter.
Leaves
A pair of opposite leaves occur along the young stems and shoots.
Individual leaves are 4–12 cm (2-5 inches) long and 3–8 cm (1½-3½ inches) across.
They are cordate to ovate and smooth along their margins.Upper leaf surface is yellowish green to dark green and hairless, while the lower surface is pale green and hairless.
The slender petioles are 1/2-1 1/2 inches long, light green and glabrous.
Flowers
Elongated panicles of flowers about 3-7 inches long develop from the stems of the preceding year.The panicles taper gradually toward their tops and they are ascending to erect.
Individual flowers are about 1/4 inches (6 mm.) across and 1/3 inches (8 mm.) long, consisting of a narrowly tubular corolla with 4 spreading lobes, a short tubular calyx with 4 teeth, a pistil with a single style, and 2 inserted stamens.
On different shrubs, the corollas can be purple, Lavender, light blue, pink, or white, although Lavender is the most common colour.
The branches of each panicle are light green and glabrous.
The blooming period occurs during late spring for about 2-3 weeks.
The flowers are very fragrant.
Fruits
Fertile flowers are replaced by dry, smooth, ellipsoid seed capsules about 1/2 inches long.Capsules are initially green, but they become brown at maturity, dividing into 2 segments.
Each capsule contains up to 4 seeds.
The seeds are somewhat flattened and winged; they are distributed to some extent by the wind.
Oil
Lilac Oil colour is pale purple, with waxy consistency and refreshing and floral smell.
History
The medicinal uses of Lilac Oil began in the 19th century.
In America, it was used as a vermifuge to help eliminate intestinal worms, and an anti-periodic tonic (prevents diseases from occurring again).Its Essential Oil is still useful to treat rashes, sunburn, minor cuts and scrapes and other Skin ailments.
Its a valuable addition to beauty products (like lotions, soaps, shampoos and conditioners) for its fragrance and calming effects.
Its also added to cleaning products, since adds a refreshing scent throughout your home.
Types & Varieties
Popular Lilac Varieties
The common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is the most popular and grows in temperate regions all over the world.The Lilac plant has deep green leaves, leathery capsule-like fruits and oval clusters of colourful blooms.
The flowers can come in different colours (such as purple, lavender, red, pink, creamy yellow and white).![]( "Lilac")
Ludwig Spaeth
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Madame Lemoine
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Albert F. Holden
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Andenken an Ludwig Spath
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Avalanche
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Beauty of Moscow
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Blue Skies
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Charles Joly
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Katherine Havemeyer
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Monge
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President Grevy
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President Lincoln
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Primrose
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Sensation
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Wedgewood Blue
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Yankee Doodle
• Ludwig Spaeth – One of the best purple Lilacs you can find. Usually, it will grow early in summer while prolonging the blooming season.
• Madame Lemoine – It has showy panicles packed with amazingly fragrant, double, white flowers. Opening from creamy buds in late spring, the abundant blossoms last 3-4 weeks and make a wonderful display of glistening white.
• Albert F. Holden – It has loosely open panicles packed with fragrant, single, deep Violet flowers in late spring. Each blossom is decorated with a silvery blush on the reverse of the petals, creating a nice bicolor effect. The open branches are clothed in light green, heart-shaped leaves that remain attractive in summer.
• Andenken an Ludwig Spath – Has slender panicles, up to 12 in. long (30 cm), packed with amazingly fragrant, single, deep wine-red flowers. Blooming in late spring, the abundant blossoms last 3-4 weeks and make a dramatic display. The erect, open branches are clothed in dark green, heart-shaped leaves that remain attractive in summer.
• Avalanche – It has showy upright panicles of very large, fragrant, white florets in late spring. The open branches are clothed in light green, heart-shaped leaves that remain attractive in summer.
• Beauty of Moscow – It has showy upright panicles of highly fragrant, double flowers in late spring. Opening from pinkish-Lilac buds, the double white florets are adorned with a very pale pink blush, creating a stunning bicolor effect. The open branches are clothed in light green, heart-shaped leaves that remain attractive in summer.
• Blue Skies – It has very showy racemes of sweetly fragrant, pale Lavender-blue, single flowers in late spring. It opens from lilac-pink buds; the dense, arching panicles cover the shrub in a ravishing bicolor display. The open branches are clothed in light green, heart-shaped leaves that remain attractive in summer.
• Charles Joly – It has showy panicles packed with amazingly fragrant, magenta, double flowers. Opening from purple buds in late spring, the abundant blossoms last 3-4 weeks and make a dramatic display.
• Katherine Havemeyer – Spreading with age, with dense panicles packed with amazingly fragrant, double, Lavender-purple flowers which fade to lilac-pink. Blooming in late spring, the abundant blossoms last 3-4 weeks and make a wonderful display of Lavender, purple and pink.
• Monge – It has incredibly showy panicles, 9 in. long (22 cm), packed with wonderfully fragrant, single, reddish-purple flowers. Blooming in late spring, the abundant blossoms last 3-4 weeks and make a dramatic display.
• President Grevy – It has immense panicles packed with highly fragrant, double Lavender-blue florets in late spring. The open branches are clothed in light green, heart-shaped leaves that remain attractive in summer.
• President Lincoln – It has showy panicles packed with wonderfully fragrant, single, Lavender-blue flowers. Blooming in late spring, this is a fast-growing, leafy Lilac with open branches clothed in light green, heart-shaped leaves that remain attractive in summer, but may tend to hide the flowers.
• Primrose – It has conical panicles of slightly fragrant, pale creamy-yellow flowers. Blooming in late spring, the ravishing blossoms last 3-4 weeks and makes a rare and beautiful display. The erect, open branches are clothed in light green, heart-shaped leaves that remain attractive in summer.
• Sensation – It has unusual bicolor flowers. Sweetly scented, they form large, pyramidal panicles of purplish red florets adorned with white edges.
• Wedgewood Blue – It has ery showy racemes of sweetly fragrant, Lavender-blue, single flowers in late spring. Opening from lilac-pink buds, the dense, arching panicles cover the shrub in a ravishing bicolor display.
• Yankee Doodle – It has incredibly showy panicles, 8 in. long (20 cm), packed with wonderfully fragrant, single, deep purple flowers. Blooming in late spring, the abundant blossoms last 3-4 weeks and make a dramatic display.
Mechanism of Action
Additional Information
Key Actions
Lilac essential-oils is:
• Anti-Microbial (kills the microbes),
• Anti-pyretic (reduces Fever),
• Anti-viral (effective against harmful viruses),
• Sedative (relaxes and induces sleep),
• Tonic (prevents diseases),
• Anti-Inflammatory (reduces redness, pain, and swelling),
• Anti-tumor (Fights tumorous cells),
• Anti-hypertensive (lowers High Blood Pressure levels),
• Anti-oxidant (inhibits the process of oxidation),
• Anti-fungal (effective against Fungal Infections),
• Anti-bacterial,
• Anti-parasitic,
• Wound healing,
• Anti-septic,The leaves and flowers are:
• Diaphoretic,
• Anti-pyretic,
• Anti-Inflammatory,
• Anti-bacterial,
• Anti-viral,
• Cleansing,
• Detoxifies,
• Purifies,
• Diuretic,
• Wound healing,
• Immuno-tonic,
• Skin rejuvenator,
Usable Parts
leaves and flowers, essential-oils.
The oil is extracted from its flowers (dried), leaves, and fruits.
Directions of Preparation
Lilac Oil infusion:
Its oil is made by Steam distilling the fruits and dried leaves of the Lilac tree.
1) Harvest a bunch of fresh Lilac flowers.
2) Line a bowl with cheesecloth and place the blossoms on top.
3) Add 2 cups of water, making sure that all the Lilacs are fully submerged. Cover the bowl and let it sit overnight.
4) The next day, draw the edges of the cheesecloth together and twist into a packet, with the flowers in the middle. Tie with a string.
5) Transfer the Lilac water to a vessel and allow to Boil. Put the sachet in the simmering water and let it Boil for an hour. Let it cool.
6) Pour it into a bottle and add 5 drops of glycerin. Shake well.How to use Essential Oil:
1) Diffuse
• Put 3-4 drops with 1/2 cup of Water and turn it on to run in the rooms you are spending time in.
• Use with other Essential Oils.
• Only use with Essential Oil diffuser (no warmers or humidifiers).2) Inhale
• Sniff directly from bottle.
• Rub one (1) between hands, cover over mouth/nose and breathe in.
• Spray onto furniture, clothes, or carpeting.3) Ingest
• Drink in Water, tea, or take in Vegetable capsules.
• Drop under the Tongue.
• Read directions for amounts.4) Topical
• Apply on location neat or diluted (depends on oil or specific use).
• Apply to bottom of the feet as a safe access point.
• May use reflex points.
• Combine with carrier oils such as Coconut Oil.Flower Infusion:
1) Brew a spoonful of its flowers for 15 min in a glass of boiling water.
2) Drink a glass of it 2-4 times a day, if you suffer from cases of Hypertension, acute Diarrhea, Cough and Whooping Cough.Decoction (for a cold):
1) Pour a spoonful of its flowers in a glass of water.
2) Boil for 15 minutes on low heat under cover.
3) strain and top it up with boiled water to a full glass.
4) It tastes better when sweetened with Raspberry juice or Raw Honey.Lilac and German Chamomile tea (for a cold):
1) Take its flowers and German Chamomile evenly.
2) Pour a spoon of chopped herbs into a glass of boiling water.
3) Let it rest for a 15 min under cover.
4) Drink 2-3 glasses of hot tea per day.
5) It tastes better when sweetened with Raspberry juice or Raw Honey.Decoction (for dissolving joint deposits and heel spurs):
1) Pour four spoons fresh Lilac flowers in 20 spoons of 45% Alcohol.
2) Set aside in a dark place for 9 days.
3) Filter out carefully by squeezing the herbs.
4) Use three times a day for 30 drops diluted in a glass of boiled water.
5) Rub painful places, apply compresses on spurs for the night.Decoction (for bronchial Asthma):
1) Mix Lilac flowers, Sundew herbs, leaf lanceolate and Violet herb in equal amounts.
2) Cook four teaspoons of the mixture for a few minutes 3 glasses of water.
3) Set decoction aside for 2 hours to let it cool and Strain.
4) Drink in 3 portions throughout the day.Leaves compress (for external use):
1) The leaves as a whole is applied to the forehead and temples can reduce Headaches and Migraines.
2) A pulp of its fresh ground leaves helps to cure hard-healing, festering Wounds.Brew (for external use):
Use the brew for washing problematic Skin (such as rosacea, Eczema, inflammation, discolouration).
It can be useful as mouthwash and vaginal irrigation.
Its also good as a poultice at ulcers, exuDates, lichens, Conjunctivitis, puffy Eyes, shadows.
1) Pour 2 spoonful of equal proportion of flowers and leaves in 2 cups of boiling water.
2) Infuse for 15 minutes.Tincture (for rheumatism):
It helps with rheumatic pains, Arthritis, Neuralgia, dissemination, inflammations, Colds.
1) Mix Lilac flowers and leaves together in 1/4 glass.
2) Pour two (2) glasses of vodka, leave for 14 days in a dark place, shake every day.
3) After filtering, apply to painful joints and muscles and rub.
Recommended Dosage
• Diffused (or inhaled): – Adding a few drops in a burner will help relieve the symptoms of Depression and Anxiety.
• As a topical agent: – Mix it with a safe carrier oil and apply to sunburn, rashes and wrinkles or use as a mild massage oil. or Mixed in bath or beauty products, such as adding it to your favorite lotion (or cream).
Its Active Constituents:
• Lilac contain:
• (E)-ocimene (as a major component).
• Furanoid terpene aldehyde (Lilac aldehyde),
• Benzyl methyl ether,
• 1,4-dimethoxybenzene (hydroquinone dimethyl ether),
• Indole,
• Isooleuropein,
• Isoligustroside,
• Forsythiaside,
• Neooleuropein,
• Echinacoside,
• Verbascoside,
• Oleuropein,
• Syringin,
• Beta-Amyrin acetate,
• Oleoside 11-methyl,
• Guai-9-en-4beta-ol,
• 10-dione,
• (S)-(+)-2-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-acetoxyethanol,
• (S)-(+)-2-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-ethoxylethanol,
• Oleuropein,
• Two (2) secoiridoid Glycosides,
• Armandiside,
• 4-O–bis–beta-D-glucoside,
• SyringaResinol-4,
• Isosyringinoside,
• 2-(3, 4-dihydroxy)-phenylethyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside,
• The major component is ([E]-ocimene).
• The most characteristic components (furanoid terpene aldehyde [Lilac aldehyde] and the corresponding Alcohol, benzyl methyl ether, 1,4-dimethoxybenzene [hydroquinone dimethyl ether], Indole).
• The compound benzyl methyl ether is said to inFluence the diffusive aura of Lilacs, especially in full bloom. It has an intense Fruity-etheral odour, reminiscent of the top note in Ylang-Ylang Oil.
Note:
* Diffused or inhaled – Adding a few drops in a burner will help relieve the symptoms of Depression and Anxiety.
* External use – Mix it with a safe carrier oil and apply to sunburn, rashes and wrinkles or use as a mild massage oil.
Precaution:
* Lilac Essential Oil should not be used internally (consumed) whatsoever, as it can have toxic effects and lead to stomach upset, Nausea, Vomiting, Headaches, Dizziness and other more serious side effects.
* Lilac Essential Oil may trigger Skin Infections if you have hypersensitive Skin, stop using the oil and seek medical attention immediately you experience symptoms such as Skin turning red, very itchy or even cause Hives or rashes.
* Some Lilac Oils have synthetic fragrances that imitate the fragrance of Lilacs (as the flowers actually cannot be distilled to make an Essential Oil).
* Dilute the Essential Oil in a safe carrier oil (as much as possible) and used properly in moderation.
* If using this oil topically, do a Skin patch test (using a diluted version) First to see if you have any allergic response to the oil.
* Do not use its Essential Oil without the doctor’s approval, if you are pregnant or Breastfeeding.
* Avoid using its Essential Oil on young children.
Health Benefits of Lilac
Anti-Aging
• Lilac Essential Oil contains anti-oxidants and Astringent properties (both of which can work in preventing aging, giving a cleaner and younger looking Skin).
• Its good for reducing age lines, fading lines, blemishes, wrinkles, sagging Skin, and other signs of aging.
• It tightens the Skin, making the Skin elastic and youthful.
• The leaves and flowers is a great cosmetic which rejuvenates the Skin, reduces dark circles and puffiness under the Eyes.
Foods & Bones
Circulatory System
• Lilac leaves and flowers purifies the blood and regulates blood pressure.
• Its Essential Oil helps prevent clotting, thus beneficial to heart patients, as it decreases the chances of heart attacks (a condition where the blood clots block the blood vessels and further prevents blood supply to heart muscles) and Stroke (a disease where a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and forms a clot).
• Both heart attack and Stroke are deadly, unless and until they are given immediate attention.
• Syringa aramaticum and Syringa Pinnatifolia var. alAshanensis (SPEO) extracts significantly inhibited platelets aggregation.
Foods & Circulatory System
Detoxification
• Lilac Essential Oil helps to stimulate perspiration (a sign that the body is in the process of reducing heat /Fever) and can also prevent various Infections that occur.
• Sweat that is issued will help remove toxins in the body, then the body will slowly improve again.
• The leaves and flowers detoxifies (the body and Liver), cleansing (the lungs, bronchi), and reduces Coughing, sore throat.
Foods & Detoxification
Digestive System
• Lilac extracts help in relieving the Digestive issues (such as Indigestion / Dyspepsia [a condition where there is a persistent and recurrent pain in the upper abdomen], Flatulence [excess gas], and Diarrhea).
Foods & Digestive System
Immune System
• Lilac leaves and flowers strengthens immunity.
• Its Essential Oil boosts immunity and can prevent the attack of various pathogens, bacteria and fungi.
Foods & Immune System
Infections
• Lilac has anti-pyretic properties (or fever-reducing), therefore also helpful in preventing and treating Malaria.
• Its Essential Oil is an effective Febrifuge agent (helps reduce Fever and provides comfort from its effects).
• Lilac Essential Oil is has Anti-Microbial properties, that destroys the bacteria and fungus, and prevents the body from further Infections.
• Its an excellent sterilizing agent (contains anti-bacterial properties), thus can be used in a diffuser to clean the air of bacteria.
• Its beta-amyrin acetate content inhibits the growth of Candida species.
• Its oleoside 11-methyl ester content is effective against Lactobacillus pentosus.
• Its guai-9-en-4beta-ol content is active against Bacillus coagulans and Aspergillus niger.
• Its 10-dione content is effective against Escherichia coliand Fusarium oxysporum.
• Its (S)-(+)-2-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-ethoxylethanol & (S)-(+)-2-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-acetoxyethanol inhibit the growth of Phytophthora capsici (after 6 days of incubation period).
• Lilac Essential Oil has anti-viral properties and its aqueous flowers extract inhibits the growth of Hepatitis B virus (causes a deadly Liver Infection).
• Its effective against Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and herpes (a sexually transmitted disease [STD] caused by HSV).
• HSV 1 causes diseases (such as Infection of lips or primary herpetic gingivostomatitis [Infection in the mouth]).
• HSV 2 Infection causes itching around genitals, painful blisters that ooze and bleed, Fever and Headaches.
Foods & Infections
Intestine
• Its Essential Oil acts like Anthelmintic drugs by killing intestinal worms and other parasites without harming your body and are an effective vermifuge (parasite-stunners, helps the body get rid of intestinal worms) or vermicides (parasite killers).
• Lilac Essential Oil helps in preventing stomach-related disorders and killing intestinal worms/parasites in the body (such as worms in The Intestine) by inhaling the scent (or smearing it on the Skin, but its not consumed).
• Its an effective vermifuge (eliminates the intestinal worms) and also proven effective against helminthiasis or stomach worm Infections.
• When an herbal tea prepared from its flowers is consumed 2-3 times a day.
• Lilac extracts from Syringa aramaticum have been successfully helpful in the treatment of Hemorrhoids/piles (blood vessels which swell, stretch, and pain especially while passing stools).
• The leaves and flowers helps with acute Diarrhea, and works Diuretic.
Foods & Intestine
Musculoskeletal System
• Lilac contain Iridoids, Lignans, and phenylethanoids which Fight inflammation.
• Its Iridoid Glycosides exert Anti-Inflammatory effects on ulcerative Colitis (a condition where there is an inflammation in the colon and ulcers [or erosion of the mucous lining] in the colon, leading to bleeding).
• Its leaves and flowers helps with Headaches and rheumatic pains.
Foods & Musculoskeletal System
Skin Health
• Lilac Essential Oil has anti-oxidant content that can stimulate and accelerate healing of the Skin.
• It stimulates new cell growth so that healing of Wounds is very fast (good to use when the Skin is exposed to sunlight and rashes).
• It also soothes rashes, sunburn, scrapes, cuts, and other Skin ailments.
• Its stimulating and anti-oxidant properties speeds up the healing process of the Skin, particularly small cuts, rashes, Burns or sunburn, Bruises or scrapes.
• It also promotes glowing and healthy Skin.
• The leaves and flowers would help with Wound healing (heals the Skin diseases, Acne, Eczema and hard-to-heal Wounds).
Foods & Skin Health
The Brain & Nervous System
• Its Essential Oil aromatherapeutic effects and characteristic sweet fragrance, can help ease Anxiety, calm mind and also induces a harmonious mood.
• Lilac Essential Oil is widely used in reducing tension and Stress, ward off symptoms of Depression Depression (a state where a person carries a low mood, where he/she will no longer find pleasure in things that he/she used to enjoy and can also have suicidal tendencies) and Anxiety (a state of constant worry, where the person tends to worry so much that it has an obvious interference in his or her day-to-day activities and avoids social gatherings), as its soothing fragrance takes the mind to a relaxed state.
• Lilac will have an effect on the limbic system (just by inhaling it), where it provides calm, promotes comfort and eliminate Depression and Stress.
• Breathing its Essential Oil is also good for improving sleep quality and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Foods & Nervous System
