June's essential oil of the month is a truly rare and special oil called Moldavian Dragonhead and comes from a vibrant, spicy, and aromatic plant with purple-blue flowers. Its slight lemon-honey scent reminds me of the coveted Melissa essential oil, and while it has similar properties and uses, dragonhead has a more unique chemistry that makes it stand out among most essential oils.
As soon as I received the bottle, I knew I had my hands on something special and hard to find!
June's Oil of The Month - Moldavian Dragonhead
What makes dragonhead essential oil really exciting for the essential oil enthusiast is its high geranyl acetate content. This floral and fruity ester is what gives this oil a smooth, well-rounded aroma that instills a sense of relaxation and stress relief.
Other essential oils that contain geranyl acetate include bergamot, citronella, geranium, lavender, lemon, neroli, and petitgrain. Dragonhead is the only essential oils I have used with geranyl acetate as its main component - up to 44%!
Just like Melissa essential oil, dragonhead yields a very small amount of essential oil. In fact, one of the few distilleries that make this oil produced just 16 kilograms in 2017. So, the amount of this oil produced on a yearly basis is definitely minute, but I believe this is because until quite recently, this essential oil was only produced for clinical research.
This alone makes dragonhead a rather pricey essential oil, so if you're able to opt-in for this month's oil, I highly recommend that you do since this oil retails for a good $75 dollars or more for 2.5ml. If you're quick, you can pick this up for $20 through Plant Therapy's Oil of The Month Club.
I'm not sure where Plant Therapy has sourced this amazing essential oil, but I'm so excited to finally get to try such a rare essential oil.
The Properties and Benefits of Dragonhead Essential Oil
Believe it or not, Moldavian dragonhead isn't actually a native species of Moldavia (which is between Romania and Ukraine). In fact, it originates from the northern region of China where it then spread through Eastern Europe, Finland, and Russia.
The plant has been cultivated for its flavor and medicinal properties as well as its affinity for attracting bees to gardens since 1596 and has been well-loved for its beautiful purple blooms.
Macerating the dried leaves and flowers in carrier oil make for lovely lemon-honey scented treat that can be used in soap making, lotions, and massage oils.
Botanical Name
Dracocephalum moldavica
Country of Origin
Bulgaria
Extraction Method
Steam distilled
Parts Used
Leaves and flowering tops
Strength of Aroma
Medium
Cautions
Use topically at a max dilution of 1.7%
Safe for Children?
No
According to research, Moldavian dragonhead essential oil has some pretty significant properties that can ease a multitude of health complaints.
These include its ability to:
β’ Act as a sedative
β’ Alleviate aches and pains including toothache, headache, migraines, and neuralgia
β’ Boost immunity
β’ Ease altitude sickness
β’ Encourage the production of gastric juices
β’ Fight off cold and flu
β’ Help normalize blood sugar levels
β’ Reduce digestive upset and gastrointestinal disturbances
β’ Reduce inflammation
β’ Relieve restlessness
β’ Uplift emotions
Dragonhead essential oil is also antibacterial, antioxidant, and cardioprotective.
I have really been liking this oil in pain relieving roll-on recipes and find that it works best for me when used topically.
Since this oil is pricey, I find that using it in a diffuser a bit too wasteful, but you can certainly go that route if desired.
However, using a drop in a personal nasal inhaler works really well for boosting immunity while traveling. In fact, I plan on making one to take with me on my hike up Mt Whitney since it's also been touted for its ability to alleviate the effects of high altitude.
Essential Oil Recipes Using Moldavian Dragonhead Essential Oil
Personal Nasal Inhaler
For stimulating immunity and for preventing/alleviating altitude sickness add the following to the wick of a personal nasal inhaler:
β’ 1 drop Moldavian dragonhead essential oil
β’ 2 drops cardamom essential oil
β’ 5 drops peppermint essential oil
β’ 5 drops mandarin essential oil
These oils are great for boosting the immune system and for combating nausea associated with high altitude and motion sickness.
Pain-Relieving Roll-On Recipe
Apply this over bumps, bruises, strains, sprains, sore muscles, and tender joints for quick pain relief.
β’ 1 drop Moldavian dragonhead essential oil
β’ 1 drop birch essential oil
β’ 1 drop german chamomile essential oil
β’ 3 drops spike lavender essential oil
β’ Fill to the shoulder of the roll-on bottle with sweet almond oil
These essential oils help alleviate all types of pain, including back pain! Simply apply the roll-on in gentle swipes over the desired area and then massage it in.
Stress Relief Spray Recipe
This can be made in a small 2oz spray bottle that can be kept at your desk or on your bedside table for when you need relaxation and stress-relief.
β’ 3 drops Moldavian dragonhead essential oil
β’ 7 drops black spruce essential oil
β’ 10 drops lavender essential oil
β’ Fill to the shoulder of the bottle with spring water
Shake well before use.
If you haven't joined The Oil of The Month Club, I encourage you to do so since you get some really fun oils!
You may also enjoy reading:
Plant Therapy's Oil of The Month - Honeybell
How to Make Scented Soy Candles Using Essential Oils
The Benefits and Properties of Magnolia Flower Essential Oil
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