South Africa has a wealth of indigenous plant species which are native to our country and grow here naturally. OilGrow is proud to have some of these essential oils, from indigenous plants, in our repertoire. Examples of indigenous plants are African Immortelle (Helichrysum odoratissimum), Rose Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens cv rose) and Fever Tea (Lippia javanica). Buchu, more specifically Agathosma betulina, is a very special indigenous species – its essential oil is a niche product which is exported commercially. Buchu is a fynbos species which grows only in the Western Cape, nowhere else in the world! It has a restricted natural distribution area on mountain slopes near Niewoudtville, Piketberg and Tulbagh and in the Cederberg Mountains.

Photos obtained from B.-E. van Wyk / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 119 (2008) 342–355 and Rosehip Farm.

OilGrow’s involvement in quality assessment of essential oils from indigenous plants

Dr Denise Olivier, Director of OilGrow, is passionate about plant chemistry. She has been assisting essential oil producers since 2015 to analyze their essential oils and understand the quality of their products. Consequently, she gathered a wealth of information about the chemical compositions of our indigenous essential oils over this time. In 2020/2021, Dr. Denise was approached to be part of a committee, tasked to compile the standards to assess the quality of a few South African Indigenous essential oils. What a privilege!

Firstly, the standard for Rose Geranium oil was assessed. With the major contribution from SAEOPA (South African Essential Oil Producers Association) and UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), the SANS 4731:2021 standard was drafted and can now be obtained from SABS (South African Bureau of Standards). Whilst the Bourbon, Madagscar, North African and Chinese varieties of Rose Geranium oils have already been published since the early 2000’s, the standard now also features the unique South African type. We are extremely proud of Rose Geranium as our flagship oil! It placed South Africa on the map as a world player when it comes to exceptional quality of essential oil. The perfume industry uses Geranium oil extensively. It even features as one of the essential oils which are used to make Chanel No.5 – amazing!

Upcoming oils for assessment

Likewise, the team is doing it again! Together with specialists from the industry, including Dr Denise, SAEOPA is busy doing the hard work of writing standards for other South African essential oils too. Secondly, Fever Tea will be up for analysis. African Immortelle will follow thirdly. Writing these standards for our essential oils from indigenous plants, are so important! It enables local producers, who export, to negotiate a better price based on quality and country of origin. To have these quality standards in place, is a wonderful tool to help the whole essential oils industry to promote consistent quality of oils in the global market. OilGrow feels honoured to actively be part of quality control in South Africa on such a high level.

OilGrow’s own unique blend & Covid

We want to introduce you to our unique blend comprised of three South African essential oils, which are all wild-harvested: Respi-Rescue.  The blend is made up of African Immortelle (Helichrysum odoratissimum), Persbergdraaibos (Felicia filifolia) and Khakibush (Tagetes minuta L.).

At the beginning of the Covid-outbreak, Dr. Denise did research on essential oils that are effective against SARS infections. Literature showed that essential oils or blends containing at least 20% Ocimenes were active in killing such viruses through various modes of action. A remedy with such properties are found right under our noses! Our own wild-harvested African immortelle, Felicia and Tagetes work together synergistically to impart amazing relief for those with covid. It even proves beneficial for those with other respiratory ailments, including bronchitis and asthma.

As a matter of fact, some African cultures use these plants as traditional medicine for respiratory ailments. When someone is sick with a respiratory illness, the branches of these plants are collected, tied together and set alight to make smoke. They place the smoking plants in a room with the sick person. As the fumes are breathed in it helps to clear up congestion. Once people diffuse our Respi-Rescue blend, we get amazing feedback. It helps to relieve the tightness in the chest and assists with expelling built up phlegm. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the main compounds in this blend assists with other symptoms such as sinus and chest pain.

Respi-Rescue: African Immortelle

African Immortelle is steam-distilled from the stems, leaves and flowers.  It is an aromatic herbaceous shrub which grows wild in the Clarence area, in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains in the Free State and the mountains in the neighbouring country of Lesotho. It is a yellow oil with a floral, herbaceous smell.  You might pick up faint chamomile, yarrow and mint notes too. The major components in this oil is α-Pinene (up to 36%) and 1,8-Cineol (up to 30%) with β-Caryophyllene up to 11%.

So why is this oil so special? The unique chemical composition of this essential oil gives the oil potent anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a known pain blocker and may even reduce swelling. α-Pinene has anti-ulcerogenic and gastroprotective properties. Whilst β-Caryophyllene acts against depression and anxiousness. 1,8-Cineol is known for its mucolytic and spasmolytic action in the respiratory tract, especially in inflammatory airway diseases, such as asthma.  It is also a potent insect repellent.

Felicia filifolia

The purple splendour of the small Felicia scrub is displayed in the mountainous areas in the Free State province from October to December. The essential oil distilled from the above-ground parts are not yet developed into a commercial product. It boasts with about 80% β-ocimenes making this oil a potent decongestant. It may help to expel excess mucous and phlegm, and promote better breathing, especially when inhaled. Essential oils that are rich in the potent activity of β-Ocimene are very effective against respiratory viruses. It also is quite effective against the fungi that causes athlete’s foot and ringworm. It might even inhibit key enzymes connected to type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Khakibos

Tagetes is steam distilled from the flowering plant when it is nearing the end of the growing season.  An interesting fact is that Tagetes’ therapeutic properties grow stronger the older the plant is. Which is why it is better to distill it from the flowering plant rather than earlier in its growth process. Tagetes oil has a wild, bush-like, sweet smell. It is yellow to reddish-amber in colour. It has a medium viscosity after distillation, but becomes thicker if exposed to the air for a long time.

The main components found in Tagetes are dihydrotagetone at between 3-13% and β-ocimene at about 28-51%. The unique chemical composition of this essential oil gives the oil anti-infectious, anti-microbial, anti-biotic, anti-spasmodic, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal and anti-septic properties. It works well as a disinfectant. Khakibush may help ease phlegm and catarrh depositions. It can help ease congestion and even help treat wounds, burns, athlete’s foot and skin diseases. It is also a known insect repellent and decongestant, assisting with spasmodic coughing.

Essential oils from wild harvested Indigenous plants

What is probably most remarkable, is that these three species are wild-harvested. The plants grow wild in the South African veld. When they are flowering, it is easy to identify them. This is when the essential oil content in the above-ground parts is at its highest level. Local communities cut the plants by hand, making sure to shake off any seeds which may have formed, so that mother nature can produce another crop in the next year. This is how sustainable wild harvesting is maintained. Isn’t it just something to be proud of?

Since the oils are not cultivated or treated with fertilizers or pesticides, wild-harvested oils are naturally also organic. However, organic certification is an expensive laborious process, consequently many farmers choose not to engage in getting certified.  These oils are as close to nature as you’ll ever get. The plants are strong and healthy and therefore the essential oil that reaches you in a bottle are an exceptionally potent, 100% natural oil.  You can use these with the biggest peace of mind.

You can read more about these oils or buy them here on their individual links to our store: African Immortelle, Tagetes, Rose Geranium. Here is also a list of our blends containing these indigenous oils: Bliss, Bug Shield, Grace, Marvellous, Mystical, Relief, Respi-Rescue and Splendour. Don’t miss out!