Instructions
On Pink Peppercorn hydrosol (and essential oil)
Schinus terebinthifolia, aka Christmas Berry on the islands and Brazilian peppercorn worldwide:
Although it has “pepper” in its name, it is unrelated to black pepper – though they do share some characteristics. The tree is somewhat prolific and most people on the islands think of it as invasive —however it offers good medicine!
I distilled the berries (peppercorns are berries of the trees) and the leaves —the leaves are used locally to treat hard-to-treat fungal skin infections. And when crushed the leaves have a beautiful aroma — sweet and peppery and eucalyptus like.
To Purchase:
2 oz bottle with spray top – $15.00
4 oz bottle with screw cap – $22.00
Contact Bobbi to order.
Family: Anacardiaceae (Sumac and cashew family)
Note: Middle
Compounds (of the essential oil —which small bits will be in the hydrosol too): Delta-3-Carene, alpha-Phellandrene, alpha-Pinene, Terpinene-4-ol, Limonene
It’s genus name comes from the Greek name schinos for the mastic tree which this genus resembles in that the trees exude a mastic-like juice.
Pink Peppercorn is a relative newcomer to the aromatherapy world. It is used for its pain-relieving activity for sore muscles and general aches and pains. And like black pepper can support healthy digestion and circulation. It’s main application is used in support of the respiratory system — its essential oils is a go-to for bronchitis.
From Oshadhi:
“The key compound here is a special type of monoterpene called delta-3-carene which is known to be effective for respiratory conditions. This compound is found in relatively small concentrations in a number of highly effective respiratory oils such as Cypress (8%), Myrtle (3-5%), Bay Laurel (4-5%), and the fairly costly Elecampane (8%).
Brazilian Pepper doesn’t just contain a massive 33% delta-3-carene, but also a significant proportion of monoterpenols (typically about 8%). Monoterpenols are antibacterial and generally anti-inflammatory. They stimulate lymph and blood circulation and generally improve the circulation of energy in the body. It may be the combination of these two which gives Brazilian Pepper its extraordinary power.”
Also in October of 2024 I came across this study on a mosquito repellent blend that is effective against particuarly harmful mosquitos including lemon verbena, pink peppercorn, a Callistemon variety (tea tree/eucalyptus family) and a couple other essential oils (Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11173646/ ):
“Schinus terebinthifolia oil, another top performer, boasts a blend of α-pinene, limonene and α-phellandrene. These natural chemicals likely interfere with the mosquitoes’ sensory receptors, making it difficult for them to locate their human targets. What’s particularly exciting is the longevity of the repellent effect. In some cases, the oils provided protection for up to 180 minutes at higher concentrations.”
On the emotional level it can soothe nervous energy, increase motivation and energize. It improves emotional maturity — it offers encouragement to let go of possessiveness. The aroma calms irritation, anger, and anxiety. It eases fear of failure and relaxes fear of judgment.
Traditionally in the Rain Forests of Brazil, Brazilian Pepper essential oil is used to stimulate the circulatory system, for detox, for its powerful antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.
Uses:
Respiratory – congestion, cough and bronchitis, flu, colds, immune deficiencies.
Skin – fungal infections, acne, infectious skin diseases
Musculoskeletal – muscle and joint pain, rheumatism, gout
Reproductive/Urogential – urogenital infections, cystitis, urethritis, menstrual cramps, menstrual disorders
Digestive – stomach cramps
TCM – Fortifies the spleen, lungs, and pancreas.
Applications:
Topical – along the lung meridian on the inside of the elbows, and on the feet to help ward off fungal infections which can be common on the feet.
Diffusion
Personal Inhalation
Bath — the essential oil diluted in a carrier oil, a half cup to cup of the hydrosol, along with some epsom salts makes a nice soak for tired muscles or a respiratory system that is working overtime. It breathes very nice as you soak in the tub.
My recipe:
4-5 drops pink peppercorn essential oil
1/4 to 1/2 oz of any carrier oil
1 cup of pink peppercorn hydrosol
2 cups epsom salts
About Hydrosols: They are under appreciated currently! They have so much to offer. They have valuable therapeutic, cosmetic, and culinary properties. They are less known than essential oils yet they have been used for 3000-4000 years. Written records by Egyptians, Hippocrates, and others used them long before essential oils. In the past plants were distilled for their hydrosols not essential oils.
They are sometimes called hydrolats or floral waters —they are distilled.
The word “hydrosol” is derived from the Greek hydro, meaning water, and the Latin sol, meaning solution. When plants are distilled, an essential oil and a hydrosol are produced.
Hydrosols, are the water product of distillation. They carry the hydrophilic (water-soluble) components of the plant, as well as microscopic droplets of essential oils in suspension. Hydrosols have 1% or less of essential oils in them.
(Essential oils are also a product of distillation —essential oils require much more plant material. Essential oils are the lipophilic (fat soluble).)
Hydrosols have a wide range of uses, they are much safer than essential oils to use —they can even be used for children and babies —and they are safe for animals. How to employ:
- Are best used to help add moisture to your skin care routine by spritzing on your face and body prior to moisturizing.
- Are anti-inflammatory and also cooling, useful with aloe vera gel to cool pitta /inflamed conditions e.g. too much heat in the body causing outward representation on the skin.
- Are effective wound healing agents.
- Can be used as effective toners.
- Hydrosols can be mixed with clay to make a clay mask
- Hydrosols can be added to baths
- Are safe for internal use (try a teaspoon in a glass of water for a refreshing drink). If you are sensitive to acidic foods, citrus hydrosol are quite acidic and might not be your best option to enhance your water.
- Can be supportive to cooling or relaxing of the body/nervous system/mind (think aromatic spritzers). A true hydrosol is NOT water with essential oils in it, most spritzers are. The best spritzers are true hydrosols.
How to use hydrosols?
Most common:
#1 mist face and body prior to oil or moisturizer. This helps your oil to seal the moisture into your skin.
Water attracts water, when you just spray your face or even take a bath without moisturizing the water from the shower or spray will pull the water from your skin. However if you mist your face with water or hydrosol, then immediately apply moisturizer or oil the water in your skin will pull the water on the surface inward to deeper layers of your skin providing better moisture in your skin.
- Need to uplift your mood? Use grapefruit hydrosol or any citrus hydrosol.
- Want to brighten your skin or balance your hormones? Use rose geranium or tangerine hydrosol.
- Working on a big project, school, or learning and remembering something? use rosemary hydrosol.
- Feeling a little congested? Try the red bottlebrush (eucalyptus) hydrosol.
- Have a little cut or scrape? Use yarrow hydrosol
- Need an astringent hydrosol to clear oil and/or pores? Try Lemon.
- Need a powerful anti-bacterial? Use Niaouli (tea tree family) hydrosol.
Use as a toner, pour a little on an organic cotton pad or ball. Or blend 2 different hydrosols and add a little aloe vera or witch hazel hydrosol and make a toner. I offer these here.
In your hair! Mist your hair and fluff it with your fingers, hydrosols help to keep your hair clean and fresh. Rosemary is particularly good for your hair, helping it to grow in thicker. Rose Geranium or Grapefruit hydrosols are nice because they are a little astringent and will help to remove oil or dirt from your hair.
Add 1 tsp to a cup of water and enjoy.
Air spritzer – works great in the bathroom
I gargle with hydrosols! My favorite to gargle with is rose geranium.
Eye Pads – soak a cotton pad in hydrosol and lay one on each eye — this is nice when the hydrosol is chilled.
Feeling a little hot flash? Spritz your face with a hydrosol.
Medicinal:
Eye infections, of any type that I’ve experienced have been nipped in the bud many times by me spraying one of my hydrosols on at the first sign of any symptoms.
Poison Ivy – I have found hydrosol helpful at receiving itch from poison ivy — specifically rose, chamomile, and peppermint, used singly.
Spray on a cut or wound to aid in healing and cleaning. Yarrow is especially good at this, it is a wound healer.
Use as a gargle or mouthwash, you can spray the back of your throat with any hydrosol then gargle with the same hydrosol. They can also be used for mouth affections such as canker sores. I like to use my red bottlebrush or niaouli hydrosols for sore throats.
Compresses – after you heat the water and wet your cloth, wring it out, then add a few spritzes of hydrosol.
Other:
Use in your clay mask recipe to make the clay paste – and you can use hydrosols after applying the mask —spritz your face with a hydrosol to keep your mask from drying out too quickly.
Add up to 1 tsp to your neti pot water
Use 1 cup in a foot bath and hand bath.
Add 1-2 cups to your bath (not very practical for most, but if you happen to have an abundance of a certain hydrosol).
In the laundry you can dampen a washcloth with hydrosol and put in dryer to help freshen stale or stinky clothing.
In the Kitchen
Add them to herbal teas or water — add 1 tsp in a cup of water up to 3x per day. This can be helpful to prevent catching something while traveling, or if you do have a cold it can help boost your immune system.
They can improve digestion when taken in water 10-20 minutes prior to eating or after eating to support detoxification.
Freeze it in ice cube trays and use in iced tea.
You can even cook with them, they can add nice flavor when some of the water for rice is substituted with hydrosol. For best results add toward the end of cooking to preserve their benefits and aromas. You an also spray them on a hot dish just before serving.
Try soaking nuts in a tasty hydrosol like rose geranium or orange.
For Animals
Would cleansing
Fur rinsing in cases of inflammation, dermatitis, parasites and more.
Spray their coats with lavender or rose while brushing them —or to help repel insets or ticks.
As a compress for sore joints
Restlessness, stress, or fear —orange, tangerine, marjoram, lavender, or any floral hydrosol.
How to store:
Hydrosols can be kept for up to 3 years if stored in a cool, clean place, They are best kept refrigerated.
They can be frozen to preserve them longer.
They are best stored in glass containers.