Guide To Oakmoss Essential Oil (Absolute) and Its Benefits and Uses

Oakmoss (Evernia prunastri) is a light green lichen that mostly grows on oak trees. The dried lichen is processed with a solvent to produce an absolute, meaning the term oakmoss essential oil is technically inaccurate.

The primary use of oakmoss absolute is as a fixative in perfumes, according to The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, Third Edition, Vol. 1. Oakmoss can give floral fragrances body and naturalness, with rich, pleasant undertones.

Listening to Scent notes oakmoss is important in chypre fragrances. The absolute is combined with labdanum, sandalwood, and musk for the base note (patchouli and clary sage are also often included), a floral oil (rose or jasmine) for the middle note, and bergamot or other citrus oils for top notes.

Basic Oakmoss Facts

Plant family: Parmeliaceae/Usneaceae

Aroma: Smooth, rich, warm, sweet with subsidiary notes and nuances of earthy, woody, resinous, honey-like, hay-like, according to Listening to Scent.

Perfume/Aromatic note: Base

Is oakmoss safe to use during pregnancy? Probably not. Consult a professional.

Is oakmoss safe for children? Do not use with children age 2 and under.

Main components:

• Methyl B-orcinolcarboxylate 18.6–25.5%
• Ethyl Everninate               0.2–3.7%
• Ethyl Hematonmate           1.4–3.0%
• Ethyl Chlorohematommate   1.0–1.3%

Source: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition

Cautions: High risk of skin sensitization. Avoid use on hypersensitive/diseased/damaged skin. Recommended dermal maximum of 0.1%. Best avoided in baths.

May not be appropriate for a person with epilepsy.

Oakmoss is commonly adulterated, often with other lichens or algae — buy from a trusted supplier and know what you are buying.

Oakmoss absolute is available in IFRA (International Fragrance Association) compliant and noncompliant versions. IFRA-compliant oils contain less than 100 ppm of atranol and chloroatranol, reducing the risk of skin irritation. However, a few suppliers sell noncompliant versions because they have a more mossy aroma preferred by some perfumers.

Emotional and Spiritual Benefits of Oakmoss Essential Oil

Aromatherapy For the Soul: Oakmoss absolute helps you connect with the earth plane and to realize you are here for a reason.

Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art: Oakmoss creates a sense of home, attachment, and belonging.

Aromatherapy and Subtle Energy Techniques: Oakmoss grounds and promotes a sense of security. The oil is especially beneficial for the first chakra, promoting a sense pf prosperity, safety, and security and helping integrate earthly and spiritual realms.

Mixing Essential Oils for Magic: Oakmoss has an especially grounding energy, which supports psychic and spiritual journey work, as well as divination and clairvoyance. Use the oil to honor loved ones at Samhain and to contact other realms or connect with forest spirits.

Aromatherapy Anointing Oils: Oakmoss is deeply and thoroughly grounding, helping us feel safe, secure, protected, and fully present. This absolute lets us release fear and mistrust, opening our body, heart, and mind to embrace the physical experience. The oil also promotes abundance, not only of money but also of creativity, intelligence, relationships and more. The oil's unique gift is supporting the type of abundance that would be spiritually profound for you at the time.

You can use oakmoss essential oil for chakra support:

• First: strongly grounds in the present moment. Promotes a sense of safety and security. Helps integrate the earthly and spiritual realms. Promotes acceptance and contentment about being in a physical body and having an earthly life. Supports prosperity and abundance.
• Second: promotes emotional strength and healthy emotional boundaries. Supports, stabilizes, and protects emotions, especially from outside negativity. Helps dispel fear.
• Third: promotes healthy personal boundaries while supporting confidence and well-being. Supports healthy personal power.
• Fourth: promotes compassion and love for nature and all life. Supports the capacity for being nurtured. Encourages trust. Promotes contentment.
• Fifth: promotes the ability to skillfully communicate.
• Sixth: supports and grounds intuition.
• Seventh: helps integrate the spiritual and earthly realms.

Other Benefits of Oakmoss Absolute

375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols: The properties of oakmoss are more emotional and spiritual than physical. You can also add the absolute to respiratory oil blends to help relieve congested sinuses.

Nature in Bottle: Oakmoss oil may promote overall skin health, especially helping scars or minor skin injuries heal. This cooling oil may help relieve hot, inflamed swelling and calm muscle spasms. Emotionally and energetically, this absolute uplifts and calms. It may help clear emotional trauma and assist in positively releasing repressed anger and productively dealing with rage.

ShareFacebookXPinterestReddit

Photo Credit: pol parrhesia, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons