by Christina Polnyj
While traveling recently in South Africa, I had the privilege of stumbling across a native baobob tree. This amazing giant was one of the oldest living trees in the Limpopo wilderness. I felt so blessed to see this beauty as I have been using baobob tree oil both in my practice and on my own skin for many years.
The baobob tree produces a beautiful, golden oil from its seed. The oil has a slightly nutty aroma and is rich in essential fatty acids (oleic, linolenic, linoleic, palmitic, and stearic). It is also rich in vitamin E. These qualities make it a nutritious oil for our skin and means that it can be blended with other oils and butters to create your own perfect texture for massage and self care.
Here are some of the many benefits of baobob tree oil:
- Helps the skin retain moisture
- Promotes cell regeneration and heals scar tissue
- Helps to relieve the dryness, irritation and itching of dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and other skin ailments
- Alleviates pain from burns (analgesic) and regenerates epithelial tissue quickly
- Improves skin tone and elasticity
- Especially known for skin healing properties
A host of legends surround the baobab tree. Some people believe God planted the tree upside down because the branches look like roots pointing toward the sky. Some people also believe that if you pick the flowers you may be torn apart by lions! Another legend holds that the tree stores water and, when the water is drunk, you will be protected from crocodiles and the drinker will be mighty!
The tree can grow so large that, when hollowed out, it creates a shelter for as many as 40 people. The fruit is full of vitamin C, the leaves are enriched in calcium, and the seeds are rich in protein. While its benefits to humans are obvious, the baobob tree also is a blessing to other mammals, including elephants, monkeys, and baboons. I encourage you to also partake of the manifold gifts of this blessed tree.
Christina Polnyj, LMT, Certified Aromatherapist, specializes in education and individual consultation. Upcoming classes in Body Butter Blending (18 CE’s) will be held June 13 and 14, 2015 and The Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils (18 CE’s) will be held August 29 and 30, 2015. NO MASSAGE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. For more information, please email christinapolnyj@mac.com.
