Plai Essential Oil (Zingiber montanum)

Overview

Plai may also be referred to as Plai, Central. It is typically processed using steam or hydro distillation as a method for extracting oil from the rhizomes (roots).

Summary

Plai belongs to the same family as Ginger. As with Ginger, Plai Essential Oil is steam distilled from the rhizomes (roots). The distillation of fresh roots produces an essential oil that tends to be more aromatically pleasing than when the dried roots are distilled.

Plai Essential Oil is gaining increased recognition for its ability to assist in pain management, especially for chronic conditions. It is particularly abundant in Monoterpenes and Monoterpenols, and it can also be helpful when incorporated into blends and formulations intended for respiratory and antibacterial support. (See the Plai Essential Oil Uses section below for more details.)

Aromatically, Plai Essential Oil is reminiscent toGinger Essential Oil. Its aroma is pleasantly spicy with woody and peppery characteristics. It tends to blend well aromatically with the same essential oils that Ginger does, including essential oils in the citrus, floral, mint, wood and spice families.

Emotionally, Plai Essential Oil is an energizing essential oil that is particularly nice to use when feeling lethargic or sluggish.

Essential Facts

Aroma Description:
Astringent Earthy Exotic Fresh Herbaceous Sensual Spicy
Common Name(s): Plai, Central
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Synonyms(s) for Zingiber montanum: Amomum cassumunar, Amomum montanum, Amomum xanthorhiza, Cassumunar roxburghii, Jaegera montana, Zingiber anthorrhiza, Zingiber cassumunar, Zingiber cassumunar var. palamauense, Zingiber cassumunar var. subglabrum, Zingiber cliffordiae, Zingiber luridum, Zingiber purpureum, Zingiber purpureum var. palamauense, Zingiber xantorrhizon
Botanical Family: Zingiberaceae
Botanical Genus: Zingiber
Chemical Family: Monoterpenes, Monoterpenols
Major Compounds: Terpinen-4-ol, Sabinene, Gamma-Terpinene, (E)-1-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)butadiene, a-Terpinene, B-Pinene
Perfumery Note: Top-Middle
Consistency: Thin
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Color: Clear to Pale Yellow
Cultivation: Wild Harvested
Processing Methods: Steam or Hydro Distillation
Part Typically Used: Rhizomes (Roots)
Shelf Life: 4 years

Wild Harvested
Vegan

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

Therapeutic Benefits of Plai:

Analgesic Anti-bacterial Anti-fungal Anti-inflammatory Anti-septic Anti-viral Carminative Cooling Digestive tonic Energizing Insect Repellent Stomachic Tonic

Blends

Plai Blends:

Black Spruce

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Plai:

Tisserand and Young do not indicate any special precautions when using Plai Essential Oil. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 400.]

Safety Precautions for Plai:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.