Description

Cubeb oil comes from the dried berries of the cubeb plant, which is a part of the pepper family. Its therapeutic properties are plentiful, and it can be used to support the immune system to prevent illness such as common cold and flu. Its antibacterial properties make it ideal for use in a natural all-purpose cleaner, while its energizing scent uplifts and invigorates. Warming qualities work well to ease muscle pain and bring relief to sore joints, or to assist in relieving menstrual cramping.  
• Strong, peppery scent.
• Excellent antiseptic and antimicrobial.
• Can be used as an aphrodisiac.

INGREDIENTS

100% cubeb essential oil

HOW TO USE

Essential oils have the natural ability to heal, soothe, and stimulate. With antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, essential oils have a wide variety of uses.

Sniff essential oils right from the bottle for an instant pick-me-up, to relive anxiety, or to induce relaxation. Add to carrier oil, such as jojoba, and use in a soothing massage. Place a few drops in diffuser to eliminate household odors. Add to cleaning products for more antibacterial and antimicrobial power. During cold and flu season, diffuse daily to stimulate immunity. Mix with carrier oil and apply to the skin to heal wounds. Add a drop or two to your face serum and apply daily to and protect skin against the signs of aging.

Before applying to skin, do a patch test.

How to patch test – Wash, clean, and dry the area on your upper arm near the crook of your elbow. Apply small amount of essential oil and cover with a bandage. Leave the bandage on for 24 hours, then remove and check for irritation. If skin looks clear and there is no reaction after the allotted test time, the oil is presumably safe to use. If you feel irritation at any time duringthe test, remove bandage and wash area with soap and water.

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Cubeb Essential Oil

Cubeb essential oil (also known as Piper cubeba and Java pepper) has a rich and long history since as early as the 4th century. Yet, today, the oil remains unknown and unfamiliar to many. Enticing, mellow, and warming, cubeb essential oil is the perfect alternative to black pepper essential oil (Piper nigrum) because of their many shared similarities.

Read on as we delve deeper into this underrated yet unique essential oil to uncover a hidden gem. We will be exploring everything from the extraction process of cubeb essential oil to its many wonderful uses. Let’s begin!

What is Cubeb Essential Oil Made of?

Warm and sweet with a slight hint of pepper, cubeb essential oil is derived from the fruits of the cubebs plants. Cubeb plants are native to Java and Sumatra Islands but are also grown in India, Sri Lanka, and Reunion, too.

The fruits of the cubeb plants grow on strings but on separate little stalks. As cubeb plants belong to the same family as Piper nigrum, cubeb fruits are also shaped like black pepper. The obvious differences are that cubebs are larger in size but slightly less fragrant when compared to black pepper.

How is Cubeb Essential Oil Extracted?

The fully-grown fruits are gathered before they are ripe and carefully sun-dried. Then, they are crushed before undergoing the steam distillation process. Here, hot pressurized steam is pushed through the cubeb fruits to release the essential oil in the fruits. The steam with the essential oil is then cooled and condensed into a liquid of essential oil and water. The two are then separated resulting in the cubeb essential oil you see in stores.

Benefits of Cubeb Essential Oil

1.     Eases chest congestion and other respiratory problems

Cubeb essential oil is often used as a remedy for phlegm, bronchitis, asthma, chest and nasal congestions, coughs, throat infections, and other infections. This is likely because of its rather camphoraceous nature. Camphor works by stimulating nerve endings to relieve symptoms like pain and itchiness — which is often associated with coughing and throat irritations.

For some swift relief, place a few drops of cubeb essential oil into a bowl of hot water. Make sure that the water is not too hot. Next, cover the bowl and your head with a towel and inhale the hot steam for about ten to fifteen minutes. Alternatively, massage a few drops of the essential onto your throat, chest, and back.

2.     Aids healthy digestion

Just like black pepper essential oil, cubeb oil can help to address various digestive issues such as loss of appetite, indigestion, constipation, intestinal worms, and flatulence.

Cubeb essential oil is carminative by nature and, thus, it naturally relieves flatulence as well as bloating. To ease these problems, mix two drops of cubeb essential oil with a carrier oil — like coconut oil — and massage the blend onto your abdomen.

Apart from that, a 2012 study to investigate the effect of cubeb essential oil against Schistosoma mansoni (parasites that live in the blood vessels near the human intestine) also suggested that this essential oil is effective against worms that cause parasitic diseases.

3.     Addresses various dental problems

As cubeb essential oil is astringent and has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, it helps to kill harmful organisms that cause all sorts of dental issues. This includes cavities, bad breath (or halitosis), bleeding gums, infections, plaque, and gingivitis.

For healthy gum and teeth, mix one drop of cubeb oil with a cup of warm water and use it as a gargle.

4.     Rich in sesquiterpenes

Additionally, one of the main chemical components in cubeb essential oil is sesquiterpenes. Sesquiterpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds known for their various health and wellness benefits. Not only antiseptic and anti-inflammatory but sesquiterpenes also help to stimulate the glands and can go beyond the blood-brain barrier. This is particularly useful as that means that they can essentially increase the amount of oxygen in the brain.

5.     Excellent pharmacological properties

Monoterpenes — compounds found in the essential oil of plants — are another major player in cubeb essential oil. Monoterpenes are particularly useful because they are endowed with various pharmacological properties. These properties include antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer antioxidant, antiarrhythmic, anti-aggregating, antinociceptive, antihistaminic and anti-spasmodic.

Besides that, monoterpenes also act as regulators of growth and heat. Plus, they are effective as an insect repellant, too.

6.     As an alternative to black pepper essential oil in massages

If you are in the market for an essential oil to substitute black pepper oil, cubeb essential oil is it. A tab bit more subtle and less peppery than black pepper, cubeb oil is great for more relaxing massages. Its warmth sinks quickly into the skin to ease aching muscles while its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties soothe any other pain.

For a relaxing and rejuvenating massage, blend one or two drops of cubeb essential oil with a carrier oil. Then, slowly work the mixture onto your body, paying particular attention to any sore muscles, joints, and such.

7.     Boosts overall health

Cubeb essential oil is also rich in beta-caryophyllene — a type of terpene found in nature — and, hence, it can help to promote overall good health. This is because beta-caryophyllene is vital to the body. One of the things beta-caryophyllene is especially useful in is aiding the vascular system by improving blood flow to the brain. Plus it reduces high levels of cholesterol in addition to reducing stress to the heart.

On top of that, multiple studies also seem to suggest that beta-caryophyllene can be used as protection against terrible diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis.

It is also extremely valuable in that beta-caryophyllene can help to reduce neuroinflammation (inflammation in the brain) to minimize brain damage after a stroke.

8.     Rids the skin of impurities

Antibacterial in nature, cubeb essential oil can be incorporated into your skincare routine to rid the skin of impurities and bacteria, too.

Besides that, its anti-inflammatory properties can also calm and soothe irritated or acne-prone skin for a smoother complexion.

Mixing Cubeb Essential Oil with Other Essential Oils

Cubeb essential oil blends beautifully with other spice oils such as clove, oregano, allspice, and thyme essential oils.

Apart from that, cubeb essential oil also wonderfully complements floral scents as it tends to add more complexity to these floral scents. For example, cubeb essential oil goes well with lavender, geranium, ylang-ylang, and patchouli.

Besides that, if you are one for woodsy essential oils, consider mixing them with cubeb, too, for a more potent aroma.

Lastly, cubeb essential oil also pairs well with citrus essential oils including bergamot, grapefruit, lime, lemon, and mandarin essential oils.

Other Good-to-Know Information

As with all other essential oils, make sure to start with a patch test before using cubeb essential oil liberally. Apply a small amount of the oil to your inner forearm. Then, cover it up with a bandage. In the next 24 hours, if there is no allergic reaction or irritation, it should be safe to use.

Is Cubeb Essential Oil Right For You?

A mellower (and less popular) essential oil than black pepper but just as potent and beneficial, cubeb essential oil is definitely deserving of a place in your collection.