COMBAVA OIL

(Kaffir Lime Leaf oil)

Latin name: Citrus hystrix (subgenus Papeda), D.C. Rutaceae

Common names: Kaffir lime, Leech lime, Wild lime, Kaffernlimette, Daun Jeruk Purut.

Country of origin: Union if the Comoro Islands

Geographic origin:The Island of Nzwani (Anjuan)

Contents:

Product contains genuine and authentic Combava essential oil produced by steam distillation from fresh leaves of Kaffir Lime (Citrus hystrix) in vegetable basis.

Physical appearance and characteristics of oil:

Pure oil is a pale yellow to olive-green liquid with the fresh citrus like odour.

Plant description: It is a small, slender, erect tree, with a nearly spherical, pear-shaped fruit, with a dark green and very wrinkled skin.The species name hýstrix (Greek porcupine) refers to the many thorns of the plant. Its juice tastes sour, slightly bitter and highly aromatic with only little juice inside . The leaves have a very distinctive double form which look as if two glossy, dark green leaves were joined together end to end .  

Historical and traditional use:

Combava possesses a very distinctive and unique characteristic differed from other Citrus notes in general. Traditionally, Kaffir Lime leaves are utilized for various medical and culinary uses in the South East Asian Countries as in Indonesia, Thailand , Malaysia,South Molucca , and islands of the West Indian Ocean as Comoro Islands, Madagascar and  Reunion.The leaves have been used for centuries to preserve foods and  to make them more appetizing.Kaffir Lime has become a very popular unique flavor in Asian countries. Called so as their luscious fragrance and striking flavor cannot be easily substituted by other kinds of citrus leaves. The leaves have also been used as traditional medicine, since they contain active medicinal ingredients.

According to Mokkhasmit, et al. (1971) the dried leaf has antihistamine, antispasmodic, and hypotensive activity. Burkill (1935) says that the Malays and Burmese use the

fruit as natural shampoo for washing the hair and other parts of the body.  The juice of the fruit is mainly used for seasoning and as flavoring in food or sauces, and to prepare drinks . The juice is also believed as being able to promote gum health and further recommended for use in brushing teeth and gums. Wasuwat (1967) reported that in Thailand, the fresh fruit juice has been used as an expectorant . According to Crevost and Pételot (1929) as cited in Burkill (1935), the fruit is considered stimulant and stomachic . In the Medical Book of Malayan Medicine (Gard. Bull. S.S. 6, 1930 pp. 329-374) the whole fruit is used for preparing four internal medicaments. In one of these four prescriptions the disease is pain in the stomach. In Thailand the dried fruit peel has been given to mother after child birth and used as an emmenagogue . According to Thongtalch & Samblaadharaksa (1948)the fresh fruit peel was used as a hair conditioner in Thailand.

PRINCIPAL INGREDIENTS:

Main constituents present in Combava oil are:

aldehydes: (-)-(S)-citronellal up to 80%, citral, geranial and neral, esters: citronellyl acetate, geranyl acetate,

alcohols: citronellol (10%), terpinen-4-ol and nerol, monoterpenes: a –pinen, b-pinene  and limonene.

Note:From a stereochemical point of view, it is remarkable that kaffir lime leaves contain only

(-)-(S)-citronellal, whereas the enantiomeric form (+)-(R) citronellal is found in both lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and  (to a lesser degree) lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), (note, however, that citronellal is only a trace component in the latter's essential oil). In addition, recent research shows that anti-tumor promoting effects of the active constituent of fresh Kaffir lime leaf , glyceroglycolipid  1,2-di-O--linolenoyl-3-O--galactopyranosyl-sn-glycerol, could be a promising  source of effective anti-tumor promoters or cancer prevention.

PRINCIPAL AROMACHOLOGICAL ACTIONS:

After the Wagner and Spinkmeyer confirmed sedative effects of aldehyde citronellal, amone other constituents of the Klosterfrau Melissengeist(Spirit of Melissa), an old German natural preparation based on the aromatic plant distillates, it has become obvious that the deep relaxing effect of the Combava oil is derived mainly from the high citronellal content. Some other constituents may participates to the sedative properties as well  like an aldehides:neral, citral and geranial. Sedative effect of the oil may be achieved very fast in a few minutes, by the combination of the inhallation and massage. This procedure is usefull to overcome a nervous tension, stress and stress related disorders.This is possible by restoring the authonomic nervous system balance shifting the equilibrium from sympathetic towards the parasimpathetic nervous system activity.It has been observed that Combava oil can be applied for treatment of insomnia. If properly used Combava oil can increase a total sleep time , diminish the number of awakenings and shorten a time spent in stage of wakefulness. Combava oil possesses antibacterial and antiviral properties and can be use to combat respiratory bacterial and viral infections as well as for local herpes treatment. Very important antiinflammatory properties are usefull for local treatment of arthritis, gout and rheumatism. As a excellent natural phlebotonic and astringent Combava oil may be usefull for treatment of varicose veins. 

COSMETICAL APPLICATION:

Combava oil acts as a natural detergent, antiseptic and keratoplastic and is favourable for preparing a natural facial cleansers for cleansing of a greasy skin. As a rubefacient it enhances a cappilary blood flow and helps to prevent a cellulit formation. Efficient removal of a brown skin