PHYSICAL

• The nervous system: calming, relaxing, promotes sleep and relieves chronic pain.
• Osteo-articular system: anti-inflammatory +++, analgesic: reduce sensitivity to pain. Sedative and muscle relaxant.
• Skin system: anti-inflammatory +++, provides sedation, relaxation and appeasement, repellent.

USES

Insomnia, anxiety, stress, nervousness, muscle cramp, stiff neck, tendinitis, bursitis, insect repellent. 

REFERENCES

• Brother Marie-Victorin, Rouleau Ernest, Brouillet Luc and colleagues, Flore laurentienne 3rd edition, Gaëtan Morin Éditeur ltée, Montreal, Canada, 2002.
• Turbide, Michel,Aromatherapy, Essential oils from Quebec and around the world, Therapeutic applications, Santé-Arôme Edition, Santé-Arôme Collection, Otterburn Park, Canada, 2015.

The Sweet Gale, a small shrub, generally measures between one and two meters in height. It is found in the northern territories. In North America, it extends between the Arctic Circle in the west and Ungava Bay in the east. It takes root along rivers and lakes and allows in particular the stabilization of the banks. The Sweet Gale is therefore found in humid and acidic soil..

The leaves of the plant grow spirally along the branches and measure between 2 and 5 cm in length. From their base, these widen until they form teeth at their ends. Droplets of resin cover them and are the origin of the plant’s second name: “wood-smells-good”.

Just like Hops, Sweet Gale is a dioecious plant. It has male plants and female plants..Flowers, also called catkins, do not have petals. Male kittens are recognizable by their larger size than females.

Flowering takes place before the new leaves appear in spring. The fruit, used in particular as a spice once crushed, has a bract which allows it to flower in the aquatic environments it borders.

The Sweet Gale played an important role within Native American communities, and its uses varied depending on the people.

The Potawatomi used it to preserve the wild berries they picked, covering the buckets with the plant.

The Ojibwas used it as a dye; the seeds, of a golden yellow color, were boiled to obtain a dye of the same shade and thus dye the wool. They also used it in infusion or decoction as a diuretic and for its stomachic properties.

The First Nations used it in fumigation to repel mosquitoes, but also to promote lucid dreams.

**CONTRAINDICATIONS**

No known contraindication to physiological doses. However, it is recommended to avoid its use during the first three months of pregnancy and in people suffering from hypotension.

**RECOMMENDATIONS**

Essential oils offer numerous benefits for human, animal, insect and plant well-being. It is recommended to refer to specialized aromatherapy books for appropriate and safe use.

We also recommend consult an aromatherapy professional, capable of targeting the biochemical groups and aromatic molecules of essential oils, in order to optimize the effectiveness of treatments.

**STORAGE**

It is best to store essential oils in a cool, dry place, away from light and air.

The information provided on this website is NOT a medical recommendation for treatment or cure of any medical condition or disease.