About Carrot Seed Essential oil
Carrot Seed (Daucus carota) essential oil is derived from the seeds of the carrot plant which is a member of the family Umbelliferae. Other members of this family include parsnips, Queen Anne's Lace, anise, fennel and parsley in addition to the poisonous hemlock. Carrots have their origin in Afganistan but have been widely spread over Europe and the New World. Queen Anne's lace is the wild carrot brought by colonists from England. In the wild the roots have an acrid, pungent aroma but the cultivated carrot is sweet and very nutritious. Carrots were used anciently for stomach, liver and skin problems and have been thought of as a blood cleanser. Also, it is well known that they are considered good for the eyes. It may also have a balancing effect on the hormones and help with anemia. The small, hairy seeds of the carrot plant are crushed and steam distilled to give the essential oil which smells like a spicy, peppery carrot.
Since I knew about carrot seed essential oil's general effects on the skin including anti-aging, toning, purifying and generating a healthy appearance I have been interested in using it in a lotion. I am, however, one of those people who doesn't really like the scent so I have blended it with other essential oils with the double goal of producing a lighter, more pleasing scent as well as benefitting the skin. The additional scents I have chosen such as lemon, cedarwood and rosewood provide a great counterpoint to the carrot and patchouli is always a great base note. In addition lemon is good for refining the skin and for reducing the appearance of pores. Cedarwood helps with broken capillaries and acne while patchouli is great for aging skin and blemishes. Sandalwood helps with cracked and irritated skin and smells great. Rosewood is very calming and it helps maintain skins oil balance and elasticity. The overall effects of the essential oils on your mood should be uplifting yet grounding and I believe your skin will be healthier and more refined. I find this is one of my favorites and use it regularly.