Vassoura (Baccharis dracunculifolia)

Vassoura is Portuguese for broom, and the name is applied in Brazil to more than one shrub. The oil should be identified by its botanical name, Baccharis dracunculifolia. It is the plant whose buds supply the resin in Brazilian green propolis, though the oil itself is distilled from the leaves.

01 · Origin

Baccharis dracunculifolia is a shrub of the Asteraceae, native to south-eastern Brazil and neighbouring regions of South America. It colonises open, disturbed ground. This oil is distilled from the leaves of wild plants in Brazil.

02 · Chemistry

Limonene gives the opening. Nerolidol, a sesquiterpene alcohol, gives depth and persistence. Bicyclogermacrene, germacrene D, beta-pinene and beta-caryophyllene complete a profile weighted towards sesquiterpenes, which is unusual among leaf oils with a citrus-bright top.

03 · In Practice

Green, woody and lightly resinous, with a soft floral-balsamic dry-down from the nerolidol. A middle note with good tenacity. Natural perfumery, diffusion, massage blends and skincare formulation at low concentration. Blends with copaiba, palo santo, cedarwood, orange, lemon, vetiver and frankincense.

General information: For external use only. Dilute before applying to skin. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.