Maniguette
Maniguette
Aframomum angustifolium
Family
Zingiberaceae
Note
Middle
Part used
Seeds (grani of the paradiso)
Extraction
Steam distillation
Plant description

Extracted by steam distillation from the seeds of Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.TO.Webb var. bitter (almond bitter), varietà of the tree from fruit of the Rosacee the which drupe contain amigdalina — a glucoside cianogenic which for idrolisi enzimatic of the β-glucosidasi libera acid cianidric (HCN) and benzaldeide. L'oil grezzo of almond bitter contains traces of acid cianidric and is toxic for ingestione also in doses ridotte; the oil distillate FFPA (Free From Prussic Acid) has the HCN rimosso completaly for distillation and contains mainly benzaldeide (95-99%) as component aromatic dominant. The benzaldeide is the molecule responsible of the fragrance of ciliegio, almond, persipan and liquore of amaretto, with antifungal properties (active on Candida albicans), antibacterial and analgesic topiche documented in letteratura. In aromatherapy the oil FFPA is used with caution as antispasmodic, analgesic topical and anxiolytic to doses very low in the diffuser; in perfumery and food is a aldeide aromatic of large versatility for the note gourmand, fruttate and of marzapane. L'oral use resta assolutaly vietato also for the FFPA. Top note fruity, sweet-mandorlata and intense.

Origin

Madagascar and Africa tropical sub-sahariana (Costa of Avorio, Ghana, Nigeria).

Part used

Seeds (grani of the paradiso)

Extraction method

Steam distillation

Main uses
  • Afrodisiaco: tonic sessual and stimulating, used in blend sensual for diffuser and massage.
  • Anti-inflammatory: relieves joint pain and rheumatism in topical application diluted.
  • Antimicrobico: antibacterial and antifungal in products for the care of the skin.
  • Antioxidant: protects the cells dallo stress ossidative; used in sieri anti-aging.
  • Digestive: stomachic and carminative, useful on gonfiore and bloating.
Recipes & blends
Oil massage sensorial

3 drops of Maniguette + 2 drops of Patchouli + 2 drops of Ylang Ylang + 1 drop of Cinnamon in 30 ml of almond oil.

Blend spicy winter

2 drops of Maniguette + 3 drops of Cardamom + 2 drops of Orange sweet + 1 drop of Ginger in the diffuser.

Serum antioxidant skin

2 drops of Maniguette + 3 drops of Rose damascena + 2 drops of Geranium in 30 ml of rosehip oil.

Contraindications
Avoid during pregnancy. Do not use undiluted on the skin. Perform the patch test. Can cause sensitization skin in people predisposti.