The Healing Power of Hawaiian Oils

TL;DR: Hawaiʻi is home to many beautiful tropical plants that were once prized by traditional Hawaiian medicine practitioners for their healing properties and health benefits. Plants such as kukui, turmeric (ʻōlena), lavender, and peppermint can help to soothe and heal your body, mind, and skin. Ao Ola preserves this Hawaiian tradition through their line of essential oils that provide a holistic and natural approach to healing yourself.

Hawaiʻi’s tropical climate allows for many stunning ornamental plants to grace our commercial landscapes and home gardens. But did you know that some native plants serve a purpose other than looking beautiful? In ancient Hawaiʻi, plants such as the candlenut (kukui) and turmeric (ʻōlena) were used by traditional medicine practitioners to cure a host of common ailments, such as inflammation, digestive issues, and minor wounds. 

This medicinal practice of using plants to treat illness is called lāʻau lapaʻau (literally plant medicine/medical practice). It is believed that the art of lāʻau lapaʻau had been taught to the ancient Hawaiians by the akua (gods) — who instructed the kanaka on how to heal their body, mind, and spirit by gathering lāʻau from the ʻāina (land). Those who became experts of healing were known as kahuna lāʻau lapaʻau. Most lāʻau lapaʻau were trained at a young age by a more experienced kahuna. An important aspect in lāʻau lapaʻau is reciting pule (prayer) when gathering lāʻau: one must have good intentions and declare them clearly to the plant that they are gathering from to ensure the flow of positive energy.

ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #2270

Nānā no a ka lāʻau ku hoʻokāhi.

Look for the plant that stands alone.

Said by those gathering strong medicinal herbs. Plants that stood by themselves away from others of their kind were considered better for medicine because they were thought to be stronger and more self-sufficient.

Traditional lāʻau lapaʻau is making a comeback within some local communities. In keeping with native Hawaiian traditions, Ao Ola founder, Moani, created a line of natural skin and body care products that nourish and heal our bodies while also deepening our connection to the ʻāina. Moani’s native Hawaiian heritage and love of plants inspired her to make products that not only channel the ʻāina’s mana (spiritual energy) into a source of nourishment, but also help to perpetuate native Hawaiian culture. That’s why Ao Ola aims to utilize at least two or more native Hawaiian botanicals in their products, as well as donating a portion of their sales to young entrepreneurs who prioritize sustainability. 

Looking to try some of these natural botanicals yourself? Check out Ao Ola’s line of essential oils on hawaiiverse.com!

 🛍️ Kūkolu Hawaiian Sandalwood Kukui Calming Essential Oil Roller

Relieve daily stress with this sandalwood and kukui oil combination that comes in an easy-to-apply roller. Helps to ease away anxiety and emotional upheaval. The kukui nut oil is wild-harvested from Maui, while the sandalwood oil is from Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood that is sustainably harvested and produced on the island of Hawaiʻi.

🛍️ Organic ʻŌlena Turmeric Soothing Essential Oil

Soothe aching joints, menstrual cramps, gas, head and neck tension, and even blemishes with this oil made from Oʻahu cultivated ʻōlena. Packing curcumin, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, this ʻōlena oil can help calm and restore your skin.

🛍️ Organic Lavender Essential Oil

Although not a traditional Hawaiian plant, lavender is known for its gentle, calming, peaceful and tranquil effects. Use Ao Ola’s Organic Lavender Essential Oil with a carrier oil to help reduce the appearance of scars and wrinkles, as well as to help soothe sun burns or minor cooking burns.

🛍️ Organic Peppermint Soothing Essential Oil

Similarly, diluted peppermint oil can be used to treat various inflammatory and gastrointestinal issues, or to help calm and relieve stress. Diffuse Ao Ola’s Organic Peppermint Soothing Essential Oil to help boost alertness during mentally taxing activities such as studying.

🌿5 Facts About Hawaiian Botanical Oils🌿

1. Kukui is loaded with oleic acid and linoleic acids that help to nourish the skin and body.
2. Kukui is also known to reduce inflammation by helping to moisturize and regenerate skin cells, making it useful in healing topical injuries.
3. Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood is known to be grounding, as it calms stress and restlessness, allowing deep meditation and sound sleep.
4. Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood has a 70% santalol content, which gives it its signature fragrance, as well as anti-inflammatory properties.
5. ʻŌlena is a ginger native to Hawaiʻi that was traditionally valued by lāʻau lapaʻau practitioners as a blood cleanser and treatment for various ailments.

Hawaiʻi’s native plants are more than just beautiful—they carry centuries of healing wisdom through the traditional practice of lāʻau lapaʻau (Hawaiian herbal medicine). Botanicals like kukui, ʻōlena (turmeric), sandalwood, lavender, and peppermint offer powerful natural remedies that soothe the body, calm the mind, and restore the skin. Ao Ola continues this tradition by creating sustainably made Hawaiian essential oils that harness the mana of the ʻāina while supporting local culture and entrepreneurs. If you’re looking for a holistic, natural way to nurture your well-being, explore Ao Ola’s Hawaiian essential oils on Hawaiiverse.com and bring the healing power of Hawaiʻi into your daily life.

References

• Ao Ola (https://aoolaskin.com/)

• Lāʻau Lapaʻau | Kumukahi (https://kumukahi.org/units/na-kanaka/mauli-ola/laau-lapaau)