Type of plant: Perennial plant with long, thin, silver-gray leaves and pink flowers of various shades with ragged-edged petals

Part used: Flower heads

Method of extraction: Solvent extraction, then alcohol extraction, which produces an absolute

Data: This flower is commonly grown as an ornamental garden plant, known as clove pink, as the aroma is reminiscent of clove. Carnations were often sent to signify love. The name is derived from the word coronation, as the flowers were once formed into garlands and crowns.

Principal places of production: France, Egypt

When buying look for: A greenish-brown tinged to dark-amber-brown slightly viscous liquid with a rich, floral, spicy aroma

Therapeutic properties: Calmative, relaxant, tonic

Therapeutic uses: Stress, insomnia, overactive mind, workaholism, insecurity, inability to communicate feelings, feeling detached from reality, sense of aloneness; relaxant

Blends well with: Bay (West Indian), benzoin, bergamot, black pepper, cananga, cardamom, chamomile maroc, clove bud, coriander seed, hyacinth, immortelle, jasmine, lemon, linden blossom, magnolia leaf, narcissus, orange (sweet), rose absolute, sandalwood, tuberose, ylang ylang, yuzu

Precautionary advice: No contraindications known