Description
Leleshwa is the Maa name for the camphor bush, a hardy shrub of the daisy family that forms dense scrub in parts of Kenya’s Rift Valley. Its leaves are dark olive green on top and white-felted underneath, and they release a camphor smell when crushed. The Maasai have long used the leaves to scent their homes. The plant is not farmed: collectors strip leafy twigs from wild shrubs and carry them to small local stills. The oil is pale with a clean, camphoraceous opening and a softer, sweet herbal background, often compared to sage and camphor.
Details
| Botanical name | Tarchonanthus camphoratus (camphor bush) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Kenya |
| Part used | Leaves |
| Extraction | Steam-distilled |
| Aroma | Camphoraceous, herbal |
| Ingredients | 100% Tarchonanthus camphoratus oil |
Why supply is limited: leleshwa is gathered only from wild shrubs, and just a handful of small distillers in Kenya produce it, so supply changes with rainfall and season.
How to use
- Diffuser: add 3 to 4 drops to water in your diffuser.
- Balms and soap: add to balms and soap recipes.
- Body oil: add 2 drops to a tablespoon (15ml) of carrier oil.
Essential oils are concentrated. Always dilute before use on skin, patch test first, keep away from eyes and out of reach of children, and do not take internally. If you are pregnant or nursing, check with your doctor before use.
FAQs
What does leleshwa smell like?
Clean and camphoraceous, with a softer, sweet herbal background similar to sage.
What blends well with it?
Lavender, eucalyptus and cedarwood.
Is it farmed?
No. It is made from leaves gathered on wild shrubs in Kenya.
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