Amyris EO


Details

  • Botanical Name: Amyris balsamifera L.
  • Origin: Dominican Republic
  • Process: Steam Distilled Essential Oil
  • Plant Part: Wood
  • Cultivation: Wild Grown
  • Use: Aromatherapy / Natural Perfumery. Always dilute.
  • Note: Base Note, Fixative and Sandalwood substitute
  • Aroma Family: Woody
  • Aroma: Soft woody, oily-sweet balsamic aroma with a light pepper/ginger-like high note; has a light vanilla-like sweetness in the drydown.
  • Contraindications: None known.



Product Name SKU Price Qty
  1. Amyris Sample (1 ml) 70-3
    $2.00
  2. Amyris 15 ml (1/2 oz) 70-015
    $9.25
  3. Amyris 30 ml (1 oz) 70-030
    $12.25
  4. Amyris 2 oz 70-9
    $17.50
  5. Amyris 4 oz 70-10
    $28.75
  6. Amyris 8 oz 70-11
    $50.00
  7. Amyris 16 oz 70-12
    $90.00
  8. Amyris 1 kg 70-25
    $171.50
  9. For larger sizes or quantities please contact us for pricing and availability.         

Overview

Amyris Essential Oil

Amyris essential oil has a very tenacious, complex odor that quickly fades out to a subdued woody-balsamic aroma; it is valued as a well-known fixative, especially in soaps,1 and finds extensive application as a mild blender in numerous types of perfumes.2 Surprisingly, this tree is a member of the citrus (Rutaceae) family, but bears no fruit. However, it is of great value to locals who use it for firewood and, since the hard-grained, dense wood is heavy with aromatic resins, branches serve as excellent, bright-burning torches. The sedate density and resin-rich nature of Amyris tend to bring a sweet balsamic calm to those who envelop themselves with this oil.

Amyris is distilled from a small bushy tropical evergreen tree, Amyris balsamifera, indigenous to Haiti that also grows wild in the Bahoruco Forest of the Dominican Republic. It is in this forest where the environmentally friendly task widely known as ‘cleaning the forest floor’ of only dead, dry wood for distillation helps to prevent fires and gives young, green saplings a better chance to thrive. With the current rate of dead wood collection being monitored by the Dominican Ministry of the Environment, our supplier – distilling on-site for over 40 years – has been an exemplary steward of the Amyris forests, ensuring their sustainability for future generations. Unfortunately, Amyris as contraband – often clear-cut, living wood – is routinely smuggled over the border from Haiti for the production of charcoal, leading to an environmental hot spot that, if unchecked, could very likely become irreversible.3

Although often referred to as West Indian Sandalwood, due to its similar aroma, Amyris is not related botanically4 and therefore is not a substitute for Sandalwood in aromatherapy5, nor does it provide the same depth and character scent-wise as true Sandalwood. Because Amyris essential oil offers a sweet-woody, balsamic aroma, it is a practical, less expensive alternative to Sandalwood essential oil, and provides good fixative value; it can also be mixed 1:1 with Sandalwood as a cost-effective measure.

For information regarding the attributes of Amyris essential oil, please see:

  • L'Aromathérapie Exactement, Pierre Franchomme and Dr. Daniel Pénoël, 1990, pp. 322-3.
  • The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, Valerie Ann Worwood, 2016, pp. 534, 565-6.
  • The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Julia Lawless, 2013, p. 36.
  • 375 Essential oils and Hydrosols, Jeanne Rose, 1999, p. 43.

Aromatic Profile: Soft woody, oily-sweet balsamic aroma with a light pepper/ginger-like high note; has a light vanilla-like sweetness in the drydown.


Appearance:  Pale yellow, transparent, somewhat viscous liquid.


Storage Suggestions: This oil will actually improve with age, that is, the aroma will become deeper, rounder and more refined over time when properly stored at a constant temperature below 65-70F degrees.


Use: Aromatherapy, Natural Perfumery.


Blending Suggestions: Dilute and add drop by drop to your blends until the desired effect is achieved.


Blends Well With: Benzoin, Bergamot, Cardamom, Carnation, Cedarwood, Champaca, Citronella, Clary Sage, Elemi, Frankincense, Galbanum, Geranium, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavandin, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Liquidambar (Styrax), Nagarmotha, Nutmeg, Oakmoss, Orange (Sweet), Palmarosa, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Spikenard, Tangerine, Tuberose, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang. This oil "finds extensive application as a mild blender in numerous types of perfumes."6


Safety Considerations: None known.7 Dilute before using. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.


1 Lawless, Julia. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, 2013, p. 36.

2 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, p. 61.

3 Industry communication.

4 Lawless, Julia. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, 2013, p. 36.

5 Rhind, Jennifer Peace. Essential Oils – A Handbook for Aromatherapy Practice, 2012, p. 219.

6 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, p. 61.

7 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, p. 194.


The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. No claims are made by Eden Botanicals as to the medicinal value of any products from Eden Botanicals. The information presented here is for educating our customers about the traditional uses of essential oils and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You are responsible for understanding the safe application of these products. If you have any questions, please call or email us for further information.

Amyris EO

Customer Reviews for Amyris EO

Rapidly changing facets: tar-like, vetiver-ish and decidedly masculine. Review by
Rating
4
This one is very complex: it starts off sharp and peppery, and quickly morphs into something warm and tar-like. It's smoky and definitely very masculine. But it doesn't stay there: it switches back to being a bit cool and biting. It's probably a tad too complicated for my beginner's nose, with its rapidly changing facets. It reminds me most of black pepper and amber, my favorites. Then it quickly changes into what reminds me quite a bit of vetiver, the most masculine scent I've ever got from EB. To my nose, it changes from faint to very potent. Although I lean more towards woody and masculine scents, I think for me, this one is best left to both the advanced perfumers and the gentlemen, but I'm glad to have sampled it.
(Posted on 7/23/2020)
Subdued rarther than smoky Review by
Rating
3
My familiarity with amyris led me to expect a stronger aroma, with more distinct vanilla notes within the balsamic structure. Also, with the above reviews, I anticipated a headier presence of wood. As it is, the oil is quite faintly aromatic- which works just fine as a fixative for more prominent scents. It blends quite nicely with palmarosa, for example.
The 'wood' or 'leather' or 'smoky' qualities that others described came off to my [inexperienced] nose as a soft turpentine, buoyed with dry balsam. Not what I had been expecting, as a previous amyris oil from another company offered a forward aroma with a distinctive sweet note alongside woody, oily qualities. Hm. Will use for a base, for fixing sweeter oils and as addition to skin care products.
(Posted on 8/26/2019)
Great for health Review by
Rating
4
When used regularly, amyris has the potential to prevent the early signs of aging. In fact, it makes a great addition to your skincare regime. Just adding 1-2 drops of it to your toner can prevent wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and saggy skin. It brings an amazing glow..

Source: <a hrefs="https://uncategory.com/amyris-oil/">Amyris</a>
(Posted on 11/26/2018)
Amyriss!! Review by
Rating
4
Very good fragrance of soft wood and tree bark with a memory of resin and something creamy ... thick and concentrated substance but it is never the same or similar to sandalwood by itself ... it can be a good base to reconstruct together with sandalwood molecules (Javanol, Sandalore, brahmanol, firsantol, etc) a natural aroma of sandalwood.
(Posted on 8/1/2018)
Warm and comforting Review by
Rating
5
Usually I prefer sharper wood scents because many woods have a sort of body odor or rancid note in them that I can't stand, however faint it may be. But this and Hinoki are both beautiful wood fragrances that smell clean without being sharp.

To me, it is warm, soft, creamy and smooth with a salty butter note to it. It is not overwhelming and can create some nice subtle alterations in a composition.
(Posted on 6/9/2018)
Fantastic, but NOT like sandalwood Review by
Rating
5
Amyris is a unique and great woody scent, starting out with an oily, pine-y, and slightly petrol-like note and ending in more of a cedar/vetiver mix. It's long-lasting and good for masculine fragrances. I do not agree in the slightest with the assertion that this can be used as a sandalwood substitute, or that it smells exactly like it. This by no means smells exactly like sandalwood. Amyris is not creamy or soft, for instance, but that shouldn't turn anybody away from it. Its strengths are many. This is not a scent to be missed.
(Posted on 1/11/2017)
This is the smell of trust and contentment from my childhood.... Review by
Rating
5
This is such a unique oil, completely unidentifiable. To me this is the smell of contentment. I like to dab a little on my wrist before I meditate. One sniff takes me right back to my childhood smelling my father's leather coat and pipe tobacco. Eventually it drys to mellow, amber-like scent.

It is a wonderful fixative, base in a careful amount due to the smokiness of it. More for masculine scents, less for feminine. I've tried subbing this for sandalwood but it is just too different to my novice nose. But as itself, it is an oil I use over and over again.

(Posted on 1/10/2017)
Sandalwood Review by
Rating
5
It's no exaggeration, this oil does overwhelmingly resemble true sandalwood in its character, with a few subtle differences that may even make it more desirable.
(Posted on 6/28/2016)
Smoky Review by
Rating
5
It smells very smoky, woodsy and complex to me. I really love this scent, I have never smelled anything like it before.
(Posted on 12/17/2015)
The best I've ever smelled Review by
Rating
5
Amyris can be a hit and miss oil for sure. It seems to have a lot of variants and the one I have from Europe has a slightly turpsy smell to it that really doesn't bode well unless you are using it in resinous chords. So I was cautious when I bought this one (batch 70-6-9).

The smoke is so refined it's more like a gentle cloud of clean, white musk. It has a definite sandalwood element, but is drier, and more powdery - although there is that creamy element, too, but the dryness takes it into a sweet wax dry-down rather than a fatty, rich element. It's gentle and silky and I think it just became my favourite oil! This would lend itself to being a soft, pillowy base to lay powdery florals upon, and would work with subtle woods, herbs and spices. I also think it is the perfect companion for vanilla and musk, softening and deepening both.
(Posted on 10/17/2015)
Amyris oil appears... Review by
Rating
5
Amyris oil appears to lack the well documented, historically rich background of other essential oils. This is largely due to the fact that the botanical origin of the tree that is used to produce amyris oil. The sweet, balsamic, wood-like fragrance of Amyris oil allows it to blend well with geranium oil, pine oil, spruce oil, cedar wood oil, myrrh oil, galbanum oil, frankincense oil, cypress oil, clove oil, aniseed oil, lemon oil, orange oil,Commonly found in soaps and other 'Sandalwood' products in place of 'true' Sandalwood, Amyris supports vibrant physical health by helping to remove physical and etheric toxins that congest and distort the body. An alternative choice in place of the endangered 'true' Sandalwood, Amyris is a healthy, inexpensive and sustainable substitute in many aromatherapy applications.Thanks and Regards
(Posted on 10/8/2015)
Well aged woody softness Review by
Rating
5
This Amyris is well aged like most thicker oils are. a lot thicker than one might expect if they aren't familiar with this. Just what I expected from Anyris, leathery leathery base notes, cigar box woody type balsamic spice like top note.
This with patchouli put direct over it (or in a blend, add Amyris to the bottle first, then add the patchouli to transform the top note of Amyris) I've made this accord/mix several times before and it's always pleasing to me. I recommend it to anyone to try it as a sample. Buy an empty 1/16th oz bottle, a sample each of patchouli Sri Lanka organic and this Amyris. Dry woody delight with sweetness from both ends. Works lovely over ambers and underneath florals or even both for the ultimate floriental rush! Also the two or alone work perfect for aromatherapy stress relief and skin renewal. True cedars (Atlas, Himalayan or any other relatives) as overtones or placed on top of the Patchouli-Amyris creats one of the sexiest based ever. It's the balsamic and forest lovers heaven! Juniper berry as a finish makes this a very fine incense-woodland accord too. Toss in some sandalwood or woods depending on how many species you like, ouds, ambrette, tabacco, vanilla, orris butter, and they other things that are a no brainer for earthy treats. When knowing before hand how leathery this is, one can skillfully make a leather base or dry woodsinstead of a rye scented disaster. With agarwood co2 and any myrrh of choice makes a fine leathery type accord. Plus these type of oils are really good for coincidentally leathery and dry skin, stressed skin. Done me a lot of justice. Also good for getting good sleep if you like the smell of sail ship's wooden deck. I strongly recommend it and experiment with it. This could be that classy note you were looking for years
(Posted on 7/22/2015)
smokey sandalwood Review by
Rating
4
The descriptions are on point with this one. At first sniff what you get is a smokey campfire smell, exactly that. Then after a few seconds it mellows out into that clean non-sweet sandalwood smell you would expect.

I think Amyris would be useful for replicating an incense type note rather than a sandalwood though. Don't know it though. Amyris is an interesting material if you can find use for it.
(Posted on 6/22/2015)
nice Review by
Rating
4
Nice, pleasant and inexpensive oil for sesquiterpene junkies like myself :))
(Posted on 4/3/2015)
On the rocks Review by
Rating
3
This oil from batch 70-7-4 smells like whisky to me. Now I've never smelled Amyris before so I didn't know what to expect, except from the description and reviews. I do know what various Sandalwoods smells like and this smells nothing like it. It does have a woody undertone, but no sweetness. I can see how it might stretch a Sandalwood oil if added at about 20% or less. Maybe it could be used well in a blend where that Scotch or Rye scent is desired. Although I don't personally enjoy them, I know of a few popular brand name perfumes that use alcohol overtly as a note in their fragrance, and they sell very well.
(Posted on 5/22/2014)
so good Review by
Rating
5
I have wild amyris from another company that I used before I descovered eden botanicals. It smells like a campfire...not exactly a sub for sandalwood. On a long shot hunch i decided to try EB amyris, dont know why.. BOY AM I GLAD I DID, IT COULD REALLY PASS FOR SANDALWOOD!! I put sandalwood on one wrist and amyris on the other. At first the sandalwood was smooth and sweet and the amyris was smoky..but in a few minutes i couldn't tell them apart!!! So happy!!
(Posted on 6/6/2013)
Excellent fixative Review by
Rating
5
I have not tried Amyris from any other company, so I cannot say how this compares. However, I do find that it is an excellent smelling oil that offers great fixative properties. It does have a scent somewhat reminiscent of sandalwood, but I'd say that the aroma is deeper and more earthy. It also blends well with practically every other scent I've tried it in. The other wonderful thing about this oil is that the price is excellent. Highly recommended!
(Posted on 2/19/2013)
Spicy and Light Review by
Rating
5
This essence is offered as an alternative to Sandalwood for its availability and pricing as well as its similar profile. I find it to be a useful addition to my essence collection especially for when I need a lighter, more spicy and less sickly sweet scent, in contrast to most sandalwood oils.

Amyris lends a constant woody spice scent to my blends and allows me to include a quality base note without over-powering a blend with the more heavy qualities of Sandalwood. Amyris is on the lighter, more 'airy' end of the spectrum as far as base notes go. The price and environmental concerns that Amyris offers cannot be beat either.

One downside that I have found is that this oil is not as long-lasting as other base notes. It doesn't have the staying power of a rich Sandalwood or Agarwood, but this can be used to one's advantage if one knows what they are doing.
(Posted on 2/13/2013)
Excellent! Review by
Rating
5
Deep and rich with a faint smokiness. This is an excellent substitute for the far more expensive sandalwood varieties on the market and blends well with a number of other essences.
(Posted on 7/28/2012)