Greetings from Cuenca, Ecuador! I have been at the University of Azuay for the past two weeks preparing for the greatest adventure in the history of essential oils. Based upon my travels around the world in search of rare plants and botanicals, I believe the Azuay province to be the botanical capital of the world. I am in plant heaven!

In just four days, I have identified eight aromatic plants that have never been distilled before. I found one plant that I have been looking for ten years called Lippia citriodora, which is a very high oil yielding plant that Dr. Valnet used for malaria, Hodgkin’s, heart disease, asthma, depression, stress, insomnia, diabetes, and to stimulate testosterone and estrogen production. Lippia citriodora grows wild here. We will soon distill the variety of plants we have gathered, and I am anxious to analyze the complexity of the constituents.
We have also been looking into another very exiting plant called RUDA that was traditionally used by the Incas to drive away evil spirits and to cleanse the body in preparation for burial rituals. The locals use it today for anxiety, stress, depression, fear, upset children, colic, and trauma. It has a most unique and beautiful aroma, and I look forward to researching the medicinal aspects of the oil.

We will be introducing many of these new oils to the participants of the upcoming event in Cuenca, Ecuador October 10-12. I will be lecturing on the medicinal properties of essential oils and there will be discussions about the properties of the botanicals that have recently been discovered throughout the venue. I have asked some of the University of Azuay faculty to speak to the group, as well. Following is a brief agenda of the other events and guest speakers we have scheduled for the group thus far:

Monday, October 10
Orientation and Welcome by Dr. Edgar Rodas, M.D.
Academic Program Outline, Vice Rector, Eng. Francisco Salgado
Tour of the University of Azuay campus, including chemistry and analytical labs
Essential Oils Potential, Eng. Marisol Cazar
Tour of the Central Museum and Incan Botanical Gardens
Traditional Anthropology, Dr. Andres Abad
Tour of the beautiful city of Cuenca
Welcome dinner at Hotel Oro Verde

Tuesday, October 11
Medicinal Benefits of Essential Oils, Dr. Edgar Rodas
Visit the Santa Ana Farm
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Native to Cuenca, Botanist Danilo Minga
Gather natively-grown botanicals and participate in the distillation process
Downtown shopping experience

Wednesday October 12
Trip to the Incas Ruins, “Ingapirca”
Shaman lecture regarding ancient traditions
Botanical guide around the area by Biologist Gustavo Chacon
Complete distillation and plant identification
Farewell Dinner at Resort Hosteria Uzhupud

Please enjoy the photographs of the breathtaking city of Cuenca. I look forward to sharing many more discoveries with you.

A Dog’s View is brought to you by Aspenbloom Essential Oils and Nutritionals