香茅醇
撰文╱米恩・羅德里奎茲醫學博士
香茅醇是一種單萜醇，如同其名，它是香茅精油中的一種成份，但也是玫瑰與天竺葵精油的主要成份。香茅醇的比例取決於精油原料的產地，其在玫瑰精油可高達 55% 的含量，而在天竺葵精油中則有 35% 的含量，這也是為它們帶來不同香氣與效益的主因。經研究證實香茅醇對皮膚及頭髮健康有益，它的香氣是蚊蟲所不喜歡的。
玫瑰與天竺葵精油是護膚與護髮的熱門產品，之所以如此不是沒有原因的：實驗性研究指出若將之塗抹在頭皮上，能保持頭皮健康與清潔。若想擁有健康明亮的秀髮，滴入幾滴天竺葵到您的洗髮精或潤髮乳中。同樣地，研究也顯示香茅醇也能為您的肌膚帶來同樣的好處。若想保持肌膚水分或修護小瑕疵，試著加幾滴玫瑰精油到您的乳液中。
香茅最廣為人知的功能就是避免蟲蟲干擾。實驗性研究指出，濃縮香茅醇的香氣會讓蚊蟲退避三舍，而天竺葵精油也有此效用。若想讓蚊蟲遠離您的居家環境，試著在門窗邊擴香天竺葵香氣。
別忘了在您日常精油養生之道中加入含有香茅醇成分的精油，不但能改善肌膚與髮質問題，還能加強維護健康。
參考文獻
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