What is camellia and what is it used for?

Botanically, camellias belong to the Theaceaeal family and within this to the genus Camellia where more than 200 species are classified. Camellias are native to East Asia, mainly China, Japan and Vietnam.

The camellia is a small evergreen tree up to 10m tall. The leaves are petiolate, oval, with a dark green upper surface and a paler underside, thick and with a toothed edge. The size ranges between 5-11 cm. long and 2.5 – 6 cm wide, but it varies from one cultivar to another, and we can find smaller leaves in sasanquas, and others up to two or three times larger than the normal size. The shape is also very variable, some are long and narrow, others pointed, others more rounded, and some cultivars even have variegated leaves.

The flowers are terminal, solitary or in pairs, varying in size between 3 and 10 cm. in diameter and with a great variety of shapes and colors. Regarding the shapes, there are simple, semi-double, anemone, peony, incomplete double or rose shape, and formal or informal double and these range from the purest white to the most intense red through violets, lilacs, yellows… They are plants that usually flower in winter

The fruit is dry and only varieties appear with simple or semi-double flowers with fertile carpels, in spherical capsules of about 3 cm, bi- or tri-lobed, with one or two brownish seeds per cavity.

The most used thing about the camellia are its LEAVES. Camellia is a plant that stands out for its high content of natural antioxidants. For this reason, its main use has been the manufacture of tea (from the young shoots of Camellia sinensis). Tea can be yellow, white, black, oolong, Pu-erh or red, green, etc. depending on the type of processing to which the camellia leaves are subjected.

Camellia sinensis is also known as a tea plant or tea bush and should not be mistakenly called “tea tree”, since the tea tree is Melaleuca alternifolia, a completely different plant from the camellia.

SEEDS of camellias are also used, but in this case for cosmetic purposes. The well-known Camellia Oil is extracted from these seeds, used as a cosmetic product since the Middle Ages in Japan by the Geishas. It is a dry oil with great antioxidant power and rapid absorption that can be used for hair, face and body.

FLOWERS are used for decorative purposes. Camellias are one of the most beautiful and varied flowers in nature, they come in all kinds of shapes and colors, which is why the flowers are used to give color to gardens, especially in winter, when they bloom.

The origin of camellia oil for cosmetic purposes is in Japan. The use of camellia oil in Japan is believed to date back to ancient times, possibly to the Nara period (710-794 AD) or the Heian period (794-1185 AD). During these times, camellia oil was valued for its beneficial properties for the skin and hair.

Its use became popular in Japan in the Middle Ages, during the Edo period (1603-1868). During this period, camellia oil became popular among women of the time who used it to keep their skin and hair in good condition. At this time, its use by ancient Geishas stands out, who included the use of camellia oil as part of their daily skin and hair care regimen.

In China, during the imperial dynasties in China, camellia oil was also appreciated among the aristocracy who used it as part of the beauty and personal care rituals of the nobility.

In terms of its use in cosmetics, camellia oil is appreciated for its composition rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamin E. These components provide moisturizing and nourishing benefits for the skin and hair. Additionally, camellia oil is easily absorbed and is known to leave skin soft and silky without feeling greasy.

Camellia oil has gained popularity in the beauty and cosmetics industry as a natural skin and hair care ingredient. It is used in products such as moisturizers, facial oils, hair conditioners, and more. The rich history of its use in Japan and China has contributed to its reputation as a valuable beauty ingredient.