Essential Oils
Disclaimer: Essential Oils are not to be substituted for medical treatment. Descriptions are based on aromatherapy and/or botanical research. Please seek the advise of your physician should you have any medical conditions before use. Click Here to Check Warnings Essential Oils Have Aromatherapy Qualities! Aromatherapy is both an art and a science. The results of aromatherapy are very individual. While there is general agreement about the actions of certain oils, aromatherapy texts vary in their descriptions of the properties and characteristics of an essential oil. No two persons are affected by the same essential oil in exactly the same way. Even the same person can be affected differently by the same oil depending on surroundings, time of day, or the mood of the person.
Anise - Spicy, warm licorice-like aroma, rich sweet fragrance. Known for its use in fisherman's soap. said to remove human scent so that fish will be more likely to bite. Has been known for aiding in muscle aches, bronchitis, and indigestion. Some have said that it can control lice. Thought by some to be an aphrodisiac. Skin type: Caution for those with hypersensitive skin or with skin problems. Traditional use: Deodorant, Fishing, Muscle Aches, Indigestion, Insecticide, Respiratory. Blends well with: Bay, Cedarwood, Coriander, Fennel, Mandarin, and Rosewood. *Essential Oil Warning: If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, hypersensitive skin or skin problems, or have any other medical problem, please consult your physician prior to using. Avoid in endometriosis and ostrogen-dependent cancers. NEVER use on children.
Cedar wood - A sweet woody aroma; it is a dark, amber viscous liquid. Some of its properties are antiseptic, astringent, expectorant, calming, aphrodisiac and sedative. Used for skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and oily skin. Helps to control dandruff and relieve stress and has been known to soothe minor arthritis. Cedar wood oil benefits the skin by its sedating ability that relieves itching. Its astringent action is great for acne, oily skin, as well as for hair and dandruff. Skin type: Cedar wood may cause skin irritation to sensitive skin. Traditional use: Anti-seborrhea, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Arthritis, Astringent, Diuretic, Expectorant, Insecticide, Sedative and Fungicide. Blends well with: Bergamot, Rosemary, Sage, & Sandalwood. *Essential Oil Warning: Do not use during pregnancy.
Clove Bud - A spicy, warming yet slightly bitter, woody, reminiscent fragrance of true clove buds, but richer. Clove oil is antibacterial, antiseptic, and analgesic and is equally useful for soothing arthritis and muscular disorders. Also said to be a stimulating, revitalizing, warming, purifying, energizing, and aphrodisiac scent. Clove oil can be used in skin care products to assist with diarrhea, bronchitis, chills, colds, muscular numbness, spasms, rheumatism and arthritis and can furthermore help to sort out leg ulcers and skin sores and as an insect repellent. Skin type: May cause skin irritation to sensitive skin - test on a small skin area before use. Traditional use: Acne, Arthritis, Bruises, Burns and Cuts, Deoderant, Respiratory Problems, Rheumatism and Skin problems (especially for skin sores and leg ulcers). Blends well with: Bergamot, Rosemary, Sage, & Sandalwood. *Essential Oil Warning: Avoid in pregnancy, with small children or the elderly. "Mucous membrane and dermal irritant. Avoid in alcoholism, in hemophilia, in prostatic cancer, with kidney and liver problems and if taking anticoagulants." [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 131.]
Cinnamon - A spicy, sharp, and slightly woody, powerful and exotic, warm, sweet aroma. Known to ease colds and breathing difficulties. Cinnamon was a popular aphrodisiac, spice, and antiseptic, and largely the reason for the occupation of Ceylon in 1505 by the Portuguese. Cinnamon oil can be diluted in the bath, to assist with bronchitis, diarrhea, chills, infections, flu, rheumatism and arthritis. Due to its very powerful antiseptic properties it is good for fighting any infectious diseases. In a cream or lotion, cinnamon oil can help with digestion, rheumatism and arthritic pain. It also helps to fight colds and flu when used in the formulation of a cream or lotion. Skin type: May cause skin irritation, use with caution. Traditional use: Exhaustion, flatulence, lice, rheumatism, scabies, stress. Blends well with: Clove, Frankincense, Lavender, Orange, Thyme, and Ylang Ylang. *Essential Oil Warning: Relatively non-toxic, possible skin irritant, especially to the mucus membranes. Avoid in alcoholism, in hemophilia, in prostate cancer, with kidney and liver problems and if taking anticoagulants. Avoid in pregnancy, with small children or the elderly.
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulos) - A clear, sharp, fresh and very distinctive smell with woody undertones. In aromatherapy, this essential oil helps to clear the mind and focus concentration, while reducing swelling in the mucus membranes. Said to be an Inhibitor of the cold virus and deterrent for mosquitoes.
Eucalyptus oil is useful for muscular aches and pains, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains and poor circulation. In skin care it can be used for burns, blisters, herpes, cuts, wounds, skin infections and insect bites. It can furthermore boost the immune system and is helpful in cases of chicken pox, colds, flu and measles. Skin type: May cause skin irritation, use with caution. Traditional use: Arthritis, cold sores, colds, coughing, fever, flu, poor circulation, sinusitis decongestant, insecticide, analgesic, ant rheumatic and antiseptic. Blends well with: Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Peppermint and Pine. *Essential Oil Warning: Do not take internally - Very toxic when taken orally. Do not use with homeopathic remedies. People with high blood pressure and epilepsy should avoid it.
Lavender (Bulgarian)- A fresh, sweet, floral, herbaceous scent. What a great aroma! Lavender is the most versatile of essential oils. It is relaxing and refreshing, uplifts the spirits, and helps to relieve the distress of muscle pain. NO home should be without it. Balances your body and mind. Calms or stimulates according to your bodies needs. Excellent for refreshing tired muscles, feet and head. Known burn treatment and reduces scaring. Lavender has also been used as an insect repellant and is said to repel mice as well. Skin type: sensitive, all skin types Traditional use: Acne, Antidepressant, Muscle Relaxant, skin conditioner, astringent. Blends well with: bergamot, clove, rosemary, eucalyptus, patchouli, clary sage, rose, jasmine. *Essential Oil Warning: Lavender should not be used during the early stages of pregnancy. Use Lavender with caution if you have low blood pressure.
Lemon Grass - Sweet and lemony aroma. It is antidepressant, antiseptic, bactericide, diuretic, fungicide and insecticide. Stimulates the mind, lifts the spirit, stimulates appetite, is helpful with colic, indigestion, and helps to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. Lemon grass is great for aching muscles, tired legs, fatigue, and assists with jet lag. Used within skin products, it is a great astringent and helps treat acne and oily skin. Lemon grass acts as a great skin toner. Skin type: all skin types. Traditional use: Astringent, Athletes Foot, Fungal Infections, Fatigue, Insecticide, Muscle Aches and Pains, Skin Toner, Stimulates Appetite, Stress. Blends well with: Basil, Cedar wood, Lavender, and Tea Tree. *Essential Oil Warning: None known - can irritate sensitive skin.
Lime- A sharp, bittersweet lime aroma. possesses the same therapeutic and blending properties of lemon. Diluted in the bath, it is used to help with painful muscles and joints, respiratory problems and cellulite, as well as when colds and flu strike. used in a cream or lotion, is helpful to clear oily congested skin and is also often used to help fight cellulite and remove the cottage cheese look from the skin. Skin type: all skin types - take care with hypersensitive skin. Traditional use: Acne, asthma, chilblains, colds, dull skin, flu, varicose veins. Blends well with: florals, other citruses, clary sage and lavender.
*Essential Oil Warning: Lime is a photo-sensitizer (increases the skins reaction to sunlight making it more likely to burn) so it should not be used when exposed to sunlight or tanning beds. Do not use within 4 hours of exposure to the sun. Take care with hypersensitive skin (although irritation is rare).
Orange -
Patchouli - A strong, earthy fragrance, sweet and spicy fragrance - may be a little too persistent for some people. Due to its strong astringent and cicatrizing properties, may be helpful for toning loose skin, especially after dieting - seems to curb appetite also. Patchouli helps to tighten the pores of the skin and is used to combat wrinkles. It regulates oily skin and dandruff and is said to mobilize cellulite and water retention for elimination. Well known to increase the libido, patchouli also relieves unwanted effects from insect bites and aides as an insect repellent. Patchouli is known as a tissue regenerator which helps re-growth of skin cells and the forming of scar tissue, which also aides in healing rough, cracked skin, while fighting infections. Traditional use: Anxiety, Antidepressant, Antiseptic, Aphrodisiac, Astringent, Cellulite, Chapped/Cracked Skin, Deodorant, Diuretic, Eczema, Fungicide, Insecticide, PMS Symptoms, Psoriasis, Scar Tissue/Skin Regenerator, Scalp Disorders, Skin Toner, Sores and Burns. Blends well with: Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Myrrh, and Sandalwood. *Essential Oil Warning: May cause loss of appetite.
Peppermint - A refreshing, stimulating, sharp, menthol fragrance. Said to relieve states of anger, hysteria and nervous trembling, excellent for mental fatigue and depression. On the body, it has a dual action: cooling when hot and warming when cold. Diluted in the bath, peppermint oil can assist with colic, cramps, back pain, inflamed bowel disorders, spastic colon, catarrh, colitis, circulation, constipation, coughs, diarrhea, sweaty and tired feet, flatulence, headaches, muscular pains, cramps and spasms, neuralgia, nausea, rheumatism and mental fatigue, skin that is red, irritated and itchy, as well as other inflammatory conditions. Its cooling and pain relieving action seems to ease muscle soreness, in a cream or lotion, it will also help to ease the sting of sunburn, reduce redness of inflamed skin, reduce itchiness. Traditional use: Analgesic, anesthetic, antispasmodic, astringent, decongestant, emmenagogue, expectorant, insecticide and stimulant. Blends well with: Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Pine, and Rosemary. *Essential Oil Warning: Do not use for babies or toddlers. Peppermint has antispasmodic properties therefore use during pregnancy is not advised. Best avoided by nursing mothers as it may discourage flow of milk. Should be kept away from eyes, likely to irritate skin and mucous membranes.
Rose Geranium - Geranium Floral, similar to Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) with a rosy hint. On the skin, rose geranium oil helps to balance the secretion of sebum and clears sluggish and oily skins, as well as wound, burn and ulcer healing and has value to treat eczema, repelling insects, shingles, cellulite, ringworm, bruises and engorgement of the breasts. Rose Geranium oil has a balancing effect on the nervous system which helps to relieve depression and anxiety, while lifting the spirits. It has a balancing effect on the adrenal cortex and is great for relieving stress. Rose geranium oil can be diluted in a bath to assist with PMS, depression, stress, anxiety and tension, fluid retention, edema, eczema, shingles, cellulite, bruises, ringworm, hemorrhoids and menstrual irregularities. Traditional use: Acne, Cellulites, Depression, Dull Skin, Lice, Menopause, Oily Skin. Blends well with: Basil, Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavender, Lime, Orange and Rosemary.. *Essential Oil Warning: Do not use if pregnant unless approved by a certified aromatherapist or doctor. Geranium oil is not indicated to cause any side effects, since it is non-toxic, non-irritant and generally non-sensitizing, yet can cause sensitivity in some people.
Rosemary - A strong refreshingly sweet, herbal fragrance. Known to clear the head and aid to memory, helping to relieve mental strain. Rosemary revives the senses, clears headaches and migraines. Rosemary enhances circulation and eases muscle stiffness and aches when added to bath or massage products. Helps to tone temporarily paralyzed limbs, eases gout and tired, overworked muscles. Seems to relieve menstrual cramps and scanty periods. Rosemary can help control dandruff, oily scalp and skin, acne, and is said to encourage hair growth. In a cream or lotion it is most beneficial for improving blood circulation and decongesting the skin. Traditional use: Antiseptic, Burns, Cellulite, Colds, Dandruff, Digestive Problems, Fatigue, Flu, Gout, Liver and Gall Bladder Problems, Oily Skin, Poor Circulation, Rheumatism, Vertigo, Water Retention, and Wounds. Blends well with: Cedarwood, Frankincense, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lavender, Orange and Peppermint. *Essential Oil Warning: Avoid during pregnancy. Not suitable for people with epilepsy, seizure disorders or high blood pressure. Might antidote homeopathic remedies.
Tea Tree Oil - A strong spicy-camphorous, refreshingly warm and sanitary, medicinal aroma. Tea Tree Oil helps clear ports and blemishes caused by acne, chicken pox and shingles. Useful with burns, sores, sunburn, ringworm, warts, tinea, herpes and athletes foot. Proven to be helpful with dry conditions of the scalp as well as dandruff. Tea Tree Oil has a refreshing, revitalizing effect on the mind, especially after a shock. Its most important use is to help the immune system fight off infectious diseases by activating the white corpuscles to help form a defense against invading organisms which helps to shorten the duration of illnesses. Its strong antiviral and germicidal properties are very useful for repeated infections. Its fungicidal properties help clear vaginal thrush and is of value with genital infections generally. Alleviates urinary tract problems such as cystitis. Gives relief to genital and anal itching as well as general itching from chicken pox to rashes caused by insect bites. Traditional use: Acne, Age Spots, Athlete's Foot, Boils, Burns, Colds, Corns, Cystitis, Dandruff, Fungal Infections, Immune System Booster, Itching (from insect bites, chicken pox, etc.), Sunburn, Urinary Tract Infections, Warts. Blends well with: Cinnamon, Clove Bud, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Lavender, Rosemary, and Sandalwood. *Essential Oil Warning: May cause irritation on sensitive areas of skin. No known toxicity.
