A-C Of Essential Oils by:Heidi McGowan
Angelica (Angelica Archangelica)
Angelica (Angelica Archangelica)
Properties - Invigorates the lymphatic system, increases perspiration, cleansing system of toxins. Aids indigestion, flatulence, dyspepsia, colic. Stimulates appetite.
Good For - Provides use as expectorant in colds, bronchitis, pleurisy. Useful for headaches, migraines, and toothache. Used as a skin tonic, soothing inflammation.
Aniseed (Pimpinella Anisum)
Properties - An antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, invigorating, reviving and uplifting.
Good For - Indigestion, flatulence and muscle spasm.
Blends well with - Bay, cardamom, Cedarwood, coriander, fennel, mandarin, Petitgrain and rosewood.
Mood - Relaxing
How To Use - Massage
Cautions - May irritate sensitive skin. Do not use if pregnant.
Basil (Osimum basilicum)
Properties - Antiseptic, decongestant, warming.
Good For - Effective with headaches and migraines. Antiseptic to the respiratory tract and used for sinus congestion, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and influenza. Restores sense of smell due to catarrh. Also antiseptic to digestive and urinary tracts, and therefore finds application with digestive disorders, vomiting, gastric spasm, nausea, and dyspepsia. Useful with deep massage to ease muscular pain and spasm and to stimulate blood flow.
Skin: Tonic to congested skin.
Blends Well With - Bergamot, chamomile, citronella, clary sage, geranium and lemongrass.
Mood - Refreshing and invigorating.
How To Use - Inhalation, bath and massage
Cautions - Can cause skin irritation therefore use in low concentrations. Do not use if pregnant.
Bay (Laurus Nobilis)
Properties - Analgesic, antiseptic, astringent, promotes menstruation, stimulant, and settles upset stomach.
Good For - Respiratory problems, indigestion, rheumatism.
Blends Well With - Coriander, eucalyptus, geranium, juniper, lavender, rose, rosemary and thyme.
Mood - Warming
How To Use - Inhalation, bath and massage
Cautions - Do not use in facial steams. Do not use if you are pregnant.
Benzoin (Styrax Benzoin)
Properties - Soothing sedative, antiseptic.
Good For - Inflamed/ irritated skin and throat infections.
Blends Well With - Citrus oils, cypress, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, myrrh, petitgrain and rose.
Mood - Uplifting and warming
How To Use - Massage and inhalation
Cautions - Skin irritant.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Properties - Cooling, refreshing, uplifting, antiseptic, deodorising, pain relieving and sedative.
Good For - Can be used as an aid to digestion and as an appetite stimulant. It soothes muscles and can be used in the bath, in a diffuser, as skincare and with massage.
Blends Well With - Other citrus oils, chamomile, coriander, pine, lavender, Neroli and rosemary.
Mood - Uplifting
How To Use - Inhalation and bath
Cautions - Avoid using before sunlight.
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
Properties - Dilates and increases circulation of local blood vessels providing use for muscular aches and stiffness. It is an acrid digestive, increasing flow of saliva and stimulating appetite. It is also a warming digestive, expelling wind, and promoting gastric motility and function Finds use with rheumatoid arthritis and temporary paralysis of limbs. . Restores tone to the colon muscles. Promotes urine and stimulates the kidneys. Its warming action also aids respiratory illnesses involving cold, as it is antiseptic to the lungs.
Good For - Muscle spasm, useful for treating bruises.
Blends Well With - Bergamot, cypress, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, rosemary, sandalwood, and Ylang Ylang.
Mood - Warming
How To Use - Massage
Cautions - Use in low doses. May irritate sensitive skin.
Cajeput (Melaleuca Leucadendron)
Properties - Antiseptic, antiviral, expectorant, carminative and pain relieving.
Good For - respiratory and digestive problems.
Blends Well With - Bergamot, cypress, juniper, lemon, pine and rosemary.
Mood - Relaxing
How To Use - Inhalation, bath and massage
Cautions - Skin Irritant, Avoid during pregnancy.
Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum)
Properties - Antiseptic, aphrodisiac, digestive tonic, warming and calming.
Good For - Indigestion,
Blends Well With - Clove, coriander, frankincense, geranium, juniper, lemon, pine, verbena and ylang ylang.
Cautions - skin irritant
Cedarwood (cedrus atlantica)
Properties - As a tonic to the glandular and nervous systems. Its expectorant and drying properties are beneficial to the respiratory tract in conditions of bronchitis, pneumonia, and coughs with catarrh or excess phlegm. Also provides a tonic effect on the genito-urinary tract where there is inflammation or burning pain.
Good For - Dry skin, eczema and acne.
Skin - Provides astringent and antiseptic properties that benefit oily skin conditions and may help acne.
Blends Well With - Jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon, myrrh, neroli, rose and rosemary.
Mood - Soothing
How To Use - Massage, inhalation and skincare
Cautions - Skin irritant. Avoid in pregnancy.
Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
Properties - Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antidepressant.
Good For - Remedying pain associated with the nerves such as neuralgia, headaches, toothache, and earache. Also used for menstrual problems associated with regulation and pain. Chamomile is renowned for gastrointestinal problems, often bring relieve to those suffering with gastritis, diarrhoea, colitis, peptic ulcers, flatulence, inflammation of the bowels. Also useful for genito-urinary tract problems. Possibly useful for liver problems such as jaundice. Chamomile is also renowned for use with skin problems, providing a soothing calming and cleansing action useful for burns, blisters, inflamed wounds and ulcers.
Blends Well With - Jasmine, lavender, lemon, neroli, palmarosa and rose.
Mood - Soothing
How To Use - Inhalation, compress, bath and massage
Cautions - Avoid in the first three months of pregnancy.
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum)
Properties - Antiseptic, stimulant, insecticidal and parasitical.
Good For - Nausea and digestive problems.
Blends Well With - Ginger, lemon, orange, pine, rosemary and ylang ylang.
Mood - Warming
How To Use - Massage
Cautions - Skin irritant, avoid in pregnancy. Inhalation can cause irritation.
Citronella (Cimbopogon nardus)
Properties - Renowned for use as an insect repellent. Can help with gastro-intestinal distress including stomach ache and colitis. Its antibacterial properties find use with intestinal parasites.
Skin: Reported for use with cases of excessive perspiration, oily skin and hair.
Good For - Insect repellent and softens the skin.
Blends Well With - Bergamot, Geranium, Lemon, Orange, Lavender and Pine.
Mood - Refreshing and uplifting
How To Use - Vaporisation and skincare
Cautions - May irritate sensitive skin, avoid use on sensitive or damaged skin. Can cause dermatitis in certain people.
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
Properties - It has a soothing and sedating effect while at the same time strengthens the nervous system. One of the best muscle relaxants used to relieve cramps and/or muscle pain. Antidepressant sometimes described as euphoric.
Good For - Stress, hormonal problems and muscle aches.
Blends Well With - Bergamot, cypress, grapefruit, juniper, lavender, lime, pine and sandalwood.
Mood - Relaxing and euphoric
How To Use - Inhalation, compress, bath and creams
Cautions - Not for use in pregnancy. Can cause headaches. Avoid with alcohol.
Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata)
Properties - Analgesic, antiseptic, stimulating and warming.
Good For - Scientists have recently found that the oil is high in eugenol, accounting for its antiseptic and analgesic properties. Clove oil is used in many commercial toothpastes and mouthwashes. French Aromatherapist have found that the anti-inflammatory effects of clove oil have helped in the treatment of arthritis.
Blends Well With - Basil, black pepper, lemon, peppermint and rosemary.
Mood - Stimulating
How To Use - Massage and skincare
Cautions - Not to be used as a massage oil, and only use in small doses.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Properties - Renowned for use as an insect repellent. Clears and uplifts. Is applied to fatigue, headache, migraine, neuralgia, and depression. Reportedly speeds heart beat but has antispasmodic action which can help with gastro-intestinal distress including stomach ache and colitis. It's antibacterial and vermifugal properties find use with intestinal parasites. Useful with rheumatism and arthritis pain. Reported for use with cases of excessive perspiration, oily skin and hair.
Good For - Mental fatigue, migraine, tension and nervous weakness. It gives a warm effect on the stomach and can relieve wind and cramps. It is also helpful for alleviating pain such as rheumatism, arthritis and muscle spasms and useful with colds and flu.
Blends Well With - Bergamot, Cinnamon, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lemon, Neroli and Orange
Cautions- Avoid use on sensitive or damaged skin.
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
Properties - Antiseptic, antitoxic, stimulant, digestive tonic and diuretic.
Good For - Its astringent and decongestant properties lend it to uses with excess water and/or perforation leakage such as oedema, haemorrhages, nose bleeds, heavy menstruation, and incontinence, and generally aids the immune system. Its astringent property coupled with its vaso-constrictive/styptic property aids with varicose conditions and haemorrhoids. Its antispasmodic action and normalisation effects with hormones can help pre-menstrual tension and side effects of menopause such as hot flashes, hormone imbalance and irritability.
Skin: Again, astringent effect can benefit wounds and abrasions while its decongestant effects help with oily, over hydrated skin, excess perspiration, and cellulite.
Blends Well With - Basil, frankincense, geranium and rose.
Mood - Stimulating
How To Use - Massage and skincare
Cautions - Avoid before exposure to sunlight. Avoid if you have high blood pressure.
About the author
Heidi McGowan
http://www.Aleksan.co.ukNatural & Alternative Living
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