A rich selection of essential oils can be used in aromatherapy and many of them have similar properties. Choosing essential oils for making effective blends is a fascinating process which requires a deep knowledge of their properties and a mood for experimentation. The resultant blend must exploit the therapeutic properties of its constituents in full, utilize their synergistic action and have a fragrance as pleasant as possible to the person being treated.
The following alphabet of essential oils lists some basic oils which have a vast field of application. You can experiment with these oils easily but do not forget to read first the directions for use/dosage and safe use.
Angelica Root (angelica archangelica)
Skin: dull and congested skin, irritated conditions, psoriasis.
Circulation, muscles and joints: toxins, arthritis, gout, rheumatism, water retention.
Respiratory system: bronchitis, coughs.
Digestive system: anorexia, flatulence, indigestion.
Nervous system: fatigue, migraine, nervous tension and stress related disorders.
Immune system: colds.
Angelica root oil could be phototoxic and should be avoided during pregnancy and by diabetics.
Basil (ocimum basilicum)
Skin: insect bites, insect repellent.
Circulation, muscles and joints: gout, muscular aches, rheumatism.
Respiratory system: bronchitis, coughs, earache, sinusitis.The following alphabet of essential oils lists some basic oils which have a vast field of application. You can experiment with these oils easily but do not forget to read first the directions for use/dosage and safe use.
Skin: dull and congested skin, irritated conditions, psoriasis.
Circulation, muscles and joints: toxins, arthritis, gout, rheumatism, water retention.
Respiratory system: bronchitis, coughs.
Digestive system: anorexia, flatulence, indigestion.
Nervous system: fatigue, migraine, nervous tension and stress related disorders.
Immune system: colds.
Angelica root oil could be phototoxic and should be avoided during pregnancy and by diabetics.
Skin: insect bites, insect repellent.
Circulation, muscles and joints: gout, muscular aches, rheumatism.
Digestive system: dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea.
Genito-urinary system: cramps, scanty periods.
Immune system: colds, fever, flu, infectious disease.
Nervous system: anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension.
Relatively non-toxic, nonirritant, possible sensitization in some individuals. Avoid during pregnancy.
Skin: acne, allergies, boils, burns, cuts, chilblains, dermatitis, earache, eczema, hair care, inflammations, insect bites, rashes, sensitive skin, teething pain, toothache, wounds.
Circulation, muscles and joints: arthritis, inflamed joints, muscular pain, neuralgia, rheumatism, sprains.
Digestive system: dyspepsia, colic, indigestion, nausea.
Genito-urinary system: dysmenorrhoea, menopausal problems, menorrhagia.
Nervous system: headache, insomnia, nervous tension, migraine and stress related complaints.Non toxic, non irritant. It may cause dermatitis in some individuals.
Dill (anethum graveolens)
Digestive system: dyspepsia, colic, flatulence, indigestion.
Genito-urinary and endocrine system: lack of periods, promotes milk flow in breastfeeding mothers.
Eucalyptus (eucalyptus globulus)
Skin: burns, blisters, cuts, herpes, insect bites, insect repellent, lice, skin infections, wounds.
Digestive system: dyspepsia, colic, flatulence, indigestion.
Genito-urinary and endocrine system: lack of periods, promotes milk flow in breastfeeding mothers.
Skin: burns, blisters, cuts, herpes, insect bites, insect repellent, lice, skin infections, wounds.
Circulation, muscles and joints: muscular aches, poor ciculation, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains.
Respiratory system: asthma, bronchitis, coughs, catarrh, sinusitis, throat infections.
Genito-urinary system: cystitis, leucorrhoea.
Immune system: chickenpox, colds, epidemics, flu, measles.Nervous system: neuralgia, debility, headaches.
Frankincense (boswellia carteri)
Skin: dry and mature complexions, scars, wounds, wrinkles.
Respiratory system: asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, laryngitis.
Genito-urinary system: cystitis, dysmenorrhoea, leucorrhoea, metrorrhagia.
Immune system: colds, flu.
Nervous system: anxiety, nervous tension and stress related conditions.
Geranium (pelargonium graveolens)
Skin: acne, bruises, broken capillaries, burns, congested skin, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, haemorrhoids, lice, oily complexion, mature skin, mosquito repellent, ringworm, ulcers, wounds.
Circulation, muscles and joints: cellulite, engorgement of breasts, oedema, poor circulation.
Respiratory system: sore throat, tosnillitis.
Skin: dry and mature complexions, scars, wounds, wrinkles.
Respiratory system: asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, laryngitis.
Genito-urinary system: cystitis, dysmenorrhoea, leucorrhoea, metrorrhagia.
Immune system: colds, flu.
Nervous system: anxiety, nervous tension and stress related conditions.
Skin: acne, bruises, broken capillaries, burns, congested skin, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, haemorrhoids, lice, oily complexion, mature skin, mosquito repellent, ringworm, ulcers, wounds.
Circulation, muscles and joints: cellulite, engorgement of breasts, oedema, poor circulation.
Respiratory system: sore throat, tosnillitis.
Genito-urinary and endocrine system: menopausal problems.
Nervous system: nervous tension, neuralgia and stress related conditions.
Generally geranium is non toxic, non irritant and non sensitizing.
Circulation, muscles and joints: low or high blood pressure, rheumatism.
Respiratory system: asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sore throat, tonsillitis.
Digestive system: colic, indigestion.
Genito-urinary system: amenorrhoea, leucorrhoea.
Immune system: colds, flu.
Nervous system: anxiety, fatigue, nervous tension and stress related conditions.
Nervous system: anxiety, fatigue, nervous tension and stress related conditions.
Hyssop oil is moderately toxic and it should be used in moderation, avoided in pregnancy and by epileptics.
Skin: acne, dermatitis, eczema, hair loss, haemorrhoids, oily complexions, skin toner, wounds.
Circulation, muscles and joints: toxins, cellulite, gout, obesity, rheumatism.
Immune system: colds, flu, infections,
Genito-urinary system: amenorrhoea, cystitis, dysmenorrhoea, leucorrhoea. Nervous system: anxiety, nervous tension and stress related conditions.
Juniper may be slightly irritating. It should not be used during pregnancy or by those suffering from kidney disease. Use in moderation.
Lavender (lavandula angustifolia)
Skin: abscesses, acne, allergies, athlete's foot, boils, bruises, burns, dandruff, dermatitis, earache, eczema, inflammations, insect bites, insect repellent, lice, psoriasis, ringworm, scabies, sores, spots, suitable for all skin types, sunburn, wounds.
Circulation, muscles and joints: lumbago, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, sciatica.
Respiratory system: asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, halitosis, laryngitis, throat infections.
Nervous system: depression, headache, hypertension, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension and stress related conditions, vertigo.
Lavender is regarded as the most versatile essential oil.
Myrrh (commiphora, myrrha)
Skin: athlete's foot, chapped and cracked skin, eczema, mature complexions, ringworm, wounds, wrinkles.
Circulation, muscles and joints: arthritis.
Juniper may be slightly irritating. It should not be used during pregnancy or by those suffering from kidney disease. Use in moderation.
Skin: abscesses, acne, allergies, athlete's foot, boils, bruises, burns, dandruff, dermatitis, earache, eczema, inflammations, insect bites, insect repellent, lice, psoriasis, ringworm, scabies, sores, spots, suitable for all skin types, sunburn, wounds.
Circulation, muscles and joints: lumbago, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, sciatica.
Respiratory system: asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, halitosis, laryngitis, throat infections.
Digestive system: abdominal cramp, colic, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea.
Genito-urinary system: cystitis, dysmenorrhoea, leucorrhoea.
Immune system: colds, flu.Nervous system: depression, headache, hypertension, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension and stress related conditions, vertigo.
Lavender is regarded as the most versatile essential oil.
Skin: athlete's foot, chapped and cracked skin, eczema, mature complexions, ringworm, wounds, wrinkles.
Circulation, muscles and joints: arthritis.
Respiratory system: asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, gum infections, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, sore throat, voice loss.
Digestive system: diarrhoea, dyspepsia, flatulence, haemorrhoids, loss of appetite.
Genito-urinary system: amenorrhoea, leucorrhoea, thrush.
Immune system: colds.
Do not use myrrh during pregnancy.
Skin: scars, stretch marks, thread veins, mature and sensitive skin, wrinkles.
Circulation, muscles and joints: poor circulation.
Digestive system: diarrhoea, colic, dyspepsia, flatulence.
Nervous system: anxiety, depression, nervous tension, stress related conditions.
Skin: dull and oily complexions, mouth ulcers.
Circulation, muscles and joints: obesity, water retention.
Respiratory system: bronchitis, chills.
Digestive system: constipation, dyspepsia, spasm.
Immune system: colds, flu.
Nervous system: anxiety, depression, nervous tension, stress related conditions. Orange oil is phototoxic. Avoid when exposing to direct sunlight.
Patchouli (pogostemon cablin)
Skin: acne, athlete's foot, cracked and chapped skin, dandruff, dermatitis, eczema, fungal infections, hair care, insect repellent, sores, oily hair and skin, open pores, wounds, wrinkles.
Skin: acne, athlete's foot, cracked and chapped skin, dandruff, dermatitis, eczema, fungal infections, hair care, insect repellent, sores, oily hair and skin, open pores, wounds, wrinkles.
Nervous system: frigidity, nervous exhaustion, stress related conditions.
Skin: broken capillaries, dry skin, eczema, herpes, mature and sensitive complexions, wrinkles.
Circulation, muscles and joints: poor circulation.
Respiratory system: asthma, coughs, hay fever.
Digestive system: cholecystitis, liver congestion, nausea.
Genito-urinary system: irregular menstruation, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, uterine disorders.
Nervous system: depression, impotence, insomnia, frigidity, headache, nervous tension and stress related conditions.
Skin: acne, dry, cracked and chapped skin, aftershave, greasy skin, moisturizer.
Respiratory system: bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, laryngitis, sore throat.
Digestive system: diarrhoea, nausea.
Genito-urinary system: cystitis.
Nervous system: depression, insomnia, nervous tension and stress related conditions.
Skin: abscess, acne, athlete's foot, blisters, burns, cold sores, dandruff, herpes, insect bites, oily skin, rashes, spots, warts, wounds.
Respiratory system: asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis, tuberculosis, coughs.
Genito-urinary system: cystitis, thrush, vaginitis,
Immune system: colds, flu, infectious illness.
Circulation, muscles and joints: arthritis, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, stiffness.
Nervous system: debility, depression, insomnia, nervous tension.
Ylang Ylang (cananga odorata)
Skin: acne, hair growth, hair rinse, insect bites, irritated and oily skin, general skin care.
Skin: acne, hair growth, hair rinse, insect bites, irritated and oily skin, general skin care.
Circulation, muscles and joints: high blood pressure, fast breathing, tachycardia.
Nervous system: depression, frigidity, impotence, insomnia, nervous tension and stress related conditions.
Use ylang ylang in moderation because its strong scent could cause headaches and nausea.
If you are a professional therapist or an aromatherapy amateur the book Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to The Use of Aromatic Oils In Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health and Well Being
is a must for your library. It presents useful information for over 190 aromatherapy oils concerning:
is a must for your library. It presents useful information for over 190 aromatherapy oils concerning:- the exact origins, synonyms and related plants,
- methods of extraction,
- the herbal/folk tradition for each plant,
- the uses of each plant,
- aromatherapy applications,
- home and commercial uses and
- safety.