Essential Oil Descriptions and Uses (Continued)

Mandarin, Red

Uses: Good for acne, oily skin, stretch marks, fluid retention, insomnia, nervous tension, uplifting to mind, digestive complaints.
Origin: Italy

Latin name: Citrus nobilis
Note: Top

Extraction: Expressed from the rinds
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Increases photosensitivity

Marjoram

Uses: Calming effect, helpful with insomnia, helps with rheumatic aches and pains, dilates blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, helpful with headaches. Reduces sexual desire!
Origin: Spain

Latin name: Thymus masticina
Note: Base

Extraction: Distillation of flowering heads
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, BathContraindications: Best avoided during pregnancy, prolonged use could cause drowiness.

 

Myrrh

Uses: Wonderful drying effect, for colds, flus, congestion, helps support the immune system, excellent for mouth and gum disorders.
Origin: France

Latin name: Commiphora myrrha
Note: Base

Extraction: Distillation of branches, stem
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Best to avoid during pregnancy

Myrtle

Uses: For children with colds, coughs, more sedating and gentle than eucalyptus. Soothes feelings of anger, helpful with sleep, has drying effect on colds, flus and insect repellant
Origin: Tunisia

Latin name: Myrtus communis
Note: Base

Extraction: Distillation of the leaves

Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Could possibly irritate mucous membranes

Uses: Said to be euphoric, great for depression and stress, helpful in cases of insomnia, aphrodisiac, circulatory tonic
Origin: Tunisia

Latin name: Citrus aurantium
Note: Base

Extraction: Distillation of petals (orange tree)
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Very relaxing oil

Niaouli

Uses: Stimulating, reviving, great for infections, helps support the immune system, good for the respiratory system, bronchitis, flu, pneumonia…good for acne, boils, cuts…
Origin: Australia

Latin name: Melaleuca viridiflora
Note: Top to Middle

Extraction: Distillation of leaves/shoots
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Not known?

Nutmeg

Uses: Invigorating to the mind, wonderful for the digestive system, helping break down foods, regulates periods, warming great for muscular aches and pains, aphrodisiac.
Origin: Indonesia

Latin name: Myristica fragrans
Note: Base

Extraction: Distillation from seeds
Applications: Inhalation, Massage

Contraindications: Potent oil use in moderation, best avoid during pregnancy

 

Oak Moss, Absolute

Uses: As a fixative, used in soaps, perfumes, hair products…
Origin: France

Latin name: Evernia prunastri
Note: Base

Extraction: Solvent

Applications: Inhalation, Massage

Contraindications: It is not a true essential oil, compound

Uses: Good for depression, uplifting, refreshing, calms upset stomachs, helps with insomnia, good for oily dull skin, good skin tonic.
Origin: Brazil

Latin name: Citrus sinensis
Note: Middle

Extraction: Distilled from the rinds

Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Unknown?

Palmarosa

Uses: Uplifting, cools the body down, tonic to digestive system, general skin tonic
Origin: India

Latin name: Cymbopogon martinii
Note: Base

Extraction: Distillation of grass
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Not known?

Patchouli

Uses: Grounding and balancing effect, healing for the skin, eczema, psoriasis, astringent, diuretic cellulite, deodorant, aphrodisiac
Origin: Indonesia

Latin name: Pogostemum cablin
Note: Base

Extraction: Distillation of leaves
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Sedative in low doses, stimulating in high doses, may cause loss of appetite

 

Peppermint

Uses: Great for headaches, digestive upsets, cooling effect, good for mental fatigue, colds, flus, muscular aches and pains, skin good for acne (blackheads)
Origin: India

Latin name: Mentha piperita
Note: Top

Extraction: Distilled from leaves
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Best avoided during pregnancy, with high blood pressure and may antidote homeopathic remedies. Nursing mothers avoid, could discourage milk flow.

 

Peru Balsam

Uses: Eczema, chapped skin, colds, flus, bronchitis, nervous tension and stress
Origin: Peru

Latin name:
Note: Base

Extraction: Steam distilled
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Skin irritant, not true essential oil, compounded

 

Petitgrain

Uses: Calming, soothing on emotions, sedative, insomnia, deodorant, clears up acne
Origin: Paraguay

Latin name: Citrus aurantium
Note: Top-Middle

Extraction: Distilled from twigs/shoots
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Not known? Comes from Orange Tree

Pine

Uses: Refreshing, clears the mind, powerful antiseptic, colds, flus, congestion, warming properties, arthritis, gout, sciatica, insect repellant, congested skin.

Origin: Austria

Latin name: Pinus sylvestris
Note: Base

Extraction: Distilled from needles/cones
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: May irritate sensitive skin

Rose Geranium

Uses: Good for depression, stress, great for balancing PMS, menopause, tonic to the liver, stimulates the lymphatic system, excellent for skin conditions (acne, eczema), rejuvenating, healing and promotes balance.

Origin: France

Latin name: Pelargoonium graveolens
Note: Base

Extraction: Distilled from leaves/flowers
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Best avoided during pregnancy, could irritate sensitive skin

Rose, Absolute

Uses: Good for depression, eases nervous tension, stress, excellent tonic for the womb, balances hormones, tonic to the heart, liver, wonderful for mature, ageing skin, rejuvenating, healing and soothing.
Origin: Morocco

Latin name: Rosa centifolia
Note: Base

Extraction: Solvent extraction
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Best to avoid during the first two trimesters of pregnancy.

Rosemary

Uses: Great for headaches, memory, good for muscular aches and pains, raises low blood pressure, liver decongestant, relieve menstrual cramps, may help with cellulite, alleviates dandruff and encourages hair growth.
Origin: Spain

Latin name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Note: Base

Extraction: Distilled from leaves/flowers
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Best to avoid during pregnancy, with high blood pressure, in cases of epilepsy and may antidote homeopathic meds.

 

Uses: In very small doses calms the nervous system, aids memory, good for menopause, PMS, tonic to digestive system, clears mucous, respiratory system, deodorant, raises low blood pressure.
Origin: Spain

Latin name: Salvia lavandifolia
Note: Base

Extraction: Distilled from flowers/leaves
Applications: Inhalation, Massage

Contraindications: Powerful oil, avoid during pregnancy and while breast feeding, with high blood pressure, with epilepsy, may antidote homeopathic meds.

 

Sandalwood

Uses: Very relaxing, for anxiety, nervous tension, aphrodisiac, drying effect, great for congestion, colds, coughs, sore throats, good for ageing skin, balancing, softening effect, relieves inflammation and itch.
Origin: India

Latin name: Santalum album
Note: Base

Extraction: Distilled from inner heartwood

Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: In cases of depression, could lower mood, very grounding oil

 

Spearmint

Uses: Stimulates a tired mind, helpful with digestive upsets, good for headaches, bad breath and sore gums.
Origin: United States

Latin name: Mentha spicata
Note: Top

Extraction: Distilled from leaves
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Sharp, strong oil, best avoided during pregnancy and may antidote homeopathic remedies.

 

Spruce

Uses: Muscular aches and pains, respiratory conditions, bronchitis, coughs, colds, infections, helpful in cases of stress or anxiety
Origin: Austria

Latin name: Tsuga canadensis
Note: Base

Extraction: Distilled from needles/twigs
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Not known, possible skin irritant

Tea Tree

Uses: Revitalising, in cases of shock, excellent for the immune system, antibiotic, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericide, expectorant, fungicide. Great for the skin, in cases of acne, infections, cold sores, warts, athletes foot

Origin: Australia

Latin name: Melaleuca alternifolia
Note: Top

Extraction: Distilled from tree leaves
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Could irritate skin
…

Thyme, White

Uses: Wonderful antiseptic, great for colds, flus, coughs, sore throats, said to be warming, raises low blood pressure, good for circulation, tonic to the scalp - dandruff
Origin: Spain

Latin name: Thymus vulgaris
Note: Base

Extraction: Distilled from flowering heads
Applications: Inhalation, Massage

Contraindications: Best to avoid during pregnancy, with high blood pressure, could irritate sensitive skin

Vetiver

Uses: Calming, grounding oil, good for stress and tension, sedative action, helpful with acne, tonic.
Origin: Java

Latin name: Vetiveria zizanoides
Note: Base

Extraction: Solvent

Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Avoid high concentration in pregnancy

Ylang Ylang III

Uses: Great for insomnia, lowering blood pressure, calming, grounding oil, wonderful for balancing hormones, PMS, menopause. Great for all types of skin, balancing and a tonic.
Origin: Comores

Latin name: Cananga odorata
Note: Base

Extraction: Distillation of flowers
Applications: Inhalation, Massage, Bath

Contraindications: Use in small amounts, may lead to headaches and nausea