Which essential oils to use for what

Which essential oils to use for what?

Essential oils are the key ingredients in aromatherapy. They are derived from fragrant parts of various plants and the part of the plant they are derived from gives them their specific therapeutic value. There are between 150 and 200 essential oils. Essential oils can be combined to balance each other, retaining the benefit from each constituent. The action of the complete essential oil is much more than the action of its parts.

All essential oils are antiseptic and are useful addition to your first aid kit.

Here is the list of mostly used essential oils and their beneficial properties.

1.     Basil– refreshing, antiseptic, soothing, offering temporary relief from headache; warms the joints, offers relief for nausea. It can irritate sensitive skin. Do not use during pregnancy.

2.     Bay laurel – helps combat colds symptoms. Promotes confidence & inspiration. May cause skin irritation.

3.     Benzoin –comforting & soothing, warming & helpful for colds, stimulates the circulation, relieves flatulence. A moisturiser for dry skin.

4.     Bergamot – calming; effective with oily skins, excellent antiseptic. Digestive aid; helps curb cravings. May irritate sensitive skin.

5.     Black pepper – warming, antispasmodic, tonic, stimulant. Relieves muscular pain, stiffness, and fatigue, may help with smoking cravings.

6.     Cajeput – good for respiratory infections, muscular aches. Skin irritant.

7.     Carrot seed – powerful tonic, beneficial for skin illnesses. Diluted in almond oil restores tone and elasticity of skin.

8.     Chamomile Roman– soothing by stress; offers relief for headache and sleeplessness, especially in children and babies. Ideal for upset stomach or diarrhoea. Eases stiffness and swelling in joints and ache in limbs caused by varicose veins. Ideal skin cleanser that is kind to sensitive skin.

9.     Chamomile German – aids healthy skin and hormonal balance during menstruation & menopause, as well as calming to mind & body.

10.   Cedarwood – helps to sooth and calm, warms the joints, may ease rheumatic and arthritic pain, and bronchial congestion. Excellent cleaning for oily skin and hair, particularly in men & adolescent. May irritate sensitive skin.

11.   Cinnamon bark – improves wellbeing, stimulates healthy digestion. Warming & comforting.

12.   Citronella – insect repellent. Used in massage oil for rheumatism.

13.   Clary sage – mildly sedative, calming, helpful by convalescence. Easing muscular spasms (menstrual symptoms) and joint stiffness. May ease bronchial congestion. Avoid by pregnancy.

14.   Clove leaf – stimulating and warming (muscular pain), may relieve toothache, for healthy gums.

15.   Cypress – warming & energising. For healthy circulation of skin & body. Antiseptic properties for wounds.

16.   Eucalyptus – calming and refreshing, excellent as decongestant, relieves muscular tension, may offer relief for rheumatic and arthritic pain. Add to rinse for soft, fresh woollens. Avoid during pregnancy and by high blood pressure.

17.   Fennel – prevents build-up of toxic wastes in tissues, digestive remedy; works well for natural cleansing & detox.

18.   Frankincense – soothing and comforting, relieves nasal congestion. Beneficial for sensitive and ageing skin. Avoid by pregnancy.

19.   Geranium – generally refreshing, diffuse for positivity, helps improve blood circulation, aids hormone balance. Helps to keep skin supple, useful cleanser especially for oily skin. Insect repellent. Avoid by pregnancy.

20.   Rose Geranium – the softer oil, good during pregnancy and for children. Comforting to emotions. A great skin tonic.

21.   Ginger – relieves muscular pain, colds, digestive disorders, and morning nausea. Complements energy.

22.   Grapefruit – generally refreshing, used to help flush fluid s& toxins from body tissues. Useful cleanser for skin and hair, particularly oily and acne-prone skin. Do not overexpose skin after topical treatment.

23.   Helichrysum – immune-stimulant, anti-bruising, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, calming, very safe for children, relieves all kinds of coughs. General skin care.

24.   Juniper berry – soothing, aids digestion, supports cleansing, detox & joint mobility. Avoid by pregnancy and kidney disease.

25.   Jasmine – helps relax and soothe, complements intimacy. Wear as a perfume to promote sensuality & romance. Excellent tonic for all skin types, in combination with lavender and orange is used to soften stretch marks. Avoid by pregnancy.

26.   Lavender – generally calming, can bring relief for headaches and improve sleeplessness. Helps ease upper respiratory complaints and nausea. A first aid treatment for skin irritation and inflammation, including sunburnt. Gentle for skin application.

27.   Lemon – uplifting, clear thinking, refreshing and useful during long hours at computer. Aids healthy circulation. Powerful cleansing & anti-germ properties.

28.   Lemongrass –uplifting, restorative, eases headache. Cleansing & deodorising. Relieves muscular aches. Useful insect repellent.

29.   Lime – generally refreshing, uplifting. Restores appetite. Excellent cleansing properties. Helps skin retain its moisture whilst removing excess oils.

30.   Mandarin – fresh & inspiring, beneficial for small children. When blended, supports skin balance & rejuvenation for stretch marks. Safe during pregnancy.

31.   Manuka – NZ native, milder than tea tree. Supports healthy skin, natural respiration and helps to clear congestion.

32.   Marjoram – warming for muscles & comforting, very calming when blended with Lavender Angustifolia, great for sleeping. Avoid by pregnancy.

33.   Neroli – calming, restorative to body, mind & skin. Of particular benefit to dry and mature sensitive skins.

34.   Oregano –helps build immunity against virus. Possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory & sedative properties; may ease allergic reactions. Warming relief for aches & pains.

35.   Palmarosa – mix palmarosa and geranium to substitute the aroma of rose. Gently stimulating, balancing & restorative. Good for skin care, beneficial during adolescence.

36.   Patchouli – encourages natural life flow with strong earthy scent. Helps tone skin (after weight loss). Also magic on cracked heels. Antiseptic in the treatment of acne and skin irritation.

37.   Petitgrain – good to inspire calm & trust, good for stress. General cleanser for skin and hair, particularly oily skin.

38.   Peppermint – very refreshing and stimulating (use small dosages), may ease congestion & headaches and improve sleeplessness. Ideal for treatment of colds, and hay fever. Relieves muscular tension, improves circulation. Excellent skin cleanser, especially for oily skin. Freshens breath. Avoid by pregnancy.

39.   Pine – refreshing deodorant, used for clear respiration, powerful antiseptic, relieves muscular pains, stimulating circulation. Skin irritant.

40.   Ravintsara – cleansing, fortifying qualities for immunity & joint mobility. Safe.

41.   Rosemary – uplifting & tonic. Refreshing by travel sickness, aids digestion. Promotes circulation for skin & muscles. Helps the skin retain its suppleness.

42.   Rose – calming and comforting, aids in natural hormone balance. Improves circulation. Rejuvenates mature and dry skin. May soothe skin illnesses and sunburn. Avoid by pregnancy.

43.   Rosewood – grounding & comforting. It’s a skin cell regenerator, may diminish wrinkles. A good antidepressant.

44.   Sandalwood – soothing & relaxing, used for meditation, kind to sensitive and aged skins, soothing allergies.

45.   Spearmint – a substitute for peppermint. Uplifting & refreshing for energy & mood. Relieves motion sickness and nausea during pregnancy.

46.   Spikenard – aids in hormonal balance; relieves skin allergies, valuable for mature skin, aids regeneration, detoxification. Helps to relieve tension and anxiousness.

47.   Sweet orange – warm & harmonic to complement courage & positive balance. Cleansing & tonic properties.

48.   Tea tree – excellent antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic & anti-fungal. Good for natural skin healing. Cleanses the air and disinfects water. Invigorating for the circulation. Helpful for dandruff. May irritate sensitive skin.

49.   Thyme white – refreshing, aids healthy immunity & respiration. Add to bath for winter chills. Improves circulation, helps by menstrual tension. Strong antiseptic. Avoid by pregnancy and high blood pressure.

50.   Vetiver – generally comforting, supports deep relaxation. Used in massage for lovers. Complements top note when blended. Good moisturiser for aged and sunburned skin.

51.   Ylang-ylang – soothes tension, may contribute to a restful sleep. Exotically sweet for intimacy. Restorative & calming.

52.   Wintergreen – helps release muscle tension & tightness, tonic for healthy circulation, brings relief after sport.

Important. The best way to apply essential oils to skin is to pre-blend them with the base oils.

If there are any other questions as to which essential oils to use for what, just put it in the comment box below and we’ll answer it.