Category: Essential Oils

Essential Oils

Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita)

Sources: US, Europe Extraction: Steam distilled Note: Top Scent: Minty, fresh Key points:  May help headaches and nausea Stimulating; may improve mental focus     Properties:  antiseptic, analgesic, expectorant, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, sedative, stimulant, insecticide Uses:  headaches, migraines, nausea, motion sickness, sinus congestion, colds, coughs, flu, mental fatigue, airborne infections …
Essential Oils

Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

Sources: Ceylon, India, China, Madagascar Extraction: Steam distilled Note: Middle Scent: warm, spicy, cinnamon Key points: Do not use Cinnamon Bark oil as it is a strong irritant and sensitizer Good in a blend for air purification Use sparingly, even cinnamon leaf oil is strong Properties:  antiseptic, analgesic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, …
Essential Oils

Cedarwood essential oil (Cedrus Atlantica)

Sources:  USA, Africa Extraction: Steam Distilled Note: Base Scent:  woody, balsamic Key Points:  Useful as a fixative Can be used in blends for air purification Similar emotional effects to sandalwood (Lavabre) Stimulating but with a slower onset and longer lasting (Schnaubelt) Somewhat viscous so not suitable for nebulizers Properties:  antifungal, …
Essential Oils

Chamomile-Roman Essential Oil (Anthemis nobilis)

Sources: USA, Europe Extraction: Steam distilled Note: Middle Scent: sweet, herbaceous, fruity Key Points: Calms nervous tension and anger, irritability (can be used on children) Ease headaches Blended with lavender it can be helpful for insomnia (Metcalfe)   Properties:  analgesic, anti-spasmodic, immunostimulant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, sedative Uses: Insomnia, calm anger, headaches, …
Essential Oils

Petitgrain essential oil (Citrus aurantium)

Sources: Mediterranean Europe, North Africa Extraction: Steam distilled Note: Top Scent: Woody, citrus, floral Key points: Comes from the leaves and twigs of the same tree as neroli and orange oil come from Good for emotional applications Properties:  antiseptic, antispasmodic, stimulant Uses: anxiety, insomnia, stress, mental fatigue, stimulate memory and …
Essential Oils

Oregano, Wild essential oil (Origanum vulgare)

Source:  Turkey, Europe, North Africa Extraction: Steam distilled Note: Middle Scent: Spicy, herbaceous, camphor Key Points:   Potent antibacterial for treating infections Some disagreement among sources whether it is safe for home use Differentiate between oil of oregano blends and pure essential oil when purchasing-the former are marketed like supplements   …
Essential Oils

Rosemary essential oil: Uses in a diffuser

Sources: Mediterranean countries (Europe, Tunisia) Extraction: Steam distilled Note: Middle Scent: Strong, woody, camphor Key Points: Good for mental clarity, fatigue Pay attention to chemotypes (see below) Useful for headaches Properties: analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, mucolytic, stimulant Uses: mental clarity, headaches, fatigues, congestion, sinusitis, colds, flu, airborne germs Cautions:  Do not …
Essential Oils

Rose oil (Rosa damascena; Rosa centifolia)

Sources:  Mediteranean Europe, North Africa Extraction: Solvent extracted (absolute); steam distilled (otto) Note: Middle Scent: Floral Key points: Used for female issues In diffusion, use for depression and grief Expensive. Some sources recommend the absolute as best for diffusion, while others caution against the absolute for therapeutic use due to …
Essential Oils

Tea Tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Sources:  Australia Extraction: Steam distilled Note: Middle Scent: Sharp, fresh, woody, camphorous Key points: Stimulates the immune system Good for respiratory diseases Useful for infections Used topically for acne (diluted)   Properties:  anti-microbial, anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiparasitic, analgesic, antiviral, antiseptic, decongestant, expectorant, immunostimulant, insecticide. Uses:  room disinfectant, combat colds and flus, …