Tag: uses

Essential Oils

Basil Essential Oil (Ocimum basilicum)

Sources: Europe, USA, Vietnam, India, Egypt, Comoro islands Extraction: Steam distilled Note: Top Scent: Herbaceous, spicy, anise Key Points: Is said to have a purifying effect on the body (Schiller) Eases stress and headaches Promotes mental clarity and concentration Can be calming and helpful in insomnia Can be helpful for …
Essential Oils

Benzoin Essential Oil (Stryrax benzoin)

Sources: Indonesia, Morocco Extraction: Solvent extraction Note: Base Scent: Warm, vanilla, cinnamon notes Key Points: Calming and grounding Good for stress and depression Ease respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, coughs, bronchitis Thick, so not suitable for nebulizers   Properties: antiseptic, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, sedative Uses:  coughs, bronchitis, asthma, stress, depression, insomnia, …
Essential Oils

Lavender Essential Oil: Uses in a Diffuser

Last updated: July 17, 2016 Sources: Europe Extraction: Steam distilled Note: Top Scent: floral, herbaceous Key points:  If you pick just one oil to start your aromatherapy journey, it should be lavender as it is has so many uses and is a safe oil for beginners Calms anxiety and promotes …
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 …