Common Essential Oils

Essential oils are used for their aromatherapy properties. Oils can be chosen for their relaxation, stress relief, anti-anxiety or healing properties.

Safety Rules for Using Essential Oils

• Keep oils away from fire or open flame and keep a fire extinguisher close by.
• Store in a cool, dry, dark place. Store expensive oils in the refrigerator.
• Store in glass. Plastic bottles will break down as they absorb the oil.
• Always wash your hands after using essential oils
• Do not get oils in any open cut.
• Essential oils can remove nail polish and furniture finish, so remove nail polish and protect your work surfaces.
• Be particularly careful with essential oils if you are pregnant.

Properties of Common Essential Oils

Basil: Antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, bactericide, energy, expectorant, headache, jet lag, memory enhancement, shock, sinusitis

Bay: Antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic

Benzoin: Antidepressant, anxiety, astringent, diuretic, irritability, laryngitis, relaxation, sedative

Bergamot: Anti-depressant, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, deodorant, expectorant, fever, laryngitis, sedative

Black pepper: Antiseptic, digestive, diuretic, exhaustion, fever, infection, influenza, laxative, rheumatism

Carnation: Antidepressant, relaxation

Cedarwood: Antiseptic, astringent, detoxification, diuretic, expectorant, insect repellent, rheumatism, sedative

Chamomile: Windburn, anti-allergic, anti-asthmatic, anti-rheumatic, anxiety, fever, hayfever, insomnia, heartburn, irritability, migraine, muscle pain, sunburn, toothache, windburn

Cinnamon: Anaesthetic, aphrodisiac, influenza

Clary Sage: Antidepressant, anti-spasmodic, anxiety, deodorant, exhaustion, insomnia, irritability, muscle pain, relaxation, sedative

Clove: Anaesthetic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, disinfectant, nausea, toothache

Cypress: Antirheumatic, astringent, diuretic, influenza, laryngitis, sedative

Eucalyptus: Anti-asthmatic, anti-rheumatic, anti-viral, decongestant, diuretic, fever, hay fever, headache, insect repellent, rheumatism, sinusitis, sunburn, throat

Frankincense: Anti-asthmatic, antiseptic, astringent, exhaustion, rheumatism

Garlic: Antibiotic, bactericide, decongestant, expectorant

Ginger: Digestive, indigestion, fever, influenza, laxative, nausea, seasickness

Grapefruit: Detoxification, energy, exhaustion, hangover, headache, jetlag

Lavender: Anti-asthmatic, antidepressant, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, antiviral, anxiety, bacteriacide, decongestant, deodorant, hay fever, headache, insect repellent, insomnia, irritability, migraine, relaxation, sedative, shock, sunburn, windburn

Lemon: Antirheumatic, antiseptic, astringent, bactericide, detoxification, digestive, diuretic, energy, exhaustion, indigestion, fever, infection, influenza, laxative, laryngitis, rheumatism

Lemongrass: Antidepressant, bactericide, deodorant, digestive, diuretic

Myrrh: Antimicrobial, astringent, bactericide, deodorant, disinfectant, expectorant

Neroli: Anti-depressant, anti-spasmodic, anxiety, bactericide, irritability, relaxation, sedative Orange: Antidepressant, antispasmodic, detoxification, energy

Orange: Antidepressant, antispasmodic, detoxification, energy

Parsley: Laxative, diuretic, expectorant

Peppermint: Anaesthetic, antispasmotic, astringent, decongestant, digestive, expectorant, headache, heartburn, indigestion, insect repellent, indigestion, jet lag, migraine, nausea

Pine: Antirheumatic, decongestant, deodorant, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, infection, rheumatism, sinusitis

Rose: Antiseptic, astringent, bactericide, diuretic, laxative, sedative

Rosemary: Antirheumatic, astringent, detoxification, diuretic, energy, infection, jet lag, memory enhancement, migraine, sinusitis

Sandalwood: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, anxiety, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, insect repellent, insomnia, irritability, relaxation, scar tissue, sedative

Tea Tree: Antibiotic, antiviral, bactericide, sinusitis

Thyme: Antimicrobial, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, expectorant