Essential Oils Properties

Essential oils have many uses and benefits and can cover a wide range of problems. Stress is one such problem most of us meet regular in our day to day life style, not to mention feeling unwell from cough, colds, allergy problems and general day to day problems. By carefully selecting oils they can help most effectively in healing both our mind and bodily health.

Many essential oils can be used for the same, or similar, health ailments. This means that if one of the oils used for your particular ailment does not smell pleasant to you, then you should be able to find another oil that will do the same job and appeal more to your sense of smell.

It is believed by some Aromatherapists that although you might have the right concoction of oils to do the job, if the smell is not pleasing to the recipient it could be unconsciously rejected and therefore hinder the healing properties.

If you are pregnant or suffer health problems you should seek advice from your doctor or a qualified aromatherapist before using essential oils. This is because some of the oils may interact with medication and pregnancy.

Essential Oils (with their botanical name)

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Helpful for: Asthma, anxiety, bronchitis and sinus infections, headaches, head colds, indigestion, mental and physical fatigue, nervous tension, herpes, migraines, mouth ulcers, pains, stress, tension, vomiting.

Therapeutic properties: Analgesic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, anti-venomous, carminative, cephalic, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, expectorant, tonic and stimulant.

PLEASE NOTE: May have adverse effects in pregnancy, not recommended. May also cause skin irritation.

Benzoin Resiniod (Styrax benzoin)

Helpful for: Asthma, bronchitis, coughs and colds, dermatitis, cystitis, helps prevent premature ejaculation, improves circulation and removes toxins, inflammation, laryngitis, mouth ulcers and sore throats.

Therapeutic properties: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, astringent, expectorant.

PLEASE NOTE: Avoid in early pregnancy. Avoid sunlight for at least two hours after use as it may cause severe sunburn.

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)

Helpful for: Anxiety, acne, boosts the immune system, colds, depression and grief, eczema, flu and fever, cold sores, herpes, insect bites, mouth infections, psoriasis.

Therapeutic properties: Analgesic, antibiotic, antidepressant, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, calmative, cicatrisant, digestive, deodorant, stomachic.

PLEASE NOTE: May cause skin irritation if used on sensitive skin. Avoid using before exposure to sunlight.

Black Pepper (piper nigrum)

Helpful for: Aching limbs and stiffness, bruises, colds and influenza, chills, digestive system tonic, diuretic, excellent before and after a sports workout, frustrations, increase circulation, indigestion, nerve tonic, pain relief, strengthening of mind and body.

Therapeutic properties: Antiseptic, analgesic, antispasmodic, antitoxin, aphrodisiac, digestive, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, laxative, rubefacient and tonic (especially of the spleen).

PLEASE NOTE: Not to be used in pregnancy. May cause skin irritation if used on sensitive skin. Excessive use may cause over stimulation of the kidneys.

Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora)

Helpful for: Acne, arthritis, bronchitis, burns, coughs, colds, depression, fever, Inflammation, insomnia, laxative, muscular aches and pains, nervous depression, oily skin, rheumatism, shock, sprains.

Therapeutic properties: Analgesic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, cardiac, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, hypertensive, insecticide, laxative, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific, vermifuge.

PLEASE NOTE: Do not use if suffering from epilepsy or asthma. Avoid use during pregnancy. Camphor is considered a convulsant and a neurotoxin (dangerous in large amounts).

Chamomile / Camomile (Anthemis nobilis)

Helpful for: Abdominal pain, anger, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, improves digestion, hysteria, inflammatory conditions, irritability, period pains as well as heavy periods, menopause problems, skin irritation.

Therapeutic properties: Analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, anti-neuralgic, antiseptic, antiphlogistic, bactericidal, carminative, digestive, emmenagogue, febrifuge, fungicidal, galactagogue, insecticidal, nervine, nervous system sedative and tonic.

PLEASE NOTE: Both German and Roman are considered non-toxic and non-irritant, yet since they do have emmenagogue properties when used in high concentrations, they should be avoided during pregnancy.

Cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi)

Helpful for: Colds, earache, headaches, laryngitis and bronchitis, also helpful for asthma, soothes colic, skin conditions, sinusitis and a sore throat, toothache.

Therapeutic properties: Antiseptic, anti-neuralgic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, decongestant, expectorant, febrifuge, insecticide, stimulant, sudorific, vermifuge and tonic.

PLEASE NOTE: Is considered non-sensitizing, and non-toxic. Avoid during pregnancy. As well as the ability to cause skin irritation when used in high concentration, it could also irritate the mucus membranes.

Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)

Helpful for: Acne, coughs, diuretic, excellent for oily hair and dandruff, helps with urinary infections, oily skin, reported aphrodisiac, sedative, tension.

Therapeutic properties: anti seborrhoeic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, insecticide, sedative and fungicide, tonic.

PLEASE NOTE: Not to be used during pregnancy. May cause skin irritation.

Cinnamon (cinnamoumum zeylanicum)

Helpful for: Aches and pains. blood circulation, May relieve stress, tension, emotional, mental fatigue or exhaustion. Could help with depression, as well as viral & fungal infections. Good for the digestive system, respiratory problems, relieves menstrual cramps, impotence and bodily aches and pains. It is also suggested it is effective in treating snake bites, wasp stings and lice.

Therapeutic properties: analgesic, antiseptic, antibiotic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cardiac, carminative, emmenagogue, insecticide, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge.

PLEASE NOTE: May irritate the mucous membranes, use with care. Not appropriate for sensitive skin. Avoid when pregnant, or if under a doctor’s care, consult him or her before use. Always blend with carrier oil before using on the skin.

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)

Helpful for: Back aches, excellent for depression, hit and miss menstruation, helps with painful periods, insomnia, impotency, joint pain, loss of libido, stress, relaxation during labour, relaxing.

Therapeutic properties: antidepressant, anti convulsive, antispasmodic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, deodorant, digestive, emmenagogue, euphoric, hypotensive, nervine, sedative, stomachic, uterine and nerve tonic.

PLEASE NOTE: Not to be used during pregnancy. Do not use clary sage oil while drinking alcohol, as this will increase the sedating effects.

Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

Helpful for: Asthma, bleeding, cough and bronchitis, cellulite, duretic, emphysema, foot deodorant, heavy menstruation, heavy perspiration, nosebleeds, varicose veins, whooping cough.

Therapeutic properties: Astringent, antispasmodic, antiseptic, deodorant, diuretic, haemostatic, hepatic, respiratory tonic and sedative, styptic, sudorific, vasoconstrictor.

PLEASE NOTE: Avoid during pregnancy. Considered non-sensitizing, non-toxic and non-irritant.