Essential Oil Glossary

B

Balsam (Tolu) oil

Essential Oil Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, excretory and antitussive
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for bronchitis, laryngitis, coughs, dry skin, eczema, rashes

Basil oil

Essential Oil Properties: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, anti-venomous, expectorant, tonic
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for muscle spasm and pain, increasing sexual desire and concentration, respiratory problems, sinusitis, headaches, jet lag, shock. Apply externally to kill bacteria and prevent infection

Bay oil

Essential Oil Properties: Anti-neuralgic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, cholagogue
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for flu, neuralgia, muscle spasms and pain, stimulating the appetite, acne and skin care, water retention, stimulating gallbladder

Benzoin oil

Essential Oil Properties: Excretory, anti-depressant, relaxing, calefacient, pulmonic, antiseptic, astringent, deodorant, diuretic, sedative
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for laryngitis, acne, eczema, psoriasis, cough, respiratory problems, anxiety, neuralgia, bad blood circulation, body odor, water retention, over-excitement, wounds. Apply externally to kill bacteria and prevent infection

Bergamot (Citrus Bergamia)

Uplifting, refreshing and relaxing. Encourages cheerful emotions and ideal for depression. Its delicate, sweet aroma can also be used to freshen and uplift a room. Citrus Bergamia is a small tree about 4.5m high with smooth oval leaves. It belongs to the same family as the orange tree. The essential oil comes from the small round fruits which ripen from green to yellow, similar to oranges in appearance.

Distribution

Native to Morocco and tropical Asia it is grown commercially in the Ivory Coast and is extensively cultivated in Southern Italy. It was first cultivated around Bergamo, from where it takes its name.

History / Traditions

The fruit has been used for hundreds of years in Italian folk medicine. However, the fruit was unknown outside Italy and wasn’t exported until recent times. The oil was primarily used for the treatment of fever and intestinal worms.

Extraction

The essential oil is produced by cold expression of the peel of the nearly ripe fruit. Although many oils are produced by mechanical processes, the best quality oil is produced by hand.

General Description

The oil is a light greenish yellow liquid with an uplifting citrus aroma and balsamic overtones. On aging, the oil turns to a brownish olive color. The oil is known to have about 300 components the main being linalyl acetate 30-60%; linalol 11-22% and other alcohols, sesquiterpenes, terpenes, alkanes, and furocoumarins 0.3-0.39%

Aromatherapy Uses

Bergamot oil has a strong affinity for the urinary tract and is valuable in the treatment of cystitis and urethritis. It should be used in the bath or as a local wash at a 1% dilution. In helping with mental and psychological states, Bergamot is most valuable for its uplifting effects. For tension anxiety or depression, bergamot should be used in a massage oil or in a dally bath. The fragrance blends well with lavender, neroli, jasmine, geranium, chamomile, lemon, cypress, and juniper. bergamot can be used in the treatment of tensions causing dietary problems such as over and under eating. The antiseptic qualities of Bergamot make it ideal for the treatment of skin complaints such as acne, oily skin and all infections of the skin. Bergamot is cooling in feverish conditions and has effective insect repellent properties. It has an inhibiting effect on certain viruses, in particular, Herpes simplex 1 which causes cold sores. It will also reduce the pain of shingles and ease chicken pox in small children. Bergamot is used extensively as a fragrance and is also found in toiletries and cologne.

Safety data

Certain furocoumarins (including bergapten found in Bergamot) are phototoxic on human skin. This causes sensitivity and skin pigmentation when exposed to sunlight. Therefore exercise caution when using Bergamot in sunny weather. Bergamot should never be used undiluted on the skin. Severe burning may result.

Bitter Almond oil

Essential Oil Properties: Aromatic, sedative, anesthetic, diuretic

Aromatherapy Uses: Use for over-excitement, making nerves numb to sensation, water retention

Precautions: can cause an eruption of the skin.

Bitter Orange oil

Essential Oil Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, styptic, antibacterial, fungicide, stomachic, laxative
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for stomachic problems, enteric fermentation, constipation, acne, greasy skin, and dyspepsia

Black Pepper oil

Essential Oil Properties: Antiseptic, digestive, aphrodisiac, diuretic, tonic
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for the digestive and respiratory system, flu, increasing sexual desire, concentration, urine production, fever, muscle pain, neuralgia. Apply externally to kill bacteria and prevent infection

C

Cajeput oil

Essential Oil Properties: Antiseptic, decongestant, calefacient, anti-dontalgic, anti-rheumatic, anti-neuralgic, expectorant, cicatrisant
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for respiratory infections, sinusitis, varicose veins, scar tissue, hemorrhoids, easing nerve pain, rheumatoid arthritis, relieving toothache. Apply externally to kill bacteria and prevent infection

Cajeput oil

Calendula oil

Essential Oil Properties: Anti-bleeding, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, styptic, cicatrizant, fungicide
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for burns, wounds, eczema, greasy skin, skin inflammation and eruption, insect bites

Camphor oil

Essential Oil Properties: Antiseptic, antispasmodic
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for muscle spasms, hypertension. Apply externally to kill bacteria and prevent infection

Caraway oil

Essential Oil Properties: Depurative, disinfectant
Aromatherapy Uses: Use to stimulate appetite, purify. Apply to surfaces to kill bacteria

Cardamon oil

Essential Oil Properties: Antiseptic, diuretic, emmenagogue, dilatant for blood vessels
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for the digestive system, bronchitis, enteric convulsion

Carnation oil

Essential Oil Properties: Anti-depressant, anti-viral, relaxing
Aromatherapy Uses: Use to treat viral infections, increase wellbeing

Carrot (seed) oil

Essential Oil Properties: Antiseptic, diuretic, dilatant for blood vessels, emmenagogue, depurative, diuretic, tonic
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for dermatitis, eczema, skin regeneration, psoriasis, rheumatisms, arthritis, anemia, dyspepsia, purifying, anorexia, colic

Cedarwood (Juniperus Virginiana)

With a dry woody aroma, this oil is ideal for soothing, harmonizing and focusing the mind. Antiseptic and astringent properties are beneficial to oily skin. Cedarwood oil was possibly the first essential oil to be extracted from a plant and was used by the Egyptians in the mummification process, they also valued it highly as an ingredient for cosmetics and impregnated papyrus leaves with it to protect them from insects. They used the wood to extensively to make jewelry, furniture, and ships. They valued cedarwood so highly that the Lebanon area (which produced Cedrus Libani) was incorporated into the Egyptian Empire in order to ensure a regular supply.

Description

Many fragrant or sweet-smelling woods are known as cedar. But, there are actually only four species of the true cedars. They are stately evergreen trees, whose branches grow in flat tiers or layers with clusters of needle-like leaves. The evergreen tree belongs to the coniferous family and is very slow growing. They eventually reach a height of up to thirty-three meters and a possible trunk diameter of one and a half meters.

The heartwood is reddish in color and the branches will bear cones. It is referred to as Red Cedar and is closely related to the yellow cedar (Thuja Occidentalis), from which thuja oil is obtained. Thuja oil is however not used in Aromatherapy due to its high content of thujone, which makes it very toxic. One of the distinguishing features of the cedars is their large barrel-shaped female cones. They are green or purplish in color and are made up of overlapping scales which have claw-like projections.

History / Traditions

The North American Indians used cedarwood for respiratory infections, in particular, catarrh. The leaves, bark, twigs, and fruit all played a crucial part in treating a variety of ailments including menstrual delay, rheumatism, arthritis, skin rashes, kidney disease and much more. It is a very powerful insect and vermin repellent and is used against mosquitoes, moths, woodworm, and rats. It has also been used with citronella as a commercial insecticide.

Extraction

Production is through steam distillation of the wood shaving and sawdust. Oil yields vary from 2.5% to 5%, with an average of 3.5%.

Details of Oil

It is a pale yellow color, which on rectification, gives a water-white oil. The odor is oily, woody and almost sweet, mild and pleasant. It is slightly balsamic and very reminiscent of the wood. It is an oil which is commercially viable in several forms due to the process of rectification. Light fractions have a high percentage of cedrene, whilst more common cedarwood, available on the market has the ‘typical’ cedarwood odor.

Properties

Abortifacient, Antiseborrheic (helps control the production of sebum), Antiseptic (Pulmonary – genitourinary) Antispasmodic, Astringent, Balsamic, Diuretic, Insecticide, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Sedative (nervous), Stimulant (Circulatory).

Physical and Psychological Effects

Tends to be useful for long-standing complaints rather than acute ones. A combined toxic action on the glandular and nervous systems help put the body back in balance, thereby regulating homeostasis. Its main effect (due to its expectorant properties) is in the respiratory tract and may help ease bronchitis, coughs, and catarrh. Excess phlegm is curbed through its drying effect. It also reduces problems concerned with the genito-urinary tract, particularly where there is a burning pain. It has a tonic effect on the kidneys. The astringent and antiseptic properties are of greatest benefit to oily skin conditions It helps acne, aids in clearing scabs and pus, and chronic conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis. It is a good hair tonic and can be effective against dandruff, alopecia, and seborrhoea. Skin softening properties can be enhanced when mixed with Frankincense and Cypress. Nervous tension and anxious states benefit greatly from its soothing and calming action. It can also be effective for arthritis and rheumatism.

Blends

The oil is clear and relatively viscid. Like Sandalwood oil, it blends well with Rose, Juniper, Vetiver, Patchouli, Benzoin, and Cypress. It somewhat resembles Sandalwood, but its fragrance is a bit hotter and more toxic.

Safety and Contra-Indications

Externally is it fairly non-toxic, but can cause local irritation and sensitization in some people. Only used diluted and in moderation. It should be avoided during pregnancy because it is a powerful abortifacient.

Other Uses

Extensively used in rooms sprays and household insect repellents. Its pleasant aroma is released nicely when used in a burner (particularly when mixed with Sandalwood).

Components

Cedarine 26.6%, Thujopsene 18.9%, other sesquiterpene hydrocarbons 13.3%, Cedrol 31.6% and Widdol 4.8%.

Celery oil

Essential Oil Properties: Anti-rheumatic
Use for hypotension, rheumatism

Chamomile (Blue) oil

Essential Oil Properties: Calming, refreshing, antiseptic, anti-allergen, anti-rheumatic, emollient
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for skin infections, hay fever, digestive problems, rheumatism, heartburn, mumps/b>

Chamomile (Roman) oil

Essential Oil Properties: Calming, relaxant, antiseptic, anti-asthmatic, anti-rheumatic, anti-allergen
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for muscle pain, asthma, anxiety, migraines, rheumatism, insomnia, enteric parasites, menopause, menstrual problems, sunburn

Chaste oil

Essential Oil Properties: Hormone balancing
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for gynecological and menopause problems, toothache, prostate. This oil is also used in hormonotherapy.

Cinnamon oil

Essential Oil Properties: Antiseptic, antibiotic, aphrodisiac
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for flu, increasing sexual desire. Apply externally to kill bacteria and prevent infection

Cistus oil

Essential Oil Properties: Styptic, relaxing, calming
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for older skin and wrinkles

Citronella oil

Essential Oil Properties: Cardiotonic, antispasmodic, calming, insectifuge, anti-louse
Aromatherapy Uses: Use for rheumatisms, insomnia, stress, depression, otitis, arthritis, various colic and pelvis pain, head lice

Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea)

Deeply relaxing and euphoric. Eases feelings of depression and helps when feeling run down emotionally and physically. Contains sensual properties and has a nutty pervasive fragrance.

A perennial or biennial herb with large hairy green leaves with a hint of purple. The flowers are small and blue growing out from large pinkish bracts. Branches of these bracts radiate in pairs from a spectacular central stem often reaching 1.5 meters in height. Other members of the Sage family include garden sage (S. Officinalis) and Spanish sage (S. Lavendulaefolia)