Although essential oils are used in small amounts
and are usually diluted before use, they are
highly concentrated and very powerful.
D ab lavender essential oil on a small burn, and watch your skin return to normal within just a few days. Use a drop of the same essential oil on your pillowcase for restful sleep, and while you’re at it, rub a few drops into your pet’s fur to help keep fleas away naturally. These are but a few uses for one of the world’s most popular essential oils, and it is just one of the many medicinally supportive essential oils available to you in nature’s abundant pharmacy.
The 75 essential oils profiled in this section are among the most popular and most versatile available. Most are surprisingly affordable, given their ability to address a wide range of ailments. Some essential oils, such as rose and neroli, are more costly. You may find it helpful to choose a few versatile essential oils to become comfortable with, then expand your collection as your confidence grows.
Although essential oils are used in small amounts and are usually diluted before use, they are highly concentrated and very powerful. Just as you wouldn’t use more of a prescription drug than prescribed, don’t use more of an essential oil than the recommended amount.
Pimenta dioica
Cooks and bakers love allspice for its ability to impart a subtly spicy note of warmth to foods sweet and savory alike. Allspice trees are native to Jamaica, though they have spread to other regions. These dense evergreens are often grown to shade coffee trees, but their real value lies in their ability to act as a natural analgesic and anesthetic. Some manufacturers market their allspice essential oil as pimento essential oil.
Use in the bath or shower for absorption and aromatherapy benefits
Allspice essential oil irritates the mucus membranes. This essential oil can be a dermal irritant for sensitive individuals. Conduct a patch test before use. Do not use neat or take internally.
MEDICINAL USES
Analgesic
Aphrodisiac
Arthritis
Bronchitis
Cough
Cramping
Depression
Digestive ailments
Fatigue
Flatulence
Muscle pain and stiffness
Nausea
Nervousness
Respiratory infection
Rheumatism
Stiffness
Stress
Pimpinella anisum
With its sweet, licorice-like aroma, aniseed is a popular culinary staple in India and Turkey. It is also widely used in cordials and liqueurs. This beautiful annual herb grows to a maximum height of about two feet, and is prized for its delicate, feathery leaves and its tiny white flowers. Aniseed essential oil is derived from the tiny seeds produced by the flowers.
Aniseed essential oil is not to be confused with star anise. Aniseed essential oil solidifies at low temperatures; hand-warm the bottle before use to promote fluidity. Those with liver disease or cancer should avoid aniseed essential oil. Aniseed essential oil is phototoxic. Avoid exposing application sites to sunlight for 12 to 24 hours following application. Pregnant women should avoid aniseed essential oil.
MEDICINAL USES
Antiseptic
Anxiety
Colic
Cough
Cramping
Diuretic
Expectorant
Hangover
Indigestion
Menstrual cramps
Migraine
Muscle pain and stiffness
Nausea
Nervousness
Rheumatism
Vertigo
Whooping cough
Ocimum basilicum
Basil is a kitchen staple in many cultures; it grows as a perennial plant in warm climates and is cultivated as an annual favorite by gardeners in cooler climes. With a spicy-sweet, energizing fragrance, basil essential oil stimulates mind and body alike; its antibacterial and antiviral properties make it a must-have when treating ailments such as the flu or the common cold.
Basil essential oil can be a dermal irritant for sensitive individuals. Conduct a patch test before use. Those with epilepsy and cancer should avoid basil essential oil. Because it can stimulate menstrual flow, pregnant women should avoid basil essential oil.
MEDICINAL USES
Antibacterial
Antiseptic
Antiviral
Arthritis
Bronchitis
Bug bites
Circulatory health
Cold
Cough
Diabetes
Earache
Ear infection
Fatigue
Flatulence
Flu
Gastric ulcers
Gastric upset
Gout
Headache
High cholesterol
Mental alertness
Muscle pain and stiffness
Respiratory infection
Rheumatism
Sinus infection
Stimulant
Tension
Laurus nobilis
You may use bay leaves in your kitchen, as many people around the world do. Bay trees are sturdy evergreens with long, aromatic leaves that emit a fresh, sweet, slightly spicy aroma. Bay essential oil has a similar but stronger fragrance that makes it a favorite for use in soaps, candles, and other items.
Bay essential oil irritates the mucus membranes. This essential oil can be a dermal irritant for sensitive individuals. Conduct a patch test before use. Those who are hemophiliacs and those taking anticoagulants should avoid bay essential oil. Those with prostate cancer, kidney disease, or liver disease should avoid this essential oil. Because it can stimulate menstrual flow, pregnant women should avoid bay essential oil.
BASK IN PEACE, PROTECTION, AND WISDOM.
Bay essential oil was a favorite with ancient Romans, who associated it with strength, protection, wisdom, and peace. The bay tree’s name is in part derived from the Latin word laudis, meaning to praise; for this reason, Olympians were presented with bay or laurel wreaths. These wreathes are symbolic of Olympic victory to this day. This useful tree has been the subject of numerous studies that have proven its antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial efficacy.
MEDICINAL USES
Analgesic
Antibacterial
Antibiotic
Antifungal
Antimicrobial
Antiseptic
Bruise
Circulatory health
Cold
Creative inspiration
Dandruff
Digestive ailments
Dry hair
Eczema
Emotional balance
Fever
Flatulence
Hair growth
Healthy kidney function
Healthy liver function
Infection
Neuralgia
Oily hair
Psoriasis
Rheumatism
Sprains and strains
Styrax benzoin
ESSENTIAL OILS NATURAL REMEDIES
Benzoin essential oil’s warm, sweet aroma, which has strong notes of vanilla, makes it a staple in the perfume industry; it is also widely used in formulating incense. This essential oil is derived from the resinous sap of benzoin trees, which are native to Java, Sumatra, and Thailand.
Benzoin essential oil has a deeply relaxing effect and should not be used prior to driving, operating machinery, or doing other tasks that require concentration.
MEDICINAL USES
Acne
Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptic
Arthritis
Bronchitis
Calming
Chilblains
Circulatory health
Cold
Cough
Deodorant
Depression
Diabetes
Diuretic
Eczema
Emotional balance
Expectorant
Muscle pain and stiffness
Nervousness
Rash
Relaxation
Scar tissue
Sedative
Stress
Citrus bergamia
Bergamot gets its name from the Italian city of Bergamo, which is where it was originally cultivated for use in treating digestive ailments and fevers. This delightful citrus fruit grows on trees that gain a maximum height of about 16 feet, and the essential oil is obtained from the fruit’s rind. It has a fresh, spicy-sweet aroma that makes it a favorite with almost everyone who tries it, and it is widely used by fragrance manufacturers.
Bergamot essential oil is phototoxic, so avoid exposing application sites to sunlight for 12 to 24 hours following application.
MEDICINAL USES
Abscess
Acne
Analgesic
Antibacterial
Antibiotic
Antiseptic
Anxiety
Boil
Chicken pox
Cold sore
Cystitis
Depression
Eczema
Expectorant
Fever
Halitosis
Healthy liver function
Infection
Itching
Lack of appetite
Oily skin
PMS
Psoriasis
Respiratory ailments
Scabies
Seasonal affective disorder
Sedative
Stress
Betula alba
Birch essential oil has a lovely balsamic fragrance that might remind you of wintergreen. Like the tree’s buds, sap, twigs, and young leaflets, this essential oil is highly regarded for its usefulness in preparations for skin and hair care. It is comprised almost entirely of methyl salicylate, which is a strong pain reliever, and is an excellent essential oil to use for pain management. Birch essential oil is sometimes labeled as sweet birch, silver birch, or European white birch.
Birch essential oil can be a dermal irritant for sensitive individuals and should always be diluted to 25 percent or less. Those with epilepsy or who take anticoagulants should avoid birch essential oil. In addition, birch contains a high level of methyl salicylate and should not be used by those who are allergic to aspirin. Pregnant women should avoid birch essential oil.
MEDICINAL USES
Analgesic
Antiseptic
Arthritis
Astringent
Cellulite
Circulatory health
Cramping
Dermatitis
Disinfectant
Diuretic
Eczema
Edema
Fever
Fluid retention
Gout
Hypertension
Insect repellent
Kidney stones
Muscle pain
Neuralgia
Psoriasis
Rheumatism
Ringworm
Sciatica
Tendinitis
Tennis elbow
Ulcers
Piper nigrum
Fear of sneezing and eye irritation such as that which occurs with ground pepper may cause you to feel hesitant about trying black pepper essential oil. While its fragrance is similar to that of freshly ground peppercorns, it does not cause the same side effects ground pepper does. Its ability to increase stamina and alertness, paired with its value as a natural painkiller and circulatory system stimulant make it a valuable essential oil to add to your medicine chest.
Black pepper essential oil can be a dermal irritant for sensitive individuals. Conduct a patch test before use. Overuse of this essential oil may cause sensitization and overstimulate the kidneys. Because it stimulates mental alertness, black pepper essential oil should not be used before sleeping. Do not combine black pepper essential oil with homeopathic remedies. Pregnant women should avoid black pepper essential oil.
MANAGE DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION NATURALLY WITH BLACK PEPPER ESSENTIAL OIL.
While you shouldn’t give up necessary prescriptions, you may be able to use black pepper essential oil to help manage your health. In a 2013 study reported in the journal Advances in Pharmacological Sciences,
key enzymes relevant to both hypertension and type 2 diabetes were positively affected by exposure to black pepper essential oil.
MEDICINAL USES
Analgesic
Antibacterial
Antiseptic
Aphrodisiac
Arthritis
Chilblains
Circulatory health
Cold
Constipation
Cramping
Diabetes
Digestive aid
Diuretic
Fatigue
Fever
Flu
Healthy kidney function
Hypertension
Laxative
Muscle pain and stiffness
Rheumatism
Melaleuca leucadendra
If you enjoy using tea tree essential oil, give cajeput a try: It’s a close relative to Melaleuca alternifolia . With a markedly camphor-like, slightly fruity aroma, cajeput essential oil is fresh and uplifting, and it is a must-have for treating colds and flu. Also known as white tea tree and cajuput, cajeput essential oil can eliminate mental sluggishness and promote overall mental balance while easing a variety of ailments.
Cajeput essential oil can be a dermal irritant for sensitive individuals. Conduct a patch test before use.
BENEFIT FROM AN ANCIENT REMEDY.
Cajeput essential oil may be one you haven’t heard much about, but it has been used for millennia, both in medicine and cosmetics. Traditional remedies using cajeput include treatments for cholera, rheumatism, and stomach issues; it was and is an effective natural insecticide. This essential oil is a close relative to tea tree, and has been the subject of numerous studies that have proven its efficacy.
MEDICINAL USES
Acne
Analgesic
Antiseptic
Bronchitis
Cold
Decongestant
Digestive ailments
Earache
Expectorant
Fleas
Flu
Gout
Headache
Insecticide
Insect repellent
Intestinal parasites
Laryngitis
Lice
Menstrual support
Psoriasis
Rheumatism
Toothache
Vomiting
Acorus calamus var. angustatus
Remember taking a walk through a sweetly scented woodland, and you are reminiscing about a fragrance that is close to that of calamus essential oil. Extracted from the roots of a humble wetland plant, it is an excellent oil for diffusing when experiencing emotional upset.
Do not use calamus essential oil neat or internally, as convulsions and hallucinations may result. Use a low dilution rate in massage and bath blends. Pregnant women should avoid calamus essential oil.
MEDICINAL USES
Anxiety
Calming
Clarity
Headache
Memory
Muscle pain and stiffness
Panic
Tension
Cinnamomum camphora
When you first waft a bottle of camphor essential oil beneath your nose, you will recognize its medicinal scent immediately, as camphor is one of the active ingredients in commercially produced vapor rubs. Because this essential oil is very strong, it must be used with extreme care.
Overuse of camphor essential oil may cause vomiting and convulsions. Those with asthma or epilepsy should avoid camphor essential oil. Do not combine camphor essential oil with homeopathic remedies. Pregnant women should avoid camphor essential oil.
MEDICINAL USES
Acne
Analgesic
Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptic
Antiviral
Bactericidal
Bronchitis
Cold
Cough
Diuretic
Expectorant
Flu
Insecticide
Insect repellent
Intestinal parasites
Muscle pain and stiffness
Nervousness
Rheumatism
Skin care
Sprains and strains
Carum carvi
Caraway is a well-known spice with a sweet, intriguing taste that makes it popular with cooks and bakers worldwide. Caraway essential oil has a slightly peppery yet sweet fragrance that makes it a pleasure to use, and its ability to effectively improve a wide range of ailments makes it a good choice for including in your medicine chest.
Caraway essential oil can be a dermal irritant for sensitive individuals. Conduct a patch test before use. Because it can stimulate menstrual flow, pregnant women should avoid caraway essential oil.
MEDICINAL USES
Antiallergenic
Antiseptic
Asthma
Boil
Breastfeeding
Bronchitis
Colic
Cough
Disinfectant
Diuretic
Flatulence
Indigestion
Infection
Intestinal parasites
Laryngitis
Nervousness
Oily hair
Oily skin
PMS
Sore throat
Urinary ailments
Wounds
Elettaria cardamomum
If you often suffer from nausea or indigestion, consider adding cardamom essential oil to your natural apothecary. This useful oil is also an excellent remedy for coughs, edema, halitosis, and a number of other common ailments.
Cardamom essential oil is generally considered safe.
SAY GOOD-BYE TO BAD BREATH WITH CARDAMOM ESSENTIAL OIL.
Cardamom essential oil has a far-reaching history, mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic texts as a medicinal aid for the skin and digestion. In later times, 310 BC, cardamom oil was a symbol of prosperity and royalty along with other essential oils when used in perfumes and unguents. Cardamom essential oils are not found in many perfumes today but have come full circle as an antimicrobial to treat scalp infections, skin conditions, and to promote mouth hygiene by killing germs that cause bad breath and oral thrush.
MEDICINAL USES
Antibacterial
Antiseptic
Cold
Cough
Diuretic
Edema
Expectorant
Flatulence
Halitosis
Headache
Heartburn
Laxative
Mental alertness
Nausea
Nervousness
Sciatica
Stress
Vomiting
Daucus carota
Most people know wild carrot by its more common name: Queen Anne’s lace. This flowering plant grows throughout temperate regions worldwide, and though its roots are edible, it so closely resembles poison hemlock that most foragers steer clear. Carrot seed essential oil is one of the best to have on hand for dealing with skin issues of many types as well as for detoxifying the body.
Because it can stimulate menstrual flow, pregnant women should avoid carrot seed essential oil.
COMBAT MICROORGANISMS WITH CARROT SEED ESSENTIAL OIL.
Carrot seed essential oil is an excellent natural remedy to keep on hand, particularly if you want an oil that is capable of fighting fungi and bacteria. In a study reported in the December 2013 issue of Chemistry & Biodiversity
, carrot seed essential oil was proven to exhibit antibacterial and antifungal activity against a wide range of organisms, including salmonella and E. coli.
MEDICINAL USES
Antiseptic
Arthritis
Bronchitis
Dermatitis
Detoxifier
Eczema
Edema
Fatigue
Flu
Fluid retention
Gout
Healthy liver function
Intestinal parasites
Jaundice
Muscle pain and stiffness
Rash
Rheumatism
Stimulant
Stress
Wounds
Wrinkles
Cinnamomum cassia
If you enjoy curries, soft drinks, or certain baked foods or candies, it is likely that you have tasted cassia before. With a warm, pungent fragrance, this exotic essential oil comes from the leaves, branches, and bark of the cassia tree, which is a small evergreen native to China. Enjoy its uplifting fragrance and many health benefits by diffusing it in the area where you spend the most time.
Cassia essential oil can be a dermal irritant for sensitive individuals. Conduct a patch test before use. Use a low dilution rate in massage and bath blends. Cassia essential oil irritates the mucus membranes.
MEDICINAL USES
Antimicrobial
Arthritis
Circulatory health
Cold
Colic
Diarrhea
Depression
Fever
Flatulence
Flu
Menstrual support
Nausea
Rheumatism
Juniperus virginiana
Open a cedar chest or sharpen a pencil, and you’ll enjoy a similar aroma to that of cedarwood essential oil. Cedar cultivars were among the first to be used for their essential oils; early Egyptians used the oil in cosmetics, as an insect repellant, and as an embalming agent. Because of its many practical and medicinal applications, cedarwood essential oil’s popularity has never waned.
Cedarwood essential oil can be a dermal irritant for sensitive individuals. Conduct a patch test before use. This essential oil irritates the mucus membranes. Because it can stimulate menstrual flow, pregnant women should avoid cedarwood essential oil.
MEDICINAL USES
Antiseptic
Anxiety
Arthritis
Bronchitis
Calming
Dandruff
Insect repellant
Itching
Nervousness
Oily skin
Psoriasis
Rash
Respiratory ailments
Rheumatism
Urinary tract infection
Matricaria chamomilla, M. Recutita
Chamomile has been used since antiquity and is among the world’s most popular plants. Used to treat a wide variety of ailments, chamomile is perhaps best known for its ability to soothe and calm frayed nerves; even a single cup of tea made with the herb can help. German chamomile essential oil is closely related to Roman chamomile essential oil, and it is possible to use the two essential oils interchangeably in most cases.
German chamomile essential oil has a deeply relaxing effect and should not be used prior to driving, operating machinery, or doing other tasks that require concentration. Because it can stimulate menstrual flow, pregnant women should avoid German chamomile essential oil.
MEDICINAL USES
Abscess
Acne
Analgesic
Anti-inflammatory
Anxiety
Arthritis
Bactericidal
Burn
Chicken pox
Cold
Colic
Cystitis
Dental health
Earache
Eczema
Gingivitis
Headache
Insomnia
Measles
Menopausal symptoms
Migraine
Mumps
Nausea
PMS
Psoriasis
Sedative
Sores
Sprains and strains
Stress
Wounds
Anthemis nobilis
If you’ve ever relaxed while sipping a cup of chamomile tea, you are familiar with its aroma and lightly sedative effect. Roman chamomile essential oil offers a more powerful sedative property than does German chamomile, and its fragrance is a bit sweeter. If you are selecting just a few essential oils to keep on hand, consider making this one of them. Its anti-inflammatory action is impressive, and its usefulness in addressing skin complaints, headaches, and stress-related conditions is remarkable.
Roman chamomile essential oil has a deeply relaxing effect and should not be used prior to driving, operating machinery, or doing other tasks that require concentration. Because it can stimulate menstrual flow, pregnant women should avoid Roman chamomile essential oil.
MEDICINAL USES
Abscess
Acne
Addiction
Analgesic
Anger
Antiallergenic
Anti-inflammatory
Anxiety
Arthritis
Bactericidal
Boil
Burn
Chicken pox
Cold
Colic
Cystitis
Dental health
Diaper rash
Earache
Eczema
Gingivitis
Headache
Insomnia
Irritability
Migraine
Nausea
Psoriasis
Sedative
Sores
Sprains and strains
Sunburn
Stress
Tonsillitis
Wounds
Cinnamomum zeylanicum, C. verum
When most people think of cinnamon, visions of delicious baked goods are often the first thing to come to mind. Besides its value in culinary applications, cinnamon offers superb benefits when used in natural medicines. Cinnamon essential oil has a spicy, somewhat musky fragrance that may remind you more of incense than anything else.
Make sure that you choose cinnamon essential oil extracted from the leaves, rather than the bark of the cinnamon tree. Cinnamon bark essential oil is of little use in aromatherapy and is a strong dermal toxin. Cinnamon leaf essential oil should be used with care. Because it can stimulate menstrual flow, pregnant women should avoid cinnamon essential oil. Those with hemophilia, prostate cancer, kidney disease or liver disease should avoid cinnamon essential oil. Those taking anticoagulants should avoid cinnamon essential oil. It can be a dermal irritant for sensitive individuals. Conduct a patch test before use. Cinnamon essential oil irritates the mucus membranes.
MEDICINAL USES
Analgesic
Antibacterial
Antibiotic
Antiseptic
Aphrodisiac
Arthritis
Bronchitis
Cold
Depression
Diarrhea
Disinfectant
Fever
Insecticide
Intestinal parasites
Menstrual support
Respiratory infection
Rheumatism
Cymbopogon nardus, Andropogon nardus
Popularized for its usefulness in repelling mosquitoes and other bothersome bugs, citronella essential oil is useful for a number of applications. Extracted from tall grass native to Java and Sri Lanka, it has a lightly sweet citrus aroma. Ensure you purchase citronella essential oil rather than something labeled as citronella oil . The latter usually has a paraffin or mineral oil base and is typically meant for use as an outdoor insect repellent.
Citronella essential oil may cause sensitization and irritate mucus membranes. Those with an estrogen-dependent cancer should avoid citronella essential oil. Because it can stimulate menstrual flow, pregnant women should avoid citronella essential oil.