Basil Linalol (Ocimum
basilicum) |
N.B. Avoid during pregnancy.
Basil Linalol is non-toxic, non-irritant and there is possibility of
sensitisation in some individuals.
Actions: Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative,
cephalic, digestive, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, galactagogue,
nervine, prophylactic, restorative, stomachic, tonic. |
Basil linalol is an uplifting oil, being a top note, with a
green, herby scent.
Basil blends well with Bergamot, Clary Sage, Lime, Geranium. |
Black Pepper (Piper
niger) |
N.B. Not to be used with homeopathic remedies or in
pregnancy.
High concentrations can over stimulate the kidneys. Black pepper is a
rubefacient i.e. it warms the skin, and you need to be careful when using
it, as it can cause skin irritation if used in high concentration. It is
otherwise non-toxic and non-sensitising.
Actions: Analgesic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic,
aperatif, bactericidal, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic,
febrifuge, laxative, rubefacient, stomachic, stimulant (nervous,
circulatory, digestive), stomachic and tonic. |
The oil is made from the crushed, dried black peppercorns.
Black Pepper blends well with Frankincense, Sandalwood, Lavender,
Rosemary, Sweet Marjoram. |
Cardomon (Elettaria
cardamomum) |
It is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising.
Actions: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative,
cephalic, digestive, diuretic, stimulant, stomachic, tonic (nerve).
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Cardamon oil is made by steam distillation from the dried
ripe seeds.
It blends well with Rose, Orange, Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood
Atlas and Neroli. |
Clove Bud (Syzgium
aromaticum) |
Only ever use Clove Bud oil, never Clove Leaf or
Stem.
N.B. Not to be used in pregnancy.
Generaly not recommended for use on the skin, as it is an irritant to
the skin and mucous membranes of the body. It can be used as part of a
blend for burning on festive occasions, in low concentration.
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Coriander (Coriandum
sativum) |
Generally non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising. It
is stupefying in large doses, use in low dose and for short periods of
time (4-6 weeks).
N.B. Not to be used in pregnancy.
Coriander can be stupefying if used in large doeses, so use in
moderation.
Actions: Analgesic, aperatif, aphrodisiac, antioxidant,
antirheumatic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, carminative, depurative,
digestive, fungicidal, larvicidal, revitalizing, stimulant (cardiac,
circulatory, nervous system) and stomachic. |
Coriander blends well with Clary Sage, Bergamot, Jasmine,
Neroli, Petitgrain, Sandalwood, Cypress, Pine, Ginger and other spice
oils.
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Lemongrass (Cymbogopon
citratus) |
N.B. Do not use during pregnancy.
Use this oil in moderation, as it can cause dermal irritation /
sensitisation.
Actions: Analgesic, anti-depressant, antimicrobial, antioxidant,
antipyretic, antiseptic, astringent, bactericidl, carminative, deodorant,
febrifuge, fungicial, galactagogue, insecticidal, nervine, sedative
(nervous) and tonic. |
Lemongrass is made from the leaves of the plant and it is
native to Asia. There are two types, one called West Indian and the other
East Indian. The East Indian oil is lighter. It has a light, lemony scent.
Modern research in India shows that Lemongrass acts as a sedative on
the central nervous system. |
Marjoram, Sweet
(Origanum majorana) |
For safety reasons, only use Sweet Marjoram as an essential
oil. There is confusion over the different marjorams and oreganums.
N.B. Do not use during pregnancy or if you suffer from hypotension
(low blood pressure).
Sweet Marjoram is an anaphrodisiac i.e. it can reduce the sex drive, so
if you notice any change, stop using immediately. Prolonged use also
causes drowsiness. This oil should only be used in the short term i.e. up
to 6 weeks, then change it for something else.
Actions: Analgesic, anaphrodisiac, antioxidant, antiseptic,
antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericidal, carminative, cephalic, cordial,
diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, fungicidal,
hypotensive, laxative, nervine, sedative, stomachic, tonic, vasodilator
and vulnerary. |
Sweet Marjoram blends well with Lavender, Chamomile,
Cypress, Cedarwood Atlas and Tea Tree.
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Melissa (Lemon Balm)
(Melissa officinalis) |
N.B. Not to be used in pregnancy.
Available information indicates that it is non-toxic and possibly
sensitising. It can be a skin irritant, so use in low dilution only (1%).
Actions: Anti-allergenic, antidepressant, antihistaminic,
antispasmodic, bactericidal, carminative, cordial, diaphoretic,
emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypotensive, insect repellant, nervine, sedative,
stomachic, sudorific, tonic, uterine and vermifuge. |
Melissa is one of the oils that is likely to be adulterated
with other oils, such as Lemon, Lemongrass and Citronella, so if it’s not
expensive, it’s not real Melissa!
Melissa is made from the leaves of lemon balm and huge quantities of
leaves are needed to make a small amount of the oil, thus the cost. It is
a top note oil and its scent has an uplifting quality.
Melissa has a lovely lemony scent, you don’t need a lot of it in a
blend as it has a powerful scent and will overwhelm other oils.
Melissa blends well with German Chamomile, Lavender, Geranium and
citrus oils. |
Patchouli (Pogostemon
cablin) |
Patchouli is non-toxic, non-irritant and
non-sensitising.
Actions: Antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, anti-emetic,
antimicrobial, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antitoxic, antiviral,
aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrisant,
deodorant, digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, fungicidal, nervine,
prophylactic, stimulant (nervous), stomachic and tonic. |
Patchouli blends well with Vetiver, Sandalwood, Cedarwood
Atlas, Geranium, Lavender, Rose, Neroli, Bergamot, Myrrh, Clary Sage.
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Peppermint (Piper
mentha) |
N.B. Peppermint has a high menthone content and
should not be used if you have epilepsy.
Avoid during pregnancy.
As an oil, it is non-toxic. It can be an irritant if used in
concentration and there is the possibility of skin sensitisation due to
the menthol content. Use in moderation and not on irritated or inflamed
skin.
Actions: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial,
antiphlogistic, antipruritic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral,
astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, emmenagogue,
expectorant, febrifuge, hepatic, nervine, stomachic, sudorific,
vasoconstrictor and vermifuge. |
Peppermint blends well with Lavender, Benzoin, Rosemary,
Lemon, Sweet Marjoram.
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Rosemary (Rosmarinus
officinalis) |
N.B. Do not use Rosemary if you have hypertension (high
blood pressure) or epilepsy, if you use homeopathic remedies or are
pregnant.
Use in low dilution, as it can be a skin irritant. Otherwise it is
non-toxic and non-sensitising.
Actions: Analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antirheumatic,
antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue,
choleretic, cicatrisant, cordial, cytophylactic, diaphoretic, digestive,
diuretic, emmenagogue, fungicidal, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine,
parasiticide, restorative, rubefacient, stimulant (circulatory, adrenal,
cortex, hepatobiliary), stomachic, sudorific, tonic (nervous, general) and
vulnerary. |
Rosemary is a herb commonly grown in herb gardens, with its
blue flowers and aromatic, slender leaves. It is a warming oil,
stimulating and traditionally known for its use in skin and hair care.
Rosemary blends well with Lavender, Sweet Thyme, Pine, Peppermint,
Cedarwood Atlas, Petitgrain and other spice oils. |
Clary Sage (Salvea
sclerea) |
N.B. Do not use Clary Sage if you have drunk alcohol
prior to treatment, and do not drink any alcohol for 24 hours following
its use. Clary Sage has a narcotic effect and can make you feel very drunk
with only a small amount of alcohol and cause bad hangover effects, such
as headache.
Not to be used in pregnancy.
It is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising.
Actions: Anticonvulsive, antidepressant, antiphlogistic,
antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal,
carminative, cicatrisant, deodorant, digestive, emmenagogue, hypotensive,
nervine, regulator (of seborrhoea), sedative, stomachic, tonic and
uterine. |
The oil is made from the flowering tops and leaves of the
herb.
Clary Sage blends well with Lavender, Rose, Jasmine, Geranium, Juniper,
Cedarwood Atlas, Scotch Pine and Frankincense. |
Spanish Sage (Salvia
lavendulaefolia) |
N.B. Avoid in pregnancy and epilepsy. Use in
moderation.
The oil is relatively non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising.
Actions: Antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic,
antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, deodorant, depurative, digestive,
emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hypotensive, nervine, regulator (of
seborrhoea), stimulant (adrenocortical glands, circulation), stomachic and
tonic (nerve and general). |
Spanish Sage is made by steam distillation of the leaves.
Spanish Sage blends well with Rosemary, Clary Sage, Lavender, Pine,
Cedarwood Atlas, Juniper, Eucalyptus. |
Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum
vulgare) |
Only ever use Sweet Fennel oil. Do not use if you are
epileptic or pregnant. Use in moderation. It is narcotic in large
doses.
Actions: Aperatif, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic,
antispasmodic, carminative, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue,
expectorant, galactagogue, laxative, orexigenic, stimulant (circulatory),
splenic, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge. |
Sweet Fennel is made by steam distillation of the crushed
seeds of the plant with an earthy, aniseed-like scent.
Sweet Fennel blends well with Geranium, Lavender, Rose and Sandalwood.
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Sweet Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
|
N.B. Not to be used during pregnancy or if you have high
blood pressure (hypertension)
Sweet thyme is non-toxic, non-irritant and there is risk of
sensitisation.
Actions: Anthelmintic, antimicrobial, antioxidant,
antiputrescent, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, antitussive, antitoxic,
aperatif, astringent, aphrodisiac, bactericidal, balsamic, carminative,
cicatrisant, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, fungicidal, hypertensive,
nervine, revulsive, rubefacient, stimulant (immune system, circulation),
sudorific, tonic and vermifuge. |
Sweet Thyme blends well with Lavender, Bergamot, Lemon,
Rosemary, Melissa, Sweet Marjoram and Pine.
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