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The Basic Methods of using Essential Oils are Inhalation, Skin
Penetration, and Diffusion |
- ALOE
- VERA
|
Aloe vera has been used for
thousands of years as a medicinal plant. The oldest reference to it is found on a papyrus
roll from 1500 B.C. Javanese women rub aloe vera into their scalps in order to stimulate
hair grown. In Greece (fourth century B.C.) the wounds of Alexander the Great were treated
with this plant. Aloe vera contains a gel that liquifies when it comes in contact with
air. The juice or gel contains important healing substances for the skin-steroids, organic
acids (amino acids), enzymes, and polysaccharides. The regenerative qualities of aloe vera
thus make it suitable for the treatment of the skin and hair and effective against acne.
Premature aging of the skin, wounds, burns, gum diseases, and seborrhea can also be
treated with aloe vera, as can hair loss resulting from seborrhea, dandruff, and damage to
the nervous system. |
- BASIL
|
This clear, thin liquid oil is derived through distillation from the
blooming tips of the herb. Basil is antiseptic and tones
and clears the skin, increasing its resilience and sleekness. It can be used as a skin
cleanser or toner in facial care, or added to oils and creams to the bath to stimulate the
metabolism of greasy, tired, limp, and colorless skin. It has a slightly irritating effect
and causes a hot-cold feeling in baths. The fragrance of basil is penetratingly sweet,
spicy, and similar to anise. |
- BALSAM
|
Resins that contain benzoil acid or its ester (balsam peru, styrax,
benzoin gum). Balsam is antiseptic, deodorizing,
soothing to irritated skin, and heal wounds, infections, and abscesses. It can be used for
chapped skin, redness, and itching. In a diluted form, it can prevent the formation of
blisters. |
- BERGAMOT
|
The greenish, thin oil of bergamot is obtained bt pressing out the peel of
a green bitter orange that grows in California, South America, Italy, Spain, and West
Africa. An all-purpose oil for cosmetics, it can be used by every skin type and for many
functional disturbances. It is antiseptic, slightly astringent, deodorizing, healing for
wounds, and generally beneficial for the skin. Bergamot
also helps in cases of dandruff, seborrhea, acne, herpes, shingles, eczema, excessive
perspiration, and unpleasant body odor. |
- BORAGE
- OIL
|
Borage oil was used in the Middle Ages for many medicinal purposes.
Originally from Syria, it was used also for alleviating depression. Borage oil is higher in gamma linolenic acid (GLA), a unique fatty acid
found in mother's milk, than any other fatty acids. Borage oil is also high in calcium,
potassium, and mineral acids. It is used externally for extremely stubborn dry skin such
as psoriasis and eczema. The borage herbs can be used as a poultice for inflammatory
swellings. |
- CEDARWOOD
|
Cedarwood oil is derived through
distillation from the wood waste and sawdust of cedarwood. Cedarwood is a general
skin care oil that is antiseptic, astringent, soothing, and removes excess water. It is
used in natual hair care products particularly for the treatment of greasy hair, dandruff
and psoriasis, and for the treatment of acne, infections, rashes, eczema, dermatitis, and
itching skin. It gently stimulates the skin. |
- CHAMOMILE
|
Is a member of the sunflower family. Chamomile
has been used throughout history for both internal and external health concerns. Chamomile
is well known to induce relaxation and tranquilization. The soothing, healing effect it
has on the body made chamomile a great skin moisturizer, and keeps the skin fresh and
luxuriant. Using this herb internally has also been shown to be beneficial for preventing
and treating anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, stress and insomnia. Externally,
chamomile is used for healing and soothing the skin. |
- CINNAMON
|
Cinnamon is a potent anti-bacterial
and anti-fungal. Also improves circulation and helps stimulate blood flow. |
- CLOVES
|
Cloves improves circulation and also an
good skin stimulant. Clove is very antiseptic and pain-relieving. Thus, making it useful
in many pain-relieving medications; its scent is familiar to everyone who has been to the
dentist. Its use in natural cosmetics extends to warts, callouses, infected wounds, and
insect stings. Works great in aftershave lotions, since its woody scent harmonizes well
and it disinfects and pain-relieve to razor nicks |
- COMFREY
|
A country name for comfrey was
"knitbone," a reminder of its traditional use in healing fractures. The herb
contains allantoin, which use internally can encourages bone, cartilage, and cells to
grow. When the herb is applied to an injured or damage skin, the allantoin is absorbed
through the skin and speeds up healing. |
- FRANKINCENSE
|
(Boswellia). The oil of the boswellia tree, which grows wild in Arabia, is
distilled from the resin. The thin, clear-to-yellowish oil is antringent, rejuvenation,
and extremely beneficial to the shin. Frankincense
is not only used specifically for mature skin and wrinkles, but also fro raw, chapped
skin, hand care, and the healing of wounds. Typical of the warm, balsamy oil is its
fragrance of lemon and conifer. It is suitable for creatinhg perfumes. |
- GERANIUM
|
The same common geranium that blooms
so splendidly in gardens and flowerpots contains a valuable essential oil for skin care.
Geranium oil is antiseptic, astringent, deodorizing, toning, anti-inflammatory, cleansing,
and stimulates the lymphatic system. This oil is very much recommended for sluggish,
oily skin. Geranium oil is said to stimulate breast growth when mixed with ylang-ylang in
a body oil and used regularly. The frangrance is rosy-minty and harmonizes well with
rose and rosewood. |
- HORSETAIL
|
Horsetail is close relative of the
trees that grew on earth 270 million years ago in the Carboniferous period. Its brittle
jointed stems are rich in healing and organic silica. Silica, encourages the formulation
of collagen fibrils. This herb can be use internally and externally for increasing the
elasticity of the skin, hair and nails. |
- JASMINE
|
Jasmine oil has been used for
thousands of years in skin care cosmetics and perfumes. Despite its price Jasmine is good
for the care all types of skin. It is toning and antiseptic, and has a relaxing,
aphrodisiac scent. It is particularly suited for treating dry, sensitive, and sore skin.
It has a soothing effect on skin infections. A bath with Jasmine oil lets you forget
aggravation, stress, anger, nervousness, and worries. |
- JOJOBA
- OIL
|
Jojoba oil is extracted and cold-pressed from the jojoba bean. This desert plant's endurance is truly miraculous. It
survives the arid deserts of Arizona, California, and Mexico. During the hot days of
summer and cold desert nights the pores of the plant are covered by a wax. This prevents
the evaporation process that would normally kill any plant. Its life span exceeds that of
the human being. The oil which is often called "liquid gold" has a diverse and
long list of excellent contributions to the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. jojoba
oil is an effective ingredient in shampoos and hair treatments packs, and in the treatment
of damaged, brittle hair, hair loss, and split ends. Jojoba oil along with rosemary oil,
can be used in a hot oil treatment for the stimulation and cleansing of the scalp. The wax
acts on the skin and hair just as it does on the plant: it forms a fine, protective,
non-greasy film. The skin becomes silky and soft, and provides shine to the hair. |
- LAVENDER
|
Lavender is an all-purpose oil for
skin care. Its effect is antibacterial, pain-relieving, healing for wounds, soothing for
skin diseases, deodorizing, antiseptic, fungicidal, insect-repellent, rejuvenating, and
anti-inflammatory. A bath with lavender soothes and heals the skin after a sunburn. |
- LEMON
|
Lemon extract is used to lighten hair
and skin, and as an detoxifying and anti-bacterial for acne and problem skin. Also can be
used to inhale for tension and depression. |
- MARIGOLD
|
The marigold blossoms have been used
for ages for every type of damage done to skin tissues as well as for beautification of
the skin. Apart from the beauty of this field of blossoms, their healing capacity is
extensive. The blossoms are used as poultice for burns, sunburn, slow-healing wounds,
eczema, chapped skin, inflamed mucous membranes, and other skin ailments. The marigold
blossoms accelerate the healing process of serious wounds. The extract of the marigold
flowers and leaves are used as a skin freshener, softener, and stimulant. |
- MYRRH
|
Myrrh is rejuvenating, fungicidal,
anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and immune stimulant, also a great astringent and skin
toner. Myrrh has a powerful healing effect on wounds. As a major component in
ointment or cream, it can be used to treat skin that is rough, cracked, chapped, or
infected, including facial skin, and is recommended for scabs, skin fungus, and athlete's
foot. |
- ORANGE
|
Orange has an astringent effects and
works as an fruit acid for removing dead skin tissues. Makes a great face wash. |
- PATCHOULI
|
Patchouli oil is anti-inflammatory,
toning, antiseptic, fungicidal, and stimulates cell regeneration. It is recommended for
use in caring for mature skin; acne; skin which is hydrated, raw, chapped. and scaly;
dandrruff; and in treating wounds, fungus infections, and eczema. |
- PEPPERMINT
|
This familiar herb grows worldwide today. Its thin, clear oil is derived
from the plant through distillation. It contains menthol, a crystalline substance that is
known for its ability to open the breathing passages. In cosmetics, peppermint oil is used
for cleansing, since it is slightly antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and toning. It purifies
sluggish skin and pores and can stimulate cell regeneration. Peppermint oil can be used in the treatment of oily skin, acne, and
blackheads. Further areas of use are for itchy skin, infections, and dandruff. It has a
generally refreshing and stimulating effect on the scalp when added to shampoo. |
- PINE
|
This thin, clear oil is derived through stream distillation from the
needled branches of the pine tree. It is excellent not only for use as a sauna oil but
also for the treatment of intense sweating of the feet, since it has strong antiseptic and
deodorizing qualities. |
- ROSE
|
The "Queen" of flowers, the rose is also the queen or mother of
fragrances. Rose oil is astringent, toning, antiseptic, styptic, anti-inflammatory, and
rejuvenating. It is particularly good for dry, sensitive, and mature skin, yet it can be
used in almost every recipe for all skin types. Treatment with diluted rose oil over a
longer period of time can help in the case of ruptured blod vessels and broken
capillaries. |
- ROSEMARY
|
Through the years, rosemary has been
touted as the herb that relieves headaches, especially migraines, and nervous tension.
Rosemary is beneficial in the loss or thinning of hair, dandruff, and cellulite. The
astringent and antiseptic properties of rosemary oil stimulate tissue circulation, and the
metabolism of the skin. |
- ROSEWOOD
|
Rosewood has a slightly rosy, flowery, and spicy-sweet fragance.
this oil is antibacterial, slightly toning, and mild in effect. Rosewood can be used in
perfume mixtures, lotions, or soaps and as a less expensive replacement for rose oil. |
- SAGE
|
Sage oil is obtained from Salvia
lavandulae folia, which grows wild throughout the entire Mediterranean region. In
fact, some 450 different types of sage are known on the earth. Sage has been used as an
antiseptic, and stimulates the circulation. It contains an estrogen-like active ingredient
with a tautening effect, making this oil ideal for aging skin. It has also proved itself
effective against infections and for healing wounds. |
- SANDALWOOD
|
This thick, brownish to yellow liquid is antiseptic, slightly astringent,
soothing, somewhat rejuvenating, and aphrodisiac. Sandalwood's
sweet, warm, woody scent can be used to care for all types of skin, especially raw,
infected, oily, or dry skin. It has also proved itself in the treatment of itchy skin and
acne. Added to hair oils, shampoos, and rinses, it grooms dark hair and imparts a silky
shine. |
- TEA
- TREE
- OIL
|
Tea-Tree oil is from the northern coast of
South Wales, Australia, and is used for topical skin problems. The leaves were used
originally by the aboriginal people to make tea. The oil from a specific known as the
malalenca alterifolia is used for antiseptic and fungicide actions. A recently (1985)
published article in Phytotherapie by Dr. Paul Belaiche, entitled "Treatment
of Vaginal Infections of Candida Albicans with Essential Oils, " named tea-tree oil
number one. The results he obtained using this oil, were so significant that today no
dialogue on aroma-therapy is complete without reference to tea-tree oil. Tea-tree oil has
certainly entered the team of major essential herbal oils as an antiseptic and anti-fungal
of major significance. Tea-tree oil been known to be effective in the treatment of viginal
infection, athletes foot, burns, cold sores, dandruff, infections, cuts, scrapes, pimples,
stings, toothache, ringworm, psoriasis, genital herpes, warts, gum infections, and sore
throats. This makes the oil an ideal partner in the home medicine cupboard. Finally,
modern aromatherapists have found that it is a powerful immune-stimulant, and when used in
the bath at the first signs of a cold or flu, one of its effects is to stimulate body
sweating for fighting off these illnesses. |
- WITCH
- HAZEL
|
First used by North American Indians, witch
hazel is an essential item for every home medicine cabinet. Witch hazel's
anti-inflammatory action is very soothing for minor scrapes, cuts, and bruises. Applied as
a cream directly to hemorrhoids and varicose veins, it helps relieve the pain and
inflammation typical of these conditions. This herb also helps with circulation and fatty
tissues. Splashed on the face, it is a revitalizing skin tonic that helps eliminate excess
oil. |
- WINTERGREEN
|
Wintergreen helps sore muscles,
leg aches, improves skin tone and helps restore circulation and fights varicose veins. |
- YLANG
- YLANG
|
Ylang Ylang is distilled from
flowers in Indonesia. This sweet jasmine-like smelling oils can be use as a perfume as
well as for anti-depressant, eases feelings of anger, and anxiety. Helps with hair
growth. |
