Aromatherapy Qualities of Essential Oils

A note on safety: essential oils are powerful, natural substances that should be used with care and respect. Oils should not be ingested, and all oils but two, lavender and tea tree, should be diluted before application to the skin. Some people may be sensitive or allergic to some oils; therefore, sensitivity prone people should do a patch test before full body application. Most oils should be avoided during pregnancy, and individuals with health problems should not use certain oils (eg: rosemary** may raise blood pressure)

Oils by Health Conditions     Oils by Scent     Oils Safe During Pregnancy

Essential Oils by Health Conditions

anxiety/depression/stress: all the citrus oils, lavender, geranium rose, sandalwood, chamomile, ylang ylang, clary sage, melissa

circulation: rosemary (not for high blood pressure), pine, geranium, lemon, marjoram, ylang ylang

headaches: lavender, sweet marjoram, peppermint, chamomile, dill, grapefruit, lime,

inflammation: chamomile, patchouli, peppermint

insomnia: vetiver, lavender, ylang ylang, benzoin, chamomile, clary sage, marjoram, sandalwood

muscle aches: orange, rosemary, peppermint, juniper berry, pine, clary sage, eucalyptus, marjoram, oregano, vetiver

obesity: juniper, rosemary, grapefruit

pick me up/hangover: lavender, grapefruit, lime, lemon, rosemary

relaxing/centering: vetiver, lavender, sandalwood, melissa, neroli, ho wood, patchouli, rosewood, chamomile, cedarwood

respiratory ailments: eucalyptus, benzoin, bergamot, cedarwood, pine

rheumatism/arthritis: benzoin, cedarwood, juniper berry, peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, vetiver

stimulating: rosemary, peppermint, lemon, juniper berry

stomach complaints: dill, peppermint, clove, lemon, marjoram, melissa, oregano

skin care:   all skin: lavender, chamomile, sandalwood

  oily skin: lemon, lime

  acne: bergamot, cedarwood, chamomile, juniper, lavender, patchouli, sandalwood, tea tree

  dermatitis: chamomile, lavender, neroli

  burns: chamomile, lavender, tea tree

  eczema: chamomile, geranium, lavender, melissa, patchouli

  psoriasis: chamomile, lavender,

  skin infections: eucalyptus lemon, tea tree, lavender, melissa, rosemary, sandalwood, thyme

By Scent

Citrus: bergamot*, grapefruit, lemon*, lime*, tangerine*

Earthy/Grounding: benzoin, cedarwood, ho wood, juniper berry, patchouli, rosewood, sandalwood, vetiver

Floral: chamomile, geranium, lavender, neroli, ylang ylang

Herbal: clary sage, eucalyptus, marjoram, melissa, oregano, peppermint, pine, rosemary**, thyme

* May incease the skin's sensitivity to sunlight- Do not use if you plan on being in the sun
** Rosemary should be used with caution in cases of high blood pressure, and not used in epilepsy, or other disorders of the central nervous system

Oils considered safe during pregnancy:

general application: chamomile, grapefruit, lavender (not during the 1st trimester), mandarin, neroli, petitgrain, rose, tangerine, ylang-ylang
local application: cypress, geranium, lemon, sandalwood, tea tree

Recommended Aromatherapy Books:
The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood
Aromatherapy and Massage for Mother and Baby by Allison England