Glossary of Essential Oils
Medicinal plants have been used for healing as long as humans have been on the planet. Herbs have traditionally been used to optimize health and to prevent and treat virtually every symptom and disease that people suffer from. Whether due to traumatic injury or chronic health conditions, inflammation and pain have always been part of the human experience. Until recently, medicinal herbs were the primary source that people utilized to treat these symptoms. Many of the drugs that are currently used for the treatment of inflammation and pain were originally manufactured from chemical constituents extracted from herbs that were and still are used for a similar purpose. Examples include a wide variety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that were originally derived from salicylic acid, a relatively common plant constituent that is found in many species of herbs from many plant families. Similarly, steroidal anti-inflammatories were originally derived from plant steroids found in a number of species of wild yam.
Around the time humans settled into agriculture-based communities, they learned how to press vegetable oils from plant material. Previously, the various ways that medicinal plants were used involved the use of water based preparations. People quickly learned that the chemical constituents of herbs can also be extracted by infusing them in vegetable oil. Many of the plants that were prepared in this way were very aromatic. It was soon discovered that these oil infusions not only smelled nice, but they had very important therapeutic benefits when applied topically. We now know that this is because, unlike water-based compounds, oils and lipid soluble substances are readily absorbed through the skin. The use of oil-based herbal infusions was already well developed at the advent of recorded history in early Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Indian, Chinese, Greek, and Roman civilizations.
With the development of the distillation process in the 11th century, it was discovered that the aromatic constituents of medicinal plants could be extracted and purified into highly concentrated and medicinally potent extracts. These eventually became known as essential oils or volatile oils. In spite of the name, these substances are not oils. They were called “oils” because they feel oily to the touch, most of them float on the surface of water and they readily dissolve in lipids (oils and fats). They are also not single substances. The essential oil from any given plant may contain anywhere from a dozen to hundreds of different – but chemically related – chemical constituents. Essential oils are perfectly suited to topical applications because they contain chemical constituents of low molecular weight that readily dissolve in lipids. As a result, they easily pass through our skin and penetrate deep into our tissues.
Fast forward to the 21st century, we source the highest quality raw materials for producing the oils. With thorough quality controls, each product is developed and tested to ensure the natural properties provide the needed powerful results whilst being produced in line with the most stringent of standards.
Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis)
Aloe vera has been popularly used for years to treat skin wounds, burns, cuts and several other skin disorders. It is moisturising, has anti-inflammatory properties, is skin repairing and conditioning in nature. It can also be used for the relief of insect bites, itching and sunburn.
Anise Oil (Pimpinella anisum)
Anise oil is derived from the perennial herbal plant anise or aniseed (Pimpinella anisum). One of its primary uses was to promote digestive health.
Avocado Oil
The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents in avocado oil help your skin stay smooth, strong, and elastic.
Basil Oil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil oil is calming in nature and a natural relaxant oil. Whether inhaled, or applied topically, this essential oil may help ease discomforts from migraines, nervous tension, anxiety, depression, fatigue, mental strain, and other mental conditions.
Bay Leaf Oil
This oil works as a skin toner and can help against razor burns and breakouts on the skin.
Bergamot Oil (Citrus bergamia)
Bergamot oil is a clean, nuanced citrus oil, with a classic tangy-green top note. This essential oil revives and can be used as a gentle antiseptic.
Black Pepper Oil (Piper nigrum)
Black Pepper Essential Oil is a powerful circulatory stimulant which helps to ease muscular aches and pains. This Essential Oil stimulates, energises and warms.
Camphor Oil White (Cinnamomum camphora)
This essential oil is used in aromatherapy for its cooling, menthol-like aroma, and anti-inflammatory and disinfectant properties.
Capsicum Oil (Capsicum annuum)
This essential oil is an excellent source of vitamin A and C. Also used for various problems with digestion.
Cardamom Oil (Elettaria cardamomum)
This essential oil can be attributed to its ability to reduce spasms, neutralize the adverse effects of chemotherapy, reduce nausea, as well as its qualities as an antiseptic, antimicrobial, aphrodisiac, astringent, digestive, stomachic, stimulant, and diuretic substance.
Carrot Seed Oil
This essential oil helps promote clear and lustrous skin.
Cedarwood Oil (Juniperus virginiana)
Cedarwood essential oil is known to have active components beneficial to health such as cedrol. Cedarwood oil is extremely strong and should not be used internally.
Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil is best known throughout the ages for its sedative and soothing qualities. Endowed with an overall calming effect for the stressed mind and tense body.
Clary Sage Oil
Helps fight bacteria that thrive in the digestive system, urinary tract as well as calming the nervous system, especially during times of stress.
Clove Bud Oil (same as Clove Oil)
Clove oil uses are incredibly impressive, ranging from improving blood circulation and reducing inflammation to helping acne and boosting gum health. One of the best-known clove oil uses is to reduce the pain associated with dental problems.
Clove Oil (Eugenia caryophyllata)
Clove oil uses are incredibly impressive, ranging from improving blood circulation and reducing inflammation to helping acne and boosting gum health. One of the best-known clove oil uses is to reduce the pain associated with dental problems.
Cypress Oil (Cupressus sempervirens)
This oil helps the body remove excess water and salt that can lead to fluid retention. It also stimulates circulation by increasing blood flow.
Elemi Oil (Canarium luzonicum)
It is a fragrant resin with a sharp pine and lemon-like scent.
Eucalyptus Oil (Eucalyptus radiate)
This essential oil is effective against infections. It can kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It also has antioxidant and muscle-relaxing effects. Most helpful in reducing uncomfortable symptoms of colds, the flu, and other respiratory problems.
Geranium Oil (Pelargonium graveolens)
This oil is commonly used as an element in aromatherapy for its many health benefits. Also used for promoting beautiful and radiant skin. Geranium oil is used to treat acne, reduce inflammation, alleviate anxiety and balance hormones.
Ginger Oil
Ginger oil can be taken internally to treat health conditions or rubbed topically with a carrier oil on an area of pain. This essential oil is used to treat nausea, upset stomach, menstrual disorders, inflammation and respiratory conditions.
Grapefruit Seed Oil
Grapefruit Essential Oil helps to improve circulation and is a natural digestion stimulant. It’s refreshing aroma helps to refresh and boost energy.
Guaiac Wood Oil
It is used as an anti-inflammatory and is commonly used to relieve joint and muscle pains, as well as other symptoms of arthritis, gout, and rheumatism.
Hazelnut Oil
This oil is used for hair care and as a carrier oil for aromatherapy or massage oils. Hazelnut oil can also be used as a skincare product. It’s loaded with skin-nourishing vitamins and essential fatty acids that help protect skin against sun damage, boost collagen production, and more.
Helichrysum Oil
Helichrysum Oil helps your skin stay soft, smooth and moisturized, and prevents it from being dehydrated and from cracking. This oil is also used for medicinal purposes as it has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-allergenic properties.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Topical application may help relieve dryness, flaking, itching, and related symptoms.
Catnip Oil
Catnip oil has been used to treat intestinal cramps, for indigestion, to cause sweating, to induce menstruation, as a sedative, and to increase appetite.
Labdanum Oil
Labdanum oil is excellent for treating swollen nodes in the neck (through the application of a warm compress), for stomach problems caused by the cold and for chronic skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema and to aid the healing of wounds in diabetes, or any slow healing wound for that matter.
Lavender Oil
Lavender essential oil is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to heal minor burns and bug bites. Research suggests that it may be useful for treating anxiety, insomnia, depression, and restlessness.
Lemon Oil
Lemon essential oil has antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, so it helps to boost your immune system and fight respiratory conditions. Its antiseptic properties help in treating pimples and various other skin disorders.
Marjoram Oil
Marjoram essential oil offers a wide range of health benefits. It has strong antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which is why it is good to use it on open external wounds as well as internal wounds
Mandarin Oil (Citrus Reticulata)
Mandarin oil is really good for treating any form of skin disorders. The oil helps keep the skin healthy and helps maintain moisture balance. Mandarin oil is great for all types of digestive issues including diarrhoea and constipation.
Myrtle Oil
Myrtle essential oil works for mental and emotional health, as it can help relieve nervousness and stress.This oil has strong properties in antimicrobial, astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, decongestant and stimulant properties
Niaouli Oil
Niaouli essential oil is a powerful, stimulating skin cleanser. It can be thought of as a gentler version of tea tree oil that is great for sensitive skin.
Orange Oil
Orange Essential Oil is a natural digestive stimulant. This powerful oil aids with energising and refreshing.
Palmarosa Oil
Palmarosa has antiviral, antibacterial and antiseptic properties and is capable of reducing fever, thus protecting the body from further damage. This oil also aids digestion.
Patchouli Oil
Patchouli oil has long been used in traditional Asian medicine. It is used to treat skin and hair problems as well as healing wound and scar reducing properties.
Pennyroyal Oil
Pennyroyal oil can be applied to the skin to kill germs, keep insects away, and treat skin diseases. It is also used topically for gout, venomous bites, and mouth sores and as a flea-killing bath.
Peppermint Oil (Mentha Arvenis)
Peppermint essential oil has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, antispasmodic and carminative properties and its ability to treat indigestion.
Rosehip Oil
Also known as rosehip seed oil — is running a close race with coconut oil when it comes to its benefits for the skin. Rosehip Oil helps provide relief from diarrhoea, stomach and menstrual cramps, nausea and indigestion.
Rosemary Leaf Oil (Rosmarinus Officinalis)
Rosemary essential oil is known to stimulate hair growth, reduce pain, soothe inflammation, eliminate headaches, strengthen the immune system, and condition hair to make it look and feel healthy.
Sage Oil (Salvia officinalis)
The health benefits of sage essential oil can be attributed to its properties as an antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-bacterial, cholagogic and choleretic, cicatrizant, depurative, digestive, disinfectant, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative, and a stimulating substance.
Sandalwood Oil
In Eastern cultures, sandalwood essential oil is used in holy ceremonies and religious rituals. It marks significant events like weddings and births, as decorations and ceremonial rites.
Sesame Oil
Sesame Oil helps treats the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis, lowers blood pressure, fights stress and depression, maintains good skin health, detoxifies skin and has innate anti-cancerous properties,
Sweet Almond Oil
It is used as a skin conditioning due to its penetrating, smoothing, softening and moisturising properties. It has the ability to calm your skin irritations caused by eczema.
Tangerine Oil
Tangerine oil uses topically to help promote feelings of happiness. supports healthy digestion and metabolism, help promote balance in the mind, body, and spirit, supports a healthy immune and respiratory system.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is well-known for its powerful antiseptic properties and ability to treat wounds, which is why it’s one of the top antibacterial essential oils. Tea tree oil is applied to the skin (used topically) for infections such as acne, fungal infections of the nail.
Thyme Oil
Thyme oil is one of the strongest antioxidants known, and it has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times. Thyme supports the immune, respiratory, digestive, nervous and other body systems.
Valerian Oil (Valeriana officialis)
Valerian oil is most commonly used for sleep disorders, especially the inability to sleep (insomnia), calm gastrointestinal troubles, reduce heart palpitations, protect the skin, reduce nervous disorders, lower blood pressure, stimulate cognitive ability, eliminate anxiety, and lessen menstrual cramps.
Verbena Oil
The entire plant has a strong smell of lemons, as does the essential oil, which also bears a light-green colour.
Vetiver Oil
Vetiver oil, also known as khus oil, is a lesser-known plant oil that offers a heavy, earthy fragrance, which is reminiscent of patchouli but with a touch of lemon. It is believed to be very grounding, calming and stabilizing, and provides a range of essential oil uses and benefits.
Ylang Ylang Oil
Ylang Ylang oil has a positive effect on immune health, blood flow and emotions, making it a natural remedy for the endocrine, cardiovascular, reproductive and digestive systems.