Essential Oils

Personal care with essential oils in the home can make a differance to family life.  It is all too easy for a simple common ailment such as poor feet to take hold.  Help is at hand in the form of the controlled and knowledgeable use of essential oils preferably with the guidance of a local professional aromatherapist or aroma group.
None of the essential oils below are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
if you are ill see your doctor.
Essential oils in the leaves, roots and seeds of plants have been used since records began and long before that for both the enjoyment, safety and effectiveness of food and drink and in maintaining health and wellbeing.

AN INTRODUCTION TO 45 ESSENTIAL OILS USED IN THE RECIPES

Basil a linalool (Ocimum basilicum)	Cystitis, Gout	Basil sweet oil is a stimulant and cleanser.  It is antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral and bactericidal.  It is recommended for allergies, acne and gout, a cleanser of the kidneys it reduces uric acid which can build up in the toe joints.  Useful in a diffuser for exam revision.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)	Anxiety, Emotional stress, Leg ulcer, Periods - PMT, Romance.	Bergamot is recommended to calm agitation, anxiety, panic attacks and depression which is often associated with persistent or undiagnosed symptoms. It encourages confidence and revitalises.  It has a gentle action covering a range of therapeutic uses.
Carrotseed (Daucus carota)	Footcare, Gout	Carrot seed oil is a diuretic and recommend for gout, general health and well being.  It dilates blood vessels and is an imune stimulant.  Widely used in food flavouring.
Cedarwood Virginian (Juniperus virginiana)	Acne	Cedarwood Virginian helps tone oily skin.  Treats acne, eczema and dandruff.
Chamomile German (Matricaria recutita)	Baby - teething, Breast abcess, Chicken pox, Cramp, Eczema, Post natal infections, Footcare	German Chamomile oil is antispasmodic, calming the system down and useful for back pain and muscular spasms. It is bactericidal and a strong antiinflamatory so recommended for wounds, rashes and skin problems.  Useful for calming itching skin and allergic skin reactions. It is hormone like, temperature reducing and stimulates scretions. Emotionally it is soothing calming nervous tensions.
Chamomile Moroccan (Ormenis mixta)	Acne	Chamomile maroc oil is an effective antiseptic, decongestant and bactericidal. It is recommended for eczema, dry cracked skin, infected pus and acne.
Chamomile Roman (Chamaemelum nobile)	Baby - colic, fretful, nappy rash, teething, Back pain, Bronchitis, Diarrhoea, Eczema, Periods - heavy, lack of, painful.	Chamomile roman oil is helpful for intestinal colic and for bronchitis.  it is antispasmodic, calming, relaxing and soothing.   Useful for calming the skin irritation caused by eczema.  It is recommended for its gentle calming influence on all systems.  It balances the menstrual cycle and is useful for lack of periods (amenorrhoea).
Cinnamon Leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)	Measles	Cinnamon leaf oil is antiviral, bactericidal, antioxidantand a stimulant.  It purifies the blood.
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)	Blood pressure - high, Menopause, Periods - PMT, Rheumatoid arthritis	Clary sage oil is antispasmodic, calming, a sedative and tonic.  It is recommended for high blood pressure.  It has a characteristically high ester content.  It is oestrogenlike which has many applications.
Clove Bud (Syzgium aromaticum)	Blood pressure - low, Herpes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sprains	Clove bud oil is analgesic, antispasmodic and stimulating.  It raises blood pressure.  Check for skin irritation.  Used to ease the pain of sensitive teeth.  Its antiviral and bactericidal properties are used to clear herpes and infected acne blisters (suitably diluted).
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)	Gastric - flatulence, Digestion, Mumps	Coriander is analgesic, antispasmodic and antiviral.  A tonic to the digestive system and useful for indigestion and flatulence.  Associated with happiness, emotionally it will help with persistent sadness.
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)	Cellulite, Haemorrhoids, Osteoarthritis, Periods - painful, Visible veins	Cypress oil is astringent, bactericidal and balances the sympathetic nerve system.  It constricts blood vessels and is recommended for arthritis, broken capilleries, cellulite, irregular periods, menopause and pmt, haemorrhoids, pyorrhea, rheumatism and sweaty feet.
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora)	Breast abcess (mastitis), Herpes	Eucalyptus citriodora (lemon scented) is antiviral, bactericidal, and used to treat sores, herpes simplex and chicken pox.
Eucalyptus dives (Eucalyptus dives)	Bronchitis	Eucalyptus dives is recommended for bronchitis, catarrh and sinusitis
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)	Colds, Herpes	Eucalyptus globulus (Blue Gum) is antiseptic and decongestant clearing respiratory passages and reducing temperature.  Recommended for chicken pox, herpes simplex and measles.  In blends a drop of eucalyptus is valuable for its cineole content enhancing the effects of other oils.
Eucalyptus staigeriana (Eucalyptus staigeriana)	Back pain, Bronchitis - children	Eucalyptus staigeriana is a gentler oil useful for diffusion for younger children with persistent bronchitis.  It is an antiinflammatory recommended for back pain, neck pain and muscle cramps.
Fennel Sweet (Foeniculum vulgare dulce)	Weight loss	Fennel sweet (dulce) is a decongestant, antiinflammatory and diuretic.  It is recommended for cellulite, dissolves boils and treats swellings, fluid retention, oedema and wrinkles.  Avoid in case of pregnancy and epilepsy.
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)	Emotional stress, Periods - heavy, lack of, Varicose veins	Geranium oil calms nervous fatigue, regulates hormone functions and balances the body, is an analgesic, anticoagulant, bactericidal and a tonic.  It constricts blood vessals, stems bleeding and is recommended for fluid retention and varicose veins.  Geranium finds considerable use in skincare.  it is useful in lowering anxiety in boys.
Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)	Baby - teething, Back pain, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Nausea, Osteoarthritis, Sprains	Ginger is analgesic and helpful for digestion, nausea and diarrhoea.  It is a warming oil that stimulates the blood circulation, good for arthritis and backpains and recovering from colds.
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)	Measles.  Weight loss	Grapefruit is recommended for treating congested skin.  It is calming and relieves stress headaches and migraines.  It generally aids digestion.  It is a diuretic and has a general cleansing effect on the body.  Useful for congested skin and local infections.
Juniperberry (Juniperus communis)	Cellulite, Fluid retention, Weight loss	Juniper berry is excellent for cleansing the body.  It is diuretic and acts as a regulator.  It is recommended for cellulite, fluid retention, obesity, oedema, painful joints, psoriasis, stiffness and is said to eliminate uric acid from joints.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)	Baby - nappy rash, Breast abcess (mastitis), Chicken pox, Cystitis, Eczema, Fluid retention, Headaches, Herpes, Leg ulcers, Mumps, Osteoarthritis, Post natal infections, Ringworm, Stretch marks, Thrush	Lavender angustifolia ('vrac') is analgesic, antifungal, antiinflammatory, antispetic helpful for skin conditions.  It is an excellent skincell regenerator helping healing of wounds and scars.  It is recommended for arthritis, burns, headaches, radiography burns, eczema, herpes, psoriasis, spots and woulds.  It is a generally calming oil, has excellent bactericidal and analgesic properties.  It lowers blood pressure and is recommended for headaches and migraines.
Lavender Spike (Lavendula latifolia)	Athletes foot	Lavender spike is antifungal and helpful with itching skin problems
Lemon (Citrus limon)	Blood pressure - high, Periods - heavy	Lemon oil is antispasmodic and calming. It lowers blood pressure, rejuvenates and generally cleanses the body.
Mandarin Red (Citrus reticulata)	Baby - fretful, Cramps, Stretch marks	Mandarin oil is antiseptic, antispasmodic, a cell regenerator, and excellent for preventing stretch marks.  It acts on the endocrine system and is particularly useful for balancing the metabolic rate.  It helps break down fats, decrease flatulence and increase bile production. The oil is useful for anxiety and stress.
Marjoram sweet (Origanum majorana)	Baby - colic, Blood pressure - high, Cramp, Headaches	Marjoram oil is a very useful sedative.  It helps circulation and is vasodilatory.  It is used for treating muscular aches, bruising, cramps and rheumatism.  It is analgesic, antispasmodic, balancing, calming and helps with depression and headaches.  It is recommended for clearing obsessional thought patterns.  It is a useful anaphrodisiac used for suppressing sexual feelings by religious orders to improve the ability to study.
Myrhh (Commiphora myrrha)	Haemorrhoids, Impetigo, Leg ulcer, Thrush	Myrhh oil is antiinflammatory, antifungal, antiseptic and astringent.  It has a good drying effect on the skin allowing the skin to heal.  It is also calming to the nervous system so useful in childbirth.
Neroli (Citrus aurantium var amara)	Menopause	Orange Blossom Neroli is analgesic, aphrodisiac and antiaging.  The oil is recommended for emotional problems, menopausal problems and PMT.
Niaouli (Melaleuca viridiflora)	Acne	Niaouli oil is highly antiseptic and heals skin conditions including acne, boils, spots and ulcers.
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)	Sprains	Nutmeg oil is invigorating to the heart and circulation.  Treat with care.
Orange bitter (Citrus aurantium var amara)	Constipation	Orange bitter oil is a useful stimulant for constipation and congestion of the liver.
Origanum (Origanum vulgare)	Cellulite	Origanum oil is diuretic and cleanses the body causing sweating.
Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)	Cellulite, Haemorrhoids	Patchouli oil is antiviral, astringent, bactericidal, decongestant and a tonic to the immune system.
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)	Constipation, Rheumatoid arthritis	Black pepper is analgesic and antispasmodic.  A warming and stimulating oil it is recommended for aches and pains, rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis.  It stimulates the colon muscles.  It also helps the swallowing reflex and is useful for loss of appetite.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)	Colds, Headaches, Visible veins	Peppermint oil is antiinflammatory, bactericidal, an analgesic and a tonic to the system.  It lowers fever, is a good expectorant and clears the senses helping mental fatigue and nervous exhaustion.  It constricts capillaries and is recommended for asthma, eczema, gnats, herpes, rashes and ringworm.  It helps headaches, migraines and stress.
Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium var amara)	Acne, Anxiety	Pettigrain oil is antispasmodic, strongly bactericidal and is calming and cheering.  It is recommended to treat infected acne.  Made from the leaves and twigs of the Orange blossom tree.  The flower supplies Neroli oil and the Fruit Bitter Orange oil.  It is recommended for anxiety and nervous exhaustion.
Pine (Pinus sylvestris)	Blood pressure - low.  Cystitis	Pine Oil is antiinflammatory and antiseptic.  It raises blood pressure.  A pine forest is an excellent environment for healing respiratory disorders.
Rose Otto (Rosa damascena)	Anxiety.  Periods - Painful, PMT, Romance	Rose Otto is an aphrodisiac, antispasmodic, balancing and calming.  It calms jealous feeling and memories and increases confidence.  It is recommended for a lack of sexual feeling and impotence.  It relieves tension and feelings of anxiety or smallness.
Rosemary Cineole (Rosmarinus officinalis)	Constipation, Fluid retenton, Muscle strains	Rosemary oil is antispasmodic and analgesic.  A stimulating oil it is also a small muscle relaxant so useful for strained backs through sport.  It boost circulation by increasing blood pressure in the heart.  There is no evidence rosemary oil raises blood pressure.  It is a diuretic and decongestant.  It stimulates the memory and helps with fatigue and depression.  Research is focussing on rosemary oils ability to improve cognition in Alzheimers and Parkinsons patients.
Sandalwood (Santalum album)	Osteoarthritis, Romance	Sandalwood oil is an aphrodisiac, sedative and calming and a tonic.  It is recommended for impotence.  Sandalwood chips are traditionally burned on honeymoon by middle eastern brides to relax their husbands.  it is an antiinflamatory and useful for lumbago.  Well known for bringing peaceful feelings.  It is used for incense and meditation.
Spearmint (Mentha spicata)	Gastric - flatulence,	Spearment is a digestive tonic and recommended for bile flow, dyspepsia and vomiting.
Tagetes (Tagetes minuta)	Athletes foot, Foot care, Impetigo	Tagetes oil is antiseptic, antifungal, bactericidal, antiinflammatory.  It helps stimulate new cell growth to repair damaged skin, corns, callouses, infected sores.
Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)	Athletes foot, Bronchitis, Leg ulcers, Measles, Mumps, Ringworm, Thrush	Tea tree oil is antiviral, antifungal, antiinflamatory, strongly bactericidal, decongestant, immune stimulant and a parasiticide.  It is useful for bronchitis and whooping cough.  It is recommended for keeping wounds free of infection, athletes foot, bites, boils, burns, jock itch, radiography burns, cold sores, itching, mouth ulcers, ringworm, spots, sweaty feet, and warts.
Thyme Red (Thymus vulgaris ct thymol)	Blood pressure - low.	Thyme red oil is strongly stimulating due to its phenol content.  It raises blood pressure.
Thyme Sweet (Thymus vulgaris ct linalool)	Ringworm	Thyme sweet is antioxidant, antifungal, antiinflammatory, antiseptic.  It is recommended for acne, dry and wet eczema, mucular rheuatism, psoriasis and veruccas
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)	Periods - heavy, lack of, Post natal infections	Yarrow is antispasmodic and stimulates blood renewal.  It lowers blood pressure and is a good decongestant.
Ylang ylang complete (Cananga odorata)	Blood pressure - high, Emotional stress	Ylang Ylang oil helps with anxiety, fear,depression and panic. It slows the heart rate.  It is used in perfumery to echo Jasmine oil which it blends well with.

References:
1. Battaglia S. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. 2nd edition, The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, Australia, 2003
2. Davis P. Aromatherapy an A-Z. New revised edition C.W. Daniel Company Limited, England, 1999
3.  Price S. Aromatherapy for Health Professionals 2011
4. Schnaubelt K. Advanced Aromatherapy,The Science of Essential Oil Therapy, Healing Arts Press, USA, 1998
Of course you will find many more books on an aromatherapists bookshelf.  Gattefosse, valnet, Tisserand, Catty, Westwood, Worwood, Kelville & Green to name a few.