7 Favourite Essential Oils

Most people begin using essential oils simply for their aroma; adding a few drops to a base oil for massage, or to a bath, or to body lotion. Vaporising essential oils in burners or diffusers to perfume the air is also popular.

However, the value of essential oils goes beyond their fragrant appeal. The aromas released by essential oils act on the hypothalamus, potentially affecting metabolism, mood, stress-levels and libido. While they may affect our mood and spirit, usually through uplifting or calming us, they also have a pharmacological effect on the body.

Essential oils can be anti-fungal, anti-viral, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-neuralgic, anti-depressant, and even anti-venomous. They can be analgesic, sedative, diuretic, or aphrodisiac, they can treat digestive and circulation problems, promote cell regeneration and balance many of the body’s systems.

The two main ways of delivering essential oils to the body are through the respiratory system or the skin. The respiratory system absorbs the vaporised essential oils, rapidly delivering them throughout the body via the circulatory system. When, applied to the skin, essential oils are absorbed more slowly. Massaging improves the absorption rate by increasing blood flow to the skin’s surface.

I have been using essential oils for over ten years with success in treating different conditions. After years of reluctantly using cortisone cream (not continuously), and only managing to keep my daughter’s eczema under control, I discovered German chamomile oil. Mixing this with an aqueous cream, and applying twice a day, the eczema cleared up very quickly.

Tea tree oil, applied diluted, cleared a lip infection in just two days. Two years earlier, a similar infection took two trips to the GP, followed by two to a skin specialist, some oral antibiotics and cream, as well as out-of-pocket expenses of over $100.

A few drops of geranium oil in my moisturising lotion prevented me from being bitten by mosquitoes in Fiji, while other travellers slathered themselves in chemical repellents or suffered multiple bites. And I smelled so much nicer!

Peppermint is great for soothing tired feet after a hot day, and for soothing my hands after African drumming. While I simply love the smell of patchouli, neroli, and geranium, they aid my maturing skin by stimulating new cell growth.

Listed below are seven of my favourite essential oils along with some of their uses.

Frankincense – (Boswellia carteri)

Aroma: spicy, woody, with a hint of lemon.

Main Uses: acne and blemishes, anxiety, asthma, bronchitis, carbuncles, catarrh, colds and flu, coughs, cystitis, emotional upsets, high-blood pressure, laryngitis, meditation, menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea, post natal depression, pre-menstrual tension, stress-related conditions, scars, stretch marks, urinary tract infections, uterine tonic, wounds, dry skin, mature skin, wrinkles, and ulcers.

Precautions: pregnancy.

German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Aroma: strong, warm, sweet, herbaceous.

Main Uses: abscesses, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, boils, bruises, bumps, burns, cold sores, cuts, cystitis, skin care, hair tonic (especially blonde), headaches, high blood pressure, indigestion, insomnia, muscular aches and pains, swellings, thread veins, scanty periods.

Precautions: Early pregnancy, low blood pressure, may cause dermatitis in some people.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

Aroma: sweet, heavy, rose-like with slight minty overtones.

Main uses: acne, anxiety, bumps and bruises, depression, diarrhoea, dry and sensitive skin, eczema, greasy skin, hair tonic, heavy periods, insect repellent, menopausal problems, mouth and gum infections, oedema, piles, pregnancy, psoriasis, rheumatism, sore throat, stress-related conditions, sunburn, thrush and varicose veins.

Precautions: pregnancy, sensitive skin.

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)

Aroma: floral, sweet balsamic woody undertone.

Main uses: abscesses, acne, acidity and heartburn, asthma, athlete’s foot, boils, bronchitis, bruises, burns and sunburn, cuts, cystitis, dandruff, depression, eczema, hair care, hay fever, headaches, high blood pressure, insect bites and repellent, insomnia, head lice, migraine, muscular aches and pains, period pain, PMT, pregnancy, rashes, ringworm, rheumatism, skin care, sores, spots, sprains, stomach ache, stress-related conditions, thrush and varicose veins.

Precautions: early pregnancy, low blood pressure.

Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara)

Aroma: intensely rich floral.

Main uses: aging skin, anxiety, depression, diarrhoea, dry and sensitive skin, fainting, headaches, impotence, indigestion, insomnia, menopausal problems, PMT, pregnancy, psoriasis, scars, stretch marks, stress-related conditions, thread veins and wrinkles.

Precautions: none indicated.

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)

Aroma: rich musky, earthy and spicy.

Main uses: Acne, aging skin, anxiety, athlete’s foot, dandruff, dermatitis and eczema, fatigue, greasy skin, hair care, insect repellent, nervous exhaustion, stress-related conditions, varicose veins, weeping sores, wrinkles.

Precautions: none indicated.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Aroma: minty.

Main uses: asthma, congested headaches, catarrh, constipation, coughs and colds, fever, flatulence, indigestion, flu, insect repellent, morning sickness, mouth and gum infections, muscular aches and pains, nausea and travel sickness, nervous exhaustion and fatigue.

Precautions: low dilution required, not for children under 12, do not use in conjunction with homeopathic remedies.

Methods of Application
Massage
Adding essential oils to a base oil has been shown to improve the benefits of massage. Massage can be a full body massage, or massage of a particular area, to alleviate specific complaints. A foot massage, where a full body massage is not possible, will stimulate the whole body.

Vaporising
Vaporising essential oils may create a relaxing atmosphere, rid a room of germs, help with respiratory complaints, dispel odours, or act as an insect repellent.

Oil burners, electric diffusers, or placing a bowl of warm water with a few drops of essential on a radiator are all suitable delivery methods. Steam inhalations are useful for colds and similar complaints, as are few drops of an expectorant oils on the pillow or hankie.

Bath
Adding five to ten drops of oil to a bath can be relaxing or stimulating, depending on the oil used. Mixing the essential oils with base oil ensures even distribution and helps moisturise the skin.

Skin and Hair Care
Add essential oils for your skin type to a base oil or cream as a daily body moisturiser. Essential oils are useful for caring for the face. Acne and oily skin can be controlled, and dry or aging skin can be improved with essential oils.

Hair will also benefit, either by adding suitable essential oils to a mild, PH neutral shampoo. A conditioner treatment can be made using a base oil, such as jojoba, with an essential oil suitable for your hair type. Dandruff and lice can be treated with essential oils. Some essential oils can be used as tonics to promote hair growth.

Compresses
Using the right essential oil with a hot or cold compress helps to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Conditions such as sprains and strains, bruises, headaches, abscesses and boils are suitable for treating with compresses.

Each essential oil has many properties and uses, so you will only need a small range. Research will help you identify the oils that will best suit your needs. While essential oils are excellent for treating a number of conditions, it is important to consult a qualified practitioner, or a book written by one, to ensure that you are using the oils safely and effectively.

Precautions and Hints
• Research each essential oil for its uses and contraindications.

• Do not take essential oils internally.

• Discontinue use if an allergic reaction or skin irritation occurs.

• Some medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, are not suited to all essential oils.

• Never apply neat unless recommended by a qualified practitioner.

• Adhere to recommended dilution rate; more isn’t better.

• Be careful if pregnant as some oils are contraindicated. Dilution of safe essential oils should be half the normal recommendation.

• Some oils are not suited for use on children and babies. Use all others at no more than half the recommended dilution rate for adults, even less for babies.

• If combining essential oils, the total amount should not exceed the recommended dilution rate. For example, 50ml of base oil should not contain more than 25 drops in total of essential oils (not 25 drops of each).

• If you don’t like the smell of an oil, chose another with the same properties and uses.

• Check the Latin name before buying to ensure you have the right oil.

• Do not use ‘fragrant’ oils for therapeutic treatments. Fragrant oils are synthetic and do not have the therapeutic properties of essential oils.