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Anise, star (Illicium verum)
The essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the fresh, green, star shaped fruits of the East Asian tree.
The oil has a liquorice-like aroma, similar to aniseed and blends well with other spice oils, lavender, pine, orange and rosewood.
Although the perfume and properties of aniseed and anise are almost the same, the two oils aren't related and star aniseed is a much safer oil to use. However, it needs to be treated with great care and shouldn't be used for a total body massage as in large doses it is narcotic and also slows the circulation.
Uses
It is a useful oil for adding to inhalations and/or massage blends at 0.5% (2 drops in 1 tablespoon carrier oil) to treat respiratory complaints where there is a mucus problem such as during bronchitis, sinusitis and colds.
Very helpful for easing problems of the digestive system when a fomentation using 3 drops of star anise will quickly dispel flatulence and ease the pains of indigestion and colic. It eases constipation by encouraging a stronger action on the bowel.
There is a warming action that could help with pain such as rheumatism and lumbago - two complaints that are aggravated by the cold.
Caution
Not to be used over the whole body; in large percentages or for extended periods as it is a narcotic and slows down the circulation.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Spring and summer arrive and once again it's time for tomato salads, redolent and mouth watering with the taste and sweetly spicy aroma of fresh sweet basil. Which of us is not familiar with this lovely herb.
The flowering tops and leaves are distilled to produce the oil, which blends well with bergamot, geranium and hyssop.
The Latin name for basil is derived from the Greek word for a king and, as a king, this powerful oil must be treated with respect for it is very powerful, 2 drops in 2 tablespoons of a blend will be enough.
Uses
The tonic and antiseptic properties of basil are helpful for treating such skin problems as acne, abrasions and sluggish, congested skin.
It is a very good hair tonic when blended with oils such as rosemary, lavender and jojoba.
Basil oil is a popular choice for blends to treat respiratory problems such as bronchitis, colds and influenza; it can be incorporated with other oils in blends for inhalations, massages and baths.
Included in blends with maybe lavender, marjoram and black pepper it makes an excellent massage/bath oil for overworked muscles and muscular aches and pains.
This is a most excellent oil for the brain, stimulating the intellect, clearing the mind and aiding concentration. Use it for easing headaches and migraine.
Basil reaches into our conscious mind to help us to choose the right path or make the right decision. Lifts depression, eases hysteria, insomnia and anxiety. Gives endurance and stamina
Caution
Never use basil internally.
Use only 0.5% in blends used externally.
Never use during pregnancy.
Benzoin (Styrax benzoin)
Benzoin blends well with spice oils, bergamot, cypress, juniper, lavender, myrrh, petitgrain and sandalwood.
Uses
Benzoin oil helps to destroy bacterial and fungal infections of the skin, reduces inflammation and is an anti - oxidant. It is useful in blends to heal skin irritations, ease itching (such as that experienced from pruritis and dermatitis) and excellent when added to creams to soothe and soften cracked, dry skin work - worn skin making it more pliable.
It contracts and tones tissue stops external bleeding, helps to heal wounds and reduces body odour. I use it in when making ointments, creams and lotions both for its healing and preservative action and also in perfumes for its fixative properties.
Benzoin is a warming oil and this, combined with its tonic and mucus loosening properties gives it a very old reputation for helping with respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, coughs, chills, colds and laryngitis.
The warming properties are helpful for arthritis, gout, poor circulation and rheumatism.
It increases the flow of urine, which makes it a good remedy for problems such as cystitis and infected urinary tract.
This oil gently but powerfully works its way through to our subconscious to release hidden resistances and tensions and reveal new aspects of our natures. It comforts and eases our conscious mind when we are grief - stricken, lonely, stressed or mentally exhausted. Benzoin is a communicator and will help you to connect with people in difficult or uncomfortable situations.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
A delicate little tree grown mainly in southern Italy that bears small round fruits similar in appearance to oranges but having a pear - shape. Oil of bergamot is expressed from the skin of the fruit just before it ripens and it is this essential oil that imparts the unusual flavour to Earl Grey tea.
The perfume is a delicious combination of citrus and floral aromas and blends well with cypress, geranium, lavender, lemon, neroli, palmarosa, patchouli, ylang ylang.
The oil is useful as a fixative in cosmetic preparations and perfumes and is the most important ingredient in eau - de - cologne.
Bergamot should not be confused with the herb Bergamot (Monarda didyma).
Uses
A most excellent oil to treat most skin complaints such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, scabies, varicose ulcers and seborrhoea of the skin and scalp.
Bergamot oil eases pain by numbing nerves, is antifungal, aids in wound healing and helps to clear infections of the skin.
Eases skin irritations and softens cracked, dry skin.
Added to deodorant blends it reduces body odour and is also a very good insect repellent.
Used in inhalations and chest rubs the antiseptic action helps with infections of the respiratory system easing the symptoms of bronchitis, coughs, chills, colds and laryngitis.
One of the most important oils to use in air sprays, oil burners and bath and massage blends to treat tension, anxiety and depression as it has powerful uplifting and relaxing properties.
Caution
Can cause irritation if used on a sensitive skin, use only 1 - 2 per cent in blends.
Phototoxic, do not use on exposed skin during long exposure to sunlight.
Black pepper (Piper nigrum)
The perfume is warm, spicy and familiar and blends with basil, bergamot, cypress, frankincense, geranium, citrus oils, palmarosa, sandalwood and ylang-ylang.
It is often used in tiny amounts in perfumery to add a warm, deep and spicy note.
Uses
Black pepper oil is one of the important oils for treatment of muscular problems. Used in a massage oil prior to sport (particularly for runners, dancers etc) it can reduce the strain on muscles by increasing the blood flow to the area.
In small amounts in bath and massage blends it may be used to ease arthritis, rheumatism, muscular aches and pains, sprains, strains, poor muscle tone, muscular stiffness, neuralgia, chilblains and poor circulation. It eases pain by numbing nerves and kills bacteria.
Black pepper oil may be used in small amounts (3 drops only) in baths to increase perspiration and cool and reduce fever during chills, colds and influenza. It strengthens the immune system and helps to avoid viral infections.
This oil warms a cold heart and gives courage and stamina in adversity.
Caution
Use in moderation to avoid the possibility of skin irritation.
Cedarwood, Atlas (Cedrus atlantica)
The oil is steam distilled from the leaves and sawdust and has a warm, sweet and woody perfume a little similar to sandalwood.
The oil blends well with benzoin, bergamot, cypress, frankincense, juniper, lavender, lemon and rosemary.
The oil named 'White cedar' should not be confused with Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) which is the correct aromatherapy oil to use.
Uses
Cedarwood oil kills bacteria, prevents or destroys fungal infections, is insecticidal and mildly astringent. These properties make it an excellent oil for adding to oil blends, steams and masks to treat a variety of complaints such as acne, eczema, dermatitis, fungal infections, ulcers and psoriasis.
It contracts and tones tissue and is a useful treatment for oily skin and because of its antiseptic and astringent properties is a lovely oil to use in aftershaves and other preparations for men who seem to appreciate its rather masculine perfume. Nice to use in personal insect repellent blends.
Cedarwood oil is a circulatory stimulant and strengthens the bodily systems. Include this oil in massage and bath blends for easing arthritis and chronic rheumatism. It is well known for its ability to treat urinary tract infections as it is a strong antiseptic and also increases the flow of urine.
A powerful bronchial tract antiseptic and decongestant, it helps to loosen and remove mucus during attacks of bronchitis, coughs, colds, influenza and other congestive conditions.
Cedarwood soothes the nervously over-excitable and softens and mellows those with selfish, unyielding, stiff-necked attitudes. It allows us to release mental strain and stress. Gently soothes and aids those with depression and insomnia caused by stress-related problems.
Caution
Not to be used at all during pregnancy.
Cedarwood essential oil may be an irritant to some sensitive skins.
Chamomile (Anthemis nobile)
Roman chamomile: Chamaemelum nobile syn. Anthemis nobilis.
German chamomile: Matricaria recutita syn. Matricaria chamomilla.
The botanical name Chamaemelum comes from Greek meaning 'earth apple' and the perfume of chamomile oil is refreshing, pleasant and remarkably apple - like.
The appearance and properties of these two chamomiles are very similar and the essential oil distilled from the flowers of both varieties contains chamazulene (a powerful anti - inflammatory agent). German chamomile oil is a darker blue and contains a little more chamazulene than does Roman chamomile. The blue coloration of Roman chamomile oil becomes yellow with aging.
Chamomile is an expensive oil, substitution with lavender will give some of the same effect but is not as effective at easing dull aching pain.
It blends well with geranium, lavender, patchouli and rose.
Uses
Chamomile is an essential oil with applications for most skin problems. It prevents or destroys fungal infections, kills bacteria, reduces inflammation, promotes the formation of scar tissue and is widely used to treat most skin complaints such as acne, allergies, burns, blisters, cold sores, dermatitis, eczema, inflammations, insect bites, burns, cuts and boils.
The oil softens and soothes tight, dry and itchy skin. In baths, creams or lotions the anti-allergenic properties of chamomile oil will benefit those of you who suffer from allergic skin reactions such as dermatitis, hives and eczema etc but remember that these reactions are only symptoms and it's important to find the cause.
When used as directed this is a safe and gentle oil for babies and children. It eases colic, the pain of teething and soothes restlessness and 'miseries'.
A popular oil for treating problems connected with the reproductive system as it encourages and regulates menstrual flow, regulates irregular and painful periods. The calming effect helps to calm the irritability felt during menopause and PMS.
It soothes the nervously over-excitable, relieves mental strain and stress, depression and insomnia.
Caution
On some people chamomile essential oil may irritate the skin.
Avoid using chamomile during the first four months of pregnancy.
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
Only the oil from the leaf must be used, see Caution below.
The perfume is fragrant and spicy with a similarity to melissa and blends well with benzoin, frankincense, ginger, grapefruit, lavender, mandarin, orange, pine, rosemary, thyme and ylang-ylang.
Uses
Insect bites, head lice, scabies, warts and wasp stings all seem to respond to treatment with cinnamon oil.
It is mildly astringent and with its spicy perfume it would be especially appealing in soaps and after-shave preparations for men.
This ancient remedy has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide range of complaints. Cinnamon is very strongly insecticidal, antiseptic, resists viruses and kills bacteria. It is also reputed to be an antidote to poisons.
The antiseptic, warming and tonic effect is useful when treating respiratory and immune system complaints such as chills, colds and influenza.
The stimulant action increases energy and quickens the function of the glandular system, the circulatory and the respiratory systems indicating its usefulness in poor circulation, breathlessness, scanty periods (helps to encourage and regulate menstrual flow) and period pains.
It promotes appetite and helps digestion so could be useful in bath and massage blends to treat anorexia, colitis, nausea, flatulence and diarrhoea.
It increases awareness of spirituality and eases stress related weak and exhausted conditions.
Caution
Use only cinnamon leaf oil as the oil from the bark or bud may cause a severe skin reaction. Do not use in large quantities - no more than 0.5 per cent in blends.
Don't use cinnamon essential oil neat on your skin as it may irritate.
Do not use cinnamon essential oil during pregnancy.
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
Cypress is distilled from leaves, twigs and needles.
The perfume is clean and woody and blends well with juniper, lavender, pine, rosemary and sandalwood.
Uses
Cypress is a tonic and sebum balancer for oily skin. It tones tissue and causes small blood vessels to contract helping to reduce the appearance of broken capillaries. A good wound oil as it stops or reduces external bleeding. Add to deodorant and insect repellent blends. Use in a mouthwash for pyorrhoea. An excellent choice for inclusion in aftershaves, both for its astringent action and its woody, masculine smell.
An inhalation and chest rub will help the spasms of asthma, coughs, bronchitis, and whooping cough.
The strongly astringent and circulatory tonic properties of cypress will be of value wherever there is an excess of fluid and/or poor circulation such as in oedema, heavy sweating, haemorrhoids, vomiting or heavy periods. The astringency also helps in the treatment of pyorrhoea. Cold compresses will help to soothe and reduce haemorrhoids and varicose veins.
Cypress is very helpful with problems of the reproductive system and in particular with menstrual and menopausal problems. It removes excess liquid from the body so reducing oedema. By increasing the flow of urine it can ease the symptoms of cystitis and urethritis.
Cypress reduces stress and tension and calms the nervous system. It eases the pain of loss or separation from loved ones and allows us to 'let go' with love. Lightens the burden of gloominess and introspection.
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Post By：2003-6-9 19:33:59 [只看该作者]
Post By：2003-6-9 22:35:18 [只看该作者]
