Aromatherapy and You! Citrus, Floral and Herbal/Earthy Essential Oils

If you want to start putting together your own collection of essential oils, the following are good recommendations (along with the 'essentials' - tea tree oil and lavender essential oil - which deserve articles all of their own).

Citrus Oils

Sweet Orange / Mandarin / Tangerine, Grapefruit, Lemon

I love the citrus oils and have most of these!

Orange (Citrus sinensis)

Words that come to my mind when I think of orange essential oil - refreshing, zingy, zesty, energy, sunny, warmth, smile, happy… Imagine you are peeling an orange on a warm sunny day, and the sky is blue, and the scent from breaking the orange peel wafts to your nose. Ahh! Well, the orange essential oil is just like that. It is the concentrated liquid - the essential oil - of the orange peel.

Orange (or Mandarin or Tangerine if you have young children in the home) is an excellent essential oil to use with the man around the house and with children. Why? I don't know specifically. But try using it as an air freshener in the home for after school time / after work time. Guys also won't be scared away by a citrus smell as they may be with a floral scent.

Orange essential oil will also work as an appetite stimulant. Try a few drops of orange essential oil and one drop maximum of cinnamon or clove essential oil together in a diffuser at Christmas time. How's that for tradition?

Lemon (Citrus limon)

Lemon essential oil has a much stronger scent - a more 'in-your-face' type of scent. It is great to use when studying or working on tasks that require accuracy (eg typing). Lemon essential oil became popular following the news that some Japanese companies were using it in offices to combat the after lunch energy drop.

Lemon oil is a styptic. That means it stops bleeding - can be instantaneous, depending on the size of the wound of course. One day my father cut himself shaving and the cut would not stop bleeding. Luckily I had my essential oils with me on my visit to my parents, and I gave him the lemon oil to apply a drop directly to the cut. Dad was skeptical of course but in a hurry. It worked immediately. Lemon oil will also disinfect at the same time. If using in this manner, apply only ONE drop or less as it should not be applied directly to the skin in normal circumstances. It will sting a little.

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)

This citrus essential oil has an uplifting and refreshing effect in a subtle way. It is useful in blends in cases of anxiety, depression, and burnout ... as well as just getting through the day!

I mostly recommend that Bergamot be used in inhalation methods, not on the skin, because of its phototoxic nature. If you do use bergamot in a massage blend or in the bath, avoid sun exposure for some hours afterward.

Citrus essential oils are great in a 'wake up in the morning' shower gel.

The shelf life of citrus essential oils is short. Use within 6 - 12 months. Use them; don't keep them for a rainy day. As you do with all essential oils, store the bottle in a cool dark place (in a cupboard out of children's reach) and ensure the cap is put back on the bottle after use.

Floral Scents

The floral essential oils are supremely feminine. And they are useful for many 'female' conditions. Do not hesitate to use a floral essential oil in a blend for a male - just use it sparingly and balance it with other "manly" scented essential oils in the blend. I often use a drop of Vetiver in a blend that includes floral oils and is formulated for general use or for a male.

Rose, Jasmine and Neroli

Rose, Jasmine and Neroli are expensive essential oils. If they are out of your price range, seek out a ready-made blend mixed with a base oil. Ensure that the source is reputable - you don't want to spend money on so-called oils that have no therapeutic value. Then to get value for your money use the blend everyday or a few times a week.

Women should seek out Rose essential oil if going through a troublesome menopause or other gynecological condition.

Rose, Jasmine and Neroli are useful in times of grief and loss, shock, depression, and severe anxiety.

Words that come to mind when I think of ...

Jasmine (Jasminum offinale) - sensual, warm spring evenings, confidence. It is a truly beautiful scent - but not one to be overdone.

Rose (Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia) - warm, comforting, beauty, female, woman, joy, love, balance, completeness.

Neroli (Citrus aurantium) - I have to say that Neroli and I just do not get on (you will find this with some essential oils yourself). Maybe I prefer a more traditional floral scent. I find this intriguing, given Neroli is the scent from orange blossoms, which I love, and given I love Orange essential oil so much.

Neroli, like Jasmine and Rose, is excellent for feelings of grief and loss, shock, and depression. Neroli can have a natural tranquilizing effect and should be used with caution.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

When you purchase Geranium essential oil, ensure you are purchasing the correct type - Pelargonium graveolens - from Reunion, formerly called Bourbon (the oil may be referred to as Geranium Bourbon).

The best overall description of Geranium for all it's uses - emotional and physiological - is that it is a balancer. For example, geranium balances the emotions, has a regulatory function with the hormonal system (hence balancing the hormones), and balances sebum production - therefore great for both oily and dry skin.

This essential oil can have a strong overpowering scent if used too much or in great quantities. Just a few drops are all that are needed.

Ylang Ylang (Canangium odoratum)

Ylang ylang is a heady exotic scent. Use it sparingly. Too much can cause a headache!

Similar to Rose and Jasmine, Ylang ylang is helpful for anxiety, shock and depression.

Ylang ylang suits the vivacious sensual woman, though it is equally suited to drawing a withdrawn woman away from her troubles.

All of the floral essential oils can be used simply as a perfume. If you are drawn to one, use it. You may find there to be a reason for it!

Herbal and Earthy Scents

Sweet Marjoram, Peppermint, Rosemary, Chamomile, Vetiver, Cedarwood, Cyprus, Patchouli, Sandalwood.

Marjoram (Origanum marjorana)

Sweet marjoram is a calming, relaxing essential oil useful for those experiencing stress. Marjoram promotes restorative sleep. Useful for someone experiencing grief.

Marjoram is one of the few oils that is known to be an 'anaphrodisiac' - as in it has the opposite effect of an aphrodisiac!

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Peppermint essential oil is cooling. Great for hot, tired sore feet. If you use too much however - for example, too many drops of the oil in the bath - you will very soon feel cold. This is regardless of the temperature of the bath water. I have had this happen to me and know of it happening to others. You have been warned! Always in moderation, and if in doubt, use less.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Do not use rosemary essential oil if you suffer from high blood pressure. Avoid if using homeopathic remedies.

Rosemary is frequently used in hair care products because of its reputation as a hair follicle / scalp stimulant, promoting hair growth.

Its strong, refreshing and penetrating aroma ensures that rosemary is included in study blends (usually along with basil and citrus oils).

Many sports blends include rosemary for its stimulatory effect on the skin and muscles. It has a tonic effect and is pain relieving.

Chamomile

Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)

German or blue Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilia)

Both chamomile varieties are calming, soothing, relaxing and anti-inflammatory. This is an excellent essential oil to use to soothe crying, upset children and babies. (Precaution - use very small quantities with children).

A handy distinction for the use of the two different chamomiles is this - use German Chamomile for physiological causes and Roman Chamomile for psychological causes.

Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoidides)

The best muscle relaxant - the only one I know of that works just from applying it and not using massage - is Vetiver essential oil mixed with a base oil. But it smells like dirty socks! Even when mixed in a blend it is noticeable.

The exception is when one drop of Vetiver essential oil is used to stabilize a blend of oils in a perfume - then it isn't noticeable and does its intended job of bringing the different oils together into a beautiful fragrance. Confusing I know, but it works. I also tend to use one drop of Vetiver in any blend intended for men - maybe it has something to do with those dirty socks. ;-)

Cedarwood and Cyprus

Cedarwood (Cedrus altantica)

Cyprus (Cupressus sempervirens)

Excellent essential oils for their soothing effects. May be used as an alternative to the floral essential oils for men experiencing grief, stress, anxiety.

Useful essential oils for deep-seated or chronic emotional or physiological problems.

Patchouli (Pogostemon patchouli)

This is a deep, earthy, exotic, and grounding essential oil. A little lasts a long time! It can have the effect of an appetite suppressant (though I cannot report any success in this area!).

Patchouli is an oil I use mostly in blends. Just one or two drops acts as a fixative - binding together the other scents in the blend.

Sandalwood (Santalum album)

Sandalwood is quickly becoming expensive and rare. And as such alternative varieties are being passed off as Sandalwood - don't waste your money on them. The synthetic or lesser versions will soon appear irritating after you have become used to the exquisite scent of East Indian Sandalwood.

This is a relaxing and soothing essential oil - warming and balancing. Use in cases of stress where aggression or irritation is showing. It is an oil that men are drawn to and use - for its aphrodisiac reputation, no doubt, but also perhaps for its ability to balance the senses.

This oil is not suited to the slow moving type - it is more for the person who lives a fast paced lifestyle.

Annette Ramsey, http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/wellnessinformation (source: naturalhealthweb)

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