BASIL  ocimum basilicum
Essential Oil Source:  Steam distillation from flowering herb.  There are many different varieties of basil throughout the world.  This herb has long been used in cooking in addition for herbal medicine.  Oils are produced in France, Italy, Egypt, Bulgaria, Hugary, Egypt and the USA.  Colorless or pale yellow liquid with light, fresh sweet-spicy scent and balsamic undertones.

Emotional: Known as an aromatic nerve tonic.  Use this oil for clearing the head, relieving intellectual fatigue and to give the mind strength plus clarity.  Use for anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, migraines and nervous tension.  This oil help balance, restore and relax while reviving and uplifting.  Use when the nervous system has had too much to handle.

Physical:  Add to carrier oil for massage to alleviate digestive disorders.  Add to carrier oil for massage to relieve aching, muscular pain or weaknesses.  Antispasmodic.  May use inhaling or massage (dilute) over chest for respiratory problems, colds, flu or infectious diseases.  Use for menstrual cramps (M).  Apply very small diluted amounts to insect bites or add to carrier oil to use on skin or spritzer for clothing and socks as an insect repellent.

Blending:  Grapefruit, ginger, clary sage, geranium, sandalwood, rose, jasmine, juniper, rose.

SAFETY NOTES:  Avoid during pregnancy.  Use in moderation and only for short periods... no more than 2-3 weeks at a time.  Use less than 2% dilution. (no more than 10-12 drops per ounce for this dilution)

DIFFUSE   INHALE   BATH   MASSAGE   TOPICAL (w/carrier oil)

BENZOIN  styrax benzoin
Essential Oil source:  A basalmic viscous (thick) resin obtained from producing a cut into the tree trunk.  This resin hardens when exposed to air and sunlight.  These trees grow in tropical Asia, Sumatra, Java, Laos, Vietnam, China and Thailand.  This orange-brown very viscous liquid has an intensely rich, sweet basalmic aroma.

Emotional:  Use for nervous tension and stress-related complaints.  Creates a slight euphoria.

Physical:  Use for respiratory problems, flu symptoms, bronchitis, chills and coughs.  Stimulates circulation so can add to Essential Oil massage blends for arthritis, gout, rheumatism and for general pain management.  Soothes cuts, chapped and irritated skin.  Provides 'warming' properties. 

Blending Suggestions:  Try blending with jasmine, lemon, myrrh, rose or sandalwood.  Use very small quantities as you blend.

SAFETY NOTES:  Non-toxic and non-irritating, but some may be sensitive.  Test diluted on small area of skin prior to use.

DIFFUSE   INHALATION   BATH   MASSAGE   TOPICAL  (Dilute prior to using)

BERGAMOT, ORANGE    citrus bergamia
Essential Oil Source: This small tree is grown in Asia, southern Italy and the Ivory Coast  and produces a very small orange fruit.  Cold expression of the fruit peel produces a light greenish-yellow liquid with a fresh sweet-fruity, floral, spicy, balsamic undertone.  Aging oil may turn brownish-olive color.

Emotional:  Fresh, uplifting, invigorating.  Use for stress-related conditions such a anxiety and  depression.

Physical:  Use as an antiseptic.  Has been used diluted as a skin care product for eczema, oily complexion, varicose ulcers, acne and cold sores.  Used (inhaling diluted for stomach massage) as an appetite stimulant and aide to digestion.  Steam inhaling may help sooth sore throats.  Use in spritzer diluted for colds, fevers or flu symptoms.

Blending suggestions:  Blends well with chamomile, cypress, geranium, jasmine, lavender, lemon,  ylang ylang, conifer oils.

SAFETY NOTES:  SUN Alert!!!  This oil may cause photo-sensitivity on the skin when applied if skin is exposed to sunlight.  Use with extreme care for dermal application.  Possibly carcinogenic, so avoid if Melanomas are present.  Make certain a rectified or 'bergapten-free' oil is used.  May be a possible skin irritant, so use in low dilution when applied topically.

DIFFUSE   INHALATION   BATH   MASSAGE   TOPICAL (use carefully in small amounts)

CEDARWOOD    juniperus virginiana
Essential Oil Source:  Cedarwood evergreen trees are native to N America in regions east of the Rockies.  Also used is Red Cedar, Eastern Red Decar, Southern Red Decar.  Pale yellow or orange in color this mild sweet-basalmic scented oil is obtained by steam distillation from timber wast, sawdust and shavings.  One of the earliets oils to be extgracted.  Decar was used to build temples in Biblical days including the temple of Solomon.

Emotional:   May offer sedative, anti-depressant and regenerative actions.  Helps increase concentration and promote a positive frame of mind.  Use for anxiety.

Physical:  Antiseptic and anti-bacterial.  Can be used added to Sterile water for spritzing, or diluted and used as compress over area.  Good for acne, oily skin, athlete's food and dandruff, treating wounds, ulcers and varicose veins.  Add to bath water to help treat cystitis or itching.  Strengthens the respiratory system. Use for coughs and bronchitis.  Used diluted in carrier oil as a lymph tonic and anti-cellulite treatment during massage.  Insect repellent.

Blending suggestions:  Try blending with bergamot, jasmine, rosemary, patchouli, benzoin or sandalwood. 

SAFETY NOTES:  Do not use during pregnancy.  When used externally, relatively non-toxic.  SOme individuals may have sensitivities...use with care and moderation, always diluting prior to use.

DIFFUSE   INHALATION   BATH   MASSAGE   TOPICAL 

CHAMOMILE, GERMAN   matricaria chamomilla
Essential Oil Source:  This annual has tiny daisy-like flowers that are used to create a strong, sweet, warm-herbaceous aroma.  The Essential oil obtained from flower heads has a  unique deep blue color.  This species is known as a more powerful anti-inflammatory than even the Roman Chamomile due to these chemical components.
Native to Europe and N and W Asia.  Naturalized in N America and Australia.  Grown in Hungary and eastern Europe where this oil is generally produced.

Emotional:  Calming without depressing.  Excellent for sleeplessness and tension headaches.  Use for tension and stress.

Physical:  Blend into massage oil for abdominal or intestinal cramping, distress or gas.  An excellent skin care remedy as an anti-inflammatory and for eczema.  Add to treatments for ulcers, infected wounds.  Especially useful and safe for many children's conditions (tummy aches, sleep problems) when diluted carefully in a 1% dilution with a carrier oil.  Has anti-allergic properties.

Blending  Suggestions:  geranium, rose, lavender, patchouli, benzoin, bergamot, marjoram, lemon, ylang ylang, jasmine, clary sage.

SAFETY NOTES:  Non-toxic, non-irritant, but may cause dermatitis in some individuals.

DIFFUSE   INHALATION   BATH   MASSAGE   TOPICAL (Dilute prior to use) 

Please be patient...this page is not complete yet.
All Essential Oils can be ordered on the page you just came from.  If you need more back up information, the Aromatherapy Guide is priced very low and it is a valuable tool for anyone as a quick reference.

 In time, all Essential Oils will soon have an explanation on this page... please come back at a later date to check it out!

Thanks... Karen