The use of essential oils for therapeutic effects. The aromatic essences are believed to contain medicinal properties and natural healing power.

-History-

• mentioned in the writings of the Earliest civilizations--Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Chinese, and Indian
• For Egyptians it was a way of life. Used balsamic substances in both religious ritual and medicine. Records dating back to 4500 B.C. tell of perfumed oils, scented barks and resins, of spices, aromatic vinegars, wines, and beers all used in medicine, ritual, astrology, and embalming
• First evidence of distilled pure essences was recorded in the 11th century in Europe
• The term aromatherapy was established in 1937 when Rene Maruice Gattefosse published his work Aromatherapie
• Used by Gattefosse, a chemist, during WWI to treat wounded soldiers claiming that not only did it heal, but it also masked the odor of soldier's gangrenous wounds and that proximity to the fragrance of pine protected soldiers from respiratory disorders.  He himself experienced the healing properties of lavender when he applied it to burns on his hands
• Dr. Jean Valnet became interested in the healing properties of essential oils after using them to treat soldier's wounds in WWII.  His extensive coverage of the subject gained official recognition for the therapy in France.
• Modern concept developed by Marguerite Maury, an Austrian biochemist, in the 1950's
• Eventually brought to Great Britain through the work of massage therapists and estheticians

• The treating of common ailments and health problems with highly concentrated oils that have been extracted from plants and trees.  They are often used in massage, but can also be ingested, inhaled or taken internally (orally, rectally, or vaginally), used on compresses, or added to hand and foot baths or to bath water.
• Aromatherapists use up to 130 different oils divided into three main groups:
1. Invigorating, refreshing and uplifting (Rosemary)
2. Oils for regulating and toning body (Lemon grass)
3. Relax and soothe (Orange blossom)

• When inhaled, essential oil particles are conveyed to the roof of the nose to the receptor cells of the olfactory system.  The cilia of the receptor cells register and transmit the information via the olfactory bulb to the center of the brain.  From there, the electro-chemical messages are forwarded to the area of the brain associated with smell, which in turn triggers the release of neurochemicals.  These may be sedative, relaxing, stimulating, or euphoric in effect.  The scent of essential oils is conveyed by the olfactory nerve to areas of the brain that can influence emotions and hormonal response
• When dissolved through skin, they can reach the blood-carrying capillaries.  Once in the bloodstream, they are transported throughout the body and filtered through to the cells and body fluids.  Mucous membranes are also receptive to essential oils

• Essential oils are classified by their volatility, the speed at which they evaporate when exposed to air.  There are three classifications; top, middle, or base "notes."  There also seems to be a link between the rate of evaporation and the effect that the oils have on the mind and body.  Top notes usually uplift the mind, whereas base notes are more calming.  Middle notes concentrate their balancing effects on the physical systems of the body.

• Because the oils used in aromatherapy are available over the counter, some people may assume that they are all safe.  However, they can have potentially serious side effects, including neurotoxicity and inducement of abortion, as well as skin reactions, allergies, and liver damage.  Overexposure to oils by inhalation can produce headache and fatigue.  It is best to have a healthcare professional supervise you when you use oils.

Key:

top note

top to middle note

middle note

middle to base note

base note

 

Name of Oil	Uses
Angelica Root- Angel's Herb	relieving fatigue, migraines, to ease anxiety and nervous tension, to regulate menstrual cycles and relieve dysmenorrhoea, for coughs, to restore sense of smell, for releasing accumulated toxins in the body
Sweet Basil - Awakening	to brighten mood, strengthen nervous system, improve mental clarity and memory, for relieving headache and sinusitis.
Bay - Hair Renewal	as a stimulant for hair growth, for relieving muscle spasms and strains, to improve circulation, to relieve melancholy, nervous exhaustion, as an insect repellent
Bay Laurel - Inner Inspiration	as an immune system stimulant, to regulate the lymphatic system, for relieving melancholy, anxiety, to stimulate the mind, for healing bronchitis, sinus infection
Bergamot - Uplifting Release	balancing nervous system, relieving anxiety and stress, lifting melancholy, for restful sleep, anti viral, cold sores, psoriasis, eczema and insect repellent
Black Pepper- Endurance	to energize, for increasing circulation, to warm and relieve muscle aches and stiffness, for fighting colds, flue and infections
Cardamon- Contentment	relieving mental fatigue, nervous strain, and heartburn, for healing coughs and bronchitis, anorexia, to uplift and warm, as an aphrodisiac
Carrot Seed - Inner Vision	for toning and rejuvenating mature skin, wrinkles and scars, eczema, psoriasis, as a stimulant to immune and lymphatic systems, for relieving PMS and regulating monthly cycles, to ease anxiety and stress
Atlas Cedar- Transformative Certainty	to relax tense muscles, calm emotions, help breathing, for enhancing meditation, easing pain, repelling insects, for hair loss
Roman Chamomile- Calm Acceptance	to relieve muscular pain, as a sedative, ease anxiety and nervous tension, to help with sleeplessness
Citronella	as a mosquito repellent, for colds, flue, and neuralgia, to relieve pain of rheumatism and arthritis, melancholy
Clary Sage- Clarity	Relieving Stress and tension, lifting melancholy, easing pain, restful sleep, as an aphrodisiac; contains estrogen-like hormone, for menopause and PMS, relieving nervous exhaustion
Clove Bud	For toothache, colds, flue and fungal infections, as a mosquito repellent, to relieve fatigue and melancholy, as an aphrodisiac
Coriander- Encouragement	for relieving muscular aches and pains, increasing circulation, for colds, flue and rheumatism, for help with sleep and nervous exhaustion
Cypress- Inner Renewal	to increase circulation, relieve muscular cramps, bronchitis, whooping cough and painful periods; reduce nervous tension and other stress related problems, as an immune stimulant
Eucalyptus- Room to Breathe	for colds, as a decongestant, to relieve asthma and fevers, for its bactericidal and anti-viral actions, to ease aching joints
Sweet Fennel- Confident Expression	for neuro-muscular spasms, rheumatism and arthritis; bronchitis, whooping cough, as a nerve tonic in relieving stress and nervous tension
Balsam Fir- Grounded Mind	to relieve muscle aches and pains, for relieving anxiety and stress related conditions, to fight colds, flue and infections, for relieving bronchitis and coughs.  Said to ground one mentally.
Frankincense- Liberation	to calm, enhance meditation, elevate mind and spirit, help breathing, for psychic cleansing, for care of mature skin and scars.
Geranium- Comforter	reducing stress and tension, easing pain, balancing emotions and hormones, PMS, relieve fatigue and nervous exhaustion, to life melancholy, lessen fluid retention, repel insects
Ginger- Longevity	reducing muscular aches and pains, increasing circulation, relieving bronchitis and whooping cough, nervous exhaustion, in healing colds flue and fever and to simulate appetite.
Grapefruit	to lift melancholy, relieve muscle fatigue, as an astringent for oily skin, to refresh and energize the body, stimulate detoxification, as an airborne disinfectant.
Helichrysum- Everlasting	to heal bruises (internal and external), wounds and scars, to detoxify the body, to cleanse the blood and increase lymphatic drainage, for healing colds, flue, sinusitis and bronchitis, to relieve melancholy, migraines, stress and tension
Jasmine- Harmonious Desire	to lift melancholy, for muscular spasm, painful periods and labor pains, to relieve anxiety and nervous exhaustion, an aphrodisiac
Juniper Berry- Empowering Determination	to energize and relieve exhaustion, ease inflammation and spasms, for improving mental clarity and memory, purifying the body, to lessen fluid retention, for disinfecting
Lavender- Healing Expression	balancing emotions, relieving stress, tension and headache, to promote restful sleep, heal the skin, to lower high blood pressure, help breathing, for disinfecting
Lemon- Refreshing Trust	to balance the nervous system, as a disinfectant, to refresh and uplift, for purifying the body
Lemongrass	as an insect repellent and deodorizer, for athlete's foot, as a tissue toner, to relieve muscular pain (sports-muscle pain), increase circulation, for headaches, for nervous exhaustion and other stress related problems.
Lime- Good Cheer	to purify the air, for alertness, to relieve coughs or congestion, for uplifting and cheering the spirit, to heal colds, flue or inflammations
Sweet Marjoram- Comforting Compassion	to relax tense muscles and relieve spasms, calm and promote restful sleep, ease migraine headache, for comforting the heart, lowering high blood pressure, to help breathing, disinfecting.
Myrrh- Transcendental Bridge	to heal wounds and nurture mature skin, for bronchitis and colds, to relieve apathy and calm
Neroli- Emotional Harmony	for healing thread veins, scars and nourishing mature skin, increasing circulation, in relieving anxiety, melancholy and nervous tension, bronchitis, as an aphrodisiac
Nutmeg- Warming Up	for warming muscles, easing muscle aches and pains, to invigorate or stimulate the mind, an aphrodisiac to stimulate heart and circulation, for relieving nervous fatigue.
Sweet Orange- Happiness	to brighten mood, calm and reduce stress, as an environmental disinfectant
Oregano- Ancient Medicine	as a muscle relaxant and to ease muscle aches and pains, to heal colds, flue, and bronchitis, as a stimulant, to energize the mind and body, and for relieving headaches
Palmarosa- Secure Heart	to stimulate cellular regeneration and moisturize skin, for nervous exhaustion and stress conditions, to calm and uplift
Patchouli- Grounded Stability	for athlete's foot, as an aphrodisiac, to relieve stress and nervous exhaustion
Peppermint- Receptive Vision	for energy and brighter mood, reducing pain, to help breathing, improve mental clarity and memory
Petitgrain- Reviver	for relieving respiratory infections, to ease nervous tension muscle spasms, for relieving joint inflammation, to balance the central nervous system, for stress relief and restful sleep.
Pine- Nature's Helper	to ease breathing, as an immune system stimulant, to increase energy, for relieving muscle and joint aches, to repel lice and fleas
Rose Maroc Absolute- Nurturing Heart	for brighter mood, menopause, to help reduce wrinkles, for calming and reducing nervous tension, to promote restful sleep, as an aphrodisiac
Rosemary- Remembered Destiny	to energize, for muscle pains, cramps or sprains, brighten mood, for improving mental clarity and memory, easing pain, to relieve headaches, disinfecting
Rosewood- Bois de Rose	to relieve stress and balance the central nervous system, for easing jet lag, to create a calm for meditation, for easing colds and coughs, to stimulate the immune system, as an aphrodisiac and in skin care
Sandalwood- Now Here	to lift melancholy, enhance meditation, heal the skin, help breathing, for calming and reducing stress, restful sleep, disinfecting, as an aphrodisiac.
Spearmint- Gentle mint	for relieving bronchitis and sinusitis, to ease nausea and headaches, for relieving colds or flu, to stimulate, energize and relieve fatigue
Spikenard- Sweet Surrender	to relieve migraines, stress and tension, for rejuvenation of mature skin, to calm and promote restful sleep, for wounds, to inspire devotion
Tangerine- Free Child	for relieving muscle spasms, to soothe and calm nerves, for stress relief and relaxation, to stimulate the liver and increase lymphatic drainage.
Thyme- Infection Free	to heal colds, bronchitis, for relieving muscle aches and pains, to add concentration and memory, for relieving fatigue and said to heal anthrax
Tea Tree - Strong Health	as an immuno-stimulant particularly against bacteria, viruses and fungi, for relieving inflammation, as a disinfectant
Vetiver- Earth Connection	for muscular aches, to increase circulation, to relieve melancholy and nervous tension, for restful sleep.
Ylang Ylang- Euphoric Union	brightening mood, relieving anger and anxiety, relaxing tense muscles, to calm and promote restful sleep, lower high blood pressure, an aphrodisiac