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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
Copyright © 2002 Annette Ramsey
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