Glossary
I - Dangerous Essential Oils
The following is a list of essential oils that should never be used by an amateur. This is a warning in case you purchase oils from a disreputable dealer overseas who may not be aware of the toxicity of these oils. Chances are that you will never come across them, but you should still be well aware of the dangerous essential oils that should not be used in aromatherapy:
Ajowan Bitter Almond Arnica Sweet Birch Boldo Leaf Spanish Broom Calamus Camphor Deertongue Garlic Horseradish Jaborandi Mustard Onion Pennyroyal Rue Sassafras Thuja Wintergreen Wormseed Wormwood
While these essential oils have their place in other matters, they should not be used in aromatherapy. They are not considered safe to breath in. Funny enough that camphor, once a use in all homes for colds, is among the group. However, camphor today is thought to promote respiratory problems instead of cure them. Most people who grew up with this remedy, however, lived.
While garlic and onion may be beneficial in our diets, they are not recommended for their scent. We all know that. Most of the above dangerous essential oils are considered dangerous because of their strong odor and irritant qualities. Chances are that you will not be seeing any of these oils in any of the places you purchase your essential oils.
II - Where To Purchase Essential Oils
The best place is the internet, although there are more and more stores that are beginning to sell essential oils. Most of the stores that sell essential oils are independent shops that specialize in new age treatments or spiritualism.
Hot Rags, which is a national chain store, sells some essential oils. There is usually a Hot Rags store in every mall and it caters to teenagers and those who like the “hippy look.”
You can also purchase essential oils online as well as all of the bottles and glasses that you need. If you decide to start a business selling essential oils, you are better off to buy everything in bulk to save money. You can also buy your bottles at an online store that specializes in bottles as they will most likely be cheaper.
Here is a list of some online stores that sell essential oils and all the trimmings:
1. Essential Oil Company. This store sells essential oils and equipment in bulk. They have just about everything you need to make your products. They also offer free shipping for orders over $150. There is everything you need to make massage oils, soaps, bath oils, bath salts and perfumes. You can visit them on the web at www.essentialoil.com
2. Essential Oil Health. They have pure essential oils as well as aromatherapy tips on their site. They offer pure essential oils as well as blends. There prices are very reasonable and they stand behind their products. You can visit them at www.essentialoilhealth.com
3. New Directions Aromatics. They have just about every type of essential oil you can imagine as well as a host of other supplies including wax to make candles, soaps and even clay for aromatherapy masques. They also sell equipment and bottling supplies. You can visit them at www.newdirectionsaromatics.com.
4. The Ananda Apothecary. Located in Colorado
5. Om Imports has essential oils as well as resins for making some incense. There is also aromatherapy incense and perfume oils available. Their prices are very reasonable and they also sell to retailers. You can visit them by going to www.omimports.com
6. Birch Hill Happenings has essential oils, carrier oils, blends, base products and even bottles. They also offer information about using the oils online. You can visit them at www.birchhillhappenings.com.
7. Pure Essential Oils has bulk essential oils as well as smaller bottles. There are also fragrance oils and even samplers. Their prices are very reasonable and they have quite a selection. You can visit them at www.essential-oil.org.
8. Lotus Oils. There is a vast array of essential oils at this online site that also offers resins clays, bath salts and carrier oils. This is a great place to start as their prices are very reasonable. You can visit them at www.lotusoils.com.
9. I Herb. A great selection of oils at surprising low prices. There are both blends and pure essential oils and the website is very easy to navigate. Visit them at www.iherb.com.
10. My Vitanet. They have a large selection of essential oils and also sell supplements as well as weight bars. They take Paypal. You can visit them at www.myvitanet.com.
III -A Guide To 60 Popular Essential Oils And Their Uses
11. Angelica Root. This has a spicy and woodsy scent and is used as a base note in perfumery. It can be used to treat skin conditions but should be avoided during pregnancy. It is also phototoxic.
12. Anise. This is a popular plant that tastes and smells like licorice. It is very sweet and is a top note in perfumery. It can be used for colds, aches and flatulence. It should not be used in women who have a history of breast or ovarian cancer or endometriosis.
13. Peru
14. Basil. A sweet scent that has a reek of camphor and is a top note in perfume. A popular herb for cooking, basil essential oil can be used to treat colds, coughs, flatulence and even as an insect repellent. High doses of basil, however, can be hazardous.
16. Bay Laurel. Bay Laurel has a fruity scent and is a top note in perfumes. It can be used to treat colds or flue and even tonsillitis. It should not be used in pregnancy.
17. Beeswax. Beeswax has a very sweet scent and is used as a base note in perfumery. It has no therapeutic value but is valued for its pleasant scent in perfumery.
18. Benzoin. Benzoin has a woodsy aroma that is very rich and is used as a base note in perfumery. It can be used for arthritis, chapped skin and stress. It is relatively safe to use but persons who use it should check for skin allergies.
19. Bergamot. This has a very citrus like scent and is a top note in perfumery. It is used to treat acne, cold sores, psoriasis, stress and boils. It is photo toxic so if you use bergamot, avoid the sun for twelve hours after treatment.
20. Bergamot Mint. Like bergamot, it has a citrus like scent and is minty. It is also a top note in perfumery and is used to treat cramps and upset stomach.
21. Rosewood. It has a sweet yet woodsy and floral fragrance that is an excellent middle note in perfumes. It is used to treat acne, colds, headaches and other minor skin conditions.
22. Boronia. Boronia has a very floral scent and is mostly used in perfumery as a strong top note.
23. Cajeput. Cajeput has a camphor like aroma but is slightly fruity. It is a middle note in perfumery and is used to treat colds, coughs, aches and sore throat.
24. Cardamum. Cardamum has a spicy and woodsy scent and is a middle note in perfumery. It is used to treat fatigue and stress.
25. Carrot Seed. Carrot Seed has a woodsy scent and is a medium note in perfumery. It is used to treat wrinkles, eczema and gout.
26. Atlas Cedarwood. There are different types of cedar wood - Atlas and Virginia. Atlas cedarwood has a woodsy scent that is used as a medium note in perfumery. It is used to treat coughing, stress, dermatitis, acne and arthritis. It should be avoided during pregnancy.
27. Virginia Cedarwood. This has a scent that is what you smell in cedar chests. Very woodsy and a medium note in perfumery. It has the same medicinal uses as Atlas Cedarwood but is also used as an insect repellent. This may be safer to use than Atlas Cedarwood but should not be used by pregnant women.
28. German Chamomile. There are two different types of Chamomile
- German and Roman. German Chamomile is sweet and used as a
medium note in perfumery. It has many uses including the treatment of minor skin conditions, earaches, headache, nausea, PMS, stress, arthritis, sprains and stress. It is relatively very safe to use but should be checked for skin reactions
29. Roman Chamomile. Pretty much like German Chamomile and is also a medium but stronger note in perfumery. There is little difference between German and Roman Chamomile.
30. Cinnamon. Cinnamon has a spicy scent and is strong middle note in perfumery. It can be used to treat constipation, low blood pressure, lice and stress. It should be avoided in people who have a history of liver or kidney problems or prostrate cancer. It should also be avoided by anyone taking anticoagulants or has a history of alcoholism.
31. Citronella. It has a citrus like scent that is used as a top note in perfumery. It makes an excellent insect repellent and is often used in candles in this manner. It can also treat fatigue, oily skin and headaches.
32. Clary Sage. Clary Sage has an slightly sweet aroma and is a middle note in perfumery. It is used to treat gas, sore throats, coughing, exhaustion and stress.
33. Clove Bud. Spicy and woodsy it is a strong middle note in perfumery. It is used to treat arthritis, toothaches and sprains as well as rheumatism. Is should be avoided in people with kidney, liver or prostrate problems or who have a history of alcohol abuse. Those taking anticoagulants should also not take this healing oil.
34. Coriander. Coriander is a spicy and woodsy essential oil that has a nice middle note for perfumery. It is used to treat aches and pains, indigestion, nausea and fatigue.
35. Cypress Cypress
36. Dill. Dill has a sweet scent and is used as a middle note in perfumery. It is used to treat aches and pains as well as flatulence.
37. Elemi. This has a spicy yet citrus like scent and is a middle note in perfumery. It is used to treat coughing as well as wrinkles and stress. It can also be used to put on wounds. Use sparingly and with caution as research as to the effects of this essential oil have not yet been completed.
38. Eucalyptus. This has a top note in perfumery as it is very woodsy and fresh. It is used to treat cold sores, colds, coughing, flue and sinusitis. It can be very toxic if taken internally and is strictly for external use only.
39. Lemon Eucalyptus. Similar to the uses of Eucalyptus but with a lemony scent and a use as a middle note in perfumery. It can be safer to use than regular Eucalyptus.
40. Radiata Eucalyptus. This has a sweet scent and is used as a middle note in perfumery. It is also used for relatively the same treatments as lemon and regular Eucalyptus.
41. Fennel. Fennel has a licorice like scent to it and is used as both a top and medium note in perfumery. It can be used to treat flatulence, nausea, bad breath, obesity and water retention. It should be avoided with people who have a history of breast or ovarian cancer, hyperplasia, endometriosis or prostrate cancer.
42. Fir Needle. This has a woodsy scent and is used as a middle note in perfumery. It is used to treat colds, coughs, flu, rheumatism and general aches and pains.
43. Frankincense. Spicy, woodsy and fruity, Frankincense is a base note in perfumery. It can be used to treat anxiety, stress, coughing and even for scars and stretch marks.
44. Galbanum. A woodsy and spicy scent that is used as a top note in perfumery, Galbanum is used to treat skin irritations, acne, lice, wrinkles and muscle aches.
45. Geranium. There are two different types of Geranium - regular Geranium and Rose Geranium. Geranium has a sweet scent that is used to as a middle note in perfumery. It is used to treat acne and oily skin and also as a relief for symptoms of menopause. It should be avoided during pregnancy.
46. Rose Geranium. Rose Geranium is used for primarily the same purposes as regular geranium but has a more floral scent. It is also used as a middle note in perfumery.
47. Ginger. Ginger has a very spicy and woodsy scent and is used as both a middle and base note in perfumery. Ginger is used to treat nausea as well as aching muscles and arthritis. It can be phototoxic so avoid the sun for 12 hours after use.
48. Grapefruit. Very citrus like scent and is used as a top note in perfumery. It can treat dull skin and water retention. It should not be used in the sunlight as it can be photo toxic. Avoid the sun 12 hours after using Grapefruit essential oils.
49. Helichyrsum. A spicy base note in perfumery it is used to treat minor skin conditions, particularly wounds.
50. Hyssop. A fruity yet woodsy scent, it is a middle note in perfumery and is used to treat coughing and sore throat. It should be avoided by anyone with epilepsy or with a fever. It should not be used if you are pregnant or on children.
51. Immortelle. A spicy base note used in perfumery, it is used to treat minor skin conditions, including acne and burns, cuts and irritated skin.
52. Jasmine. A floral and Oriental scent, it is used as a Middle note in perfumery. It is used to treat depression, stress, dry skin and even labor pains. It has also been used as an aphrodisiac.
53. Juniper Berry
54. Lavender. Lavender has a floral scent and is used as a top note in perfumery. It is used to treat just about everything - from acne to vertigo. It is one of the safest of all of the essential oils and one of the few that can be used directly on the skin. Lavender buds are also boiled like tea and consumed internally.
55. Lemon. Citrus scent like lemons only much stronger in an essential oil. It is used as a top note in perfumery and is also used to treat athlete’s foot, colds, oily skin, acne, and even warts. Like most of the citrus derived essential oils, it is photo toxic and should not be used in the sunlight.
56. Lemongrass. Has a lemony scent that is also used as a top note in perfume. The medicinal purposes of this essential oil are similar to lemon, but it can also be used to treat flatulence and as an insect repellant. It should not be used on children or with people who have an enlarged prostrate or glaucoma.
57. Lime. A citrus scent used as a top note in perfumes and treats the same things as lemon essential oil. As with lemon and grapefruit and other citrus essential oils, it is photo toxic so avoid the sunlight 12 hours after using lime essential oil.
58. Mandarin. Has a citrus scent and is used as a top note in perfumery. It is good for wrinkles and minor skin conditions. It has also been known to treat insomnia.
59. Myrrh. Myrrh has a woodsy scent and is used as a base note in perfumery. It is used to treat bad breath, hemorrhoids, minor rashes and toothaches among other things. It should never be taken internally.
60. Neroli. Both floral and citrus, this is used as a middle note in a perfumery base and acts as a treatment for mild depression, insomnia and is a potent aphrodisiac.
61. Nutmeg. A rich and spicy scent that is used as a middle note in perfumery. Nutmeg is also used to treat constipation, fatigue, nausea and aches and pains. It can be toxic if used in large amount. If taken orally to an extreme, can produce effects similar to hallucinogenic drugs.
62. Orange
63. Patchouli. A woodsy scent that is used as a base note in perfumery. It is used to treat acne, minor skin conditions, stress and as an insect repellent. It is also a powerful aphrodisiac.
64. Peppermint. It has a minty scent and is used as a top note in perfumery. It is used to treat headache, nausea and flatulence as well as vertigo. It should not be used if a person has a fever and should not be taken internally as it can be toxic. Those with epilepsy should avoid taking peppermint.
65. Rose. Rose has as a floral scent and is used as a middle note in perfumery. It is used to treat stress, depression and symptoms of menopause. It is also used as somewhat of an aphrodisiac. Rose is one of the safest of all of the essential oils.
66. Sandalwood. Used as a base note in perfumery, the scent is both woodsy and floral and very rich. It can be used to treat mild depression and skin conditions.
67. Spearmint. It has a minty scent and is used as a top note in perfumery. It is used to treat basically the same minor ailments as peppermint.
68. Tea Tree. There are three types of Tea Tree - Common, Lemon and New Zealand
69. Vanilla. Vanilla has a strong, sweet scent that is used as a base note in perfumery. It is one of the few essential oils that is safe to use directly on the skin. Vanilla can be used as a stress reliever, but it is mostly used in perfumery.
70. Ylang Ylang. A sweet and floral fragrance that is used as a base and middle note in perfumery. Ylang Ylang is used to treat anxiety, mild depression, stress and is a powerful aphrodisiac.
Note that the conditions listed above are mild conditions. Those who have severe medical conditions are urged not to attempt to treat themselves but visit a physician.
Essential oils should not be used directly on the skin, with the exception of lavender and vanilla.
Essential oils should not be taken internally - they are for external use only. Lavender and chamomile are often dried and sold as teas; however, the essential oils should not be taken orally.
Aromatherapy oils are safe when used as directed. If you have a condition that is not clearing up after treatment with aromatherapy, or if the problem is getting worse, see you doctor.
