LIST OF SOME ESSENTIAL OILS AND THEIR USAGE

LIST OF SOME ESSENTIAL OILS AND THEIR USAGE

Excerpt From the book on oils by Susan Scott

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender oil is a good example of oils used in aromatherapy. The scent from the extract made from the flower spikes is inhaled to promote health and well-being. Lavender oil has been cherished for its unique aroma and its therapeutic properties for many years. The oil is widely used as well as accepted for its calming and relaxing qualities.

Distillation Method: Straight steam distillation

Part of Plant: Flower spikes

Color: Pale yellow, yellow-green to colorless

Scent: Floral, sweet and herbal

Chemical Group: Phytochemicals

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil is a good medicinal product with an amazing aroma. It is widely used in various commercially produced products, and it makes a resourceful addition for pet aromatherapy. The oil is derived from Mentha piperita leaves, making it highly inexpensive in the essential oils market. This aromatic oil has a thin consistency and it is typically steam distilled. You can use it as a top note in animals. As far as this essential oil is concerned, it is always advisable to consult a specialist if you are not certain of your pet’s condition and how it will respond to the effects of the oil.

Distillation Method: Steam distilled

Part of Plant: Leaves

Color: Clear to yellowish green

Scent: Minty

Chemical Group: Mentha x piperita

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus oil is suitable for different uses, and it features a broad spectrum of terpene alcohols in its chemical composition. The aromatic oil has antiviral, anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects. The oil is exceptionally gentle; therefore, it is an appropriate choice to use in blends for your animals. You can also use the oil for congestion.

Distillation Method: Steam distilled

Part of Plant: Leaves and branches

Color: Clear to yellowish green

Scent: Camphorous, woodsy

Chemical Group: Terpene alcohols

Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense essential oil comes from the deciduous boswellia thurifera and it belongs to the Monoterpene hydrocarbons. This oil is a base note that is characterized by a woody, balsamic, yet spicy smell, and it has a pale yellow to pale green tone. The oil is significantly thick, given the fact that it comes from tree sap. This essential oil’s elements include incensole acetate that is known to minimize anxiety. The general properties of this essential oil that make it so special include: immune stimulant, expectorant, anti-tumoral, antiseptic, anti-infectious, anti-depressant, and anti-catarrhal.

Distillation Method: Steam distillation

Part of Plant: Resin

Color: Pale yellow

Scent: Fresh, green with warm and balsamic undertone

Chemical Group: Monoterpene hydrocarbons

Rosemary Essential Oil

This essential oil is particularly resourceful, given the fact that it can be used on a variety of illnesses in addition to aromatherapy. The oil is evergreen; however, its fragrance is not overly woody. The fragrance is fresh, sweet and exceptionally herbal with gentle medicinal undertones. Rosemary has a thin consistency and it is typically steam distilled from flowers. In aromatherapy, the oil is categorized as a middle note. The general properties of this essential oil include the following: antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-arthritic, analgesic, antispasmodic, astringent, antiseptic, and expectorant, among others.

Distillation Method: Steam distillation from  flowers

Part of Plant: Flowers

Color: Clear to yellow

Scent: Uplifting, stimulating, fresh, as well as herbaceous

Chemical Group: Mint family Lamiaceae

Orange Essential Oil

Orange essential oil is made up of a couple of fragrances, including sweet and bitter. Of the two fragrances, sweet is the most popular one. If you have pets and you want to use essential oils on them, then orange sweet is a good choice. Greenish orange in color and with a thin consistency, this oil is typically cold pressed or expressed. The oil is considered to be a top note when used in aromatherapy. The general properties of this essential oil include: tonic, circulatory, antitumoral, antispasmodic, antiseptic, and antidepressant. The oil blends well with a number of oils, including: sandalwood, bergamot, frankincense, clary sage, neroli, ylang-ylang, eucalyptus, myrrh, patchouli, palo santo, geranium, lavender, grapefruit, lemon, and ginger. Do not expose cats to orange essential oil, since they are naturally repulsed by the oil.

Distillation Method: Cold expression from rinds

Part of Plant: Rinds

Color: Yellow – green – orange

Scent: Cheeringly citrusy

Chemical Group: Rutaceae

Cedarwood Essential Oil

Cedarwood essential oil is a gently stimulating natural oil that has the capability of increasing circulation and stimulating the release of toxins. This essential oil has an elegant, earthy and complex fragrance that makes it appropriate for aromatic blends. The dominant chemical composition of the essential oil is sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. This signifies toning properties, moderate antiseptic effects and reduction of congestion in the circulatory system. The method of distillation used by this essential oil is steam distillation and it has a deep, woody, smooth, warm and balsamic aroma.

Distillation Method: Steam distillation

Part of Plant: Wood

Color: Deep amber

Scent: Deep, woody, smooth, warm, and balsamic

Chemical Group: Sesquiterpene alcohols

Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon essential oil is known as a remarkable aromatic, topical oil that can be used to complement many other oils. Lemon essential oil has a fragrance much like that of fresh lemon zest. It is normally pale to deep yellow in color and has a thin consistency. When used in aromatherapy blends, lemon oil is usually considered to be a top note. The general properties of this oil do include: carminative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antispasmodic, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, and antifungal.

Distillation Method: Expression

Part of Plant: Rind

Color: Yellow

Scent: Crisp, bright, sharp and citrusy

Chemical Group: Monoterpene hydrocarbons

Ginger Essential Oil

This is a pale yellow to amber essential oil with a warm, spicy, fresh and woody aromatic fragrance, which is reminiscent of coriander, lemongrass and citrus. The oil’s sweet and heavy undertone is rich and almost balsamic floral. Ginger oil’s citrusy fragrance provides a multitude of therapeutic benefits for your pet, either through aromatic or topical application. You should not settle for ginger oil that has a stale or musty smell. Ginger oil is moderately inexpensive when compared to other aromatic oils, and contamination is not common.

Distillation Method: Steam distillation

Part of Plant: Root

Color: Amber, pale yellow

Scent: Warm, spicy and fresh

Chemical Group: Sesquiterpene alcohols

Helichrysum Essential Oil

Helichrysum is a classic example of an essential oil that is extremely effective in dilution, and it is an aromatherapy oil with recognizable success. The oil has an undisputed ability to heal skin tissue; hence, the oil’s increasing demand. Exploration of this essential oil is known to offer nonthreatening experiment. The essential oil impresses with its extreme gentleness and high efficacy. Helichrysum is so mild that it is the preferred option for the immediate treatment of injuries, especially bleeding wounds. Dropping this oil into a bleeding wound sanitizes it, speeds up its closure, and conveniently stops the pain. There is hardly a better wound healer and anti-aging agent than this essential oil. One of the most sought-after essential oils, Helichrysum has traditionally been used for its soothing and regenerative effects. The general properties of this essential oil include: antispasmodic, anticoagulant, anti-hematic, anti-phlogistic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antimicrobial, and anti-bacterial.

Distillation Method: Steam distillation of flowers

Part of Plant: Flowers

Color: Yellow

Scent: Sharp, herbaceous aroma

Chemical Group: Asteraceae / Compositae

Uses: Helichrysum essential oil is a quick remedy to reduce bleeding, anti-bacterial.

Scent: Sharp, herbaceous aroma

Chemical Group: Asteraceae / Compositae

Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

Roman chamomile essential oil has a distinctive pale blue color and a strong, fruity, apple-like, herbaceous aroma.  The aroma is intense as well as diffusive; hence, it is best utilized in low concentrations. The oil is normally dominated by such non-terpenoid esters that are derived from short chain parent alcohols. In aromatherapy, the essential oil is mainly used as an anti-inflammatory, calming, tonic, antibiotic, analgesic, hepatic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antispasmodic natural oil. In aromatherapy blends, Roman chamomile blends well with the following essential oils: lavender, ginger, lemongrass, Helichrysum, geranium, patchouli, bergamot, rose, and sandalwood, among others. Roman Chamomile essential oil is made up of a rare composition of intensely calming as well as antispasmodic esters that make it highly appropriate for soothing the central nervous system and relieving muscle pain. This essential oil has a thin consistency and it is a middle note in aromatherapy.

Distillation Method: Steam distillation

Part of Plant: Flower heads

Color: Pale blue, turning yellow with storage

Scent: strong, fruity, apple-like, and herbaceous

Chemical Group: Non-terpenoid esters

Myrrh Essential Oil

Myrrh essential oil has a yellow amber to brown color, and a medium consistency. The oil is considered a base note when used in aromatherapy blends. The oil has a warm, earthly aroma that has woody undertones which provide it with an irresistible quality. The general properties of this essential oil include but are not limited to: tonic, vulnerary, expectorant, antiseptic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiviral, antispasmodic, and antifungal. This essential oil blends well with the following oils: lavender essential oil, frankincense essential oil, bergamot essential oil, grapefruit essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, geranium essential oil, lemon essential oil, rosemary essential oil, ylang-ylang essential oil, and Roman chamomile essential oil, among others.

Distillation Method: Steam distilled from the myrrh resin

Part of Plant: Resin

Color: Yellow amber

Scent: Warm, earthy, and woody

Chemical Group: Burseraceae

Clary Sage Essential Oil

Clary sage essential oil is a gentle as well as tolerable natural oil with various ranges of effects. This oil is predominantly calming while sage is moderately mucolytic. The calming effect makes clary sage a convenient addition to any essential oil blend for pets. Unlike garden sage that is highly inappropriate for use with pets, clary sage has proven to be quite resourceful. Clary sage essential oil is appropriate to add to calming blends for pets in conveniently small amounts. The essential oil is obtained from flower tops and leaves through steam distillation.

Distillation Method: Steam distillation

Part of Plant: Flower tops, leaves

Color: Pale yellow – green

Scent: Warm, nutty, herbal

Chemical Group: Esters

Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium essential oil has a very pleasing, soft fragrance accompanied by a rose overtone. This makes it the most appropriate choice for adulterating distillations of Rose to stretch yield. Individually, geranium essential oil is highly resourceful and gentle, so it is a convenient oil for pet owners. The oil is predominantly made up of terpene alcohols, which clearly explains its strong antifungal and tonic effects. This is one of the many antifungal oils that are convenient to use in the treatment and prevention of fungal ear infections in pets, particularly in floppy-eared dogs.

Distillation Method: Steam distillation

Part of Plant: Flowers, leaves, stalks

Color: Yellowish green

Scent: Sweet, floral, rose-like

Chemical Group: Terpene alcohols

Cardamom Essential Oil

Cardamom essential oil is a popular oil known for its numerous health benefits. It has the following properties: aphrodisiac, protectant, antispasmodic, antiseptic, digestive stimulant, antimicrobial, astringent, laxative, and nerve tonic. Cardamom also has the ability to reduce nausea and neutralize chemotherapy’s adverse effects. It can also be used to treat oral infections, to get rid of bad breath, clear colic, and clear bowels. It can blend with various essential oils such as cinnamon, cloves, cedar wood, bergamot, and orange essential oils.

Distillation Method: Steam Distillation

Part of Plant: Seeds

Color: Clear

Scent: Spicy, woody, rich, and sweet

Chemical group: Elettaria cardamomum

Sandalwood Essential Oil

With medium to thick consistency, Sandalwood essential oil (Santalum album) is typically steam distilled. This volatile oil is found in the heartwood and the larger roots. Sandalwood essential oil has a clear to yellow color, and is a viscous liquid with a soft, sweet, woody, animal-balsamic aroma. Generally, the essential oil is known to boast a large number of health benefits. Sandalwood essential oil is well-recognized for supporting personal growth, providing spiritual inspiration, and manifesting peace in humans. The general properties of sandalwood essential oil include: stimulant, sedative, expectorant, diuretic, disinfectant, carminative, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidepressant, and antibacterial. The general common health concerns alleviated by this essential oil include: yeast infections, throat infections, skin disorders, dermatitis, colds and flu, bronchitis, asthma, and acne. The oil blends well with the following essential oils: clary sage, frankincense, lavender, patchouli, lemon, Roman chamomile, bergamot, myrrh, rosewood, ylang ylang, Neroli, palo santo, geranium, and rose.

Distillation Method: Steam distillation

Part of Plant: Wood

Color: Clear to yellow

Scent: Sweet, woody aroma

Chemical Group: Santalaceae

This list is dynamic and goes under regular updates.