Aromatherapy Qualities of Essential Oils
Scent is powerful. The right scent can propel you into a heightened state of relaxation, help you recall fond memories, or can energize your whole being. Add therapeutic essential oils to your massage to increase your sense of well-being or to address a specific health complaint. Personalized blends are also available for purchase.
A note on safety: essential oils are powerful, natural substances that should be used with care and respect. Oils should not be ingested, and all oils but two, lavender and tea tree, should be diluted before application to the skin. Some people may be sensitive or allergic to some oils; therefore, sensitivity prone people should do a patch test before full body application. Most oils should be avoided during pregnancy, and individuals with health problems should not use certain oils (eg: rosemary** may raise blood pressure)
Oils by Health Conditions Oils by Scent Oils Safe During Pregnancy
Essential Oils by Health Conditions
anxiety/depression/stress: all the citrus oils, lavender, geranium rose, sandalwood, chamomile, ylang ylang, clary sage, melissa
circulation: rosemary (not for high blood pressure), pine, geranium, lemon, marjoram, ylang ylang
headaches: lavender, sweet marjoram, peppermint, chamomile, dill, grapefruit, lime
inflammation: chamomile, patchouli, peppermint
insomnia: vetiver, lavender, ylang ylang, benzoin, chamomile, clary sage, marjoram, sandalwood
muscle aches: orange, rosemary, peppermint, juniper berry, pine, clary sage, eucalyptus, marjoram, oregano, vetiver
obesity: juniper, rosemary, grapefruit
pick me up/hangover: lavender, grapefruit, lime, lemon, rosemary
relaxing/centering: vetiver, lavender, sandalwood, melissa, neroli, ho wood, patchouli, rosewood, chamomile, cedarwood
respiratory ailments: eucalyptus, benzoin, bergamot, cedarwood, pine
rheumatism/arthritis: benzoin, cedarwood, juniper berry, peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, vetiver
stimulating: rosemary, peppermint, lemon, juniper berry
stomach complaints: dill, peppermint, clove, lemon, marjoram, melissa, oregano
skin care: all skin: lavender, chamomile, sandalwood
oily skin: lemon, lime
acne: bergamot, cedarwood, chamomile, juniper, lavender, patchouli, sandalwood, tea tree
dermatitis: chamomile, lavender, neroli
burns: chamomile, lavender, tea tree
eczema: chamomile, geranium, lavender, melissa, patchouli
psoriasis: chamomile, lavender,
skin infections: eucalyptus lemon, tea tree, lavender, melissa, rosemary, sandalwood, thyme
By Scent
Citrus: bergamot*, grapefruit, lemon*, lime*, tangerine*
Earthy/Grounding: benzoin, cedarwood, ho wood, juniper berry, patchouli, rosewood, sandalwood, vetiver
Floral: chamomile, geranium, lavender, neroli, ylang ylang
Herbal: clary sage, eucalyptus, marjoram, melissa, oregano, peppermint, pine, rosemary**, thyme
* May incease the skin's sensitivity to sunlight- Do not use if you plan on being in the sun
** Rosemary should be used with caution in cases of high blood pressure, and not used in epilepsy, or other disorders of the central nervous system
Oils considered safe during pregnancy:
general application: chamomile, grapefruit, lavender (not during the 1st trimester), mandarin, neroli, petitgrain, rose, tangerine, ylang-ylang
local application: cypress, geranium, lemon, sandalwood, tea tree
Recommended Aromatherapy Books:
The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood
Aromatherapy and Massage for Mother and Baby by Allison England