Essential Oils

Essential Oils Chart

Steam Distillation

Cold Pressing

Essential oils are the fragrant oils that are present in many plants. Hundreds of plants yield essential oils that are used as perfumes, food flavorings, medicines, and as fragrant and antiseptic additives in many common products.

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years. The ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, over 5,000 years ago, had machines for obtaining essential oils from plants. Essential oils were the primary source of perfumes for the ancient civilizations of Egypt, India, Greece, and Rome. Essential oils have been found in 3,000 year old tombs in the Pyramids, and early Greek physicians, including Hippocrates, mentioned aromatic plant essences and oil massages for their healing and mood-enhancing qualities. The Romans associated essential oils and their fine aromas with wealth and success. Ayurvedic medicine, the world's oldest healing system, has long recommended essential oil massage as a health treatment for many conditions.

In modern times, essential oils are used in the manufacture of high quality perfumes, as additives in many common products, and in the healing practice of

aromatherapy. Aromatherapy was begun in the 1920s by a French chemist named Réné-Maurice Gattefosse, who became convinced of the healing powers of essential oils when he used lavender oil to effectively heal a severe burn on his body. Gattefosse also discovered that essential oils could be absorbed into the bloodstream when applied to the skin, and had medicinal effects inside the body. Another Frenchman, Dr. Jean Valnet, used essential oils during World War II to treat soldiers, and wrote a major book on the topic in 1964 called "Aromatherapie". Another European biochemist, Marguerite Maury, performed thorough studies of how essential oils influence the body and emotions, and popularized essential oil massages as therapy. In the 1990s, aromatherapy was one of the fastest growing alternative health treatments.

Essential oils are produced using several techniques. Distillation uses water and steam to remove the oils from dried or fresh plants, and the expression method uses machines to squeeze the oil out of plants. Other techniques may use alcohol or solvents to remove essential oils from plant materials.

Essential oils are extremely concentrated. It would take roughly thirty cups of herbal tea to equal the concentration of plant essence in one drop of essential oil. Some essential oils made from rose plants require 4,000 pounds of rose petals to make one pound of essential oil, and are thus very expensive. Lavender is one of the easiest essential oils to produce, because it only takes one hundred pounds of plant material to produce one pound of essential oil. Essential oils are generally very complex chemically, containing many different substances and compounds. Some experts have theorized that essential oils are the lifeblood of a plant, and contain compounds that the plant uses to fight infections and drive away germs and parasites. Scientific research has isolated hundreds of chemicals in essential oils, and has shown many essential oils to have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-parasitic properties. Some essential oils contain over 200 identified chemical substances.

Although there are hundreds of essential oils that are used regularly in healing treatments and perfumes, some of the more commonly used essential oils are lavender, cedar, clary sage, chamomile, peppermint, tea tree oil, eucalyptus, geranium, jasmine, rose, lemon, grapefruit, orange, rosemary, sweet marjoram, frankincense, sweet basil, and sandalwood.

Here are a few profiles of the more common oils:

Sweet Basil

Latin name: Ocimum basilicum. Sweet basil oil is produced by distilling the leaves of the herb and is imported from France. It has a slightly licorice aroma.Basil is from India. The Hindus have used it for centuries in medicine. Traditional uses: to brighten mood, strengthen nervous system, improve mental clarity and memory, for relieving headache and sinusitis. Basil should not be used during pregnancy

Cedar

Latin name: Cedrus atlantica. There are several varieties of cedar; the Atlas Cedar is one of the most beneficial for aromatherapy. Traditional uses include: help to relax tense muscles, calm emotions, help breathing, help ease pain, repelling insects. Atlas Cedar should not be used during pregnancy.

Clary Sage

Latin name: Salvia sclarea. Clary sage oil is distilled from the flowering tops and the herb and is imported from France. It has a spicy, hay-like aroma. Traditional uses include: relieving stress and tension, lifting melancholy, easing pain, restful sleep, as an aphrodisiac; contains estrogen-like hormone, for menopause and PMS, relieving nervous exhaustion. Clary Sage should not be used during pregnancy or with alcohol.

Eucalyptus

Latin name: Eucalyptus globulus. Aborigines have used eucalyptus leaves to remedy many ills. Traditional uses include: for colds, as a decongestant, to relieve asthma and fevers, for it’s bactericidal and anti-viral actions, to ease aching joints. Eucalyptus is highly toxic if taken internally.

Geranium

Latin name: Pelargonium graveolens. It has a leafy rose scent. Geranium has been long loved for its scent.Some traditional uses include: reducing stress and tension, easing pain, leveling emotions and hormones, PMS, relieve fatigue and nervous exhaustion, helps to lift depression, ease fluid retention, repel insects.

Grapefruit

Latin name: Citrus paradisi. Grapefruit oil is cold pressed from the peel of the U.S. grapefruit. It has a fresh, sweet, citrus scent. Some traditional uses include: to lift depression, ease muscle fatigue, as an astringent for oily skin, to refresh and helps to energize the body and freshen the skin.

Lavender

Latin name: Lavandula officinalis. It has a sweet, fresh scent. Lavender has been used for centuries as a fragrance and a medicine. uses include: leveling emotions, relieving stress, helps to relieve tension and headache and also tension headache, to promote sounder more restful sleep, heal the skin.

Lemon

Latin name: Citrus Limonum. It is said that lemon was used to prevent scurvy. Some of the traditional uses include: to balance the nervous system, as a disinfectant, to refresh and uplift, for purifying the body. May cause skin sensitivity to the sun or irritate sensitive skin.I have sensitive skin so I go lightly to avoid irritation.

Sweet Marjoram

Latin name: Marjorana hortensis. uses include: to relax tense muscles and relieve spasms, calm and promote restful sleep, help to relieve migraine headache pain,helps to lower high blood pressure, to help breathing, disinfecting. Marjoram should not be used during pregnancy.

Peppermint

Latin name: Mentha piperita. Uses include: for energy, and brighter mood, reducing pain, to help breathing, improve mental clarity and memory. Peppermint may irritate sensitive skin and should not be used during pregnancy.

Rose

Latin name: Rosa Damascena. Uses include: for brighter mood, menopause, reduces wrinkles, for calming and reducing nervous tension, to promote restful sleep, an aphrodisiac.

Rosemary

Latin name: Rosmarinus officinalis. Used to energize, relax tense muscles, brighten mood, to improve mental clarity and memory, eases pain, to relieve headaches, disinfecting. Rosemary should not be used if you are pregnant, if you have epilepsy or high blood pressure.

Sandalwood

Latin name: Santalum album. Traditional uses include: to lift melancholy, enhance meditation, heal the skin, helps breathing, calms and reduces stress, more peaceful sleep, disinfecting, an aphrodisiac.

Steam Distillation

Steam distillation is the most common method of extracting essential oils. Many old-time distillers favor this method for most oils, and say that none of the newer methods produces better quality oils.

Steam distillation is done in a still. Fresh, or sometimes dried, botanical material is placed in the plant chamber of the still, and pressurized steam is generated in a separate chamber and circulated through the plant material. The heat of the steam forces the tiny intercellular pockets that hold the essential oils to open and release them. The temperature of the steam must be high enough to open the pouches, yet not so high that it destroys the plants or fractures or burns the essential oils.

As they are released, the tiny droplets of essential oil evaporate and, together with the steam molecules, travel through a tube into the still's condensation chamber. As the steam cools, it condenses into water. The essential oil forms a film on the surface of the water. To separate the essential oil from the water, the film is then decanted or skimmed off the top.

The remaining water, a byproduct of distillation, is called floral water, distillate, or hydrosol. It retains many of the therapeutic properties of the plant, making it valuable in skin care for facial mists and toners. In certain situations, floral water may be preferable to pure essential oil, such as when treating a sensitive individual or a child, or when a more diluted treatment is required.

Cold Pressing

Another method of extracting essential oils is coldpressed expression, or scarification. It is used to obtain citrus fruit oils such as bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin, orange, and tangerine oils. In this process, fruit rolls over a trough with sharp projections that penetrate the peel. This pierces the tiny pouches containing the essential oil. Then the whole fruit is pressed to squeeze the juice from the pulp and to release the essential oil from the pouches. The essential oil rises to the surface of the juice and is separated from the juice by centrifugation.

Enfleurage

Some flowers, such as jasmine or tuberose, have such low contents of essential oil or are so delicate that heating them would destroy the blossoms before releasing the essential oils. In such cases, an expensive and lengthy process called enfleurage is sometimes used to remove the essential oils. Flower petals are placed on trays of odorless vegetable or animal fat, which will absorb the flowers' essential oils. Every day or every few hours, after the vegetable or fat has absorbed as much of the essential oil as possible, the depleted petals are removed and replaced with fresh ones. This procedure continues until the fat or oil becomes saturated with the essential oil. Adding alcohol to this enfleurage mixture separates the essential oil from the fatty substance. Afterwards, the alcohol evaporates and only the essential oil remains.

Solvent Extraction

Another method of extraction used on delicate plants is solvent extraction, which yields a higher amount of essential oil at a lower cost. In this process, a chemical solvent such as hexane is used to saturate the plant material and pull out the aromatic compounds. This renders a substance called a concrete. The concrete can then be dissolved in alcohol to remove the solvent. When the alcohol evaporates, an absolute remains.

Although more cost-efficient than enfleurage, solvent extraction has disadvantages. Residues of the solvent may remain in the absolute and can cause side effects. While absolutes or concretes may be fine for fragrances or perfumes, they are not especially desirable for skin care applications.

Some trees, such as Benzoin, frankincense, and myrrh, exude aromatic 'tears', or sap that is too thick to use easily in aromatherapy. In these cases, a resin or essential oil can be extracted from the tears with alcohol or a solvent such as hexane. This renders a resin or an essential oil that is easier to use. However, only those oils or resin extracted with alcohol should be used for aromatherapy purposes.

Turbodistillation, Hydrodiffusion,

and Carbon Dioxide Extraction

Several modern methods of extraction are becoming popular alternatives to traditional steam distillation. Turbodistillation is suitable for hard-to-extract or coarse plant material, such as bark, roots, and seeds. In this process, the plants soak in water and steam is circulated through this plant and water mixture. Throughout the entire process, the same water is continually recycled through the plant material. This method allows faster extraction of essential oils from hard-to-extract plant materials.

In the hydrodiffusion process, steam at atmospheric pressure is dispersed through the plant material from the top of the plant chamber. In this way the steam can saturate the plants more evenly and in less time than with steam distillation. This method is also less harsh than steam distillation and the resulting essential oils smell much more like the original plant.

Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction uses carbon dioxide under extremely high pressure to extract essential oils. Plants are placed in a stainless steel tank and, as carbon dioxide is injected into the tank, pressure inside the tank builds. Under high pressure, the carbon dioxide turns into a liquid and acts as a solvent to extract the essential oils from the plants. When the pressure is decreased, the carbon dioxide returns to a gaseous state, leaving no residues behind.

Many carbon dioxide extractions have fresher, cleaner, and crisper aromas than steam-distilled essential oils, and they smell more similar to the living plants. Scientific studies show that carbon dioxide extraction produces essential oils that are very potent and have great therapeutic benefits. This extraction method uses lower temperatures than steam distillation, making it more gentle on the plants. It produces higher yields and makes some materials, especially gums and resins, easier to handle. Many essential oils that cannot be extracted by steam distillation are obtainable with carbon dioxide extraction. In the future, many botanicals that are not now available may possibly be obtained through carbon dioxide extraction.

Medicinal Uses For Essential Oils

Below is a table of uses for essential oils. Always consult a medical doctor, or other alternative medical practitioner when suffering from any disease, illness, or injury, or before attempting a traditional or folk remedy. Keep all products away from children. As with any natural herb product, essential oils can be toxic if misused. Read Beware before proceeding.

Massage - use 3 drops of essential oil with 1 tsp. carrier oil

Bath - add 6-10 drops of essential oil per bath

Inhalation - put a 3-5 drops on a cotton ball or tissue and inhale. May also use 5-8 drops in a vaporizer, or put 3-5 drops in a steaming bowl of water and inhale.

Compress - put 3-5 drops in a hot bowl of water. Set a washcloth or small piece of cloth on top of the water. Wring out and apply to problem area. Use cold water for a cold compress. Wherever undiluted application is to be used, read the general safety information and description of the individual oil.

Foot Bath - 3-5 drops in a large pan of warm water, soak feet until cool.

Carrier Oils - any of following may be used with good results: Sweet Almond, Grapeseed, Avocado, Jojoba, Olive, Sesame Seed, Safflower or any vegetable oil or lotion base.

For more remedies please take time to browse "Aromathrapy Recipes" listed in "The Herbal Recipes" Section of this site on the "Ailments & Health" page.

Condition	Essential Oil	Method of Use
Arthritis	Roman Chamomile German Chamomile Juniper Berry Sweet Marjoram Black Pepper Birch Ginger	Massage Bath Hot Compress
Asthma	Roman Chamomile Frankincense Lavender Cypress Myrtle Bergamot	Inhalation Vaporizer Massage on Chest
Athlete's Foot	Eucalyptus Patchouli Lavender Tea Tree Garlic Myrrh	Foot Bath Massage
Backache	Sweet Marjoram Roman Chamomile Naiouli Eucalyptus Rosemary Lavender	Massage Bath Hot Compress
Bronchitis	Peppermint Frankincense Eucalyptus Lavender Cypress Myrtle	Inhalation Bath Massage on Chest
Bruises	Sweet Marjoram Roman Chamomile Helichrysum Lavender Yarrow Fennel	Cold Compress Massage
Burns	Roman Chamomile German Chamomile Eucalyptus Lavender Geranium Tea Tree	Undiluted directly Massage
Candida	Eucalyptus Bergamot Rosemary Lavender Tea Tree Lemon	Sitz Bath Massage
Catarrh	Eucalyptus Black Pepper Cedar Atlas Rosemary Niaouli	Inhalation Bath Massage on Chest
Cellulite	Juniper Rosemary Grapefruit Geranium Cypress Fennel	Massage Bath Hot Compress
Circulation	Orange Juniper Black Pepper Rosemary Ginger Rose	Massage Bath Hot Compress
Cold Sores	Bergamot Eucalyptus Niaouli Geranium Tea Tree Lemon	Undiluted directly Massage
Coughs	Sweet Marjoram Frankincense Eucalyptus Sandalwood Niaouli Cypress	Inhalation Bath Massage on Chest
Cystitis	Black Pepper Juniper Sandalwood Tea Tree Niaouli Lavender	Bath Cold Compress
Dandruff	Cedar Atlas Ylang Ylang Rosemary Lavender Tea Tree Eucalyptus	Shampoo Massage on head
Dermatitis	Roman Chamomile German Chamomile Juniper Frankincense Helichrysum Neroli	Massage Bath Cold Compress
Diarrhea	Roman Chamomile Sweet Marjoram Peppermint Clove Bud Geranium Neroli	Massage on abdomen Bath Hot Compress
Eczema	Roman Chamomile German Chamomile Frankincense Bergamot Lavender Neroli Rose	Massage Bath Cold Compress
Fatigue	Black Pepper Lemongrass Orange Peppermint Rosemary Basil	Inhalation Bath Massage
Flu	Black Pepper Eucalyptus Tea Tree Niaouli Lemon	Steam Inhalation Bath Inhalation Massage on Chest
Hay Fever	Roman Chamomile Niaouli Eucalyptus Lavender Lemon Pine	Inhalation Massage on Chest
Headache	Roman Chamomile Sweet Marjoram Peppermint Rosemary Lavender Lemon	Inhalation Massage temples Cold Compress
Head Lice	Bay Laurel Eucalyptus Rosemary Tea Tree Myrtle Thyme	Shampoo Massage on head
Hives	Roman Chamomile German Chamomile Helichrysum Lavender Angelica Myrrh Rose	Massage Cool Bath Cold Compress
Indigestion	Black Pepper Peppermint Tarragon Rosemary Fennel Ginger	Massage on stomach Hot Compress Inhalation
Inflammation	Roman Chamomile German Chamomile Eucalyptus Helichrysum Lavender Yarrow Myrrh	Cold Compress Massage
Insect Bites	Roman Chamomile Bergamot Ravensara Lavender Tea Tree Niaouli	Undiluted directly Massage
Itching	German Chamomile Roman Chamomile Helichrysum Cedar Atlas Bergamot Lavender Tea Tree	Massage Cold Compress
Jet Lag	Roman Chamomile German Chamomile Rosemary Peppermint Grapefruit Lavender Tea Tree	Bath Inhalation Massage
Menopause	Roman Chamomile Clary Sage Geranium Cypress Tarragon Rose	Bath Massage Inhalation
Migraine	German Chamomile Roman Chamomile Sweet Marjoram Peppermint Lavender Melissa Basil	Inhalation Cold Compress Massage on temples
Motion Sickness	Peppermint Cardamom Coriander Lavender Melissa Ginger	Inhalation Bath
Muscular Pain	Roman Chamomile German Chamomile Sweet Marjoram Black Pepper Eucalyptus Rosemary Lavender	Massage Bath Hot Compress
Nausea	Roman Chamomile Sandalwood Peppermint Cardamom Ginger Lavender	Inhalation Bath Massage on Stomach
Neuralgia	German Chamomile Roman Chamomile Eucalyptus Geranium Rosemary Peppermint	Inhalation Bath Massage
Period Pains	German Chamomile Sweet Marjoram Black Pepper Clary Sage Lavender Ylang Ylang	Hot Compress Bath Massage on Stomach
PMS	Roman Chamomile Clary Sage Geranium Lavender Melissa Rose	Inhalation Bath
Perspiration	Cypress Citronella Lemongrass Petitgrain Pine Sage	Bath Massage under armpits
Psoriasis	Sandalwood Frankincense Lavender Bergamot Angelica Neroli	Massage Bath Cold Compress
Rheumatism	German Chamomile Roman Chamomile Sweet Marjoram Black Pepper Juniper Berry Lavender	Massage Bath Hot Compress
Sciatica	Roman Chamomile Black Pepper Juniper Berry Eucalyptus Lavender Rosemary	Massage Bath Hot Compress
Shingles	Lavender Bergamot Tea Tree Melissa Niaouli Rose	Massage Bath Cold Compress
Sinusitis	Peppermint Eucalyptus Tea Tree Niaouli Basil Lavender	Inhalation Bath
Sore Throat	Sandalwood Eucalyptus Niaouli Geranium Lavender Tea Tree	Gargle (2 drops) Massage on throat
Sprains	Roman Chamomile German Chamomile Sweet Marjoram Eucalyptus Rosemary Lavender	Cold Compress Massage
Sunburn	Frankincense Sandalwood Tea Tree Grapefruit Lavender Peppermint	Massage Cool Bath Cold Compress
Toothache	Roman Chamomile Cinnamon Leaf Black Pepper Peppermint Clove Bud Pine	Mouthwash (2 drops) 1 drop undiluted directly
Varicose Veins	Juniper Berry Bitter Orange Geranium Patchouli Cypress Lemon	Massage Cold Compress
Warts	Ravensara Lavender Tea Tree Cypress Lemon	1 drop undiluted directly Massage
Wounds	Roman Chamomile German Chamomile Frankincense Eucalyptus Lavender Tea Tree Lemon	Rinse with 1 drop in water Massage

The Perfumes

Please take time to browse "The Perfumes" recipes listed in "The Herbal Recipes" Section of this site on the "Beauty & Bath" page.

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