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When you’re just starting out, trying to keep track of the list of the different essential oils and the benefits of each can be challenging. This article aims to act as a quick and easy reference guide to essential oils and their benefits.
List Of Essential Oils & Uses
The essential oils are listed in alphabetical order so it’s easier for you to find the reference to each oil.
For more in-depth information on different essential oils, I highly recommend buying one of these essential oil books.
Basil
Basil essential oil belongs to the herbaceous aroma family.
The oil is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves and flowers. This extract has a medium-strength sweet-herbaceous aroma that’s faintly similar to licorice.
Benefits of Basil Essential Oil
Basil is an energizing essential oil. It is best used in the morning to start your day with a burst of energy. Keep diffusing it through the day to reduce fatigue, and stay energized and focused.
The antibacterial – anti-viral properties of basil essential oil make it very effective for easing symptoms of cold, flu, and sinusitis. It is particularly effective as an expectorant. To get these respiratory benefits of basil, add 2-3 drops to a bowl of hot water and inhale the vapors using the tenting method.
A 1% dilution of basil oil with sweet almond carrier oil works very well to soothe sore muscles and reduce pain associated with rheumatism.
Bergamot
Bergamot essential oil belongs to the citrus aroma family.
The oil is extracted using by cold-pressing the rind of the bergamot fruit. It has medium strength, complex citrusy aroma with slight floral and bitter characteristics. Its subtle aroma is not as overpowering as some of the other citrus oils.
Benefits of Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot has an uplifting aroma that infuses the space with a more cheerful, joyful ambiance. Diffusing this oil can help reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and sadness.
Diffusing bergamot essential oil also enhances the flow of energy, reduces nervousness, and helps you feel calmer and more confident. Breathing in the aroma of bergamot can be very useful before embarking on anything that’s making you nervous or anxious.
When mixed with a carrier oil, bergamot helps combat oily skin and acne. It also helps soothe the symptoms of psoriasis. Create a 1% dilution with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut to get the skin-improvement benefits of bergamot. Like all citrus essential oils, bergamot is highly phototoxic. Avoid immediate exposure to the sun or UV rays after applying to the skin.
Black Pepper
Black Pepper essential oil belongs to the spicy aroma family.
It is obtained by steam distilling peppercorns. The oil has a crisp, fresh, medium-strength aroma that is reminiscent of freshly ground peppercorns.
Benefits of Black Pepper Essential Oil
Black pepper essential oil has a stimulating aroma but is rarely diffused by itself. Nobody really wants their home to smell of black pepper. However, it blends well with most other essential oils and is a great addition to diffuser blends. One drop of black pepper oil is sufficient to add heat and spice to any blend and perk up the resultant aroma.
Adding a drop of black pepper oil to any diffuser blend can help boost alertness, energy, and stamina. It also helps improve circulation.
Black pepper oil has proven pain-reducing properties. A 2% dilution with fractionated coconut oil works very well to soothe aching muscles and reduce pain associated with arthritis.
Avoid using this oil at bedtime. Its strongly stimulating aroma can hinder good sleep.
Cedarwood
Cedarwood essential oil belongs to the woodsy aroma family.
It is extracted by steam distilling the wood of the Virginian Cedarwood or the Atlas Cedarwood tree. Both oils have a rich, sweet, woody aroma that is reminiscent of cedar chests and closets. The oil from the Virginian Cedarwood tree has a slightly softer aroma.
Benefits of Cedarwood Essential Oil
The rich, sweet, woody aroma of Cedarwood is immensely calming, uplifting, and comforting. Diffusing this oil during the cold, dark fall and winter months can help uplift your spirits, and reduce seasonal anxiety and SAD.
It is very effective for use in insect repellent blends. The oil has inherent insect-repellent properties that naturally protect the Cedarwood trees from insects.
Cedarwood essential oil helps improve all skin types but is particularly beneficial for oily or acne-prone skin. To help clear acne, create a 1% dilution with fractionated coconut oil and apply gently over the skin.
If you find any premade blend too heavy for your liking, adding a drop of Cedarwood oil to the mix can help soften the heavy aroma.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon essential oil belongs to the spicy aroma family.
The oil is extracted by steam distilling the bark or leaves of the cinnamon tree. Both have a strong complex aroma that’s partly earthy and spicy with a woodsy undertone. Cinnamon bark essential oil is richer than the leaf extract but it is also more expensive.
Benefits of Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
Cinnamon Bark essential oil has a warming, stimulating, and energizing aroma that helps combat seasonal anxiety and fatigue typically brought on during the colder months.
Its aroma is a huge favorite during the Holiday season as it fills the house with the comforting smells of home baking.
Topical application of diluted cinnamon oil helps reduce pain associated with rheumatism. This is considered a strong oil though so it must be used with extreme caution. Start with a maximum of 0.6% and do a patch test for sensitivity before using it for pain relief. Get the dilution chart for guidelines on diluting essential oils.
Clary Sage
Clary Sage essential oil belongs to the herbaceous aroma family.
The oil is obtained by steam distilling the leaves, buds, and flowers of the clary sage plant. It has a medium-strong aroma that’s primarily herbaceous with slightly fruity and floral undertones.
Benefits of Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary sage essential oil contains about 60-70% Linalyl Acetate, a powerful calming ester. Inhaling the soothing, pleasant aroma of this oil can be very effective for calming frazzled nerves and reducing stress levels.
Its hormone-balancing properties make it very popular for managing women’s health, emotions, and mood, which are often affected by hormonal fluctuations brought on during the menstrual cycle or due to menopausal changes. Diffuse regularly to get the hormone-balancing benefits of clary sage.
Within chakra work, clary sage essential oil is said to help balance and support the Sacral and Third Eye Chakras.
Clary sage oil blends well with essential oils in the floral, citrus, woody, and herbaceous aroma families, particularly lavender, rose, chamomile, bergamot, lime, cedarwood, sandalwood, and patchouli.
Topical application of the diluted oil helps reduce acne, calm inflamed skin, and soothe muscular aches and pains. It also helps get rid of dandruff and stem hair loss.
Clove
Clove essential oil belongs to the spicy aroma family.
It is extracted by steam distilling the flowering buds of the clove tree. The oil has a strong aroma that’s spicy, warming, and slightly woody, much like the spice itself but with a much stronger aroma.
Benefits of Clove Essential Oil
Its rich Eugenol content gives clove essential oil its powerful pain-relieving properties but the oil is too potent to be used at full strength. A 1% dilution gently massaged over the area can help soothe muscle pain, tired limbs, and pain associated with arthritis and rheumatism.
Clove oil is particularly beneficial for reducing dental pain but is too potent to use at full strength. To reduce tooth pain, dilute 1 drop of clove oil in edible olive or coconut oil and apply to the area. This helps numb the area until you can get to a dentist. Get more details about clove essential oil benefits, uses, and cautions.
Inhaling the strong, warm, spicy aroma of clove oil can be invigorating and mentally stimulating. It fights fatigue, boosts energy levels, and helps improve focus, memory, and productivity.
Clove oil is rarely diffused by itself because of its strong, distinct aroma. To get the benefits of the oil without its strong scent, it is often blended with oils from the floral, citrus, and woody aroma families. It is used sparingly in blends otherwise it can overpower the other scents.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus essential oilbelongs to the camphoraceous aroma family.
The oil is extracted by steam distilling the leaves of the Eucalyptus radiata or Eucalyptus globulus tree. The oils obtained from both trees have a medium-strength aroma that is primarily camphorous with sweet and fruity undertones. Eucalyptus radiate essential oil has a milder and more pleasant smell.
Benefits of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil is rich in 1.8 Cineole, which is the ingredient that gives the oil its distinctive aroma and key therapeutic properties. It’s also what makes eucalyptus oil so beneficial for easing respiratory problems including congestion, sinusitis, colds, flu, respiratory tract infection, and stuffy nose. Eucalyptus is a common ingredient in several over-the-counter medications for respiratory issues. See how to use eucalyptus essential oil to manage respiratory issues here.
The aroma of eucalyptus is stimulating and energetic. Adding a few drops to your diffuser can help combat fatigue and mental exhaustion while boosting mood, energy levels, and focus. Inhaling the aroma also helps soothe menstrual cramps and strengthen the immune system.
Topical application of diluted eucalyptus oil can help relieve headaches, and soothe muscular aches and pains.
Frankincense
Frankincense essential oil belongs to the resinous aroma family.
It is obtained by hydro-distilling the resin from different species of the Boswellia tree. The oil has a medium-strength aroma that’s fresh, balsamic, and woody with slightly fruity and spicy notes.
Benefits of Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense has a grounding and calming aroma that’s perfect to use while meditating. Inhaling the calming aroma also helps reduce stress and anxiety, though it is not as commonly used for this purpose as lavender and other relaxing essential oils.
Frankincense is one of the best essential oils for the skin. To fade stretch marks, scars, and wrinkles, gently apply a 1% dilution of frankincense essential oil in fractionated coconut oil over the area.
Geranium
Geranium essential oil belongs to the floral aroma family.
It is extracted by steam distilling the leaves of the geranium plant. The oil has a strong floral aroma that’s primarily fresh and sweet with fruity undertones.
Benefits of Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium has earned its reputation as one of the best essential oils for women’s health. It is particularly beneficial for supporting the reproductive system. Adding a few drops to your bath and soaking in it for a few minutes regularly can help reduce the intensity of symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle and during menopause.
Read: How to use essential oils in the bath the right way.
Geranium essential oil also contains ingredients that balance the production of sebum, which helps reduce acne flare-ups. The astringent properties of the oil make it doubly beneficial for acne, while also helping to manage dermatitis, varicose veins,
The aroma of geranium is calming and balancing. Diffusing this essential oil can help with anxiety and depression. Its strong floral aroma can take some getting used to when diffused by itself. To get the benefits without the overwhelming scent, ginger is best blended with other light citrus or herbaceous oils such as grapefruit, bergamot, clary sage, or lemongrass when diffusing.
Ginger
Ginger essential oil belongs to the spicy aroma family.
It is obtained by steam distillation of the ginger root. The oil has a medium-strong aroma that is spicy, earthy, warm, and woody.
Benefits of Ginger Essential Oil
The warm, spicy aroma of ginger makes this a great essential oil to diffuse during the cold fall and winter months. However, it has a very strong scent and is best blended with other floral or herbaceous oils before diffusing. It is a popular addition in many Christmas Blends and the main ingredient in all of these Gingerbread Cookies Diffuser Blend recipes.
Ginger essential oil is uplifting, energizing, and aphrodisiacal. It makes a great addition to blends used to set a romantic mood in the bedroom. More about aphrodisiac essential oils.
Inhaling the aroma of ginger also eases nausea. It’s one of the best essential oils for hangovers.
Topical application of diluted ginger oil helps soothe sore, achy muscles, and arthritis-related pain.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit essential oil belongs to the citrus aroma family.
The oil is cold-pressed from the rind of the fruit. It has a medium-strong complex aroma that is pleasantly tangy, tart, and sweet, much like the aroma of the grapefruit rind but much more concentrated.
Benefits of Grapefruit Essential Oil
Grapefruit essential oil has a wonderfully fresh and uplifting aroma that’s not too strong or overpowering as many other oils from the citrus aroma family. Diffusing this oil relieves anxiety and stress, and uplifts your spirits.
Rich in limonene, grapefruit is one of the best essential oils for weight loss and also for detoxifying the body. Inhaling the aroma has been proven to curb cravings so you are not tempted to reach out for seconds.
It also helps balance oily skin and reduce acne breakouts when diluted with a carrier oil and applied topically.
The aroma of grapefruit oil blends well with many other aromas, making it a popular addition to many refreshing blends.
Helichrysum
Helichrysum essential oil is extracted by steam distilling the flowers of the Helichrysum italicum plant.
It has a medium-strong aroma that is rich and sweet, partly herbaceous and earthy with tea-like undertones.
Benefits of Helichrysum Essential Oil
Inhaling the rich, sweet aroma of helichrysum can be very calming and de-stressing. While it can be overwhelming when diffused by itself, lends a wonderfully rich aroma when blended with other oils such as Frankincense, Sweet Orange, Juniper Berry, Chamomile, Cedarwood, and Clary Sage.
Helichrysum’s strong anti-inflammatory properties make it very useful for soothing muscular aches and pains and alleviating the symptoms of acne, dermatitis, and eczema. A very light dilution helps soothe burns, cuts, and wounds.
Jasmine Absolute
Jasmine Absolute essential oil is solvent-extracted from Jasmine blossoms. Unlike other floral essential oils, jasmine oil cannot be extracted by steam distillation. Instead, a solvent is used to create a highly concentrated absolute.
The oil has a strong floral aroma that’s deep, rich, and exotic.
Benefits of Jasmine Absolute Essential Oil
Jasmine’s rich floral aroma has potent aphrodisiac qualities. A little goes a long way with its strong aroma, which is why it is seldom diffused by itself.
Jasmine essential oil is often used in massage oils, body creams, and candles or blended with other essential oils to create a romantic ambiance.
It is hugely popular in creating exotic, floral women’s perfumes.
Inhaling the uplifting aroma can help combat exhaustion, anxiety, and depression and inspire feelings of optimism and confidence.
Topical application with diluted jasmine oil is great for dry and sensitive skin.
Juniper Berry
Juniper Berry essential oil belongs to the woody aroma family.
The oil is extracted by steam distilling the berries of the Juniperus communis tree. It has a mild-medium strength aroma that’s crisp, woody, earthy, and slightly sweet.
Benefits of Juniper Berry Essential Oil
Juniper Berries have been used since ancient times to cleanse and purify the air. Before extraction methods became more common, the berries were burned for the purpose. That same practice has continued to date albeit in a different form. Today, we juniper berry essential oil to cleanse and purify the air several different ways – by adding a few drops to a diffuser, creating aromatic room sprays, or burning juniper berry-scented candles.
Inhaling the crisp, woody aroma is immensely calming. Adding a few drops to your diffuser can help reduce stress and anxiety without the sedative effect of chamomile or lavender.
Juniper berry essential oil blends well with a wide range of essential oils, especially those from the citrus, woody, and herbaceous aroma families. It is often used to imbue a fresh, crisp note into heavily-scented blends.
Its powerful antiseptic properties make this a good oil to combat acne and soothe itchy skin associated with dermatitis, rosacea, and psoriasis.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil belongs to the floral aroma family.
It is extracted by steam distilling the flowers, leaves, and buds. The oil has a medium-strength floral aroma that is fresh and sweet with slightly herbaceous characteristics.
Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is almost synonymous with aromatherapy. It’s rare to find someone who has heard of aromatherapy but hasn’t heard of lavender. Its reputation is not surprising. This is a versatile oil that finds use in several applications.
Lavender is well known for its sedative and calming properties. Inhaling its aroma helps to calm stress and anxiety and promotes sleep. It is one of the best essential oils to ease headaches and migraines.
Its strong antibacterial properties make lavender a must-have in your first-aid kit along with a carrier oil. Topical application of diluted lavender is very helpful for soothing allergies, bruises, cuts, burns, sores, and insect bites.
When gently massaged into the affected area, lavender reduces the pain of sprains and strains and helps reduce acne flare-ups.
Lavender oil is safe to use for children but must be properly diluted before topical applications. Check this KidSafe dilution chart for guidelines on diluting essential oils for children.
Lemon
Like most citrus oils, lemon essential oil is obtained by cold pressing the rind of the fruit. Steam distillation is never used to extract citrus oils as the heat destroys the properties of these oils.
The oil has a strong aroma that resembles that of fresh lemon rinds but in a more concentrated form.
Benefits of Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon is another versatile essential oil that finds use in several applications but with a completely different set of properties.
Lemon essential oil has an energizing and uplifting aroma. When added to a diffuser, it fills the space with a strong citrusy, and cheerful vibe that combats fatigue. It is a great oil to use in the morning for an energetic start to the day or as a quick pick-me-up during an afternoon slump.
Its strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying properties make this one of the best essential oils for boosting the immune system and reducing cold and flu symptoms. It is a common addition in many immunity-boosting synergy blends because of its ability to blend well with other essential oils.
Rich in d-limonene, lemon is a powerful disinfectant and is a common addition to DIY sprays used for disinfecting the surfaces in a home.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass essential oil belongs to the citrus aroma family.
It is extracted by steam distillation of the grass and has a strong aroma that’s fresh and intensely lemony with herbaceous undertones.
Benefits of Lemongrass Essential Oil
The fresh, lemony aroma of lemongrass essential oil is uplifting and invigorating. Diffusing this oil can help you stay positive and emotionally balanced during challenging times.
Lemongrass essential oil can be diffused by itself when you need help combating mental fatigue and staying focused and alert. However, the aroma can be a bit too strong. To tone down the intense lemony scent without diluting its effect, lemongrass oil is often blended with other essentials before adding to the diffuser. It blends particularly well with peppermint, geranium, and other essential oils in the mint, wood, and herbaceous families.
Lemongrass oil is the best essential oil to use in a bath to ease muscular aches and pains. It can also be applied topically for the purpose but care must be taken to use it in a very light dilution. Like all other citrus oils, lemongrass too is photosensitive. Avoid exposure to the sun immediately after applying this oil topically.
The aroma of lemongrass acts as an effective insect repellant
Roman Chamomile
Roman Chamomile essential oil belongs to the floral aroma family.
The oil is slightly bluish in color and obtained by steam distilling the flowers and buds of the plant. It has a medium-strong aroma that is crisp, sweet, and herbaceous, with a slight fruity undertone.
Benefits of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile has an immensely calming aroma that puts it among the best essential oils to combat overwhelming stress, anxiety, and depression. Smelling the calming aroma of chamomile can also help soothe you down when you feel your irritability or anger increasing.
Chamomile essential oil is safe to use on children and can help calm crying babies and tame toddlers’ temper tantrums.
Diffusing chamomile essential oil in the bedroom can help overcome insomnia and promote better sleep.
Chamomile has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it useful for easing headaches, muscle aches, sprains, and arthritis. To use the oil for pain relief, create a 2% dilution with olive oil, and apply gently over the affected areas. For long time use, it’s better to use a 1 % dilution.
Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil belongs to the mint aroma family.
It is extracted by steam distilling the leaves, flowers, and buds of the Mentha Piperita plant. The oil has a strong aroma that is intensely minty and reminiscent of Peppermint Candies but with a more concentrated fragrance.
Benefits of Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint is a hugely popular essential oil, both for its pleasant, cooling aroma and for its diverse therapeutic benefits.
The distinct aroma of the oil and the cooling sensation it induces are due to the high concentration of menthol. Inhaling peppermint’s aroma is refreshing and re-energizing, making it a favorite addition to many summer blends.
Menthol also gives peppermint essential oil its pain-relieving properties. A 1% dilution with coconut oil can help soothe muscular aches and pains, and ease tension headaches when applied topically.
Peppermint is one of the best essential oils for hangovers. Inhaling the cool, refreshing, menthol-filled aroma can also help calm the throbbing head and nausea associated with hangovers.
The stimulating aroma of peppermint makes it a good choice to diffuse in the morning to get a good start to the day. It helps enhance stamina and alertness. It’s best to avoid inhaling this oil before bedtime as the stimulating aroma can make it more difficult to wind down and fall asleep.
Rose
Rose essential oil belongs to the floral aroma family.
There are three rose essential oil varieties depending on the method of extraction:
- Rose Otto is extracted by steam distilling rose petals
- Rose CO2 Extract is obtained by the process of CO2 extraction
- Rose Absolute is obtained by the process of solvent extraction
The most commonly used type of rose essential oil is Rose Absolut. It has an unmistakable floral aroma that’s sweet, strong, and intense.,
Benefits of Rose Essential Oil
Rose essential oil offers several benefits to women’s health. Inhaling its aroma helps manage hormonal fluctuation, offering relief and comfort during menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause.
Its rich aroma is heady, intoxicating, and aphrodisiacal. Considered the ‘Queen of Aphrodisiac Essential Oils’, rose is the best essential oil to add to your diffuser to create a romantic ambiance. It can also set the mood when added to skincare products, candles, and massage oils.
Emotionally, it helps relieve stress and is the oil of choice for use during times of severe anxiety or grief.
Rose oil is also good for the skin. It soothes eczema and helps diminish the appearance of wrinkles in mature skin.
Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil belongs to the herbaceous aroma family,
The oil is obtained by steam distilling the leaves and flowers of the rosemary shrub. Surprisingly, the extracted oil does not smell the same as the freshly cut herb. It has a medium-strong aroma that is fresh, sweet, and herbaceous with distinct camphorous characteristics.
Benefits of Rosemary Essential Oil
The aroma and actions of rosemary essential oil can be encapsulated in three words – Stimulating, Invigorating, Refreshing.
Inhaling the stimulating aroma of rosemary oil can help you stay focused and alert. It also helps improve memory retention. Adding this oil to your diffuser in the morning will help you get a running start to those days when you have a long study session ahead or you have a crucial business meeting scheduled. Diffusing it through the day helps fight fatigue and maintain higher levels of focus and alertness.
Its invigorating aroma also makes rosemary the best essential oil to diffuse in your car to fight exhaustion and stay alert and awake on long drives.
Rosemary oil gets its renowned decongestant and pain-relieving properties from its relatively high camphor content. Steam inhalation with a few drops of this oil is an effective decongestant and expectorant. Gently massaging the diluted oil over the affected areas can help reduce pain associated with muscle cramping, arthritis, and rheumatism.
Rosemary essential oil is widely used in many natural skincare and haircare products. It stimulates hair growth, reduces dandruff, and brightens dull skin.
Sandalwood
Sandalwood essential oil belongs to the woody aroma family.
The oil is extracted by steam distilling the wood of the Santalum album tree. It has a medium aroma that’s deep, rich, and woody with sweet floral undertones.
Benefits of Sandalwood Essential Oil
Rooted in Ayurvedic medicine, sandalwood has been popular since ancient times for its use in spiritual applications.
Its soothing scent is deeply calming and grounding. Inhaling the aroma of sandalwood reduces stress, depression, and anxiety and instills a sense of inner peace. It is one of the best oils to use for meditation and to bolster self-esteem.
Sandalwood essential oil is very good for the skin. A 1% dilution with coconut oil or jojoba is excellent for nourishing sensitive and chapped skin, reducing the visibility of stretch marks and scars.
Tea Tree
Tea tree essential oil belongs to the camphoraceous aroma family.
The oil is extracted by steam distilling the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant. It has a medium-strength aroma that is fresh and medicinal, with herbaceous, woody, and earthy undertones.
Benefits of Tea Tree Essential Oil
With its strong antibacterial properties, tea tree is one of the best essential oils for acne. However, it should never be used on the skin in its concentrated form. The oil must be diluted with a carrier oil such as jojoba or almond before topical application. Start with a 1% dilution and test it out first before increasing to a 2% strength. Check the dilution chart for guidelines.
Tea tree is a must-have essential oil in any home for its immunity-boosting proprieties and effectiveness in fighting germs. It helps also an effective decongestant and expectorant and helps ease chest congestion and sinusitis symptoms.
Diluted tea tree essential oil also helps calm itchy skin, sores, and insect bites.
Thyme
Thyme essential oil belongs to the herbaceous aroma family.
The oil is extracted by steam distillation of the leaves and has a medium-strong aroma that’s fresh and distinctly herbaceous with subtle medicinal overtones.
Benefits of Thyme Essential Oil
The fresh, herbaceous aroma of thyme is stimulating and invigorating. It’s a great oil to add to your diffuser when you need to fight mental fatigue and stay focused and alert. Diffusing thyme oil in the oil can help you get an energetic start to the day.
Its high thymol content is what gives thyme essential oil a range of therapeutic properties. Topical application of diluted thyme oil helps soothe itchy skin due to insect bites or dermatitis. It also alleviates muscle pain, and pain associated with arthritis.
It supports the immune system by fighting off infections and ridding the body of toxins
Wintergreen
Wintergreen essential oil belongs to the woody aroma family.
The oil is extracted by water or steam distillation of the leaves of the Gaultheria fragrantissima tree. It has a strong aroma that is fresh, crisp, minty, and woody.
Benefits of Wintergreen Essential Oil
Wintergreen’s renowned pain-reducing properties are due to its high percentage of the ester, methyl salicylate. This oil is a common addition in massage oils meant to soothe muscle aches and pains. A highly diluted topical application produces a cooling feeling that relieves the inflammation and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
However, it must be used sparingly and with extreme caution. Methyl salicylate can be toxic and can cause blood clotting when used in high doses. This oil is best not used casually and without first speaking to a licensed aromatherapist.
Ylang Ylang
Ylang ylang essential oil belongs to the floral aroma family.
The oil is obtained by steam distilling Ylang Ylang flowers. It has a heady aroma that is rich, sweet, exotic, and distinctly floral.
Benefits of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang Ylang is one of the more complex essential oils with an estimated 30 different ingredients. Even the extraction process is relatively complex, consisting of three distillation stages.
Inhaling the cheerful, floral aroma of Ylang Ylang can be a tremendous mood booster. It relieves stress and anxiety, and is especially beneficial for calming anger and relieving symptoms of depression. Diffusing this essential oil also helps when you’re struggling to cope with overwhelming grief.
Topical application of the diluted oil helps combat oily skin and acne.
The heady aroma of ylang ylang can be a bit too strong and can cause headaches when diffused in its undiluted form. Best to start by adding a low concentration in other blends.
Important Note About Applying Essential Oils to the Skin
Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts and can cause skin irritation when applied to the skin in their concentrated form. You must dilute essential oils with carrier oil before topical application. This guide to diluting essential oils dives deep into all aspects, including dilution ratios, which are crucial for avoiding adverse reactions.
These are the best carrier oils for diluting essential oils.
This Dilution Chart Magnet from Plant Therapy contains detailed information on various dilution rates. Its magnetic backing keeps the chart right where you need it so you can refer to it whenever you need to.
Buy the Dilution Chart Magnet and keep it handy so you never make a mistake when working on your DIY projects using essential oils.
Use this KidSafe Dilution Chart Magnet when making essential oil products for kids.
Understanding which are the best pulse points for applying essential oils is key to getting the fastest relief and maximizing the benefits of topical applications.
How To Save Money On High-Quality Essential Oil Starter Sets
Read this article before you buy essential oils – Ultimate Guide to Buying Essential Oils – 10 Things To Take Into Consideration. These tips are useful whether you’re just getting started or looking to expand your collection.
Buying individual bottles of essential oils can get expensive. When you’re looking to get the benefits of essential oils, it’s best to invest in a starter set from a reputed brand.
This Top 14 Essential Oil Set from Plant Therapy includes a versatile selection of the most commonly used essential oils.
Plant Therapy is well known for its high-quality oils backed by rigorous production standards and extensive testing. Read my in-depth Plant Therapy Essential Oils Review to see why it is my #1 recommended brand for buying all aromatherapy-related products.
At its price, the Top 14 essential oil set gives you the best value for your money.
For more options, check out this list of Best Essential Oil Sets – Save Money On High Quality Oils.
Which of these essential oils have you used and which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
Related Reads:
Essential Oils Vs. Carrier Oils – A Comprehensive Guide
Best Essential Oil Sets- Save Money On High Quality Oils
How To Store Essential Oils To Maximize Shelf Life
Essential Oil Safety – How To Use Essential Oils Safely
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before using any natural medication or if you experience any unusual symptoms. See Full Disclaimer here.
