Essential
oils are aromatic non-greasy plant extracts,
produced using various methods such as steam
distillation, expression, solvent extraction,
or maceration. Depending on the plant and
the way in which the oil is extracted they
fall into three categories:
- Base Note oils: These
are composed of the largest molecules
and therefore disperse more slowly (up
to 7 days). They are usually deeply relaxing
and grounding. Examples are Sandalwood
and Rose.
- Middle Note oils:
These have a mix of small and large molecules,
and therefore disperse after 2 to 3 days.
They are usually balancing and centring.
Examples are Lavender and Geranium.
- Top Note oils: These
have tiny molecules and can have an instant
effect lasting up to 24 hours. They are
usually uplifting, opening, releasing.
Examples are citrus oils such as Lemon
and herb oils such as Clary Sage.
When blending oils for your treatment an
aromatherapist will normally try and pick
an oil from each category, to give you both
an immediate and lasting effect. When blending
it is important to consider which oils blend
well together.
Absorption of essential oils
is more thorough than you might think. They
are absorbed through the skin during massage
or topical application, and from there pass
directly into the bloodstream. Also, there
are many nerve endings in the nose that
respond to essential oil air-borne particles,
which transmit messages to the brain and
can evoke memories or release hormones.
And finally they can be inhaled into the
lungs and from there be absorbed directly
into the bloodstream. It is therefore not
surprising that an aromatherapy massage
enables the therapeutic properties of the
essential oils used to be fully realised
by the body, especially if the client is
encouraged not to shower for 12 hours afterwards.
Other ways of enjoying essential oils are
in the bath; topical application in creams,
gels, bath oils; inhalation through vaporisers,
oil burners, candles; and even a few drops
in the iron or vacuum cleaner.
The ONLY oils that can be
used neat on the skin are Lavender and Tea
tree. You should always perform a skin test
before using an essential oil, as occasionally
there may be an allergic reaction. Just
dilute, dab a bit on the inside of your
wrist, and wait 24 hours to see if there
is a reaction. Also, essential oils should
never be taken internally, diluted or otherwise.
If you have any doubts about use of specific
oils it is always best to consult a qualified
practitioner, as they are trained in the
properties and safety requirements of each
essential oil. |
Essential Oils: A to D |
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Basil
- Top Note: A calming, uplifting oil, both
warming and cooling. It is known for its
ability to alleviate nervous problems, such
as anxiety and mental fatigue, as it promotes
calm and mental clarity. It is also good
for aches and pains, the immune system,
and digestive and respiratory conditions.
Blends well with: Bergamot, Black Pepper,
Clary Sage, Fennel, Frankincense, Geranium,
Lavender, Lemongrass, Lime, Melissa, Niaouli,
Patchouli, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage. |
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Bay
- Top Note: A warming, stimulating,
spicy oil, great as a scalp stimulant when
diluted in a hair rinse for dandruff, greasy
hair, and promoting growth. Also good for
muscular and joint aches and pains, neuralgia,
poor circulation, rheumatism, sprains, strains,
colds, flu, and infections. Often used in
aftershaves and hair lotions.
Blends well with: Citrus oils, Coriander,
Eucalyptus, Geranium, Ginger, Juniper, Lavender,
Rose, Rosemary, Spice oils, Thyme, Ylang Ylang. |
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Benzoin
- Base Note: An uplifting, warming,
drying, comforting oil, good for poor circulation,
skin conditions, respiratory congestion,
and gout. It is also good for depression
and loneliness, bringing clarity and calm.
It has a strong sweet vanilla odour!
Blends well with: Cypress, Frankincense, Jasmine,
Juniper, Lemon, Peppermint, Petitgrain, Rose,
Sandalwood. |
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Bergamot
- Top Note: A refreshing, uplifting, and
balancing oil, known particularly for it’s
powerful antiseptic properties in relation
to skin, mouth, respiratory, and urinary
conditions. It can build confidence and
is effective for treating depression.
Blends well with: Black Pepper, Chamomiles,
Clary Sage, Cypress, Frankincense, Geranium,
Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Neroli,
Orange, Petitgrain, Palmarosa, Rosemary, Vetiver,
Ylang Ylang. |
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Black Pepper - Base Note: A warming, drying,
stimulating, strengthening oil, known for
its ability to ease aches and pains after
sports. It is also know for its digestive
properties and ability to clear congestion
(physical and mental). A masculine oil.
Blends well with: Citrus oils, Spicy Floral
oils, Frankincense, Lavender, Marjoram, Rosemary,
Sandalwood. |
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Cedarwood
- Base Note: A warming, drying, strengthening
oil, good for treating respiratory conditions
(especially clearing catarrh), arthritis,
rheumatism, and skin conditions including
excess oiliness. It is also good for nervous
stress/tension as it is calming and strengthening.
Blends well with: Benzoin, Cypress, Juniper,
Melissa, Patchouli, Pine, Rose, Sandalwood,
Vetiver. |
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Chamomile,
German - Middle Note: A cooling,
soothing, and uplifting oil, well known
for easing digestive problems and it’s anti-inflammatory
properties. Use in a compress over parts
of the body that require treatment. It is
bright blue and some people either dislike
it’s smell or find it overpowering. It is
also good for easing mental or emotional
upset and irritability.
Blends well with: Benzoin, Bergamot, Clary
Sage, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon,
Marjoram, Neroli, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile,
Rose, Rosemary, Tea tree, Ylang Ylang. |
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Chamomile,
Roman - Middle Note: A cooling,
calming, and uplifting oil, well known for
easing digestive problems and muscular aches
and pains. It can clear mental paralysis
and as such is good for easing anxiety and
tension. It shares many properties with
German Chamomile but is thought to be better
if an antispasmodic effect is required.
Blends well with: Bergamot, Clary Sage, Geranium,
Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavender (Sleep…), Lemon,
Lemongrass, Neroli, Orange, Palmarosa, Petigrain,
Rosemary, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang. |
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Cinnamon
Bark - Top Note: A warming, stimulating,
spicy oil, energising and uplifting. It
is a strong antiseptic and has a cleansing
effect, and is best used as a room fragrance.
In an essential oil burner it will blend
wonderfully with oils such as Frankincense
and Orange, and is a big favourite at Christmas.
Blends well with: Benzoin, Clove, Frankincense,
Mandarin, Orange, Ylang Ylang. |
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Citronella - Top Note: An uplifting
and calming oil, well known for it’s use
as an insect repellent, and also good for
stomach upsets, colds, fever, flu, fatigue,
depression, and anxiety. It has a strong,
fresh, sweet lemon aroma.
Blends well with: Citrus Oils, Cedarwood
(with which it is traditionally blended
for use as an insect repellent), Eucalyptus,
Geranium, Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary,
Sage, Tea Tree, and Thyme. |
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Clary
Sage - Top Note: A cooling, calming,
uplifting oil, good for high blood pressure
and throat and respiratory infections. It
is also good for addressing female hormonal
imbalances and treating anxiety and depression.
It is a general nerve tonic.
Blends well with: Citrus oils, Cedarwood,
Frankincense, Geranium, Jasmine, Juniper,
Lavender, Lemongrass, Pine, Sandalwood. |
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Clove Bud - Top Note: A warming,
stimulating, and spicy oil, well known for
it’s ability to sooth toothache, and also
good for aches and pains, bronchitis, sinusitis,
bowel spasms, dysentery, enteritis, memory
loss, and neuralgia. It is a strong air
antiseptic.
Blends well with: Bergamot, Clary Sage,
Jasmine, Lavender, Orange (Sweet), Rose,
and Ylang ylang. |
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Coriander
- Top Note: A warming, comforting, and refreshing
oil, good for everyday muscular aches and
pains. Also good for eliminating excess
fluids or toxins, arthritis, gout, poor
circulation, rheumatism, digestive system
problems, colds, flu, infections, and measles.
Helps to alleviate nervous exhaustion, migraines,
and neuralgia.
Blends well with: Bergamot, Citronella, Clary
Sage, Cypress, Frankincense, Ginger, Jasmine,
Neroli, Pine, Sandalwood, Spice oils. |
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Cypress
- Base Note: A warming, drying, strengthening
oil, useful where there is an excessive
loss of fluid, e.g. sweating, menstrual,
and incontinence. It is also good for respiratory
conditions and strengthens glandular function.
Blends well with: Benzoin, Bergamot, Cedarwood,
Clary Sage, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Mandarin,
Marjoram, Orange, Peppermint, Pine, Sandalwood. |
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| Available
in our Shop: |
| Kathryn
Anne Essential Oil Blends: |
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| Kathryn
Anne Essential Oils: |
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Bibliography
The following books were referenced
for this section and are all available (via the
links) in association with Amazon.co.uk:
Aromatherapy
– A Practical Approach by Vicki Pitman
The
Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless
See our full range of Aromatherapy
books in the Further Exploration
section. |
