Essential Oils

By Penelope Pool

With over 130 essential oils in this handy 6-page, oil-proof guide, beginners or experts can quickly find an oil’s therapeutic aspects plus cautions regarding certain oils.  Latin botanical and alternate names make finding the right oil easy and comments listed for some oils will give more background – historical or traditional uses, or more on specific cautions.

Suggested uses:
o Experts – as a handy go-to tool for your workspace, oil-proof by way of lamination
o Beginner – learning tool for quick reference and starting point for more research
o Personal – shopping guide - know where to start if looking for non-medical therapeutic options for you or a loved one’s health benefits

• Language: English
• Publisher: BarCharts, Inc.
• Release date: May 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781423237303

Book preview

A

Pimenta dioica

Allspice

Also called: pimento, Jamaica pepper

Actions: analgesic, anesthetic, antioxidant, antiseptic, carminative, muscle relaxant, rubefacient, stimulant, tonic

Uses: bronchitis, chills, congestion, coughs, cramps, depression, fatigue, flatulence, indigestion, nausea, neuralgia, stress, tension

Cautions: avoid if you have hemophilia or liver disease; must be diluted with a carrier oil; low doses recommended to avoid irritating skin & mucous membranes

Prunus dulcis var. amara

Almond, Bitter

Actions: anesthetic, antispasmodic, narcotic, vermifuge

Uses: when fixed with sweet almonds and toxins are removed, it is a laxative and remedy for acne, bladder & kidney issues, bronchitis, coughs, heartburn, muscle aches & pains, and skin care (general)

Cautions: no safe therapeutic use as a single oil. Contains the toxins benzaldehyde and cyanide. Sweet almond produces no oil but detoxifies its cousin

Abelmoschus moschatus

Ambrette Seed

Also called: musk seed, Egyptian alcee, target-leaved hibiscus, musk mallow

Actions: antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative, nervine, stimulant, stomachic

Uses: anxiety, circulation, cramps, depression, fatigue, muscle aches & pains, nervous tension, stress

Comments: used as a substitute for musk scent and as a flavoring in alcohol and soft drinks. In the Middle East, the seeds are served as a condiment to mix with coffee

Angelica archangelica

Angelica 

Also called: European or garden angelica, oil of the angels

Actions: anticoagulant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antiviral, calmative, carminative, depurative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, nervine, stimulant (circulatory system), stomachic, tonic

Uses: anemia, arthritis, bruises, edema, fatigue, flatulence, gout, immune booster, indigestion, liver ailments, menstrual & menopausal hormonal imbalance, migraines, psoriasis, rheumatism, respiratory ailments, irritated skin, stress

Comments: there are more than 30 angelica varieties

Illicium verum

Anise, Star

Also called: Chinese star anise

Actions: antiseptic, carminative, expectorant, stimulant

Uses: bronchitis, coughs, colic, cramps, flatulence, immune booster, indigestion, insect repellent, muscle aches & pains, rheumatism

Cautions: although a common spice in oriental homes, the oil is recommended for moderate use. The related Japanese star anise is highly toxic

Pimpinella anisum

Aniseed

Also called: anise, sweet cumin

Actions: antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, galactagogue, stimulant, stomachic

Uses: bronchitis, dry irritable coughs, whooping cough

Cautions: can inflame skin. Conflicting information regarding safety; use with caution

Ferula asa-foetida

Asafetida

Also called: devil’s dung, food of the gods, giant fennel

Actions: antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant, hypotensive, stimulant

Uses: asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, convulsions, constipation, flatulence, fatigue, stress

Comments: keeps animals away. Usually adulterated

B

Abies balsamea

Balsam, Canadian

Also called: turpentine oil

Actions: antiseptic (especially genitourinary & pulmonary systems), antitussive, astringent,