USES

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR COMMON CONDITIONS - LAVENDER - ROSEMARY -TEA-TREE - OTHER SITES

There are more detailed profiles on separate pages for the following oils; 
CEDARWOOD
CYPRESS
FRANKINCENSE
JUNIPER BERRY
LEMONGRASS
MYRTLE
OREGANO not a full profile, but discussion of safety and some possible uses.
PALMAROSA
VETIVER
These profiles were originally prepared for CPD (Continuing Professional Development) "essential oils refresher" sessions which I led for Professional Aromatherapy Network in South Yorkshire. I would be glad to lead such sessions for other groups, e.g. local/regional IFPA or IFA branches, or discuss other possible CPD topics.

There is also a separate page on the use of frankincense for arthritic conditions in FRANKINCENSE & MYRRH CREAM.

N.B. only some basic safety cautions for individual oils are given on this page; see Safety page for more info.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR COMMON CONDITIONS 

These are some - not all - of the oils you can use; some have been well researched, some have anecdotal evidence for their use. Take a holistic approach - deal with causes as well as symptoms, do not expect aromatherapy always to be a "magic bullet" cure, especially for chronic conditions.

SOURCES for this list include books by Julia Lawless, Patricia Davis, Shirley Price, Jean Valnet, Robert Tisserand, Valerie Ann Worwood and others, as well as my own experience. See BOOKLIST for some recommendations.

ACNE lavender, tea-tree, myrtle, geranium, bergamot***, sandalwood, palmarosa.

ARTHRITIS frankincense Indian, rosemary**, marjoram, camomile, eucalyptus, juniper, ginger*, black pepper*, pine needle, coriander, benzoin.

CELLULITIS/WATER RETENTION cypress, geranium, fennel, rosemary**, juniper, grapefruit.

CHILBLAINS marjoram, geranium, black pepper*.

COLDS AND 'FLU tea-tree, ravensara, thyme, lavender, eucalyptus, pine, myrtle, marjoram, rosemary**.

CONSTIPATION marjoram, rosemary**, black pepper*, fennel, orange***.

CYSTITIS tea-tree, lavender, bergamot***,camomile, cedarwood, eucalyptus.

DIGESTIVE UPSET camomile, lavender, clary sage, marjoram, rosemary, fennel.

DRY SKIN lavender, camomile, palmarosa, sandalwood, geranium, frankincense, ylang ylang, rose, neroli, jasmine.

ECZEMA lavender, camomile.

HEADLICE tea-tree, lavender, rosemary, geranium, bergamot***.

INSECT REPELLENT citronella, lemongrass, lavender, spike lavender, geranium, cedarwood, peppermint, eucalyptus, patchouli.

MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN lavender, rosemary**, marjoram, camomile, eucalyptus, juniper, ginger*, black pepper*, pine needle, coriander.

NAUSEA cardomom, ginger, lavender, patchouli, peppermint, spearmint.

OILY SKIN cedarwood, cypress, tea-tree, petitgrain, bergamot***, grapefruit, geranium, myrtle.

PERIOD PAINS (MENSTRUAL CRAMPS) clary sage, marjoram, camomile, lavender, rosemary**.

PMT lavender, camomile, geranium, neroli, marjoram, bergamot***, petitgrain, rose, clary sage, ylang ylang.

POOR CIRCULATION cypress, juniper, rosemary**, marjoram, black pepper*.

RELAXATION/STRESS/NERVOUS TENSION lavender, camomile, geranium, ylang ylang, clary sage, orange, bergamot, frankincense, petitgrain, cedarwood, sandalwood, rose, neroli, benzoin, cypress, marjoram.

SINUSITIS lavender, eucalyptus, pine, rosemary**, tea-tree, basil.

*use on the skin in small amounts only; max. 1% in massage oil or cream (1 drop per 5ml of carrier or 2 drops in the bath). 

** do not use in cases of high blood pressure.

*** do not use on the skin before exposure to strong sunlight or sunbeds; or use "FCF" oil which has been rectified to avoid this reaction.

NB alternative spelling - camomile or chamomile.

Information revised 12.01.05. 

LAVENDER Lavandula Angustifolia (aka L. vera, L. officinalis)

Properties include; analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, hypotensive, sedative. Plus many more! 

Contra-indications; (early) pregnancy.

Stress-related conditions, depression, insomnia.

Migraine, headache; shock, vertigo.

Muscular aches, rheumatism, sciatica.

Period pains, PMT.

Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis, respiratory infections, flu, whooping cough.

Stomach cramps, colic, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea.

Hypertension.

Cystitis.

Skin care (esp. dry skin), acne, athlete's foot, burns, eczema, dermatitis, earache, insect bites and stings, insect repellant, lice, psoriasis, sunburn, cuts and wounds.

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ROSEMARY Rosmarinus Officinalis

Properties include; analgesic, antispasmodic, cephalic, hypertensive, rubefacient, stimulant. And more...

Contra-indications; hypertension?, epilepsy?, pregnancy.

Mental fatigue, nervous exhaustion, debility. ?Headaches.

Muscular aches, rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia, gout.

Poor circulation, hypotension, fluid retention.

Colitis, dyspepsia, flatulence, liver disorders.

Period pains.

Sinusitis, asthma, colds, flu, bronchitis.

Head lice, dandruff.

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TEA-TREE Melaleuca Alternifolia

Properties include; anti-infectious, antiseptic, expectorant, fungicidal, ?immunostimulant.

Contra-indications; possible skin irritation in some individuals?

Bronchitis, colds, flu, infectious illnesses e.g. chickenpox, sinusitis, ?whooping cough, ?asthma.

Thrush, cystitis, vaginitis.

Oily skin, acne, athlete's foot, burns, cold sores, herpes, head lice, dandruff, nappy rash, verrucas, warts, infected wounds.

Information revised 17.08.12.

OTHER SITES WITH INFO ON USES. See LINKS for fuller list of aromatherapy sites.

Aromaweb

One Planet U.S. supplier, wide range of info inc. safety and methods of use.

Richard Pitt Basic amateur site. N.B. I have never seen his cautions on cypress and juniper anywhere else.

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ESSENTIAL OILS FOR COMMON CONDITIONS - LAVENDER - ROSEMARY -TEA-TREE - OTHER SITES

Paul Boizot. Page content updated 15.03.16. Whole page updated 4.10.21

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contact me on: 01904 621510 info@paulboizot.co.uk