Essential Oils: Essential Oil and Aromatherapy Recipes for Wellness, Beauty, and a Healthy Home

By Audra Avizienis

Discover the healing power of 115 essential oils in this modern aromatherapy guide with practical tips for wellness, beauty, and a healthy home.

Essential Oils takes you on an aromatic journey that explores the exquisite fragrances and healing powers of essential oils. Discover the many benefits of the ancient practice of aromatherapy, which harnesses the therapeutic properties from the essential oils of medicinal plants.

 Here, you'll find the perfect oil for all your aromatherapy needs, whether you’re looking for a relaxing spa fragrance, a healing salve for aching muscles, or a spiritual scent for meditation. Essential Oils also shows you how to create your own essential oil blends and offers dozens of simple recipes for beauty treatments, home use, and everyday health.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jul 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781684128082

Book preview

GENERAL DISCLAIMER

The contents of this book are intended to provide useful information to the general public. All materials, including text and images, are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment for specific medical conditions. All readers should seek expert medical care and consult their own physicians before commencing any regimen for any general or specific health issues. The author and publishers do not recommend or endorse specific treatments, procedures, advice, or other information found in this book and specifically disclaim all responsibility for any and all liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use or application of any of the material in this publication.

CONTENTS

Introduction

CHAPTER 1: CITRUS SCENTS

CHAPTER 2: FLORAL FRAGRANCES

CHAPTER 3: HERBACEOUS AROMAS

CHAPTER 4: CAMPHORACEOUS SCENTS

CHAPTER 5: SPICY AROMAS

CHAPTER 6: RESINOUS OILS

CHAPTER 7: WOODSY SCENTS

CHAPTER 8: EARTHY AROMAS

CHAPTER 9: CARRIER OILS

CHAPTER 10: RECIPES

Index

Photo Credits

THE HISTORY AND USES OF OILS

Our sense of smell is the most primal of all senses. From day one, a newborn baby can distinguish scents better than sights and sounds. Often, our scent memory is more accurate than our visual cues. We may recall the aroma of a grandparent’s house, a sweet bakery, or the salt spray of the ocean better than we can visualize it.

The power of fragrance is nowhere more evident than in the world of essential oils. Aromatherapy offers a treasure trove of possibilities, not only for your olfactory system but also for your overall health.

HISTORY OF HERBAL MEDICINE

Medicinal plants have been used for tens of thousands of years, as evidenced by cave drawings of medicinal plants and from fossilized remains of Neanderthals who chewed poplar bark for pain relief. Significantly, a compound within poplar bark called salicylic acid was the precursor to modern-day aspirin. Even earlier archaeological evidence shows that our ancient ancestors in South Africa used insect-repellent sedges in their bedding 75,000 years ago.

The first written record of the medicinal use of plants goes back to 5500 BC, when ancient Sumerians documented various therapeutic herbal remedies on clay tablets. Papyrus scrolls reveal that ancient Egyptians extracted precious essential oils from aromatic leaves, bark, and roots; from resinous sap; and from fragrant flowers. They believed that when people fell ill, demons possessed their bodies, and only foul-smelling herbs could drive them away. Egyptians preserved their wines with herbs and drank them as digestive tonics. They used essential oils and flower waters as tonics for their faces and hair. An ancient Egyptian medicine called kyphi, consisting of more than a dozen oils from herbs and resins, remains a popular incense and perfume to this day.

Hand-colored illustrations from Nicholas Culpeper’s Complete Herbal, which was published in 1653. Many herbs and essential oils have a long history of therapeutic use.

Similarly, an ancient Chinese medical encyclopedia called the Huangdi Neijing documents hundreds of herbs to rebalance chi, or life force. In the ayurvedic tradition of India, the esteemed essential oil of a plant was believed to contain an agni, or fire, with tremendous healing powers. In ayurvedic tradition, ginger oil is considered the oil of empowerment and a universal medicine. Ancient Greeks dedicated particularly powerful herbs to various deities. The Greek father of medicine Hippocrates and the Roman physician Galen each developed remedies for various illnesses using herbal preparations that consisted of such plants as laurel, mint, and parsley. They used marigold to combat fever and lavender as a calming agent.

Myrrh resin and oil. Myrrh is one of the resins that appears in kyphi recipes.

Native American traditions also go back hundreds of years. Certain tribes cooled fevers with willow and birch, which contain the herbal aspirin salicylic acid. Some used echinacea for insect bites and the astringent witch hazel for inflammatory conditions. This long tradition of herbal remedies paved the way for modern-day aromatherapy.

AROMATHERAPY

Although the essential oils of plants and trees have long been used therapeutically, an understanding of how the oils work is relatively new. When you smell a favorite food, the scent triggers an instantaneous reaction in your body, stimulating your salivary glands even before your brain comprehends what you smell. That is because scent messages travel directly from your olfactory bulb (at the roof of your nasal cavity) up to the adjacent limbic system. This primitive part of the brain stem is the switchboard of the brain, and it relays incoming information to the higher brain for processing.

Once the limbic system receives a scent message, it triggers a response in the autonomic nervous system, which controls basic functions such as heart rate, breathing, digestion, perspiration, and sexual desire. It also triggers the endocrine system, which regulates mood and metabolism, and keeps the body balanced in homeostasis. Interestingly, scent messages to the brain go directly to our brain’s memory center, the hippocampus, which is why the familiar smell of a certain place can trigger old memories even before we recognize the location. Scent also triggers the amygdala—the seat of emotions and fear—a throwback to the vital fight-or-flight mechanism for survival.

EMOTIONAL HEALING

Essential oils trigger powerful effects on the human body. Probably the most popular use of essential oils is to unwind and relax the mind. Calming oils, such as the classic lavender, chamomile, and rose, can alleviate stress and promote deep relaxation—or even put you to sleep, in the case of valerian oil. Other essential oils are decidedly bright and joyful, such as the fresh aroma of lemon and grapefruit oils. Citrusy oils can instantly brighten a room and lift a downcast mood. Richer fragrances, on the other hand, may add a sense of grounding or centeredness, such as the root oil vetiver and sandalwood. Penetrating oils, including frankincense and palo santo, are often considered spiritual oils because they lend themselves well to meditation and deep contemplation. Essential oils can also instill confidence and courage, in particular clove and ginger oil. Still other oils trigger sensual thoughts and desires: jasmine’s sultry fragrance is a classic aphrodisiac.

PHYSICAL HEALING

Aromatherapy goes beyond emotional support and offers a vast array of therapeutic benefits. On the simplest level, essential oils support the nervous system, helping to rebalance emotions. That, in turn, impacts the adrenal glands and hormones throughout the body. Essential oils such as eucalyptus and oregano promote respiratory health by acting as decongestants and expectorants that loosen phlegm and open up bronchial airways for easier breathing.

Sonic vapor essential oil diffuser

Inflammation—one of the root causes of so many modern-day illnesses—can lead to conditions that affect skin, joints, and bronchial passages. Anti-inflammatory essential oils can help minimize symptoms of diseases such as asthma, arthritis, gout, and rheumatism. Heart-healthy essential oils include anti-inflammatory oils, such as ginger, lemongrass, and helichrysum oil. Regular inhalation of these oils can supplement a healthy diet and lifestyle to improve overall heart health. Inflammatory skin conditions can find quick relief with a variety of essential oils. Antibacterial essential oils, such as oregano and thyme, can benefit acne and rashes, and the powerful tea tree oil can treat fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and thrush.

Clinical studies have shown that certain essential oils contain antitumoral compounds that inhibit the growth of cancer cells or prevent viruses from proliferating. These powerful essential oils block viruses and cancers from attaching to cells and damaging genetic information; some oils can even help reprogram damaged cell DNA.

SPA AND BEAUTY

A day at the spa would not be complete without a tranquil blend of essential oils wafting through the air. Massage oils are a wonderful way to put essential oils to work so that they penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. Drizzled into the sauna or steam shower, essential oils can help fight respiratory conditions such as asthma, as well as coughs and colds. Skin care has long been supplemented with nourishing essential oils. They can help cleanse normal skin and repair sun-damaged and inflamed skin. Essential oils such as helichrysum and geranium can smooth fine lines and give skin a radiant, youthful glow.

Add seductive scents to homemade bath bombs and sea-salt body scrubs

HOUSEHOLD USE

Essential oils have practical benefits beyond health and spiritual healing. Many oils—lemony citrus oils in particular—have antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that make them ideal for cleaning kitchens, bathrooms, floors, and rugs. As air fresheners, essential oils can kill airborne bacteria, viruses, and allergens. A few drops in the washing machine can add a fresh, clean aroma. In linen drawers and closets, moth- and insect-repellent oils such as cedar help protect clothes, as well as keep them smelling fresh. For the outdoors, citronella and geranium oils are great at keeping away mosquitoes and flies, making outdoor living more enjoyable.

Lemon essential oil has a host of household-cleaning uses

THE ESSENTIALS

HOW OILS ARE MADE

Steam distillation: The most common method for extracting essential oils is steam distillation. As the steam heats the plant material, volatile oils evaporate. Once the essential oils condense, they are siphoned off for further processing. The fragrant water that remains is called a hydrolat; when only flowers petals are distilled, the remaining liquid is called flower water. Both are good for skin-care regimens and for use as air fresheners, but they do possess different properties from essential oils.

Cold-press extraction: Citrus essential oils are often processed by cold-pressed extraction from rinds. This method entails removing the rind, puncturing it, then squeezing out the essential oils. The result is a rich, therapeutic oil. Citrus rinds can also be steam distilled, but those oils are better suited to perfumery than aromatherapy.

Solvent extraction: Some flower petals are too fragile to withstand steam distillation. To remove the oils from these delicate flowers, the petals are first dried, then placed in a closed container and doused with a solvent. When the solvent evaporates, a residual, waxy concrete remains. An older method of extracting oils from fragile flower petals is a process called enfleurage, which requires layering flower petals with fat. Over a few days, the fat extracts the volatile oils, creating a waxy pomade. After rendering the waxy concrete or fatty pomade in alcohol, the result is a highly aromatic absolute, which is an exquisite addition to perfumes, with a clear aroma and real staying power—the fragrance lingers for hours if not days.

CO2 extraction: CO2 extraction is an alternative to solvent extraction. This method involves pressurized carbon dioxide that behaves as a solvent to extract the essential oils. The temperature required to reach the necessary supercritical state of CO2 is just 100° F (38° C), so it retains more fragrance than steam distillation, which must be performed at the boiling point.

Vintage copper apparatus for the steam distillation of lavender essential oil

BLENDING BASICS

Putting together your first collection of essential oils is an exciting endeavor, but it can be daunting at first. A good starter kit should include some classic essential oils that boast a wide range of health benefits. To get you started, consider these essential oils.

• Lavender: The quintessential spa oil—relaxing, eminently versatile, with a fresh floral scent

• Eucalyptus: A powerful healing oil with a penetrating minty aroma

• Lemon: A crisp, clean citrus oil with a cheerful disposition

• Geranium: A strong, floral fragrance and a wonderful oil for skin care

• Peppermint: A cooling, minty oil that relieves aches and pains

• Roman chamomile: A calming and sedating oil with a bright, sweet fragrance

• Sweet orange: An all-purpose oil with an uplifting citrus aroma

• Tea tree: The epitome of healing oils and a must-have for any first-aid kit

• Frankincense: A deep, balsamic oil with an intensely spiritual energy

Once you’re familiar with the basic essential oils, you can add the following oils to your collection: cheerful citrus oils like bergamot, grapefruit, and lime; deeper oils such as patchouli and pine; and healing oils like cinnamon leaf, helichrysum, and thyme.

AROMATIC NOTES

In the nineteenth century, a French perfumer named Charles Piesse attempted to classify fragrances in an elaborate system based on musical scales and octaves. Although the system never quite worked out, Piesse did leave a lasting contribution to the world of perfumery: the notion that a balanced perfume must contain top, middle, and base notes.

Top notes are usually the light, cheerful aromas, such as citrus oils, which are the most volatile and evaporate within an hour or two. The vast majority of essential oils are middle notes, the body or bouquet of the fragrance. These are warm elements in a blend that balance out other aromas. Base notes are the deeper, more intense scents that act as fixatives to blends, locking in the fragrance and lingering in the dry-down period for hours or even days.

Peppermint essential oil. Mints add a light top note to a blend.

A rough rule of thumb when blending is to use 30% top notes, 50% middles notes, and 20% base notes. So for a 10-drop blend, you would use three drops of top, five drops of middle, and two drops of base notes. Allow your blends to sit for a few days to meld properly before adjusting.

CARRIER OILS

Essential oils are too concentrated to use alone. For instance, it takes 200 pounds (90 kg) of rose petals to extract just 1 ounce (30 ml) of rose otto oil. A single drop of peppermint oil is the equivalent of 28 cups of peppermint tea. Essential oils must be diluted with a carrier, or base, oil. Popular choices include the emollient coconut and sweet almond oils to soothe dry, itchy skin. Jojoba is an excellent oil for acne, dermatitis, and other skin conditions. Sweet almond and argan oil are great choices for antiaging blends.

Most recipes recommend a dilution of two to four percent, although licensed aromatherapists may prescribe five percent or higher for particular remedies. For infants and children, the recommended dilution is one percent or less.

HOW TO USE

You can enjoy your essential oils and blends in a variety of ways. Diffusers and burners are popular methods for delivering therapeutic fragrances and purifying the air in the home or the office. Just a few drops per ounce is all that is needed to benefit from essential oils. Massage blends are an excellent way to experience nourishing essential oils. Massage oils can be diluted between two percent and 10 percent, depending on the strength of the essential oil. Inhalation directly from the bottle or on a handkerchief is a convenient way to get quick relief when you’re on the go. For steam inhalation, hot compresses, and soothing baths, use six to 12 drops, respectively.

BLENDING CHART

CONVERSION CHART

SHELF LIFE AND SAFETY

Essential oils don’t last forever, but if properly maintained, most of them can keep for at least two years, and some can last a decade. Several factors affect their shelf life: light, heat, and oxygen. Light encourages oxygenation, which degrades the chemistry of the oil. Heat may also alter the chemical makeup of the oil. As a general rule, the most volatile top notes oxygenate first. Citrus oils last nine to 12 months, but if stored in the refrigerator, they can last up to two years. Middle notes such as geranium and pine can last two to five years. Heavier oils such as myrrh, patchouli, and sandalwood can last six to 10 years.

To preserve your oils, use only dark bottles, and store them in a cool, dark place. Close vials tightly after each use. This is especially true for the more volatile citrus oils. Keep in mind that if you store your oils in the refrigerator, some oils thicken when cold, so you will need to warm them up before use. As you use up half a bottle of oil, you may want to consider decanting it to a smaller bottle to prevent oxygenation. Avoid plastic bottles, which can degrade undiluted oils.

Cobalt storage bottles

PRECAUTIONS

Some skin is more sensitive than others, and some essential oils can be harsh when undiluted. Always do a skin patch test on your skin before applying essential oils. Some oils, particularly those that are cold-pressed, are phototoxic and may react with the sun and cause skin irritation. Other oils are sensitizers and, if overused, may cause allergies. To avoid sensitization, take a few days off in your therapy. For instance, use a particular oil on weekdays, but take a break on weekends. Alternatively, add a drop of an antioxidant such as vitamin E to your blends to reduce the possibility of irritation.

Some essential oils are phytoestrogenic, which means that they may behave as mild estrogens in the body. This may be a desired effect in menopausal women who wish to supplement their estrogen levels naturally; however, excess estrogen may be detrimental for children, men, and pregnant women. In general, women who are pregnant or lactating should consult with a physician before using essential oil therapeutically; however, a few drops in a diffuser or a bath is unlikely to cause any harm. People on medication for heart conditions, epilepsy, or depression should also use caution and consult with a physician. We do not recommend using essential oils internally, but if a licensed practitioner prescribes oils for ingestion, use only organic oils from reputable sources.

Enjoy your journey as you discover new essential oils and create your own custom blends. The possibilities are endless!

ESSENTIAL OILS AROMA FAMILIES

Every essential oil has a unique fragrance, but they all share some similar properties. The 115 essential oils in this book are grouped into eight aroma families to help you find the perfect essential oils for your blends.

1 CITRUS

The essential oils of these fresh, tangy fruits are uplifting and sharpen the senses. Use lime, grapefruit, or tangerine to boost your energy and provide clarity and focus.

2 FLORAL

Sweet floral fragrances, such as magnolia, lavender, and rose, restore peace and harmony. Floral scents dispel bitterness while nourishing the heart and spirit.

3 HERBACEOUS

The herbaceous family tends to calm the mind and cool the emotions. Try clary sage, myrtle, or thyme to soothe irritability and resentment.

4 CAMPHORACEOUS

Invigorating camphoraceous essential oils, such as eucalyptus, cajeput, and tea tree, have a clean menthol aroma. The cool and penetrating scents heal the respiratory system and alleviate anxiety and fatigue.

5 SPICY

The warm, sharp tones of spicy oils, such as black pepper, nutmeg, and ginger, are stimulating and sensual. Spicy oils will boost enthusiasm and willpower.

6 RESINOUS

Essential oils from the sap-like resin of trees have a deep, rich aroma that imparts a sense of integrity and centeredness. Resinous oils such as frankincense and myrrh are favorite choices for meditation and spiritual well-being.

7 WOODSY

Reminiscent of a calm walk through a forest, the woodsy oils—such as cedarwood, sandalwood, and pine—are stabilizing and fortifying fragrances. Woodsy aromas are great for alleviating exhaustion and anxiety.

8 EARTHY

These essential oils conjure up the fresh smell of digging in the garden after a rainfall. Carrot seed, patchouli, and valerian oils offer a sense of grounding and peace of mind.

As you begin to make your own essential oil blends, you can experiment with combining oils within the same family, which tend to complement one another well. Explore the following pages to discover how the various properties of essential oils meld together to help you create just the right custom blends for your needs. Let your imagination be your guide.

CITRUS SCENTS

Peel an orange and inhale the refreshing fragrance of the citrus fruit’s essential oil. Uplifting to the spirits and reminiscent of a summer day, citrus fragrances such as lime, tangerine, and may chang are like a drop of sunshine to boost your mood. These bright, versatile scents are often top notes in blends and meld beautifully with floral, spicy, and woodsy oils.

Sweet orange essential oil

Limes ripening on tree

Citronella essential oil

Lemons ripening on tree

Grapefruit essential oil in burner

Essential oils of tangerine, mandarin, and clementine

Citrus bergamia

BERGAMOT

Bergamot fruit

If you’ve ever enjoyed a cup of Earl Grey tea, you’ve experienced the zesty, lemony essence of bergamot oil. The refreshing oil has been a main ingredient of eau de cologne since 1709, when perfumer Johann Maria Farina first blended his classic perfume in Cologne, Germany. The fragrance, he said, reminded him of a spring morning in his hometown in Italy.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

BERGAMOT

BASICS

• Aroma: Citrus, floral, spicy

• Color: Green to brownish yellow

• Fragrance classification: Top note

• Extraction: Cold-pressing or vacuum distillation of rind

BLENDS WELL WITH

• Black pepper, clary sage, cypress, geranium, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, mandarin, neroli, nutmeg, palmarosa, patchouli, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, vetiver, ylang-ylang

CHEMICAL COMPONENTS

• Bergamottin, bergapten, citropten, limonene, linalool, linalyl acetate, pinene, sabinene, cymene, terpinene

HEALING PROPERTIES

• Analgesic, antibacterial, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cicatrizant, digestive, expectorant, febrifuge, sedative, vulnerary

PRECAUTIONS

• Phototoxic

ORIGINS

The small evergreen bergamot tree belongs to the Rutaceae family and is a hybrid of lime and orange trees. Its white, star-shaped flowers appear in winter, and the green, pear-shaped fruits ripen to yellow in spring. The origins of the name bergamot are unclear: some experts say that it comes from the Turkish translation of the lord’s pear; others claim the fruit was named after the northern Italian town Bergamo, where the oil was first produced. Currently, 90% of bergamot trees are cultivated in the southern coastal region of Calabria—the toe of Italy’s boot.

BENEFITS

Italian folk medicine valued bergamot oil for its ability to stave off fevers and parasitic diseases as well as respiratory and urinary tract infections. In aromatherapy, bergamot oil is also used to