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Essential Oils

50 Ways to Use Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

Essential oils are very concentrated substances and are for external use only. When applying directly to the skin, it is generally advised to use no more than 2% solution applied with a carrier oil such as sesame seed oil unless specifically directed by a doctor or professional Aromatherapist. Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children and pets. Store essential oils in a dark bottle and out of the sun. Check with a professional Aromatherapist, Doctor and reference manual when using essential oils during pregnancy.

1. For scent-sational smelling towels, sheets, clothes, etc. place a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto a small piece of terry cloth and toss into the clothes dryer while drying. Add 5 drops essential oil to 1/4 cup fabric softener or water and place in the center cup of the wash.

2. Potpourri which has lost its scent can be revived by adding a few drops of essential oil.

3. Add a few drops of oil to water in a spray bottle and use as an air freshener.

4. Add a few drops essential oil to a pan of water and simmer on stove or in potpourri pot.

5. To enjoy a scented candle, place a drop or two of oil into the hot melted wax as the candle burns.

6. To dispel household cooking odors, add a few drops of clove oil to a simmering pan.

7. For tired aching muscles or arthritis aches, mix 1 part cajeput, sage, and basil oil to 4 parts jojoba or other vegetable oil and use as a massage oil.

8. Ease headache pain by rubbing a drop of rosemary/lavender oil onto the back of your neck.

9. To blend your own massage oil, add 3-5 drops of your favorite essential oil to 1 oz. jojoba or other skin-nourishing vegetable oil. A little goes a long way.

10. Add 10 drops of essential oil to a box of cornstarch or baking soda, mix very well, let set for a day or two and then sprinkle over the carpets in your home. Let set for an hour or more, then vacuum.

11. To make a natural flea collar, saturate a short piece of cord or soft rope with pennyroyal or tea tree oil, roll up in a handkerchief and tie loosely around the animal's neck.

12. Smelly feet or shoes can be remedied by either dropping a few drops of geranium essential oil directly into the shoes or by placing a cotton ball dabbed with a few drops of lemon oil into the shoes. Athlete's foot? Try an application of tea tree oil.

13. Put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in your vacuum cleaner bag. Lemon and pine are nice, and rose geranium helps with doggy odor.

14. To fragrance your kitchen cabinets and drawers, place a cotton ball dabbed clove in a corner.

15. Are mice a problem? Place several drops of peppermint oil on cotton balls and place them at problem locations.

16. The bathroom is easily scented by placing oil-scented cotton balls in out-of-sight places or sprinkle oils directly onto silk or dried flower arrangements or wreaths.

17. Apply true lavender oil and tea tree oil directly to cuts, scrapes, or scratches. One or two drops will promote healing.

18. Homemade soaps are pleasant and offer therapeutic effects when scented with essential oils.

19. Homemade sachets are more fragrant when essential oils are blended with the flowers and herbs.

20. An essential oil dropped on a radiator, scent ring, or light bulb will not only fill the room with a wonderful fragrance, but also will set a mood such as calming or uplifting. Be careful to keep essential oils away from electrical sockets.

21. A few drops of your favorite oil or blend in the rinse water of your handwashables makes for pleasant results.

22. Anise oil has been used by fishermen for years. Use a drop or two the finger tips and hands before baiting up. Anise covers up the human scent that scares the fish away.

23. Essential oils or blends make wonderful perfumes. Create your own personal essence! 25 drops to 1 oz of perfume alcohol. Let age two weeks before using.

24. To dispel mosquitoes and other picnic, drop a few drops of citronella oil in the melted wax of candle or place a few drops on the grill's hot coals.

25. 1 drop of lemon essential oil applied directly to a wart is an effective means of elimination. Apply the essential oil daily until the wart is gone.

26. Rosemary promotes alertness and stimulates memory. Inhale occasionally during long car trips and while reading or studying.

27. Selling your home? Fragrance sells! Fill the kitchen area with the aroma of spices such as clove, cinnamon, and vanilla. Simmer a few drops of the essential oils of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices. Geranium oil sprinkled throughout the home creates a warm, cheerful, and inviting mood. Add cinnamon oil to furniture polish and wipe down the wood.

28. Add essential oils to paper mache, the result is the creation of a lovely aromatic art piece.

29. Infuse bookmarks and stationary with essential oils. Place drops of oil on paper and put them in a plastic bag. Seal it and leave overnight to infuse the aroma. Send only good news in perfumed letters.

30. Neck pillows, padded and decorative hangers make more memorable gifts simply by putting a couple of drops of essential oil on them before giving.

31. Did you overindulge last night? Essential oils of juniper, cedarwood, grapefruit, lavender, carrot, fennel, rosemary, and lemon help soften the effects of a hangover. Make your own blend of these oils and use a total of 6-8 drops in a bath.

32. Essential oils of vetivert, cypress, cedarwood, frankincense and myrrh all make wonderful firewood oils. Drop approximately 2-3 drops of oil or blend of your choice on a dried log and allow time for the oil to soak in before putting the log on the fire.

33. Flies and moths dislike lavander oil. Sprinkle it on the outside of your window frames.

34. Place 1 or 2 drops of sleep enhancing oils such as chamomile, lavender, neroli, marjoram, or hops, on your pillow before retiring for restful sleep.

35. When moving into a new home, first use a water spray containing your favorite essential oils and change the odorous environment to your own. Do this for several days until it begins to feel like your space.

36. Ideal scents for the bedroom are chamomile, geranium, lavender, or lemon.

37. 1 drop of lemon essential oil on a soft cloth will polish copper with gentle buffing.

38. When washing out the fridge, freezer, or oven, add 1 drop of lemon, lime, grapefruit, bergamot, mandarin, or orange essential oil to the final rinse water.

39. For burns or scalds, drop tea tree oil directly onto the affected area.

40. Place 1 drop of eppermint oil in 1/2 glass of water, sip slowly to aid digestion and relieve upset stomach.

41. Use 1 drop chamomile oil on a washcloth wrapped ice cube to relieve teething pain in children.

42. 6-8 drops of eucalyptus oil in the bath cools the body in summer and protects it in winter.

43. Add 1 drop geranium oil to your facial moisturizer to bring out a radiant glow in your skin.

44. Place 1 or 2 drops of rosemary on your hair brush before brushing to promote growth and thickness.

45. When the flu is going around add a few drops of thyme to your diffusor or simmer in a pan on the stove.

46. To bring fever down, sponge the body with cool water to which 1 drop each of eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender oils have been added.

47. The blend of lavender and grapefruit oil is good for the office. Lavender creates a calm tranquil atmosphere while grapefruit stimulates the senses and clears up stale air.

48. A blend of geranium, lavender, and bergamot alleviate anxiety and depression. Use ia a room diffusor or 6-8 drops of this blend in the bath.

49. A wonderful massage blend for babies is 1 drop roman chamomile, 1 drop lavender, 1 drop geranium diluted in 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil.

50. 1 drop peppermint oil diluted in 1 teaspoon vegetable oil rubbed on the back of the neck helps to relieve headaches.

Information on Aromatherapy Uses of Essential Oils Disclaimer: This information is not meant to replace any medical treatment. It is offered here as a service. Use this information at your own risk. No guarantee is made towards validity. This information has come from the many books on essential oils on the market today.

Allspice (Pimento) - Scent: Clove. Traditional uses: Warming to the body, reduces stress, calming, relaxes tight muscles, lessens pain, promotes restful sleep, mood uplifting, vapors help breathing, improves digestion, disinfectant.

Anise - Scent: Licorice. Traditional uses: Calming, lessens pain, aphrodisiac, promotes restful sleep, vapors help breathing, improves digestion, increases appetite, stimulates lactation in nursing mothers.

Basil, sweet - Scent: slightly licorice. Traditional uses: to brighten mood, strengthen nervous system, improve mental clarity and memory, for relieving headache and sinusitis. Avoid during pregnancy.

Bay Laurel - Scent: strong, sweet-spicy. Uses: as an immune system stimulant, to regulate the lymphatic system, for relieving melancholy, anxiety, to stimulate the mind, for healing bronchitis, sinus infection. Avoid during pregnancy. Do not over-use.

Benzoin, tincture – Scent: Cinnamon-vanilla. Uses: Reduces stress, calming, breaks up congestion, healing to skin, itching, arthritis, preservative in cosmetics, fixative in perfumes and fragrances.

Bergamot - Scent: sweet & fruity. Bergamot oil is documented in old herbal texts. Traditional uses: balancing nervous system, relieving anxiety and stress, lifting melancholy, for restful sleep, antiviral, cold sores, psoriasis, eczema and insect repellent. Bergamot may cause skin sensitivity to bright sunlight.

Cajeput - Scent: camphor. Traditional uses: Slightly warming to the body, calming, relaxes tight muscles, relieves muscle aches and pains, promotes restful sleep, breaks up congestion, vapors help breathing, disinfectant, repels insects.

Calendula - It is also called Marigold but should not be confused with Tagetes. Scent: sharp, herbaceous. Calendula has been used for many years for its effective skin healing properties. Traditional uses: all skin complaints, varicose veins; for treating enlarged lymph nodes, cysts, and skin lesions. May be helpful to mature skin.

Camphor - Scent: spicy. Traditional uses: warming to the body, coughs, colds, fevers, rheumatism, arthritis.

Carrot Seed - Scent: warm, dry, woody, earthy. Uses: Gout, ulcers, flatulence, eczema, psoriasis, mature complexions, wrinkles, as a diuretic.vCedarwood - Scent: woody. Cedarwood was believed to have been used extensively by the Egyptians in cosmetics, perfume and medicine. Traditional uses: to relax tense muscles, calm emotions, help breathing, for enhancing meditation, easing pain, repelling insects, for hair loss. Avoid during pregnancy.

(German) Chamomile - Scent: strong, sweet, warm-herbaceous. Blue in color. German Chamomile has many of the same properties as Roman Chamomile. But, with a much higher aquiline content its anti-inflammatory actions are greater. Traditional uses: to relieve muscular pain, to heal skin inflammations, acne and wounds, as a sedative, to ease anxiety and nervous tension, to help with sleeplessness. May cause skin reactions in some people.

(Roman) Chamomile - Scent: sweet and fruity. Traditional uses: to relieve muscular pain, as a sedative, ease anxiety and nervous tension, to help with sleeplessness.

Cinnamon - Scent: cinnamon. Traditional uses: warming to body, relaxes tight muscles, lessens pain, mood uplifting, aphrodisiac, helps relieve fatigue, improves digestion, increases appetite, helps reduce cellulite deposits, disinfectant, repels insects.

Citronella - Scent: fresh grassy-woody. Traditional Chinese medicine currently uses this herb for rheumatic pain. Traditional uses: as a mosquito repellent, for colds, flu and neuralgia, to relieve pain of rheumatism and arthritis, melancholy. Avoid using on sensitive or damaged skin.

Clary Sage - Scent: spicy, hay-like. It has been called "clear eye" and was used for healing eye problems in times past. Traditional uses: relieving stress and tension, lifting melancholy, easing pain, restful sleep, as an aphrodisiac; contains estrogen-like hormone, for menopause and PMS, relieving nervous exhaustion. Avoid during pregnancy, or if you have endometriosis, breast, ovarian and uterine cysts and other estrogen dependant conditions (cancer).

Clove Bud - Scent: spicy, fruity, warm and sweet. Uses: for toothache, colds, flu and fungal infections, as a mosquito repellent, to relieve fatigue and melancholy, as an aphrodisiac. Not used on damaged or sensitive skin. Use in moderation.vCoriander - Scent: spicy, sweet and fragrant. Coriander seeds were found in the Egyptian tomb of Ramses II. Uses: relieving muscular aches and pains, increasing circulation, for colds, flu and rheumatism, for help with sleep and nervous exhaustion. Use in moderation and avoid if you have fibrosis or breast cancer.

Cypress - Scent: spicy, refreshing pine-needle. Cypress incense is used today by Tibetans for purification. Traditional uses: to increase circulation, relieve muscular cramps, bronchitis, whooping cough and painful periods; reduce nervous tension and other stress related problems, as an immune stimulant. Avoid during pregnancy, have high blood pressure, cancer or uterine and breast fibrosis.

Eucalyptus - Scent: strong camphorous odor. Aborigines have used eucalyptus leaves to remedy many ills. Traditional uses: for colds, as a decongestant, to relieve asthma and fevers, for its bactericidal and anti-viral actions, to ease aching joints.

Fennel, sweet - Scent: earthy-peppery. Traditional uses: for neuro-muscular spasms, rheumatism and arthritis; bronchitis, whooping cough, as a nerve tonic in relieving stress and nervous tension. Use in moderation. Avoid if you are pregnant or have epilepsy.

Frankincense - Scent: spicy, balsamic. Frankincense was known as one of the most precious substances to ancient man and is associated with religious practice. Traditional uses: to calm, enhance meditation, elevate mind and spirit, help breathing, for psychic cleansing; for care of mature skin and scars.

Geranium, Rose - Scent: leafy rose. Geranium has been long revered for its fragrance. Traditional uses: reducing stress and tension, easing pain, balancing emotions and hormones, PMS, relieve fatigue and nervous exhaustion, to lift melancholy, lessen fluid retention, repel insects.

Ginger - Scent: warm, spicy-woodsy. Ginger has been used as a healing remedy for thousands of years. Uses: reducing muscular aches and pains, increasing circulation, relieving bronchitis and whooping cough, nervous exhaustion, in healing colds flu and fever and to stimulate appetite.

Grapefruit - Scent: fresh, sweet, citrus. Uses: to lift melancholy, relieve muscle fatigue, as an astringent for oily skin, to refresh and energize the body, stimulate detoxification, as an airborne disinfectant.

Helichrysum - Scent: intense, honey, tea-like. Uses: to heal bruises (internal and external), wounds and scars, to detoxify the body, cleanse the blood and increase lymphatic drainage, for healing colds, flu, sinusitis and bronchitis, to relieve melancholy, migraines, stress and tension.

Jasmine – Scent: Sweet floral. Uses: Aphrodisiac, mood uplifting, menstrual problems.

Juniper Berry - Scent: pine-needle. Uses: to energize and relieve exhaustion, ease inflammation and spasms, for improving mental clarity and memory, purifying the body, to lessen fluid retention, for disinfecting. Avoid during pregnancy or if you have kidney disease.

Lavender - Scent: sweet, fresh. Lavender has been used for centuries as a fragrance and a medicine. Uses: balancing emotions, relieving stress, tension and headache, to promote restful sleep, heal the skin, to lower high blood pressure, help breathing, for disinfecting.

Lemon - Scent: fresh lemon. It is said that lemon was used to prevent scurvy by our ancestors who traveled the seas. Uses: to balance the nervous system, as a disinfectant, to refresh and uplift, for purifying the body. May cause skin sensitivity to the sun or irritate sensitive skin.

Lemongrass - Scent: powerful, lemon. There has been recent research in India which shows that lemongrass acts as sedative on the central nervous system. Uses: as an insect repellent and deodorizer, for athlete's foot, as a tissue toner, to relieve muscular pain (sports-muscle pain), increase circulation, for headaches, for nervous exhaustion and other stress related problems. Use with care and avoid in pregnancy.

Lime - Scent: fruity-lime. Uses: to purify the air, for alertness, to relieve coughs or congestion, for uplifting and cheering the spirit, to heal colds, flu or inflammations. Lime may cause skin sensitivity to bright sunlight.

Marjoram, sweet - Scent: warm & spicy. Sweet marjoram was used medicinally by Romans and ancient Greek physicians. Uses: to relax tense muscles and relieve spasms, calm and promote restful sleep, ease migraine headache, for comforting the heart, lowering high blood pressure, to help breathing, disinfecting. Avoid during pregnancy.

Myrrh - Scent: sharp, warm balsamic. Uses: to heal wounds and nurture mature skin, for bronchitis and colds, to relieve apathy and calm. Avoid use on damaged or sensitive skin.

Neroli - Scent: refreshing, bitter-sweet. In times past, orange flower blossoms were worn at weddings as a symbol of purity. Uses: for healing thread veins, scars and nourishing mature skin, increasing circulation, in relieving anxiety, melancholy and nervous tension, bronchitis, as an aphrodisiac.

Niaouli– Scent: spicy, medicinal. Uses: Cuts and wounds, infections, bacterial disease, sore throats, burns, respiratory problems, acne, as a antiseptic. A species of Tea Tree.

Nutmeg - Scent: spicy, nutmeg. Uses: for warming muscles, easing muscle aches and pains, to invigorate or stimulate the mind, an aphrodisiac, to stimulate heart and circulation, for relieving nervous fatigue. Avoid during pregnancy and use with care (can be moderately toxic if over-used.

Orange, sweet - Scent: fruity, sweet. Orange trees were once rare and native only to China and India. Uses: to brighten mood, calm and reduce stress, as an environmental disinfectant.

Oregano - Scent: spicy, warm herb. Uses: as a muscle relaxant and to ease muscle aches and pains, to heal colds, flu and bronchitis, as a stimulant, to energize the mind and body, and for relieving headaches. Avoid during pregnancy and with babies and children.

Palmarosa - Scent: flora-rose. Palmarosa is used today in Ayurvedic medicine. Uses: to stimulate cellular regeneration and moisturize skin, for nervous exhaustion and stress conditions, to calm and uplift.

Patchouli - Scent: musky, woody. Uses: for athlete's foot, as an aphrodisiac, to relieve stress and nervous exhaustion.

Pennyroyal – Scent: fresh, minty, herbaceous. No aromatherapy uses except as a insect repellant.

Peppermint - Scent: strong mint. Herbalists in ancient Greece and Rome used peppermint for nearly every ailment. Uses: for energy, and brighter mood, reducing pain, to help breathing, improve mental clarity and memory. May irritate sensitive skin. Avoid during pregnancy.

Pine - Scent: strong, coniferous, woody. Native Americans placed dried pine needles in their mattresses to ward of lice and fleas. Uses: to ease breathing, as an immune system stimulant, to increase energy, for relieving muscle and joint aches, to repel lice and fleas. Avoid use if you have prostate cancer.

Rose, Attar – Scent: rosy. Uses: Aphrodisiac, calming, mood uplifting, lessens pain, purifying to body, healing to skin.

Rosemary - Scent: camphor like. Uses: to energize, for muscle pains, cramps or sprains, brighten mood, for improving mental clarity and memory, easing pain, to relieve headaches, disinfecting. Avoid during pregnancy, if you have epilepsy or high blood pressure.

Rosewood - Scent: slightly rosy. Uses: to relieve stress and balance the central nervous system, for easing jet lag, to create a calm for meditation, for easing colds and coughs, to stimulate the immune system, as an aphrodisiac and in skin care.

Sage – Scent: spicy. Uses Lessens pain, reduces lactation in nursing mothers, sores, bacterial infections, bronchitis, catarrh, rheumatism, arthritis, sprains, fibrosis, as an astringent, purifying on body, disinfectant.

Sandalwood - Scent: woody, balsamic. Sandalwood is believed to bring about calmness and serenity and is linked with incense and meditation. Some traditional uses: to lift melancholy, enhance meditation, heal the skin, help breathing, for calming and reducing stress, restful sleep, disinfecting, as an aphrodisiac.

Spearmint - Scent: minty. Some traditional uses: for relieving bronchitis and sinusitis, to ease nausea and headaches, for relieving colds or flu, to stimulate, energize and relieve fatigue.

Spruce – Scent: sweet, pine-like. Uses: Calming, breaks up congestion, vapors help breathing, encourages communication.

Tangerine - Scent: sweet, citrus. Uses: for relieving muscle spasms, to soothe and calm nerves, for stress relief and relaxation, to stimulate the liver and increase lymphatic drainage. May cause skin sensitivity to bright sunlight.

Tea-Tree - Scent: spicy, medicinal. Tea-tree is one of the most scientifically researched oils. Uses: as an immune stimulant particularly against bacteria, viruses and fungi, for relieving inflammation, as a disinfectant.

Thyme - Scent: hot and spicy. Thyme was used by ancient Greeks to disinfect air and inhibit infectious diseases. Uses: To heal colds, bronchitis, for relieving muscle aches and pains, to aid concentration and memory, for relieving fatigue and said to heal anthrax. Avoid use if pregnant or with high blood pressure.

Vetiver - Scent: heavy, woodsy, earthy. Uses: for muscular aches, to increase circulation, to relieve melancholy and nervous tension, for restful sleep.

Wintergreen – Scent: intensely sweet-woody, almost fruity. Uses: headaches, aches and pains, inflammation, rheumatism, urinary ailments, colic, flatulence.

Ylang Ylang - Scent: exotic, sweet floral. Uses: brightening mood, relieving anger and anxiety, relaxing tense muscles, to calm and promote restful sleep,lower high blood pressure, an aphrodisiac.