Essential oils have been widely used in ancient civilizations for spiritual, medicinal, therapeutic and perfume purposes. Revered for their superior healing properties, they are commonly used in spas and hospitals to calm patients and treat a number of ailments including inflammation, rashes and fungal infections. Essential oils are concentrated oils that have been extracted from plants such as flowers, seeds and bark. They are both volatile (evaporate quickly) and oil soluble (they easily mix with oils and fats). Essential oils are primarily used for aromatherapy, scenting soaps and candles or flavoring foods.
Whether your new to essential oils or are an apothecary genius, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of essential oils that are often used in our products. Take a moment to read our essential oils dictionary to learn about important definitions and terms.
Essential Oils List
Bergamot
Cedarwood
Cinnamon
Frankincense
Lavender
Lemon
Lemongrass
Patchouli
Rosemary
Tangerine
Bergamot Essential Oil
Aromatic influence: This essential oil is most widely used to release, relax and uplift.
History: The Bergamot tree is said to have been imported from the Canary Islands to Spain by Christopher Columbus. From there it was brought to Calabria, in southern Italy. Bergamot was used by the Italians to cool and relieve fevers, protect against malaria, and expel intestinal worms.
Primary Uses: Like other citrus oils, Bergamot is essentially cooling, refreshing, and anti-depressive. The principal therapeutic value is to regulate the Nervous System & Digestive system, to balance the body, and to treat the skin.
Other Uses: This essential oils also helps with agitation, loss of appetite, infection, and inflammation. It can also be used as an insect repellent, to treat insomnia, to relieve stress, and cure urinary infections.
Properties: Antibacterial, antidepressive, anti-infectious, antispasmodic, calmative, carminative, digestive stimulant, stomachic
Aroma: Sweet, lively, citrusy, and fruity.
Our Take: We love Bergamot essential oil because it helps us relax and let go.
Cedarwood Essential Oil
Aromatic influence: This essential oil is widely used to promotes balance and calmness.
History: A native of the Atlas mountains of Algeria and Morocc, Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) is a relative of the biblical cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus Libani). Used for centuries to build temples, ships and palaces in the Middle East, cedarwood was used as building material because its high concentration of essential oil allowed it to resist decay and repel both insects and fungus. Ancient Egyptians used the oil to dress their dead during the mummification process. The word cedar came from the Arabic word kedron, meaning “power.” It later symbolized abundance, fertility and spiritual strength.
Primary Uses: Cedarwood is used for its powerful antiseptic, diuretic, soothing and insect repellent properties. Cedarwood is a decongestant that encourages lymphatic drainage and encourages the break down of accumulated fats. It may also be used to treat acne, skin disease, inflammation and dandruff.
Other Uses: Cedarwood is used to treat urinary and respiratory infections. It may also be used to help arthritis, congestion, coughs, cystitis, psoriasis, sinusitis, stroke and water retention. The scent reduces anxiety by promoting spirituality, balance and calmness.
Properties: Anti-fungal, anti-infectious, antiseptic (urinary and pulmonary), astringent, diuretic, insect repellent and sedative.
Aroma: Woody, sweet and slightly camphoraceous
Our Take: We love cedarwood oil for its grounding and strengthening abilities.
Cinnamon Essential Oil
Aromatic influence: This essential oil is used for it’s anti-fugal and anti-viral properties.
History: Often used medicinally, in Chinese medicine cinnamon is used to treat vascular disorders. It acts as a carminative and antiseptic, but it has very little applications in aromatherapy and should be used in small quantities.
Primary Uses: Antiseptic and cooking
Other Uses: Cinnamon is often used as a spice to add additional flavor to various dishes. It may also be used as a remedy for colds, colic, flatulent dyspepsia, diarrhea, nausea, rheumatism, kidney and reproductive issues.
Properties: Anti-bacteria, anti-fungal, anti-viral
Aroma: Spicy, sweet, warm
Our Take: Use this essential oil sparingly to enhance an aromatherapy blend or to add flavor to a dish.
Frankincense Essential Oil
Aromatic influence: This essential oil is widely used to focus energy, enhance spiritual awareness and induce meditative states.
History: Frankincense was widely regarded in the Middle East as a holy oil and ingredient in sacred incense used in ceremonies to aid communicate with the divine. In the Catholic Church, Frankincense is used to protect against evil spirits. And, it’s soothing effect on the mind and emotions make it ideal for reaching meditative states.
Primary Uses: Frankincense acts as an antiseptic and astringent to the uterine and mucous membranes. It also aids digestion, relieves anxiety, nervous tension and is used to treat wounds and hemorrhages.
Other Uses: This oil can help with a number of aliments including allergies, insect bites, bronchitis, carbuncles, catarrh, colds, diarrhea, diphtheria, gonorrhea, headaches, herpes, high blood pressure, jaundice, laryngitis, meningitis, prostate problems, sciatic pain, sores, staph, strep, stress, syphilis, T.B., tonsillitis and typhoid. It can also help oxygenate the pineal and pituitary glands.
Properties: Frankincense is anti-catarrhal, antidepressant, anti-infectious , anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-tumor, immune stimulant and sedative.
Aroma: Rich, warm, sweet with incense like overtones
Our Take: Use the healing scent of Frankincense to enhance spiritual awareness and oxygenate the pineal gland
Lavender Essential Oil
Aromatic influence: This essential oil is most widely used for balancing, calming and ease.
History: Indigenous to the mountainous area of Mediterranean Europe, the plant now is widely cultivated. thrives on poor, well-drained soils. Among the several varieties of lavender the most important are Spike lavender, French lavender and English (true) lavender .
Primary Uses: Lavender is one the most versatile essential oil offering countless of uses. Helps with asthma, bronchitis, bruises, carbuncles, cold sores, earaches, fainting, gallstones, reliever headaches, heart irregularity, reduce high blood pressure, hive, hysteria, insect bites, laryngitis, migraine headaches, mental clarity, mouth abscess, reduce mucus, nervous tension, pineal grand activator, respiratory functions, rheumatism, skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rashes, sprains, sunstroke, throat infections tuberculosis, typhoid, fever, and whooping cough. Mainly known to balance the body it works wherever there is need. When in doubt, use lavender.
Other Uses: Lavender also helps with promoting consciousness, health, love, peace, creativity and a general sense of well-being.
Properties: Analgesis, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, calmative, cardiotonic, cholagogic, cicatrisant, hypotensive, vermifuge
Aroma: Fresh, herbaceous, soft, floral and bittersweet
Our Take: We love Lavender essential oil because it encourages full expression unleashing creativity.
Lemon Essential Oil
Aromatic influence: This essential oil is most widely used for calming, refresh and lighting your senses.
History: Lemon trees originate from Asia, finding its way in Greece in the 2nd century. In the middle ages it was cultivated in Spain and Sicily. The peel was used in ancient times to perfume clothes and repel insects. Not until the 17th century was lemon recognized for its medicinal values by pharmacist Nicolas Lemery. Today, Lemon trees are grown throughout the Mediterranean , Florida and California making them the larges producers.
Primary Uses: Like other citrus oils, lemon is essentially cooling, refreshing, and dry. Promoting health, healing, increase physical energy, and purification. Aids the digestive system, the immune system and respiratory. Lemon clears hot dampness and phlegm making it essential to combat cold and flu making it a lymphatic decongestant. It is known to relieve nausea, headaches, irritability, and insomnia. Its ability to improve blood circulation makes it useful to treat broken capillaries, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and nosebleeds.
Other Uses: Lemon improves circulation and toning the blood vessels, clarity of thought, digestive alignments, energy, gallstones, cleanser, promoting leukocyte formation, liver deficiencies, memory enhancer, brighten dull complexions by effectively ridding dead skin.
Properties: Antibacterial, anti-coagulant, anti-infectious, inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-rheumatic, anti-sclerotic, anti-spasmodic, antiviral, astringent, calmative, carminative, digestive stimulant, mildly diuretic, hypotensive, immune tonic, litholytic, lymphatic de-congestant, pancreatic stimulant, phiolebontonic, stomachic
Aroma: Fresh, light, citrus, sour, and slightly sweet.
Our Take: We love lemon for its effects to sharpen the focus, bring consciousness clarifying and uplifting the the intellect with its bright, sour scent. Its fragrance is invigorating, enhancing, and refreshing.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Aromatic influence: This essential oil is widely used to enhance awareness and promote purification.
History: Sourced from tropical grass, lemongrass is a popular ingredient in savory foods and spices. It’s uplifting fragrance revitalizes the mind and body and can be used for a number of other applications. Lemongrass has been used to fight infectious diseases, repel insects and as a sedative to the central nervous system.
Primary Uses: Lemongrass can improve the immune system, muscles and bones.
Other Uses: Lemongrass boosts circulation, improves digestion, oxygen flow, tissue regeneration and enhances eyesight. Lemongrass also improves the lymphatic system, soothe headache, sore throat, repair ligaments, clear infections and water retention.
Properties: Antibacterial, anti-catarrhal, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, cardio-tonic, carminative, cephalic, choleretic, diuretic, hepatic stimulant, hypertensive, litholytic, neurotonic, sexual tonic, general tonic
Aroma: Lemony, earthy, slightly bitter, grassy and pungent.
Our Take: We love Lemongrass because it’s uplifting. It promotes awareness, growth and purification.
Patchouli Essential Oil
Aromatic influence: This essential oil is widely used as a sedative to calm anxiety and promote relaxation.
History: Most of the worlds supply of patchouli oil comes from Indonesia. It’s name was derived from the Hindustan pacholi, and was used in the 19th century to perfume Indian fabrics and shawls. Patchouli oil is one of the few essential oils that gets better as it ages, giving it an important role within perfumery. French garment manufacturers were once required to scent homespun imitations with the oil to increase their saleability. Patchouli oil has been used throughout Asia for centuries to prevent the spread of fevers and epidemics. As an antiseptic fumigant, patchouli oil was used to strengthen the immune system, treat nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Primary Uses: As a digester of toxic waste, patchouli oil is primarily used for its’ antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-toxic properties. It supports the endocrine system, can curb appetite, can improve the appearance of cellulite, obesity and assist in weight loss. Patchouli oil reduces congestion, water retention and induces peace of mind. Because it keeps us in touch with our physical selves, it’s often used to treat anxiety and depression.
Other Uses: Patchouli oil can be used as an astringent to reduce acne, rejuvenate loose sagging skin and prevent wrinkles. Patchouli oil is a diuretic, insecticidal (insects and snake) and deodorant. It also protects against UV radiation and relives dandruff, itching from hives, mastitis and dry skin conditions.
Properties: Anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antiseptic, anti-toxic, astringent, decongestant, deodorant, diuretic, insecticidal, digestive stimulant and tonic.
Aroma: Earthy, rich, musky and spicy
Our Take: We love patchouli oil for its warm and uplifting qualities.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Aromatic influence: This essential oil stimulates memory and opens the conscious mind.
History: Rosemary is one the of the most aromatic and widely used medicinal plant. Originated from the Mediterranean, now growing throughout Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and California. The name “Rosemary” comes from the Latin word ros marinus, meaning “Rose of the sea.” In Egypt sprigs were burnt as a ritual incense, placed in the tombs of the pharaohs to help them recall their formal life. Ancient Greeks and Romans used the plant as a sacred symbol of loyalty, death and remembrance. Also used in regarded occasions such as scholarly learning, wedding and whenever solemn vows were made.
Primary Uses: Used for to repair the immune system, respiratory and nervous system. The ancient civilizations as an excellent tonic to cleanse the yang energy to purify the mind and the physical body. Strengthens the heart, encouraging blood circulation. Used for cardiac fatigue, palpitations, low blood pressure, cold hands and feet. Increases blood supply to the brain, making it useful to treat poor concentration and nervous system therefore classified as cephalic.
Other Uses: It is also used to relax crapping muscles and relieving pain making it a anti-rheumatic. As an expectorant is used for cold, catarrhal coughs and bronchitis. Carminative and choleretic helping relieve dyspepsia, flatulence , and abdominal distention.
Properties: Antibacterial, anti-catarrhal, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, cardio-tonic, carminative, cephalic, choleretic, diuretic, hepatic stimulant, hypertensive, litholytic, neurotonic, sexual tonic, general tonic
Aroma: Strong, fresh, camphoraceous, balsamic and slightly woody
Our Take: We love Rosemary for its function to to boost self confidence and morale. Warming the heart and spirit.
Tangerine Essential Oil
Aromatic influence: Calms the nervous system and soothes emotions such as grief, anger and shock.
History: A cultivar of the mandarin orange, tangerine oil is mild enough to use on children. However, tangerine oil may be a dermal irritant for people with sensitive skin. Tangerine oil is used to promote emotional balance and to improve the immune system.
Primary Uses: Tangerine oil is often used to support the circulatory system and nervous system. As a tonic, tangerine oil can soothe the stomach and help with flatulence. When blended with lavender oil it can reduce the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite. Tangerine oil is also used to treat acne for oily skin. It’s used to stimulate draining in the lymphatic system, alleviate constipation, diarrhea and digestive system disorders.
Other Uses: Tangerine oil can also help reduce emotions such as sadness, irritability, fear or stress. It may be used to treat fluid retention, aching limbs, swelling and fatigue. It’s used to treat insomnia, dizziness, intestinal spasms, liver problem, obesity, parasites and the gallbladder.
Properties: Anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, laxative and sedative
Aroma: Fresh, citrusy and sweet
Our Take: We love tangerine oil for its ability to support emotional balance.
