1. Lavender
2. Geranium
3. Eucalyptus
4. Rosemary
5. Lemon
6. Cypress
7. Peppermint

These are the main oils most frequently talked about in magazine articles and books, and they are the most readily available to purchase (often coming in kits). There are hundreds of oils but these 7 are among the most frequently used.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Any introduction to aromatherapy would begin with lavender oil. Simple and safe to use, its beautiful in our gardens. Blue-violet or deep-purple blossoms and weve been using it for perfume and its cleansing properties since the Greeks and Roman period.

Lavender smells clean and fresh and permeates the air with wonderful aromas that stimulate and relax. There are many varieties of lavender and the offspring (produced from hybrids) are the most versatile of essential oils.

Lava re: to wash. With a name taken from the Latin word lavare, lavender is the premier oil for bathing, soothing, and disinfecting. An excellent choice for hair, scalp and skin care.

Lavender is extracted by steam distillation of flowering tops, and should be clear in color. I dont expect you to remember all the things that these oils can be used for but the list for lavender includes: antiseptic, analgesic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, decongestant, antidepressant, calmative, sedative, antibiotic, anti-infectious. May be used on children.

Blending Lavender:

Lavender blends well with other oils such as geranium and rosemary. Blended with chamomile or rose, lavender retains a very soft and gentle character. Blend it with eucalyptus or geranium and stimulate the immune system. Well be talking about blending oils later. Thats the fascinating part of aromatherapy. practicing and experimenting with blending.

Geranium: (Pelargonium spp.)

Geranium oil is extracted by steam distillation from the leaves and stalks of the scented geranium and should be colorless to light green. Scented geranium is not the same plant as the pink and red geraniums you have in your planters. Known as rose geranium to herbalists, there are over 600 varieties. It has a flowery rose, sweet aroma with some citrus smell and a suggestion of wood. The oil is antioxidant, antiseptic and astringent, has been used in treating wounds and ulcers.

Aromatherapists sum up the reaction to rose geranium as physically and emotionally balancing.

Most likely youll start with using this oil in a refreshing bath. It can be blended in all types of cosmetic preparations good for balancing both oily and dry complexions and is helpful in acne treatment and aging skin.

Eucalyptus: (Eucalyptus globules)

Native to Australia, eucalyptus are among the tallest trees in the entire world. There are more than 600 species, the blue gum is the most widely cultivated but aromatherapists also use lemon eucalyptus for its lemony scent. Also extracted by steam distillation of the leaves and twigs, the oil should be clear to pale yellow in color.

The scent of eucalyptus (as many of you know) is pungent and camphor like. Its refreshing, penetrating, and stimulating aroma that enters into the respiratory tract to bring a fresh vitality to mind, body, and spirit.

The oil has widespread application possibly because its inexpensive. Its used liberally in aftershaves, colognes, mouthwashes and household cleansers. Also used for vapor rubs, skin blemishes, shampoos for oily hair and the list goes on and on.

Rosemary: (Rosmarinus officinalis, camphor, cineol)

Rosemarys name is derived from rosmarinus rich means dew of the sea. Its cultivated worldwide, but France, Spain and Tunisia are the main essential oil producers. The scent is herbaceous, woody, sharp, and camphor like. Again its extracted by steam distillation of the flowering tops. It should be a clear oil.

Some researchers think rosemary improves memory, as Shakespeares character says, Theres rosemary for remembrance. Its a stimulant to the nervous system that increases energy. Its also antiseptic, calmative, tonic, and it can reduce the discomfort of nausea. Used in massage, the oil improves poor circulation.

A few drops of rosemary oil taken with water are good for liver and gallbladder ailments. It increases the secretion of bile and decreases blood sugar levels. It also can discourage the build-up of acids in the joints that lead to arthritis.

Caution: Rosemary oil should not be used during pregnancy. Rosemary should also be avoided by those with high blood pressure and anyone subject to seizures.

Lemon:(Citrus limon)

Lemon oil, derived from the peel of the lemon, has a fresh, clean scent that activates the body, and stimulates the central nervous system. This oil is created by cold expression of the fresh fruit peel, and should be pale yellow with a greenish hue. Like other citruses, the oil keeps only for a year unless you prolong its life by storing it in a cool place or even the refrigerator.

Lemon is best known throughout the world as a remedy that relieves fevers, sore throat, coughs and indigestion. The massage oil can reduce inflammation and works well at relaxing stiff muscles.

Caution: Lemon oil should not be used on the skin when going out in the sun to tan. Many people develop a rash.

Cypress: (Cupressus sempervirens)

Cypress oil is obtained from the green branches, leaves and nuts of the cypress. The oil is clear and has a spicy-sweet, woodsy scent. The oil is often used in mens products (cologne and aftershave).

Cypress can increase mental energy and attentiveness by reducing drowsiness and irritability. A cypress oil bath is relaxing and refreshing. The astringent (drying) effect of cypress oil in combination with hyssop oil can ease the suffering of hay fever. Cypress is excellent for smoothing transitions. Inhale the fragrance for strength and comfort.

Peppermint: (Mentha x piperita)

Peppermint oil is distilled from the fresh leaves of the small perennial peppermint. The American states of Oregon, Washington, Montana and Indiana are major produces of peppermint oil. The oil should be clear to pale yellow in color. It has a minty, fresh aroma as we know from gum and candy and herbal teas.

Often used as a massage oil over the abdomen because it relaxes the muscle and aids in digestion. It is a warming oil so its found in most liniments used to relieve muscle spasms.

Caution: At first peppermint feels cooling, but watch out because if its too strong it can burn.

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Rosemary Mint is an aromatherapy soap that contains spearmint and rosemary. It can be used by both men and women. This is a great soap to get you rejuvenated and ready to go. Terra Rose has a flowery smell great for women. It is a sensual aromatherapy soap that will help you enjoy a wonderful evening with someone you love. It contains rose geranium and patchouli. Truly Patchouli helps relieve the effects of dry skin. It contains patchouli oil and hemp seed oil.

Did you spend too long in the sun? Peppermint Kisses is the perfect soap to soothe your sunburned skin. It brings relief for insect bites as well. This aromatherapy soap contains peppermint oil and aloe vera. Lemon Poppy Seed Soap is refreshing and helps calm you down. This is great when you have an important day ahead of you.

Make sure you only purchase aromatherapy soap with all natural ingredients. It is often marketed with additional ingredients in it. You wont get the same results. Aromatherapy soaps can be purchased on the internet and most beauty and bathing retailers. Many aromatherapy soaps sold on the internet are homemade. While it is more expensive than regular bars of soap, you cant put a price on the benefits these aromatherapy soaps offer.

If you are interested you too can make your own aromatherapy soap. You can use them for yourself, give them as gifts, or sell them on the internet. This is a very simple process. The important things to remember is to only use all natural ingredients and to purchase quality ingredients. If you use poor quality ingredients your soap with crack and break into pieces as you try washing with it. Aromatherapy soap molds and ingredients can be purchased at craft stores and on the internet. There are even aromatherapy soap starter kits available.

Aromatherapy soap is a great way to turn something as ordinary as taking a shower or bathing into a unique experience. All of the soaps smell good, but it is the healing properties for both your mind and body that will benefit you the most. Some of them will help your skin conditions, others help your mental state. There are soaps to relieve breathing problems and physical ailments. We all know feeling good physically and mentally is essential for balance and being healthy overall. The hardest part is going to be deciding which aromatherapy soap to use.br
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Here we will have a brief look at ten essential oils considered by some to comprise the ‘basic home care kit’. While by no means exhaustive, this list will go a long way to providing effective (and often pleasant!) treatments for you and your family for things like cuts and scrapes, sunburn, digestive troubles, stress related conditions and more. In the second article, we will cover specific applications and uses of each oil.

Oil #1: Lavender
Lavender has often been called the ‘medicine chest in a bottle’ for its broad range of applications. Every home should keep Lavender on hand, even if no other oil is used, as it is so very effective on burns. It’s anti-inflammatory action is responsible for the beginnings of modern aromatherapy, as Dr. Jean Valnet discovered Lavender’s healing properties after being burned in a laboratory accident. Lavender is considered to speed wound healing and reduce scarring. The oil is also pleasantly calming, and can be used to reduce stress in a variety of situations – a commonly used technique is to apply Lavender oil ‘neat’ (undiluted) to the soles of the feet of patients recovering from almost any ailment.

Oil #2: Tea Tree
When first examined for it’s antiseptic properties, Tea Tree essential oil was found to be 100 times more powerful than carbolic acid – the medical standard at the time. Tea tree has an extremely broad range of antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties that have been confirmed by modern scientific research. Often used topically on small wounds, Tea Tree is also commonly found in oral hygiene preparations, and can also be effectively employed for Candida, athlete’s foot and acne, among other things.

Oil #3: Peppermint
An excellent digestive tonic, Peppermint essential oil can sooth many stomach complaints. For the traveler, it’s effectiveness on calming motion sickness can be of great help. Further, at least eight controlled studies have shown Peppermint oil to be effective in reducing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, a painful condition of the intestines. Beyond it’s support of the digestive system, Peppermint is delightfully stimulating to the mind, brightening and sharpening mental focus. Finally, Peppermint is considered by some to be a more effective insect repellent than citronella when used on the body (rather than in the surrounding air).

Oil #4: Chamomile
Ah, the great tension reliever, Chamomile oil. This extremely gentle essential oil is useful for a wide variety of nervous conditions, and is often indicated for cases of stress in children (including teething and general ‘crankiness’). Rubbing into the solar plexus is a commonly used application if that is where one tends to ‘hold tension’. Chamomile essential oil is available in to varieties, German or Blue Chamomile and Roman Chamomile. The Roman variety is most often used for stress relief, whereas the German variety has the added bonus of being an extremely effective anti-inflammatory.

Oil #5: Eucalyptus
Another essential oil with a broad range of properties, Eucalyptus is most often used for respiratory conditions, being useful in clearing congestion with coughs and colds. However, it’s effects are certainly not limited to the airways – because of it’s broad range of effects, it has been called the aromatherapists ‘designer oil’. Eucalyptus oil can cool the body in Summer (or due to fever – use in a compress), and support the immune system in Winter. Diffusing Eucalyptus oil can kill most staphylococcus bacteria, again being supportive of bronchial infections. It is considered equally effective in cases of cystitis, candida, and sunburn, to name a few, as well as being an insect repellent.

Oil #6: Geranium
Geranium (sometimes known as ‘Geranium Rose’) works wonderfully on both physiological and psychological levels. It’s floral aroma is brightening and uplifting, while also working as a sedative. Malte Hozzel has made this statement regarding this oil: “Geranium’s vital, sensual presence is not subtle, but direct & unavoidable, making it one of the oils of choice for aphrodisiac qualities. (Geranium Essential Oil) inspires natural beauty & enjoyment, uplifts instantly & “tonifies” the mind & intellect in a powerful, nearly demanding attitude. Mobilizing hidden creative & emotional reserves, helping us to rise to our own earthly & spiritual identify. A fiery beauty for the spells of all worlds.” Particularly noted for it’s effect on female physiologic conditions, Geranium oil can be effective for menopausal problems, uterine and breast complaints.

Oil #7: Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil is an effective physical and mental stimulant, whether used in a diffuser or in a morning bath. It’s slightly spicy, rather than floral aroma, has a warming effect particularly useful for arthritic joints and other muscular complaints. It also has a long history of treatment for colds and flu – Rosemary was a component of ‘Four Thieves Vinegar’, which robbers rubbed upon their bodies to prevent infection when up to no good during the plague years of the middle ages. Also, Rosemary is the essential oil most often associated with improving hair growth in cases of Alopecia.

Oil #8: Thyme
Thyme oil is a powerful antiviral, antibiotic, antiseptic and diuretic, though it should be employed with great care. There are many types of Thyme oil available, but only the ‘linalol’ chemotype is appropriate for use with children; all varieties should be diluted prior to topical application. Given the precautions, Thyme can be a first line of defense in cases of flu, being used in a room diffuser. It also supports elimination of toxic wastes from the body (particularly noted for excessive uric acid), and it’s warming quality can eliminate mucous and phlegm. It’s application for the digestive system is that of a powerful anti-parasitic, and for the muscular system, it can be helpful for rheumatic aches and pains. Thyme oil may also be supportive in cases of hair loss.

Oil #9: Lemon
A recent study on test-taking college students showed the diffusion of Lemon oil into a room improved test scores more than any other oil. In addition to it’s mind-brightening qualities, it can also disinfect room air and act as a natural deodorant. Lemon has been noted to support liver function, and is also commonly used to assist in weight loss and cellulite reduction. In blends, lemon adds a pleasant top note, and can create a synergistic effect with other oils. Finally, Lemon oil is commonly used as both a fragrance and flavoring agent.

Oil #10: Clove
The power of Clove essential oil is noted upon the first sensing of the aroma – it is quite strong, sharp and earthy. Clove oil has been found to be the strongest anti-oxidant of any essential oil, and is a component of ‘longevity’ formulas. It is also an extremely potent antibacterial, effective against a broader range of microbes than any other oil except perhaps Oregano – Clove oil has even been employed to sterilize surgical instruments. Clove also has analgesic properties, and can be used to temporarily reduce the pain of toothache. Clove oil (or ground cloves) is also a component of Dr. Huda Clark’s anti-parasite protocol, helping eliminate parasites from one’s digestive system. This is a very powerful oil which should be diluted to 1% or less for topical application.

So, there we have a possible ‘top ten’ essential oils for the home medicine chest, a selection with an extremely broad range of uses for common ailments seen in a family setting. It is important to note that all essential oils are powerful, and they should be treated with caution and respect. Always refer to a trusted source before making specific applications of any oil, as many can be irritating or possibly toxic if used incorrectly.

To help employ these oils in your home, however, we will examine more specific uses of each essential oil in part II of this article. This will assist you in using these wonderful medicines of nature in your daily routine.