Common Essential Oils Used with Aromatherapy

General safety information


Do not take any oils internally without consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, cancer or any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Use extreme caution when using oils with children and give children only the gentlest oils at extremely low doses. It is safest to consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children. A skin patch test should be conducted prior to using an oil that you've never used before.

Essential oils for aromatherapy

Basil is uplifting and stimulating with a fresh, sweet and spicy scent. It is used for treating bronchitis, colds, constipation, insect bites, mental fatigue, migraine, nervous tension, rheumatism and sinus congestion. May cause irritation to sensitive skin. Dilute well and do not use during pregnancy.

Bergamot is refreshing and uplifting. It has a sweet and spicy scent and is used in treating acne, boils, chicken pox, colds, cold sores, cystitis, flatulence, loss of appetite, mouth infections and sore throat. May increase skin's sensitivity to sunlight. It should not be used when exposed to sunlight or sunlamps, and it should also be avoided during pregnancy.


Black Pepper is stimulating with a warm and peppery scent. It is used for colds, constipation, digestive problems, flatulence, heartburn, indigestion, muscle aches and pains and sinus congestion. May irritate sensitive skin. Use well diluted. Avoid during pregnancy.

Chamomile is soothing and relaxing. It has a sweet, herbal and fruity scent. It is used in the treatment of acne, blisters, boils, colitis, depression, digestive problems, headaches, indigestion, nervous tension, rheumatism and skin conditions. May cause skin irritation. Not to be used in early pregnancy.

Clary Sage has a warming effect and a sweet, spicy and herbal scent. It is used for treating asthma, depression, digestive problems, exhaustion, muscle cramps and spasms, PMS relief and respiratory problems. Do not use during pregnancy or before driving or other activities that require high levels of concentration. Clary sage is highly sedative.

Clove has warming effect and a sweet, spicy, fresh scent. It is used for bronchitis, colds, indigestion, infected wounds, insect repellant, mouth sores, muscle and nerve tension, as a room disinfectant and for toothache. Highly irritating to the skin, Dilute to less than 1% prior to use.

Cypress is relaxing and refreshing with a sweet and refreshing scent. Its uses include asthma, bronchitis, cough, edema, hemorrhoids, menopause, menstrual symptoms, muscle and nerve tension, oily skin and hair and rheumatism. Avoid during pregnancy.

Eucalyptus is balancing and stimulating. Its scent is camphorous and woody. It is used as an air disinfectant and insect repellent and is used to treat asthma, bronchitis, burns and cuts. It is also used as a decongestant and to treat flu, headaches, muscle aches, rheumatism, sinusitis, skin ulcers, urinary infections and wounds. Fatal if ingested. Do not use if you have epilepsy or high blood pressure.

Fennel has a clearing effect with an earthy and sweet smell. It is used for digestive problems, gout and nervous tension. Do not use during pregnancy or if you have epilepsy.

Frankincense has uplifting and relaxing effects and a sweet, warm scent. It is used in treating asthma, bronchitis and colds, and for healing wounds, nervous tension, respiratory conditions, skin care, as a uterine tonic and in massage after childbirth.

Geranium has comforting and healing effects and a floral, sweet and earthy scent. It is used for treating burns, eczema, edema, fluid retention, PMS symptoms, poor circulation, rheumatism and tonsillitis. May irritate sensitive skin. Avoid during pregnancy.

Ginger has warming effects and a warm, spicy and woody scent. It is used for arthritis, bronchitis, colds, flu, indigestion, poor circulation and sinusitis. May irritate sensitive skin.

Jasmine has soothing and relaxing effects with a warm, floral scent. It is used for treating anxiety, cough, headache, mental tension and sensitive or dry skin. Avoid during pregnancy.


Juniper has cleansing and refreshing effects and a fresh, woody, sweet scent. Its uses include acne, cellulite, dermatitis, gout, muscle aches and pains and ulcers. Avoid during pregnancy and if you have kidney disease.

Lavender has calming and therapeutic effects with a floral, sweet, woody and herbal scent. It is used in treating acne, anxiety, bronchitis, colds, flu, headaches, insect bites, insomnia, muscle aches and pains, PMS symptoms, skin problems, sunburn, tension, wounds and sores. Avoid during early pregnancy and use with caution if you have low blood pressure.

Lemon is refreshing and stimulating with a fresh, sharp, citrus scent. It is used for cellulite, circulatory problems, cold sores, constipation, corns, gingivitis, headaches, insect bites, migraine, sore throat and varicose veins. Increases skin sensitivity to sunlight and should not be directly inhaled.

Lemongrass is refreshing and toning with a sweet, citrus scent. It is used in the treatments of colic, fatigue and indigestion. It helps stimulate appetite and reduces stress.


Marjoram is soothing and warming with a warm, spicy scent. It is used for anxiety, arthritis, bronchitis, bruises, colic, constipation, insomnia, muscle aches and pains, PMS symptoms, sinusitis and sprains. Avoid during pregnancy.

Myrrh is toning and rejuvenating with a warm, spicy scent similar to musk. It is used in treating arthritis, bronchitis, colds, cough, digestive problems, mouth and gum problems and to stimulate the immune system. Avoid during pregnancy.

Neroli is relaxing with a refreshing floral scent. It is used to treat depression, digestive problems, dry or sensitive skin, flatulence, headaches, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, nervous tension, panic attacks and stress. Avoid during pregnancy.

Orange is refreshing and relaxing with a fresh citrus scent. It is used in treating anxiety, cellulite, constipation, depression, digestive problems, dry and sensitive skin, aging skin, insomnia, muscle aches and pains, nervous tension, respiratory conditions and stress. Avoid during pregnancy. May irritate sensitive skin and increases kin sensitivity to sunlight.

Patchouli is relaxing with a sweet, spicy and woody scent. It is used to treat anxiety, cellulite, chapped and cracked skin, depression, eczema and low libido and to treat PMS symptoms, scar tissue and water retention.

Peppermint is refreshing and stimulating with a strong, fresh, menthol scent. It helps treat asthma, bronchitis, colic, headache, indigestion, migraine, muscle and joint pain, nausea, sore feet and toothaches. It is also used as an insect repellent. Avoid during pregnancy.

Rose is relaxing with a warm, deep, floral scent. It is used for aging skin, broken veins, depression, dry skin, headache, insomnia, PMS symptoms, sensitive skin, sore throat and stress. Avoid during pregnancy.

Rosemary is refreshing and stimulating with a refreshing, woody, herbal scent. It is used for treating burns, cellulite, colds, digestive problems, fatigue, flu, gout, liver and gall bladder problems, oily skin, poor circulation, water retention and wounds. Avoid during pregnancy and if you have high blood pressure.


Sandalwood is warming and relaxing with a woody, sweet, exotic scent. It is used for anxiety, bronchitis, fatigue, frigidity, impotence, immune system booster, nervous tension, skin conditions, sore throat, stress, urinary infections and water retention. Avoid during pregnancy. Do not use if depressed.

Tea tree is cleansing and refreshing with a fresh, medicinal scent. It is used in treating age spots, athlete's foot, boils, burns, colds, dandruff, fungal infections, itching, sunburn, urinary tract infections, and warts and is used as an immune system booster. May irritate sensitive skin.

Thyme is refreshing and warming with a sweet, strong, herbal scent. It is used in the treatment of arthritis, colds, cough, depression, fatigue, sore throat, stress and tonsillitis. It is also used as an immune system booster; it enhances memory and raises low blood pressure. Avoid during pregnancy. Do not use if you have high blood pressure.

Ylang-Ylang is relaxing and stimulating with a heavy, sweet, floral and exotic scent. It is helpful in treating anxiety, high blood pressure, intestinal problems, sexual dysfunction and stress. May irritate sensitive skin. May cause headaches.