Essential oils have been used for thousands of year, including extensive use by the Ancient Egyptians who knew the healing, restorative and rejuvenating powers of plants and aromatherapy. Whether inhaled, massaged, or, in some cases such as peppermint or chamomile, ingested, essential oils often replace popular drugs such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol, antacids, Vick’s, Pepto-Bismol, and many other common OTC and prescription drugs.  As we embark on our winter post New Year cleanses, bear in mind, essential oils play an important role in detoxification whether it is to cleanse the liver, cleanse parasites, or even simply to uplift a mood caused by rapid detoxication.

Essential Oils for Detox

Juniper berry : This powerful, detoxifying oil is a purifier, helps avert nervous tension, and reduces cellulite. Juniper essential oil is an antiviral, antiseptic, diuretic, and can help relieve pain, the symptoms of rheumatism, and expel uric acid from the system. Juniper’s spicy aroma helps to strengthen and fortify the spirit during times of low energy, anxiety, and emotional overload. The oil can irritate some people’s skin, and should be avoided during pregnancy.

Helichrysum : Ideal for use during a drug or alcohol detox or a detox from estrogen dominance, helichrysum helps stimulate liver cells, thin mucous secretions, and acts as a free radical scavenger. It is non-toxic and non-irritating.

Lemon: A refreshing citrus oil, lemon stimulates white blood cells to defend the body against infection. Its detoxifying and regenerating properties are beneficial for the liver, and aid in bringing clarity to the mind and emotions. Lemon may irritate those with sensitive skin, and when used in a bath it must be used with a carrier oil.

Grapefruit:  Having a detoxifying effect on individuals recovering from substance abuse, grapefruit is antiviral, antiseptic, diuretic, and can aid the digestive system and skin. It refreshes the mind, relieves anxiety, is reviving, uplifting, and helps disperse negative energy. It may, however, increase photosensitivity.

Laurel: Characterized by a fresh, sweet smell, laurel contains eugenol which makes it effective in thinning mucous secretions, as an expectorant, and as an anti-viral and anti-fungal.  Laurel has a powerfully balancing effect on the lymphatic system.  Rubbing a few drops of oil on swollen lymph nodes for an immediate effect. Laurel should be used in moderation, and avoided during pregnancy.

Below is a list of common symptoms and/or ailments along with body, skin and hair conditions along with the essential oils that balance them.

Essential Oils for the Skin

Acne: Bergamot, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Geranium, Grapefruit, Everlasting, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Neroli, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Ravensara, Rose, Rosemary, Petitgrain, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Tea Tree, Thyme

Aging Skin: Bergamot, Cypress, Chamomile, Everlasting, Jasmine, Juniper, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Neroli, Palmarosa, Petitgrain, Patchouli, Ravensara, Rosewood, Rosemary, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

Dry Skin: Bergamot, Chamomile, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Everlasting, Fennel, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Rosemary, Rose, Sandalwood, Thyme, Ylang Ylang

Normal/Combination Skin: Bergamot, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender, Rose, Chamomile, Geranium, Jasmine, Mandarin, Neroli, Orange, Patchouli, Palmarosa, Petitgrain, Rose, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

Oily Skin: Basil, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Cypress, Geranium, Grapefruit, Geranium, Jasmine*, Juniper, Lemon, Lime, Lavender, Neroli, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Ravensara, Rose, Rosemary, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Thyme, Tea Tree, Ylang Ylang

Essential Oils for the Body

Breakdown of Fat and Cellulite: Basil, Cedarwood, Cypress, Fennel, Juniper, Lavender, Lemongrass, Fennel, Grapefruit, Lemon, Pine, Mandarin, Rosemary

Deodorizing: Bergamot, Cypress, Clary Sage, Lavender, Petitgrain, Lemon, Tea Tree, Patchouli, Peppermint

Eczema, Dermatitis & Psoriasis: Bergamot, Chamomile, Cypress, Cedarwood, Fennel, Geranium, Lavender, Juniper, Orange, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Rose, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Tea Tree, Thyme

Herpes & Cold Sores: Bergamot, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Eucalyptus, Chamomile

Stretch Marks / Scars:  Lavender, Rosehip, Rosemary, Rosewood, Patchouli, Chamomile. Also use, Calendula Wheat Germ Oil and Vitamin E as part of therapy but also as carrier oil.

Varicose Veins: Cypress, Everlasting, Lemon, Lavender, Juniper

Essential Oils for the Hair

Normal Hair: Lavender, Lemon, Geranium, Chamomile, Rosemary, Basil, Thyme, Palmarosa, Ylang Ylang

Dry Hair: Lavender, Rosemary, Geranium, Sandalwood, Chamomile, Cedarwood, Clary Sage

Oily Hair: Lavender, Rosemary, Cypress, Lemon, Basil, Thyme, Cedarwood, Juniper

Calming: Chamomile, Lavender, Lemon, Rosewood, Patchouli, Neroli, Sandalwood, Mandarin, Ravensara, Tangerine, Ylang Ylang.

Cradle Cap: Chamomile, Lavender

Dandruff: Basil, Cypress, Cedarwood, Rosemary, Patchouli, Juniper, Lavender, Mandarin, Thyme, Tea Tree

Hair Loss: Rosemary, Basil, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Cypress, Cedarwood, Thyme, Juniper, Geranium, Neroli, Chamomile, Ylang Ylang

Essential Oils for Health

Antibacterial: Bergamot, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Cypress, Everlasting, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Patchouli, Palmarosa, Pine, Ravensara, Rose, Sandalwood, Eucalyptus, Thyme, Basil, Tea Tree

Antifungal: Cedarwood, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Lemongrass, Patchouli, Peppermint, Sandalwood, Thyme, Tea Tree, Basil

Anti-Inflammatory: Chamomile, Citronella, Everlasting, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Ginger, Lavender, Rose, Patchouli, Spearmint, Peppermint, Sandalwood

Antiviral: Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Palmarosa, Ravensara, Tea Tree, Thyme, Tarragon

Anti-Yeast/ Anti-Candida Growth: Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Geranium, Patchouli, Rosemary, Thyme, Tea Tree

Basil, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Geranium, Ginger, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Orange, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Tea Tree, Thyme, Mandarin, Neroli, Petitgrain

Circulation: Cypress, Ginger, Juniper, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Neroli, Peppermint, Rosemary, Rose, Thyme

Depression: Angelica*, Anise, Bergamot, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Cypress, Everlasting, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Lavender, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Neroli, Orange, Patchouli, Peppermint, Tangerine, Ravensara, Rose, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Spearmint, Spruce, Ylang Ylang, Pine Needle

Endometriosis: Clary Sage, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Ravensara Menopause Angelica, Basil, Bergamot, Cypress, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Fennel, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Orange, Sandalwood, Ravensara, Rose

Fatigue: Basil, Bergamot, Cypress, Cinnamon, Lavender, Geranium, Grapefruit, Juniper, Neroli, Orange, Rose, Mandarin, Palmarosa, Peppermint, Ravensara, Rosemary, Tangerine, Thyme, Tarragon, Lemon, Petitgrain, Eucalyptus, Ylang Ylang

Headache:  Eucalptus, Helichrysum, Roman Chamomile, Peppermint, Spearmint, Nutmeg

Hormone Balancing: Angelica, Bergamot, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Fennel, Geranium, Lavender, Ravensara, Sandalwood, Spearmint, Ylang Ylang

Hot Flashes: Clary Sage, Chamomile, Fennel, Geranium, Lavender

Immune System Adaptogen: Cinnamon, Everlasting, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Ravensara, Rose, Rosemary, Tea Tree  (These boost or calm the immune system depending on the body’s needs.

Inflammation and Swelling:  Chamomile, Cypress, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Rosemary, Peppermint, Rose, Juniper, Petitgrain, Ylang Ylang

Insomnia: Chamomile, Basil, Citronella, Clary Sage, Juniper, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Neroli, Orange, Ravensara, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Mandarin, Petitgrain, Tangerine

Memory: Basil, Bergamot, Cinnamon, Juniper, Rosemary, Thyme, Ylang Ylang

Nausea: Basil, Chamomile, Ginger, Lavender, Lemon, Rose, Peppermint, Dill, Sandalwood

PMS: Clary Sage, Fennel, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Jasmine, Juniper, Neroli, Orange, Pine, Ravensara, Rose, Sandalwood, Tarragon

Refreshing: Cypress, Eucalyptus, Juniper, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Peppermint, Ravensara, Tangerine, Mandarin, Rosemary, Ylang Ylang

Relaxing: Angelica*, Chamomile, Citronella, Geranium, Jasmine, Basil, Bergamot, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Mandarin, Neroli, Orange, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Peppermint, Rosewood, Tangerine, Ylang Ylang.

Sensual: Anise, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Jasmine, Lemon, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

Stress: Angelica, Basil, Cypress, Cedarwood, Everlasting, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Tarragon, Mandarin, Petitgrain, Chamomile, Patchouli, Palmarosa, Pine Needles, Neroli, Tangerine, Rose Jasmine, Ylang Ylang

Essential Oils for Pregnancy

Pregnancy: Ylang Ylang, Neroli, Mandarin, Petitgrain, Tangerine, Lavender

Labor and Delivery: Geranium, Lavender, Jasmine, Neroli, Rose, Ylang Ylang

Postpartum: Bergamot, Clary Sage, Fennel, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lavender, Patchouli, Ravensara, Rose

Stretch Marks / Scars: Lavender, Rosemary, Rosewood, Patchouli, Chamomile. Also use Wheat Germ Oil and Vitamin E.

A word about carrier oils:

NEVER apply essential oils directly to skin.  For aroma therapeutic benefits use a diffuser or for application on the skin use a carrier oil.  A few of my favorites are calendula, almond, jojoba and olive.

Grapeseed, Olive, Macadamia, and Avocado Oils are also a good way to go.

Argan and Tamanu oils are good choices but quite pricey.

Sunflower and Safflower oil must be organic and cold pressed.

Castor oil (should be sustainably sourced and high quality) can be used for very oily skin.

Wheat germ oil mixed with Vitamin E is a great carrier base for stretch marks and scarring.  Calendula is great for this too.

Rosehip oil is pricey but very high in Vitamin C.  It is not, in my opinion, neutral smelling though.   I use it diluted with calendula oil, 4 parts calendula to 1 part rosehip oil and my favorite essential oils.