Aromatherapy Essential Oils :
(ESSENTIAL OILS TO WATCH OUT FOR DURING PREGNANCY)
BASIL OIL (Ocimum Bascilicum)
Best known for its flavoring properties in food, basil has many therapeutic applications, including as a bactericide, antiseptic, antimicrobial, astringent, antispasmodic, antitoxic, diuretic, antifungal, insecticide, tonic and immune system stimulant. Caution: Can irritate sensitive skin, avoid during pregnancy.
CEDAR OIL (Cedrus atlantica)
Cedar wood has long been used for storage cabinets because of its ability to repel insects and prevent decay. In oil form, applied to humans, it is an antiseptic, astringent, expectorant (removes mucus from respiratory system), anti-fungal, sedative and insecticide. avoid during pregnancy.
ROMAN CHAMOMILE OIL (Anthemis nobilis)
Extracted from flowers similar to daisies, with a light pleasant aroma, chamomile has many medicinal applications including: Antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, anti-neuralgic (nerve pain), reducing inflammation, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-allergic, anti-parasitic, promoting menstrual flow, diuretic, digestive and sedative. Caution: Avoid in the first trimester of pregnancy, can irritate sensitive skin.
CINNAMON OIL (Cinnamonum Zeylanicum)
While cinnamon may taste great on toast and in granny’s cookies, it is also a powerful medicine. Therapeutic applications: Antidiarrheal, poison antidote, antiseptic, antimicrobial, astringent, antispasmodic, bactericide, diuretic, antifungal, insecticide, immunity stimulant and antiparasitic. Caution: Because cinnamon oil stimulates contractions, it should be avoided during pregnancy.
CLARY SAGE OIL (Salvia sclarea)
There are songs about this one, (along with its relatives parsley, rosemary and thyme). It’s great with chicken, but can be very powerful in oil form. Therapeutic applications: Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antimicrobial, astringent, antispasmodic, antitoxic, diuretic, antifungal, insecticide, immunity stimulant, mild anesthetic
Caution: Non-toxic but avoid in the first trimester of pregnancy; may stimulate contractions. Overuse can cause headaches. Doesn’t mix with low blood pressure or alcohol.
CLOVE OIL (Eugenia caryophallata)
A common flavoring in both eastern and western foods, and prized in the early days of the spice trade, clove oil’s therapeutic uses include: Antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, analgesic (pain relief), antioxidant, homeostatic (blood thinning), anti-inflammatory. Caution: Avoid in pregnancy. Can irritate sensitive skin. Do not apply to children under age 5.
EUCALYPTUS (Eucalyptus globulus)
Though eucalyptus leaves are the only thing Koalas eat, both the leaves and oil are toxic if taken internally. Its medicinal properties are mostly well known: Antiseptic, astringent, antiviral, bactericidal, deodorant, expectorant, fungicidal, sedative and insecticide. Caution: Avoid in pregnancy, if you have high blood pressure or epilepsy. Can irritate sensitive skin. Use no more than a few days at a time.
FENNEL OIL (Foeniculum Vulgaris)
Fennel is usually offered at the end of an Indian meal to aid digestion. Its medicinal applications are: Bactericide, antiseptic, antimicrobial, astringent, antispasmodic, antitoxic, diuretic, antifungal, insecticide, tonic and immunity stimulant. Caution: Avoid in pregnancy. Not good for epileptics. Narcotic in large doses so use in moderation. Do not apply to children under age 5.
FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia carterii)
The three kings who brought gifts to the baby Jesus in that manger would have been well aware of the medicinal properties of frankincense including: Antiseptic, astringent, expectorant, fungicidal, sedative and insecticide. Caution: Do not use during pregnancy and avoid contact with the eyes and mucus membranes.
GERANIUM (Pelargonium odorantissimum)
Not just a pretty flower. Geranium can also be used as: Antiseptic, astringent, expectorant, fungicidal, sedative and insecticide. Caution: Avoid in first trimester of pregnancy. Can irritate sensitive skin.
JASMINE (Jasminum Officinale)
Uplifting, balancing and soothing, regulating, sedative. Jasmine is known as ‘the king of flowers.’ Key qualities are as follows; intoxicating, warming, uplifting, anti-depressant, tonic, euphoric and aphrodisiac. Do not use during pregnancy.
JUNIPER (Juniperus communis)
Juniper’s key qualities are; aphrodisiac, restorative, purifying, protective, clearing, reviving, depurative, reviving and tonic (nerves). Juniper is known as the oil of protection. Do not use during pregnancy.
LAVENDER OIL (Lavandula vera)
Distilled from the purple flowers much prized as an aphrodisiac in Victorian times (as if they needed one), the oil smells lovely and can function as: antidepressant, antiseptic, astringent, expectorant, fungicide, sedative, insecticide, emollient and anti-inflammatory
Caution: Not good with low blood pressure. Do not use in the first trimester of pregnancy.
LEMONGRASS OIL (Cymbopogon citatus)
This tough and tangy grass is what gives many Thai foods their inimitable zing. It’s good for you as well. Its medicinal applications include: Analgesic, antidepressant, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiseptic, astringent, bactericidal, deodorant, fungicidal, insecticidal, sedative, digestive, itch relief and tonic. Caution: Non-toxic, can irritate sensitive skin. Avoid when pregnant.
MARJORAM OIL (Origanum marjorana)
Another name common on the kitchen spice rack. In oil form, marjoram is useful as: Analgesic, antiseptic, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericidal, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, hypotensive, laxative, sedative, tonic and, some say, an aphrodisiac. Caution: Not good with pregnancy, low blood pressure, young children or the elderly.
MYRRH ESSENTIAL OIL (Commiphora myrrha)
Another prized gift from the three wise men in the manger. Myrrh, in spite of its bizarre spelling has many therapeutic properties including: Anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiphlogistic, anticatarrhal, antiseptic, astringent, expectorant, sedative, and uterine tonic. Caution: Avoid during pregnancy.
NUTMEG OIL (Myristica fragrans)
A key ingredient in Grandpa’s Christmas eggnog, this spice is psychoactive and even hallucinogenic in large doses – which may help to explain why grandpa always acted a bit funny on Christmas Eve. It can be used as: Bactericide, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antioxidant, tonic, immune stimulant and an aphrodisiac. Caution: Never use if pregnant or lactating. Use very small amounts. Do not use on the elderly, teens or children. Toxic in high doses.
OREGANO OIL (Origanum vulgare)
A key element in the spaghetti sauce of any self-respecting cook, oregano has many benefits in oil form including: Antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diuretic, fungicidal, stimulant and insecticide
Caution: Avoid during pregnancy
PATCHOULI (Pogostemon cablin)
Very popular as a calming perfume, it can also function as: Antidepressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, antimicrobial, diuretic, deodorant, carminative, astringent, expectorant, fungicidal, sedative, tonic, decongestant and insecticide.
PEPPERMINT OIL (Mentha piperita)
Traditionally known as a treatment for bad breath and sore teeth, peppermint has a few other applications as well: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, digestive, expectorant, fungicidal, nervine, vasoconstrictor, decongestant and stimulant. Caution: Avoid in pregnancy and lactation.
WILD ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis)
One of the herbs in the famous old song, there was much to sing in its praise since it can function as: Antiseptic, analgesic, anti- bacterial, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, digestive, fungicidal, stimulant, insecticide, invigorating, nervine, restorative, diaphoretic, decongestant, hypertensive, and antiparasitic. Caution: Avoid in pregnancy. Can irritate sensitive skin.
ROSEWOOD OIL (Aniba rosaeodora)
Rosewood, a popular material for decorative work, can be distilled into medicinal oil that functions as: Bactericide, antiseptic, antimicrobial, astringent, antispasmodic, antitoxic, diuretic, antifungal, insecticide, and immunity stimulant. Caution: Avoid during pregnancy. Can irritate sensitive skin.
THYME SERPOLET OIL (Thymus vulgaris)
One of many oils that is also good with chicken in its leaf form. Therapeutically it is effective as: Bactericide, antiseptic, antimicrobial, astringent, antispasmodic, antitoxic, diuretic, antifungal, insecticide, tonic and immunity stimulant. Caution: Avoid during pregnancy, or if you have high blood pressure.