Essential Oil Spotlight: Grapefruit

Grapefruit essential oil is cold-pressed from the rind of the fruit of a Rutaceae tree. It has a clean, fresh, bitter, citrusy aroma that may aid emotional balance and have an uplifting effect.

The antidepressant, antiseptic, and diuretic properties of grapefruit make it useful in treating a variety of issues. It is primarily used to treat eating disorders, indigestion, and postpartum depression and to aid in weight loss. It may also help with depression, withdrawal, eating disorders, fatigue, stress, and gallstones.

The French have used it to treat cellulite, digestion, and water retention.

Grapefruit essential oil can be used in food, diffused, or applied directly to the area of concern. Grapefruit does not have the photosensitivity that other citrus oils have, so it makes a good substitute for any other citrus if exposure to the sun after application is likely.

See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils to learn more about grapefruit essential oil and many other pure essential oils.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2016 Edition, p. 81.

Essential Oil Spotlight: Cassia

Cassia essential oil is steam-distilled from the bark of the Cinnamomum cassia tree in the Lauraceae family. It has a spicy, warm, sweet aroma.

Historically, cassia has been widely used as a domestic spice. It has also been used medicinally to treat colds, colic, diarrhea, nausea, rheumatism, and digestive complaints.

Cassia oil is best used in small amounts blended with other oils, as it can be very sensitizing to the dermal tissues. Cassia is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) for human consumption but should be well diluted when taken orally.

Cassia oil is considered to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils to learn more about cassia essential oil and many other pure essential oils.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2016 Edition, pp. 53–54.

Essential Oil Spotlight: Peppermint

 

Peppermint essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves, stems, and flower buds of the Mentha piperita plant.

For centuries, peppermint has been used for a variety of purposes. It is known to soothe digestion and freshen breath, as well as treat headaches and heartburn.

The French have been known to use peppermint to alleviate asthma, diarrhea, indigestion, migraines, itchy skin, and throat infection.

The antibacterial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint make it a versatile in uses that aid the digestive and respiratory systems as well as muscles, bones, and skin.

It may also be used to help anger, arthritis, colic, depression, morning sickness, and toothaches.

The aroma is both purifying and stimulating to the mind. It can reduce fevers and increase mental accuracy.

See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils to learn more about peppermint essential oil and many other pure essential oils.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2016 Edition, pp. 112–14.

Essential Oil Spotlight: Clary Sage

Clary sage essential oil is steam-distilled from the Salvia sclarea plant of the mint family. Its spicy, hay-like aroma brings a sense of calm and euphoria.

Historically, it was nicknamed “clear eyes” and was well known during the Middle Ages as a successful treatment for eye problems. It was also widely used for female complaints, inflammation, and wounds.

The French use clary sage to treat a variety of ailments, including bronchitis, cholesterol, hormonal imbalance, impotence, PMS, and weak digestion.

Clary sage may also be used for kidney disorders, cell regulation, depression, circulatory problems, insect bites, dry skin, infections, and whooping cough. It may help balance the body’s hormonal system.

It can be applied topically, diffused, or taken orally if diluted in honey or milk.

See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils to learn more about clary sage essential oil and many other pure essential oils.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2016 Edition, pp. 60–61.

Essential Oil Spotlight: Clove

Clove essential oil is steam-distilled from the flower buds of a tree in the Myrtaceae family. Its spicy, warm, and woody aroma is said to be a mental stimulant.

Historically, clove was used for skin infections, digestive upsets, intestinal parasites, childbirth, and toothaches.

The French use clove for impotence, intestinal parasites, memory deficiency, pain, plague, toothache, and wounds. The Chinese also use cloves for diarrhea, hernia, bad breath, and bronchitis.

Clove oil is believed to support the cardiovascular, digestive, immune, and respiratory systems. It may also be used to treat arthritis, insect bites, rheumatism, and warts. Clove is known to have antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties.

Used aromatically, clove may influence healing, improve memory, and create a feeling of courage. It is regarded as safe for human consumption by the FDA and can be taken internally or used topically.

See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils to learn more about clove essential oil and many other pure essential oils.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2016 Edition, pp. 61–62.

Essential Oil Spotlight: Rose

Rose essential oil is steam distilled from the flowers of Rosa damascena, or the Bulgarian rose. Historically, rose was known for its healing properties and has been utilized in medicine throughout the ages. Some of the oldest uses of rose essential oil include digestive and menstrual problems, headaches and nervous tension, poor circulation, and fever.

Rose essential oil is commonly used to help with calming, poison ivy, relaxing, and scarring. The beautiful fragrance of rose essential oil is aromatically known to be stimulating and elevating to the mind and creates a sense of well-being.

Rose oil may also help with aging, asthma, chronic bronchitis, frigidity, gingivitis, herpes simplex, infections, skin disease, tuberculosis, ulcers, wounds, and wrinkles.

Rose is known for its antibacterial, antihemorrhaging, anti-infectious, aphrodisiac, and sedative properties as well as its powerful effect on emotional balance.

Would you like to learn more about rose essential oil? See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils for more information about this and many other pure essential oils.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2014 Edition, p. 116–117

Essential Oil Spotlight: Eucalyptus Globulus

Eucalyptus globulus essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of myrtle shrubs and trees and is known for its fresh, woody scent. Historically, eucalyptus leaves were used to bind up serious wounds and were known to prevent infection and promote faster healing.

Eucalyptus is known for its analgesic, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, diuretic, expectorant, insect repellent, and stimulant properties.

Eucalyptus is commonly known to help support the body when dealing with asthma, bronchitis, carpal tunnel, cataracts, congestion, dysentery, emphysema, fever, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, jet lag, kidney stones, measles, migraines, neuralgia, neuritis, pain, shingles, sinusitis, spina bifida, strep throat, tennis elbow, and tuberculosis.

Aromatically, eucalyptus is known to promote a sense of health, well-being, purification, and healing. Other common uses for eucalyptus include acne, allergies, burns, flu, inflammation, sore throats, and viruses.

Would you like to learn more about eucalyptus essential oil? See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils for more information about this and many other pure essential oils.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2014 Edition, p. 68–69

Essential Oil Spotlight: Tea Tree

Tea tree essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a small tree of the myrtle family.

Historically, the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia were used to heal cuts, wounds, and skin infections.

Today, tea tree essential oil is commonly used to help support the body when dealing with acne, allergies, aneurysm, bacterial infections, boils, candida, canker sores, cavities, chicken pox, cold sores, cuts, dermatitis, ear infection, gum disease, hepatitis, infection, inflammation, lice, mumps, pink eye, rashes, ringworm, shock, sore throat, sunburn, tonsillitis, viral infections, warts, and more.

In French medicine, tea tree is commonly used to help with athlete’s foot, bronchitis, colds, coughs, diarrhea, flu, gum disease, and sore throat.

Aromatically, tea tree is said to promote cleansing and purity.

Tea tree is known to be analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiparasitic, strongly antiseptic, antiviral, decongestant, digestive, expectorant, immune stimulant, insecticidal, neurotonic, and tissue regenerative.

How have you used tea tree essential oil? Feel free to comment below!

 

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2014 edition, p 96.