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ARTICLES

Scientific Proof of Life After Death

Aromatherapy - Its History and Uses

Prophecies of the New Millenium

The Magical and Medical Uses of Herbs

The Chakras

Aromatherapy Oils Month by Month

by Sheryl Holland

 

JANUARY

Juniper Berry Juniperus Communis

Source of oil - The best oil is from berries, by steam distillation.

Need a tonic after Christmas festivities, need to lose weight and get in shape? Juniper Berry is primarily cleansing and a diuretic oil. It is warming to the skin, antiseptic, sedative and anti-spasmodic. It can be used to treat anxiety, general stress, muscular problems and any non-inflammatory arthritic condition. It can also help with fluid retention. Juniper Berry can be blended well with Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Lemongrass and Ylang Ylang, amongst others. A massage blend suitable for suffers of rheumatism is:

Mix Juniper Berry with Geranium and Fennel and add to your bath as a tonic to help with water retention (NOTE: DO NOT USE DURING PREGNANCY)

FEBRUARY

Ylang Ylang Canago Odorata

Source of oil - Fresh flowers by steam distillation.

In the mood for romance? Ylang Ylang is said to be an aphrodisiac, it can be an anti-depressant, along with being a general “tonic”. Ylang Ylang can be used to help in treating shock, in healing distressing emotions, for general depression and frigidity. It can be blended well with Lavender, Geranium and Frankincense. Mix these oils at the following doses for a sensual massage oil:

Ylang Ylang has a very strong, heady scent, blend carefully!

MARCH

Lavender Lavendula officinalis, Lavendula augustifolia

Source of oil - Flowering tops, by steam distillation

Lavender is good for everything! It is a relaxant, an anti depressant, anti-spasmodic, and an antiseptic. It can be used for all forms of stress relief, as a general relaxant, and for insomnia. It is ideal for treating minor burns (use neat directly on burn) and for any traumatised skin. Lavender can also be used to treat ear ache, by putting a few drops on a dab of cotton wool and placing it just inside the ear. It blends well with just about every other essential oil available, but there is a cheaper version known as Lavandin (which contains a large amount of camphor). Make sure you know which one you are buying. A very relaxing blend of oils:

APRIL

Fennel Foeniculum Vulgare

Source of oil - the seeds, by distillation.

Eaten too much chocolate over Easter? Got a tummy upset? Fennel is good when you feel nauseous, it is also anti fungal and anti spasmodic. It can be used to help treat colic, indigestion and stomach upsets. Fennel is mainly used for flavouring medicines to help with flatulence and indigestion. It is a constituent of gripe water and can be infused in teas. It blends well with Geranium and Lavender, amongst others. As Fennel can cause skin sensitivity it should not be used in general massage, but it can be used for specific area treatments such as applying the following blend for help treating tummy upsets, to the tummy area only:

Half normal amount of drops have been used to avoid skin irritations.

MAY

Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus

Source of oil - Parts of grass like leaves by steam distillation.

Lemongrass is a relaxant, anti depressant and also anti spasmodic. It can be used to help with tummy upsets, muscular aches and bruised skin. It is also ideal as a cooler and is a natural deodoriser. It will also help to repel insects if burnt in an oil burner. Lemongrass blends well with Geranium, Ginger, and Lavender, but beware as this oil can irritate the skin. Use the following blend as a massage oil or in the bath to help with muscular problems:

Again this mix is less than usual to help prevent skin irritations.

JUNE

Rosemary Rosemarinus Officinalis

Source of oil - Flowering tops and leaves by steam distillation.

Exams getting you down? Need a bit of mental stimulation? Rosemary can be very useful as a mental stimulant, it is also refreshing, antiseptic, and tissue warming. It is ideal to use at home or work in an oil burner to stimulate the mind. It can also be used as an inhalant or a local area rub for chest infections, coughs, colds, sinusitis etc. It can also be used to help relieve joint aches and pains, and headaches. Rosemary can be blended with Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Juniper Berry and Lavender; use the following blend to help ease muscular stiffness:

For a headache, it is best blended with peppermint into a small amount of base oil. Use only one drop of each essential oil.

NOTE: THIS OIL IS NOT SUITABLE DURING EARLY PREGNANCY AND IS UNSUITABLE FOR EPILEPTICS

JULY

Chamomile German Matricia Recutita, Chamomilla Recutita, Matricaria Chamomilla

Source of oil - Flowers by steam distillation

Got an allergy? Suffering from the sniffles? Chamomile is an anti inflammatory, it is also anti bacterial and anti-spasmodic. You can use it as an inhalant for hay fever, for skin problems such as dermatitis and eczema. It is also useful in a massage blend to help with muscle stiffness and joint pain. Chamomile blends well with Geranium, Lavender, and Ylang Ylang , use the following blend to help ease muscle problems and to help with anxiety or stress:

Please note - Chamomile German is normally deep blue.

AUGUST

Geranium Pelargonium varieties

Source of oil - leaves, stalks and flowers by steam distillation

A flower to be seen in almost every English garden; it is not only nice to look at, but also makes a very useful essential oil. Geranium is relaxing, but can also be mentally uplifting; it is anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic. Geranium can be used to help with PMT and other nervous tension; it has a reputation for being a hormone stabiliser and for balancing oily skin. Geranium can be blended well with Chamomile, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Juniper Berry and Lavender. Try out this blend of oils to help unwind:

SEPTEMBER

Clary Sage Salvia Sclarea

Source of oil - flowering tops by distillation.

Got the post holiday blues? Clary Sage is a good anti-depressant, soothing to the nervous system, and anti-spasmodic. You can use Clary Sage for helping to treat PMT and menopausal changes, for nervous exhaustion and also postnatal depression. It has also been claimed that it may help in reducing epilepsy Amongst other oils, Clary Sage can be blended well with Geranium, Lavender and Ylang Ylang; another blend to help relax could be as follows:

NOTE: IT IS ADVISABLE TO AVOID ALCOHOL AND DRIVING AFTER USING THE OIL

OCTOBER

Ginger Zingiber officinalis

Source of oil - Rhizomes by steam distillation

Is the damp, murky weather getting to your muscles? Use Ginger oil to help stimulate circulation and warm the body tissues. Ginger is very good for aching joints and muscles, and can help treat influenza. Ginger can be used in massage, but it must not be used neat on the skin. Lemongrass and Frankincense will blend well with Ginger, but use the following blend to make a pleasant warming massage blend:

NOVEMBER

Eucalyptus Eucalyptus Globulus

Source of Oil - leaves by distillation

Have you got a cold from standing outside watching fireworks? Eucalyptus is anti septic, an expectorant, a stimulant, and also has a cooling affect on the body. You can use it as an inhalant for nasal congestion, or in a blend as a chest rub for helping treat chest infections. You can also use it for local application to infected minor wounds, chicken pox or shingles. Eucalyptus is also good to burn in a burner to help ward off infectious germs in the home or work place. It will blend well with Rosemary, and Lavender amongst others such as Black Pepper and Peppermint. Use the following blend for local application only to help ease congested sinuses, e.g. as a chest rub:

The blend is half the usual amount to prevent any possible skin irritation

NOTE: EUCALYPTUS OIL CAN BE HIGHLY TOXIC IF INGESTED. KEEP WELL AWAY FROM CHILDREN

DECEMBER

Frankincense Boswellis thurfere

Source of oil - A resin exuded from cuts in the tree bark. This is then distilled to produce the essential oil. Are you finding it hard to get into the festive spirit? This Christmas favourite (once given to baby Jesus) is primarily a comforting oil, an astringent and anti-septic. It can be blended to help heal damaged skin, and is good for all-round general skin care. It is a main constituent of incense, where it can be used for mental relaxation and unwinding as an aid to meditation. Frankincense will blend well with Ginger, Clary Sage, Geranium, Juniper Berry, Lavender and Lemongrass. For a “festive” massage oil, try the following: