care; reduces effects of contusions; from seeds,
Holland; production method: steam distillation;
blends well with galbanum, eucalyptus, rose-
mary; may cause slight dermal toxicity- Cardamom seed: spicy, warming; Elettaria cardo-
mum (family, Zingiberaceae); used by ancient
Egyptians used as perfume and incense; also aids
digestion, for muscle relaxant, skin conditioner,
tonic bath oil, perfumes, and in foods; from
seeds, Central America; production method:
steam distillation and CO 2 ; blends well with
coriander, olibanum, galbanum, geranium,
juniper berry, lemon, myrtle - Carnation (clove pink): aromatic oil; Dianthus
caryophyllus(family, Caryophyllaceae); most fra-
grant in evening; aphrodisiac properties; may
irritate sensitive skins - Carrot seed and root: spicy; Daucus carota(fam-
ily, Apiaceae [Umbeliferae]); for dry, mature
skin types; restores elasticity to skin; root oil
used in yellow food coloring and in tanning
lotions; from seeds, India; production method:
steam distillation; blends well with bergamot,
juniper berry, lavender, lemon, lime, neroli,
orange, petitgrain, rosemary - Cashew nut: carrier oil; Anacardium occidentale
(family, Anacardiaceae); from Latin America
and Asia - Cascarilla bark: Croton eleuteria(family, Euphor-
biaceae); for stress reduction and meditation,
fragrance, and in soaps, detergents, foods,
drinks, and cigarettes; not for use as a strong
purgative - Cassia: spicy; Cinnamomum cassia, C. aromaticum,
Laurus cassia (family, Lauraceae); like cinnamon
bark, for flavoring foods, toothpaste, mouth-
wash, and chewing gum; very irritating and
potentially allergenic to the skin - Cassie: Acacia farnesiana, Cassia ancienne (family,
Mimosaceae); for perfume, rheumatic symp-
toms, and chest ailments - Castor: Ricinus communis (family, Euphor-
biaceae); from India; ingestion of nuts poten-
tially lethal; oil extracted at low temperature to
eliminate content of ricin from oil; for analgesia,
clearing of blackheads, and dandruff treatment- Catnip (many varieties): Nepeta cataria;from aer-
ial parts, France, United States, Yugoslavia - Cedar leaf: calming, aromatic; Thuj, occidentalis;
from leaves and stems, United States; produc-
tion method: steam distillation; for use as
deodorant, astringent, soothing agent; blends
well with lavender, lavandin, rosemary, armoise - Cedarwood: woodsy, balsamic; Juniperus mexi-
cana scheide (family, Pinaceae); for perfumes;
Cedarwood Virginia used therapeutically - Cedarwood (Atlas): aromatic; Cedrus atlantica
(family, Pinaceae); for clearing breathing pas-
sages and hair and skin care - Cedarwood Virginia: woodsy; Juniperus virgini-
ana, J. communis(family, Cupressaceae); thera-
peutic oil from ancient times; astringent useful
for protection and care of oily and blemished
skin, as an inhalant relieves coughs and colds, as
moth repellent, for cellulite, and as Tibetan tem-
ple incense; use in moderation during preg-
nancy; from wood, United States; production
method: steam distillation; also used as antisep-
tic, skin conditioner, deodorant, insect repellent,
soothing agent; blends well with patchouli,
vetiver, sandalwood - Celery seed: sweet, spicy; Alpium graveolens
(family, Apiaceae [Umbelliferae]); may stimu-
late milk flow, balance hormones, relieve liver
and elimination system problems; from seeds,
India; production method: steam distillation;
blends well with basil, cajeput, chamomile,
grapefruit, guaicwood, lemon, orange, pal-
marosa, rosemary - Chamomile, German: fruity, an absolute; Matri-
caria chamomillaor M. recutia(family, Asteraceae
[Compositae]); also known as blue chamomile
or chamomile matricaria (blue color is from azu-
lene formed during distillation of the oil); for
massage oils and herbal mixtures; from flowers,
Germany; production method: steam distilla-
tion; also used as muscle relaxant, soothing
agent, skin conditioner, aphrodisiac; blends well
with bergamot, jasmine, labdanum, neroli, clary
sage, rose - Chamomile, Roman: fruity; Chamaemelum nobile
or Anthemis nobilis (family, Asteraceae [Com-
- Catnip (many varieties): Nepeta cataria;from aer-
110 oils, essential