not during pregnancy; blends well with
clove, olibanum, galbanum, lavender, patchouli,
sandalwood- Myrtle: camphoraceous; Myrtus communis(fam-
ily, Myrtaceae); for meditation and mood eleva-
tion; clears sinus and breathing passages; from
flowering tops, Mediterranean; production
method: steam distillation; blends well with
bergamot, cardamon, coriander, lavender,
lemon, lemongrass, rosemary, spearmint,
thyme, tea tree - Narcissus: floral; Narcissus poeticus (family,
Amaryllidaceae); from flowers, France; produc-
tion method: solvent extraction; blends well
with clove bud, jasmine, neroli, ylang ylang,
rose, mimosa, sandalwood - Neroli absolute: citrus; Citrus aurantium (family,
Rutaceae); relaxes, elevates mood; skin-care oil;
sensual, antiseptic properties; aids sluggish cir-
culation, relieves tension, stress, anxiety, appre-
hension; from flowers, France and Italy;
production method: solvent extraction; blends
well with citrus oils, rose, jasmine, ylang ylang - Niaouli: sweet; Melaleuca viridiflora, M. quinquen-
ervia (family, Myrtaceae); strong antiseptic for
acne, boils, and skin irritations; as chest rub, and
in a vaporizer - Nutmeg: spicy; Myristica aromata, M. fragrans, M.
officinalis, Nux moschata(family, Myristicaceae);
antiseptic and for digestion, calming, aphro-
disiac, and restful sleep with dreams; in large
quantities oil is toxic; from fruits, West Indies;
production method: steam distillation; blends
well with lavandin, bay, orange, geranium, clary
sage, rosemary, lime, petitgrain, mandarin,
coriander - Orange: citrus; Citrus sinensis(family, Rutaceae);
considered winter oil; warming, soothing,
astringent; as massage oil or in baths; not for use
on skin in direct sunlight; from fruit peels, West
Indies, Israel, and United States; production
method: expression; blends well with citrus oils,
petitgrain, neroli, orange flower - Oregano: Origanum vulgare(family, Lamiaceae
[Labiatae]); warming; helps improve circulation,
digestion, mental clarity, and alertness; relieves
muscle aches; helps increase physical
endurance, energy, perspiration; may reduce
cellulite; can irritate skin- Orris root: floral; Iris florentina, I. pallida (family,
Iridaceae); used as fixative in perfumes, pot-
pourri, and cosmetics, and as flavoring in tooth-
pastes and candies; may be irritating, toxic, or
allergenic; from roots, Morocco; production
method: solvent, extraction - Osmanthus: Osmanthus fragrans(family, Oleaceae);
perfume with antidepressant, sedative, stress-
reducing properties - Palmarosa: floral; Cymbopogon martinii,(family,
Graminaceae [Poaceae]); aids clear thinking;
also used for moisturizing skin care when mixed
with sweet almond and as insect repellent;
believed to stimulate cellular regeneration; from
aerial parts, India; production method: steam
distillation; blends well with geranium, cananga,
amyris, guaiac wood - Parsley seed: Petroselinum sativum, P. hortense,
Apium petroselinum, Carum petroselinium, (family,
Apiaceae [Umbelliferae]); warm, spicy; used as
diuretic and for urinary tract problems; do not
mistake parsley oil for parsley seed oils, which
can have different effects - Patchouli: woodsy; Pogostemon patchouli, P. cablin
(family, Lamiaceae [Labiatae]); musky, mood-
elevating; sensual, anti-inflammatory, antisep-
tic, nerve-stimulating properties; used for skin
care and dandruff; used in the East to scent linen
and clothes and to repel fleas and lice; from
leaves, Indonesia; production method: steam
distillation; blends well with labdanum, vetiver,
sandalwood, cedarwood, geranium, clove,
lavender, rose, neroli, bergamot, myrrh, clary
sage - Peppermint: minty; Mentha piperta(family, Lami-
aceae [Labiatae]); cools, stimulates, refreshes,
restores; used as insect repellent, antiseptic, and as
massage blend for the digestive system and tired
head and feet; may be sniffed from bottle or one
drop on a handkerchief to revive during travel;
from aerial parts, United States; production
method: steam distillation; not for use during
pregnancy; may irritate sensitive skin; blends
116 oils, essential