10 popular essential oils de-coded
1
ROSE
Botanical name: Rosa
damascena or rosa centifolia
What it does: Balances and improves
general wellbeing, uplifts, relieves
nervous tension and stress.2
TRUE LAVENDER
Botanical name: Lavendula angustifolia
What it does: Aids relaxation and sleep,
calms skin conditions such as burns
and insect bites, assists with muscle
aches and digestive complaints.3
EUCALYPTUS
Botanical name: Eucalyptus
radiata, mallee or polybractea
What it does: Aids respiratory
conditions such as colds and flus, and
relieves blocked and stuffy noses.4
TEA TREE
Botanical name: Melaleuca alternifolia
What it does: Excellent microbial
for skin conditions, aids signs of the
flu and is good for cleaning.5
GERANIUM
Botanical name:
Pelargonium graveolens
What it does: The ultimate balancer
for mood, skin, hormones and female
reproductive conditions. It’s a wonderful
tool for meditation and spiritual practices.6
SWEET ORANGE
Botanical name: Citrus sinensis
What it does:Uplifts mood, balances to
help with sleep and aids digestions.7
PEPPERMINT
Botanical name: Mentha piperita
What it does: Good for digestive complaints,
sore muscles and it has cooling properties.
Vaporise it with lemon and eucalyptus
to clear the air and facilitate breathing.8
CLARY SAGE
Botanical name: Salvia sclarea
What it does: Assists with female
reproductive conditions such as menstrual
cramping, menopause and labour.9
FRANKINCENSE
Botanical name: Boswellia
carteri or sacra
What it does: Good for respiratory
conditions such as asthma, is a
sedative and helps with anxiety
through grounding and meditation.10
JASMINE
Botanical name: Jasminum officinale
What it does: Good for female
reproductive conditions, uplifts a low
mood and is great as a perfume.“Aromatherapy can be used to bring
about positive changes to mood and
emotions, just by smelling and/or using
a pleasant essential oil. Some of the
chemical constituents of the essential oils
are known to have sedative, relaxing and
balancing effects,” says Robinson.
When it comes to rest and
relaxation, it’s best to choose essential
oils that have warming, earthing and
grounding scents. “Once we choose
relaxing and deeply grounding oils
such as sandalwood, frankincense and
vetiver, and we breathe in the particles,
we will experience a wonderful
sense of calm,” says Princi-Jones.
“Frankincense, in particular, draws us
into a deeper consciousness; one that
not only relaxes us but also draws us
into the present moment because it
deepens the breath. If you are lucky
enough to have a partner massage such
oils into your body the experience is
even more profound.”74 | AUSTRALIAN NATURAL HEALTH naturalhealthmag.com.au
What to look for
when purchasing
essential oils
Good quality essential oils should have
the following information on their labels:
đƫ ƫ +))+*ƫ* )!ƫ * ƫ +0 *% (ƫ* )!
đƫ ƫ/,! %ü 0%+*ƫ+"ƫ3$% $ƫ
part of the plant is used (i.e.
flowers, leaf, bark, etc.)
đƫ *ƫ!4,%.5ƫ 0!ƫ /ƫ ((ƫ!//!*0% (ƫ
oils are volatile and are affected
by heat, light and oxygen.
đƫ ƫ/,! %ü 0%+*ƫ0$ 0ƫ0$!ƫ,.+ 1 0ƫ%/ƫāĀĀƫ
per cent essential oil – not fragrant
or perfume oils, which are synthetic
and don’t have the chemistry that
makes essential oils unique and
provide the therapeutic action.
đƫ ƫ .'ƫ#( //ƫ +*0 %*!.čƫ /ƫ!//!*0% (ƫ
oils are affected by heat, light
and oxygen, a dark glass bottle
is used to avoid UV light.
TIP: It’s best to purchase Certified
Organic essential oils or industry TGA
regulated essential oils, because it means
that the plant material used was grown
organically and without pesticides.Caution: do not ingest essential oils unless
prescribed by a registered practitioner, keep
out of reach of children, seek medical advice
if symptoms persist and use only as directed.