This is a long one I got tired and didn't post all the medicinal properties for some flowery herbs and
fruits if you want them look the up hehehee... The herbs are in alphabetical order at the bottom.
Remember I am a consultant and this is for self education and entertainment because I am not a medical doctor. So here in America most of this information has not been regulated, approved and tested by the FDA, so it is only for informational purposes. That's my disclaimer yall lol.
Herbs are "known" to have medicinal properties. There are scientific studies done in lots of other countries to support the hows and why's. However I just cannot take lightly, ancient traditions passed on for generations that believe these remedies to work.
Anyhow I am going to talk about the properties of essential oils. How they stimulate via the olfactory nerve (nose and smell) but I won't go into an explanation of how they work when taken internally (through your pores or orally). I will assume where applicable you can relate this to digestion and how food is changed to energy, same concept if you understood anatomy & physiology lol.
Make sure you get high quality essential oils and read the directions. Read some books, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE THEM ORALLY. Some folks mix things that are not favorable for eating and some extracts from plants are no longer edible in the extracted form. Remember every thing is chemical, even plants and they change there effects when vaporized, burnt, dried or alive. You can also use Hydrosols also, which are the extracts contained in the water of a distilled plant. Its kind of like steaming and collecting the steam in a separate pot to extract properties. Essential oil extracts are volatile (evaporate quick) and are extracted in a more complicated way. You can buy a distiller (I had a little table top one) or if your smart and inclined in that manner you can create a distiller. The properties in Hydrosols are weaker but you can make perfumes and bath waters and drink them, its really cool.
My points of reference come from my course material from Australasian College of Health Science, 2 books in my library and things I have read when frequenting the health food stores and metaphysical shops in my travels. "375 Essential Oils & Hydrosols" by Jeanne Rose then I have a book that is as old as me lol "The Art of Aromatherapy" Robert B Tisserand. Some people have a hard time reading things like this in reference form. I recommend you identify with a culture you respect or admire (if your not American maybe your own). There are books on African Holistic health and Aromatherapy, Indian, Native America, Egyptian, Eastern as well as Western and I'm sure everyone else I left out that I have not been inclined to study. Pick a flavor and learn. Essential oils and plants have a sort of spirit or vibration like everything else so they have esoteric denotations as well but I won't go there with yall lol. You can assume that the properties are the same or similar for the dry herb or spice.
Understanding mental stimulation by smell.
What is Aromatherapy & How it Works
People respond to the sense of smell on an emotional level more strongly than any other sense. For example, a single aroma can trigger a whole string of forgotten memories. The area of the brain associated with smell is the same area as that associated with memory. The olfactory nerves are located within the nasal cavity and respond to particular aromas. They send the information to the part of the brain where memory and emotions lie. This area connects with another part of the brain (hypothalamus and pituitary gland) which governs our hormonal systems. These aromas trigger a variety of chemical actions within the body, including the release of specific chemicals. Enkephalin reduces pain and creates a feeling of well-being. Endorphins also reduce pain and induce sexual feelings. Serotonin helps relax and calm. Because the olfactory nerves are a direct extension of the brain's limbic system, reaction to smell is relayed immediately.
http://www.deancoleman.com/aromatherapy.htm
This site also has an essential oil dictionary
http://www.deancoleman.com/essentialref.htm
The list is in Alphabetical order and is formatted as:
Plant Name (Botanical Name)
Geographical Source
Description and Usage Information.
Usage Warning: If applicable.
Common Sense Warning: Always follow usage warnings
Medicinal Properties
*some medicinal properties are from The Encyclopedia of spice @
http://www.theepicentre.com
Allspice Berry (Pimenta officinalis)
Jamaica
Excellent for baking. It's fragrance provides a spicy scent in potpourris.
The oil is also used to flavor beverages, candy, condiments and baked goods.
Aromatherapy: warming, cheering, sense enhancing.
Usage Warning: Avoid use in Sun.
Attributed Medicinal Properties
*Medicinal properties:
Because of its eugenol content, allspice has attributes similar to clove. It is a digestive and carminative. The oil is classed as rubefacient, meaning that it irritates the skin and expands the blood vessels, increasing the flow of blood to make the skin feel warmer. The tannins in allspice provide a mild anesthetic that, with its warming effect, make it a popular home remedy for arthritis and sore muscles, used either as a poultice or in hot baths.
Almond, Bitter (Prunus armeniaca)
United States
The source of natural cherry and amaretto flavors. Almond Bitter is the most
potent of all flavors; use one drop per pint.
Aromatherapy: strengthening, sense enhancing.
Usage Warning: Dillute well Skin Irritant. Avoid use in Sun.
Angelica Root (Angelica archangelica)
Belgium, Holland, France, Germany
A warm, musky, earthy aroma with excellent staying power. Only small
quantities are needed to create an effect in a perfume. The flavor is bitter and
reminiscent of a blend of parsley and celery.
Aromatherapy: anchoring,restorative, strengthening.
Usage Warning:Avoid use in Sun.
*Medicinal Properties:
Angelica is supposed to promote perspiration and stimulate the appetite
It is used to treat ailments of the chest and digestion
A tea made from leaves can calm nerves and is good for digestion
Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
Spain, France, Italy, Morocco
Gives licorice candy and chewing gum their distinct flavor. Anise is also
added to perfumes for a rich, sweet fragrance.
Aromatherapy: cheering, sense enhancing, mildly euphoric.
*Medicinal Properties
Called “Tut-te See-Hau” by American Indians, meaning “it expels the wind”, anise’s carminative properties have been known since antiquity. It helps with digestion and sweetens the breath, so it is chewed after meals in parts of Europe, the Middle East and India. It is a mild expectorant, anise often being used in cough mixtures and lozenges. It is also antiseptic, antispasmodic, soporific and a few seeds taken with water will often cure hiccups.
Balsam Peru (Myroxylon pererae)
El Salvador
May be used to soothe chafed skin and impart a rich, earthy scent to
perfumery.
Aromatherapy: exotic, anchoring, strengthening.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
France, United States
Wide range of culinary uses. Basil's floral, spicy odor is also excellent for
use in perfumes.
Aromatherapy: clarifying, uplifting, energizing, strengthening, refreshing.
Usage Warning:Avoid if Pregnant. Avoid use in Sun
*Medicinal Properties:
Medicinally, Basil has also been used for various topical applications - as a poultice or salve for insect bites, acne and ringworm; as a gargle or mouthwash for thrush; as a bath herb for increased energy; and as an eyewash for tired eyes. The essential oil of Basil is added to massage oils for sore muscles. And the dried herb was burned as an antiseptic incense. Having a pot of Basil on the table also helps to repel flies & mosquitoes. The juice can be applied to fungal infections. Basil is antispasmodic, carminative, galactagogue, and stomachic. It had been sometimes used for whooping cough.
Bay (Pimenta racemosa)
Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Dominica
Often used in hair treatments to stimulate the scalp. It has a powerful,
spicy, sweet aroma and is used to produce bay rum fragrance.
Aromatherapy: relaxing, warming.
*Medicinal Properties:
Bay leaves and berries have been used for their astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emetic and stomachic properties. Bay Oil, or Oil of Bays (Oleum Lauri) is used in liniments for bruising and sprains. Bay leaf has been used as an herbal remedy for headaches. It contains compounds called parthenolides, which have proven useful in the treatment of migraines. Bay leaf has also been shown to help the body process insulin more efficiently, which leads to lower blood sugar levels.It has also been used to reduce the effects of stomach ulcers. Bay Leaf contains eugenol, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Bay leaf is also an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. Bay Leaf has also been used to treat rheumatism, amenorrhea, and colic.
Bergamot, Bergaptene Free (Citrus bergamia)
Italy
From an uncommon citrus fruit. Its fruity, floral scent is excellent when
used as a room spray.
Aromatherapy: uplifting, normalizing, confidence building.
Usage Warning:Avoid use in Sun
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
India, Indonesia, Malaysia
One of the oldest known spices, primarily used in flavoring. Particularly
interesting effects are obtained when it is used sparingly in perfume blends,
especially with rose.
Aromatherapy: warming, vitalizing, invigorating.
*Medicinal Properties:
Stomachic; carminative; aromatic stimulant; antibacterial; diaphoretic. Stimulates the taste-buds causing reflex stimulation of gastric secretions, improving digestion and treating gastro-intestinal upsets and flatulence. Pepper calms nausea and raises body temperature, making it valuable for treating fevers and chills.
Camphor, White (Cinnamomum camphora)
China, Japan
Commonly used in scenting detergents, soaps, disinfectants, deodorants, room
sprays and other household products.
Aromatherapy: clarifying, energizing.
Usage Warning: Not approved by the FDA for internal consumption
Cardamom Seed (Elettaria cardamomum)
India, Guatemala, Sri Lanka
Appropriate (in very small quantities) for a wide variety of culinary uses.
The oil has a spicy aroma with floral undertones and can be used in masculine
and floral perfumes.
Aromatherapy: sense enhancing, warming, exotic.
*Medicinal Properties:
A stimulant and carminative, cardamom is not used in Western medicine for it own properties, but forms a flavouring and basis for medicinal preparations for indigestion and flatulence using other substances, entering into a synergetic relationship with them. The Arabs attributed aphrodisiac qualities to it (it features regularly in the Arabian Nights) and the ancient Indians regarded it as a cure for obesity. It has been used as a digestive since ancient times. A medicinal (perhaps aphrodisiac) cordial can be made by macerating seeds in hot water..
Carrot Seed (Daucus carota)
France
Used to provide a spicy-sweet aroma for exotic and natural - type perfumes.
In skin care, carrot seed oil is used to tone and stimulate elasticity and for
cleansing purposes (should be diluted 1 part carrot seed to 10 parts carrier
oil).
Aromatherapy: replenishing, nourishing, restoring.
Cassia (Cinnamon) (Cinnamomum cassia)
China (Wild)
The distinct spicy flavor of cinnamon bark. It is used to flavor every kind
of food as well as toothpaste, mouthwash and chewing gum.
Aromatherapy: euphoric, energizing, warming.
Usage Warning: Cinnamon is very irritating to the skin and can cause an
allergic reaction with repeated use.
*Medicinal Properties:
The properties of cassia and cassia oil are similar to those of cinnamon and comprised largely of cinnamaldehyde.. Cassia is a tonic, carminative and stimulant. It is used to treat nausea and flatulence. It is also used alone or in combination to treat diarrhea.
Cedarwood (Juniperus mexicana scheide)
United States
A woody balsamic aroma. It is used in perfumery to add body and a warm note
to any blend. Cedarwood can also be applied to the inside of a wood chest for a
cedarwood scent.
Aromatherapy: harmonizing, relaxing, anxiety easing, strengthening.
Usage Warning: Not approved by the FDA for internal consumption
Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)
France, India, United States
A spicy, warm flavor used to enhance flavor in soups, sauces, vegetable
juices, meats and pickles. This oil can also be used in minute quantities in
perfumery.
Aromatherapy: nourishing, warming.
*Medicinal Properties:
Romans used celery seeds in herbal tonics as an aphrodisiac, while the Greeks used it in love potions. Celery was traditionally used as a sedative for nervousness or to promote sleep. It reduces swelling and was used to treat gout and arthritis. In India, it was taken as a remedy for rheumatism
Chamomile, German (Matricaria chamomilla)
Hungary, Morocco, Germany, Russia
Oil of German chamomile (also known as blue chamomile). The blue color comes
from the component azulene which is formed during the distillation of the oil.
The odor is sweet and apple-like and adds a warm, long-lasting undertone in
elegant perfumes. Chamomile is used in massage oils and other herbal
preparations.
Aromatherapy: relaxing, soothing, nourishing.
Chamomile, Roman (Anthemis nobilis)
Hungary, Belgium, France
Often used in perfumery. It blends well with bergamot, jasmine, neroli, and
clary sage, lending a warm, fresh note when added in small quantities.
Aromatherapy: relaxing, replenishing.
Chamomile, Wild - See Ormenis.
Cinnamon Leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
Indonesia, Ceylon
Used to flavor spiced fruits, baked goods, pickles and candy. The flavor and
aroma are more reminiscent of cloves than cinnamon. It provides a hot, spicy
and somewhat bitter flavor.
Aromatherapy: refreshing, vitalizing.
*Medicinal Properties:
Recent studies have determined that consuming as little as one-half teaspoon of Cinnamon each day may reduce blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels by as much as 20% in Type II diabetes patients who are not taking insulin it is mildly carminative and used to treat nausea and flatulence. It is also used alone or in combination to treat diarrhea. Chinese herbalists tell of older people, in their 70s and 80s, developing a cough accompanied by frequent spitting of whitish phlegm. A helpful remedy, they suggest, is chewing and swallowing a very small pinch of powdered cinnamon. This remedy can also help people with cold feet and hands, especially at night. Germany's Commission E approves Cinnamon for appetite loss and indigestion. The primary chemical constituents of this herb include cinnamaldehyde, gum, tannin, mannitol, coumarins, and essential oils (aldehydes, eugenol, pinene). Cinnamon is predominantly used as a carminative addition to herbal prescriptions. It is used in flatulent dyspepsia, dyspepsia with nausea, intestinal colic and digestive atony associated with cold & debilitated conditions. It relieves nausea and vomiting, and, because of its mild astringency, it is particularly useful in infantile diarrhea. The cinnamaldehyde component is hypotensive and spasmolytic, and increases peripheral blood flow. The essential oil of this herb is a potent antibacterial, anti-fungal, and uterine stimulant. The various terpenoids found in the volatile oil are believed to account for Cinnamon’s medicinal effects. Test tube studies also show that Cinnamon can augment the action of insulin. However, use of Cinnamon to improve the action of insulin in people with diabetes has yet to be proven in clinical trials.
Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus)
Indonesia, Sri Lanka
Lemony, grassy aroma. It is used for scenting room and outdoor sprays, as
well as household products.
Aromatherapy: purifying, vitalizing.
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
France
Blends well with a wide variety of essential oils for perfumery with a sweet,
spicy scent.
Aromatherapy: centering, euphoric, visualizing.
Usage Warning: Avoid if pregnant
Clove Bud (Eugenia caryophyllata)
Madagascar, Indonesia, Comoro Islands
Used in mouthwash, toothpaste, chewing gum and dental preparations. It is
useful in the kitchen for both sweet and savory dishes. The oil has a
powerful, spicy-fruity aroma.
Aromatherapy: warming, sense enhancing.
Usage Warning: Clove oil is highly irritating-avoid contact with your skin.
Avoid if pregnant.
* Medicinal Properties
Folklore says that sucking on two whole Cloves without chewing or swallowing them helps to curb the desire for alcohol. Traditional Chinese physicians have long used cloves to treat indigestion, diarrhea, hernia, and ringworm, as well as athlete's foot and other fungal infections. India's traditional Ayurvedic healers have used Cloves since ancient times to treat respiratory and digestive ailments. The medieval German herbalists used cloves as part of anti-gout mixture. Early American Eclectic physicians used cloves to treat digestive complaints, and they added it to bitter herbal medicines to make them more palatable. They were also the first to extract clove oil from the herbal buds, which they used on the gums to relieve toothache. A few drops of the oil in water will stop vomiting, and an infusion will relieve nausea. Essential oil of clove is effective against strep, staph and pneumomocci bacterias. Contemporary herbalists recommend vloves for digestive complaints and its oil for toothache. The primary chemical constituents include eugenol, caryophyllene, and tannins. Cloves are said to have a positive effect on stomach ulcers, vomiting, flatulence, and to stimulate the digestive system. It has powerful local antiseptic and mild anesthetic actions. Japanese researchers have discovered that like many spices, clove contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent the cell damage that scientists believe eventually causes cancer. On the other hand, in laboratory tests, the chemical eugenol, has been found to be a weak tumor promoter, making clove one of many healing herbs with both pro- and anti-cancer effects. At this point, scientists aren't sure which way the balance tilts. Until they are, anyone with a history of cancer should not use medicinal amounts of clove. For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults, powdered clove is considered nontoxic. Additionally, dentists have used clove oil as an oral anesthetic. They also used it to disinfect root canals. Clove oil still is an active ingredient in several mouthwash products and a number of over-the-counter toothache pain-relief preparations. Cloves kill intestinal parasites and exhibits broad anti-microbial properties against fungi and bacteria, thus supporting its traditional use as a treatment for diarrhea, intestinal worms, and other digestive ailments. Like many culinary spices, Cloves helps relax the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract. And finally, eating cloves is said to be aphrodisiac.
Coriander Seed (Coriandrum sativum)
France, Holland, Russia
Wonderfully mild, sweet taste. It can be combined with bergamot for a popular
candy flavor. The fragrance of the oil is spicy, aromatic and pleasantly
sweet.
Aromatherapy: relaxing, gently clarifying.
*Medicinal Properties
Coriander seed oil is an aromatic stimulant, a carminative (remedial in flatulence), an appetizer and a digestant stimulating the stomach and intestines. It is generally beneficial to the nervous system. Its main use is in masking foul medicines, especially purgatives, where it has anti-griping qualities. Coriander cakes were once taken against ‘St. Anthony’s fire’, or ‘Rose’ a severe streptococcal skin infection called ‘erysipelas”, which caused many deaths before the advent of antibiotics. In Asia the herb is used against piles, headache and swellings; the fruit in colic, piles and conjunctivitis; the essential oil in colic, rheumatism and neuralgia; the seeds as a paste for mouth ulceration and a poultice for other ulcers.
Recent studies have supported its use as a stomach soother for both adults and colicky babies. Coriander contains an antioxidant that helps prevent animal fats from turning rancid. It also contains substances that kill meat-spoiling bacteria and fungi. These same substances in Cilantro also prevent infection in wounds. Coriander has been shown to improve tummy troubles of all kinds, from indigestion to flatulence to diarrhea. Weak coriander tea may be given to children under age 2 for colic. It's safe for infants and may relieve their pain and help you get some much-needed sleep. Cilantro and Coriander contain substances that kill certain bacteria and fungi, thereby preventing infections from developing in wounds. Sprinkle some coriander Seed on minor cuts and scrapes after thoroughly washing the injured area with soap and water. Intriguing new studies suggest that coriander has anti-inflammatory effects. Since the pain of arthritis is cause by inflammation coriander oil may help you.
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
France-Cypress
Has a refreshing, spicy and pine needle-like aroma often used as a modifier
in pine fragrances.
Aromatherapy: purifying, balancing.
Usage Warning: Not approved by the FDA for internal consumption
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
Spain, Portugal, Australia, France, China
Commonly used to scent topical preparations such as liniments and salves. It
also serves as a flavoring in cold and cough products such as inhalants, cough
drops and syrups.
Aromatherapy: purifying, invigorating, cooling.
Usage Warning: Not approved by the FDA for internal consumption
Fennel, Sweet (Foeniculum vulgare)
Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Japan
Sweet, warm-spicy, aromatic oil for both flavoring and fragrance. Fennel is
used extensively in imitation maple extracts, candy, anisette liqueur, baked
goods and desserts.
Aromatherapy: restorative, warming, invigorating.
Usage Warning: Dillute well, skin irritant. Avoid if pregnant. Avoid use in
sun.
*Medicinal Properties
In the first century, Pliny noted that after snakes had shed their skins, they ate fennel to restore their sight. It has since been used as a wash for eyestrain and irritations. Chinese and Hindus used it as a snake bite remedy. It is carminative, a weak diuretic and mild stimulant. The oil is added to purgative medication to prevent intestinal colic. Fennel was once used to stimulate lactation. It allays hunger and was thought to be a cure for obesity in Renaissance Europe. It should not be used in high dosages as it causes muscular spasms and hallucinations.
The major constituents of Fennel, which include the terpenoid anethole, are found in the volatile oil. Anethole and other terpenoids inhibit spasms in smooth muscles, such as those in the intestinal tract, and this is thought to contribute to fennel’s use as a carminative (gas-relieving and gastrointestinal tract cramp-relieving agent). Related compounds to anethole may have mild estrogenic actions, although this has not been proven in humans. Fennel is also thought to possess diuretic (increase in urine production), choleretic (increase in production of bile), pain-reducing, fever-reducing, and anti-microbial actions. The seeds are used as a flavoring agent in many herbal medicines, and to help disperse flatulence. The seeds, and roots, also help to open obstructions of the liver, spleen & gall bladder, and to ease painful swellings, in addition to helping with yellow jaundice, the gout and occasional cramps.
Fir Needle (Abies alba)
Russia, Austria (Wild)
Fresh spicy scent. A few drops on a light bulb, in the carpet, or through a
diffuser will evoke the thick fir forests of the high country. During the
holidays, this oil will fill a room with the festive aroma of a freshly cut
Christmas tree.
Aromatherapy: centering, refreshing, harmonizing.
Usage Warning: Not approved by the FDA for internal consumption. Dillute
well, skin irritant.
FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia carteri)
Somalia, Ethiopia, India
Sweet-woody, peppery fragrance. Frankincense is used extensively for incense
and fine perfumery.
Aromatherapy: relaxing, restorative, gently clarifying, visualizing,
meditative.
Usage Warning: Not approved by the FDA for internal consumption
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
France, Morocco, China
Delightfully sweet scent. An important ingredient in all types of fragrances,
it has a powerful, leafy-rose aroma with minty undertones. It is also used in
skin care products for both its fragrance and astringent cleansing properties.
Aromatherapy: balancing, normalizing.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
China, Jamaica
An important culinary oil with a spicy-woody flavor. It is used to flavor
fruit dishes, cookies, cakes, condiments, meats, liqueurs and soft
drinks especially ginger ale.
Aromatherapy: warming, strengthening, anchoring.
*Medicinal Properties
Ginger has long been ascribed aphrodisiac powers, taken either internally or externally. It is mentioned in the Karma Sutra, and in the Melanesian Islands of the South Pacific it is employed ‘to gain the affection of a woman’. Conversely, in the Philippines it is chewed to expel evil spirits. Ginger is a known diaphoretic, meaning it causes one to sweat. It was recorded that Henry VIII instructed the mayor of London to use ginger’s diaphoretic qualities as a plague medicine.
Ginger is most commonly known for its effectiveness as a digestive aid. By increasing the production of digestive fluids and saliva, Ginger helps relieve indigestion, gas pains, diarrhea and stomach cramping. The primary known constituents of Ginger Root include gingerols, zingibain, bisabolenel, oleoresins, starch, essential oil (zingiberene, zingiberole, camphene, cineol, borneol), mucilage, and protein. Ginger root is also used to treat nausea related to both motion sickness and morning sickness. Ginger has been found to be even more effective than Dramamine® in curbing motion sickness, without causing drowsiness. Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties help relieve pain and reduce inflammation associated with arthritis, rheumatism and muscle spasms. Ginger's therapeutic properties effectively stimulate circulation of the blood, removing toxins from the body, cleansing the bowels and kidneys, and nourishing the skin. Other uses for Ginger Root include the treatment of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems by loosening and expelling phlegm from the lungs. Ginger Root may also be used to help break fevers by warming the body and increasing perspiration.
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
United States
Citrus aroma and flavor. It can be used as a flavoring in candy, frozen
desserts, baked goods and carbonated beverages.
Aromatherapy: balancing, refreshing, cheering.
Usage Warning: Avoid use in sun.
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
France, Italy
A spicy, camphor-like strong scent. Hyssop blends well with clove, lavender,
rosemry, sage, clary sage and other citrus oils.
Aromatherapy: refreshing, cleansing.
Usage Warning:Avoid if pregnant. People with high blood presure should avoid.
People with epilepsy should avoid.
*Medicinal Properties:
Hyssop is used in essentially the same way as sage, with which it is sometimes combined to make a gargle for sore throats.
Hyssop tea can be used for poor digestion, for breast and lung problems, to expel worms, and relieve fever sores (fever blisters). Its strong volatile oils are effective for indigestion, gas, bloating, and colic.
Hyssop is used mainly to relieve coughs and airway congestion – it is used with horehound for bronchitis and asthma, coughs due to colds, nose and throat infections and consumption. The odor of hyssop is reminiscent of camphor (it will repel moths and other insects).
The herb encourages mucous production while, at the same time, stimulates expectoration, making it invaluable in upper respiratory congestions that requires clearing the airway of congested phlegm. However, since it can irritate the mucous membranes, it is best to use it after the infection has peaked when the herb's tonic action encourages a general recovery.
Hyssop can be used to help heal minor burns, bruises, and skin sores. By moistening the leaves and flowers, they can be placed directly on the skin or between layers of cheesecloth to make a poultice. Infusions can also be used topically, as a wash, on these conditions. To make: Place two teaspoons of dried hyssop inTO boiling water and steep for fifteen to twenty minutes. When cool, strain. Soak a clean cotton cloth in the solution and then place on the affected area as needed.
Experimentally, extracts are useful against herpes simplex. Effective on insect stings and bites, kills body lice.
Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum)
Morocco, France, Italy
A very powerful fragrance with a full, rich, honey-like sweetness. The
fragrance of jasmine is a component in so many perfumes that there is an old saying
"No perfume without jasmine." A tiny amount will go a long way.
Aromatherapy: relaxing, sensual, exotic, romantic.
Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis)
Italy, Yugoslavia
A balsamic, woody, pine-needle scent. It is used with citrus oils in room
sprays, and in masculine perfumes, after shaves and spicy colognes. Juniper is
also used as an ingredient in gin, and for flavoring bitters, liqueurs, meats
and baked goods.
Aromatherapy: strengthening, refreshing, restoring.
Usage Warning: Avoid if pregnant.
*Medicinal Properties
Medicinal preparations involving juniper use the green unripe berries, whose properties are more pronounced than those of the ripe fruits. Juniper berries and leaves are used to support healthy kidney and urinary tract function, and to promote healthy blood pressure. It is often found in natural formulas designed to promote regularity. Many conditions have been treated with Juniper Berries by several cultures, including gout, warts and skin growths, cancer, upset stomach, and various urinary tract and kidney diseases. In addition to their use in herbology, the berries have been used as a flavoring agent in gin and luncheon meats. The primary chemical constituents of this herb include essential oil (camphene, cineole, myrcene, pinene, terpinene), sesquiterpenes (cadinene, elemene), flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, podophyllotoxin, and vitamin C. Today, Juniper Berries are beneficial in treating infections, especially within the urinary tract, bladder, kidneys, and prostate. Their antiseptic properties help remove waste and acidic toxins from the body, stimulating a fighting action against bacterial and yeast infections. Juniper Berries also help increase the flow of digestive fluids, improving digestion and eliminating gas and stomach cramping. As a diuretic, Juniper Berries eliminate excess water retention contributing to weight loss. Juniper Berries' anti-inflammatory properties are ideal for relieving pain and inflammation related to rheumatism and arthritis. In addition, Juniper Berries are beneficial in reducing congestion, as well as treating asthma and colds. Juniper Berries make an excellent antiseptic in conditions such as cystitis. But the essential oil present in this herb is quite stimulating to the kidney nephrons, and so Juniper should be avoided by those suffering from kidney disease.
Lavender(Lavendula angustifolia)
China, France, Tasmania
A classic scent for perfume and a wide array of skin and hair products. It
has a sweet,balsamic, floral aroma. It is occasionally used as a flavoring in
chewing gum, fruit flavors, candy and beverages.
Aromatherapy: balancing, soothing, gently clarifying, normalizing.
*Medicinal Properties:
A sedative tea can be made with newly opened flower buds that will help with any headaches and faintness. Lavender smelling salts were used to revive people who have fainted. It is also used as a cure for hoarseness and soothing sore joints. A soothing lavender salve is used for inflammations, cuts and burns. A few drops of oil in bathwater to destress or the burning of the essential oil will relax and induce feelings of well being.
Lemon (Citrus limomum)
United States
Widely used in beauty care. This oil is cold pressed from the rind; three
dozen lemons are used to produce each 1/2 ounce.
Aromatherapy: energizing, uplifting, refreshing, cheering.
Usage Warning: Avoid use in sun. Dillute well, skin irritant.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Guatemala, Haiti, Sri Lanka, China
A cleanser for oily skin and used in shampoo to add luster to the hair. It
has a powerful, citrus aroma and is a preferred fragrance in room and outdoor
sprays, soaps and detergents. Lemongrass is widely used in perfumes and in the
production of vitamin A.
Aromatherapy: vitalizing, cleansing.
Usage Warning: Dillute well, skin irritant.
*Medicinal Properties
The grass is considered a diuretic, tonic and stimulant. It promotes good digestion, and a preparation of lemon grass with pepper has been used for relief of menstrual troubles and nausea. It induces perspiration, to cool the body and reduce a fever. It is well known a mild insect repellent (citronella) and the essential oil is used in perfumery.
Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
United States, Mexico
Dozens of limes are needed to produce 1/2 oz. of oil. Uses of the oil include
beverages, sherbet and hard candy.
Aromatherapy: equalizing, refreshing, cheering.
Usage Warning: Avoid use in sun.
Marjoram, Wild (Thymus masticina)
Spain (Wild)
Useful in massage oil for sensitive skin.
(Marjoram hortensis, called sweet marjoram, is the commonly used cooking
spice wild marjoram is used in aromatherapy and body care.)
Aromatherapy: purifying, clearing, strengthening.
Usage Warning: Not approved by the FDA for internal consumption. Avoid use if
pregnant.
*Medicinal Properties:
Greeks used marjoram extensively to treat dropsy, convulsions, and poisons. Traditionally, it was used in tea to cure headaches, head colds, calm nervous disorders, and to clear sinuses. Marjoram has also been used to comfort stomachaches and muscular pains and improve circulation. It is found to have good antioxidant properties with fats and helps to retain color of carotenoid pigments.
Melissa (Melissa Officinalis)
France
Produced from the herb lemon balm. It takes up to 600 pounds of fresh lemon
balm plants to yield one ounce of oil. The oil has a lemony aroma and sharp,
floral-lemon flavor.
Aromatherapy: relaxing.
Usage Warning: Dillute well, skin irritant.
Myrrh (Commiphora molmol)
Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia
One of the oldest-known perfume materials. Mentioned 3,700 years ago, myrrh
has a long history of use as incense, especially with frankincense, during
the Christmas season.
Aromatherapy: centering, visualizing, meditative.
Usage Warning: Not approved by the FDA for internal consumption. Avoid use if
pregnant.
Neroli (Citrus aurantium)
Morocco, France, Italy, Tunisia
Distilled from the flowers of the bitter orange tree. Neroli has a
refreshing, spicy, aroma. It is one of the most widely used floral oils in perfumery.
Neroli is also used in preparations such as a massage oils, skin creams, and
bath oils.
Aromatherapy: centering, relaxing, soothing, exotic, sensual.
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)
Indonesia, East Indies
Contains the characteristic flavor and fragrance of nutmeg spice. It is used
in cooking as a replacement for the spice. One or two drops are sufficient in
most recipes. It is also used in men's fragrances and spicy perfumes.
Aromatherapy: rejuvenating, uplifting, energizing.
*Medicinal Properties
Used in small dosages nutmeg can reduce flatulence, aid digestion, improve the appetite and treat diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. Nutmeg’s flavour and fragrance come from oil of myristica, containing myristicin, a poisonous narcotic. Myristicin can cause hallucinations, vomiting, epileptic symptoms and large dosages can cause death. These effects will not be induced, however, even with generous culinary usage.
Orange, Sweet (Citrus sinensis)
Brazil, United States, Spain
One of the most popular flavors in the world. Orange is widely used in foods
of all types. In perfumery sweet orange is often used as the heart of floral
blend.
Aromatherapy: cheering, refreshing, uplifting.
Usage Warning: Avoid use insun.
Ormenis (Ormenis mixta)
Morocco (Wild)
Used diluted in vegetable oil to condition and bring out highlights in blond
hair. In perfumes it provides a long-lasting sweet undertone.
Aromatherapy: soothing, nurturing, relaxing.
Usage Warning: Not approved by the FDA for internal consumption.
Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia (Wild)
A widely used fixative in perfumes. The very intense aroma is described as
earthy, rich, sweet, balsamic, woody and spicy.
Aromatherapy: romantic, soothing, exotic, sensual.
Usage Warning: Not approved by the FDA for internal consumption.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
United States
A strong, cool, minty flavor. Peppermint oil is refreshing in both taste and
aroma. A popular flavor in breath lozenges, toothpaste and mouthwash.
Aromatherapy: vitalizing, refreshing,cooling.
Usage Warning: Dilute well, skin irritant. Avoid use if pregnant.
Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium)
France, Italy, Morocco, S. America
Made from the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree. This oil has a
fresh and sweet fragrance with a woody undertone. It is added to massage and bath
oils and hair care products.
Aromatherapy: relaxing, soothing, stabilizing.
Rose, Absolute (Rosa centifolia)
Morocco, France
A sweet, deep, long-lasting aroma. Rose absolute is an economical alternative
fragrance to rose otto essential oil. It is used extensively in medium and
high-priced perfumes of all types for its aroma and fixative qualities.
Aromatherapy: romantic, creative, gently uplifting.
Usage Warning: Avoid if pregnant.
Rose Otto (Rosa damascena)
Bulgaria, Russia, Turkey
A warm, intense, immensely rich fragrance. Rose oil is one of the oldest and
best known of all essential oils. It is used in all types of perfumes to lend
beauty and depth to the aroma. A drop or two in a massage, facial, or bath oil
creates a luxurious, soothing experience. The oil is also used in skin
creams, powders, and lotions.
Aromatherapy: romantic, creative, gently cheering.
Usage Warning: Avoid if pregnant.
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)
France, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia (Wild)
Used in hair care, fragrance, cooking and cosmetics. Brush on or wash into
dark hair to condition and bring out color highlights.
Aromatherapy: clarifying, warming, invigorating.
Usage Warning: Avoid if pregnant. People with high blood pressure or epilepsy
should avoid.
*Medicinal Properties
Rosemary is a circulatory and nervine stimulant, which in addition to the toning and calming effect it has on digestion, is also effective for destressing. Rosemary is useful for flatulent dyspepsia, headache or depression associated with debility. Externally, Rosemary oil may be used to ease muscular pain, sciatica and neuralgia. The constituents of Rosemary act as a stimulant to both the hair follicles and circulation in the scalp, and thus may be helpful in treating premature baldness - the oil is most effective in this case. The plant contains essential oils (borneol, camphor, cineole, linalol, verbenol), tannins, flavonoids (apigenin, diosmin, luteolin), rosmarinic acid, rosmaricine, heterosides, triterpene (ursolic acid, oleanic acid), and resin. Rosemary is considered a rejuvenative skin toner. It is an important ingredient in Queen of Hungary water, a popular beauty tonic. When used on the skin, it helps to strengthen the capillaries. As a bath herb, it acts as a rejuvenative and helps sore muscles. Rosemary can also be used as a gargle for sore throat, gum ailments, canker sores and as a breath freshener. And Rosemary is often used as an ingredient in shampoos & conditioners for dandruff, where it is believed to prevent premature graying of dark hair and hair loss.
During the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, rosemary branches were burned in homes to keep away the black death. More recently during World War II, a mixture of rosemary leaves and juniper berries was burned in the hospitals of France to kill germs. These practices may not be as strange as they seem. Research has found that rosemary oil does indeed have some antibacterial effects.
As a medicinal herb, rosemary should he used carefully. Larger quantities of the pure oil used therapeutically can irritate the stomach, intestines, and kidneys. However, don't let this worry those of you who cook with rosemary. As a seasoning, it is perfectly safe to use.
Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora)
Brazil
Also known as Bois De Rose. Rosewood is a spicy oil used to enliven the scent
of dried flowers, soaps, lotions, and massage oils.
Aromatherapy: gently strengthening, relaxing.
Usage Warning: Not approved by the FDA for internal consumption.
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
France, Spain, Yugoslavia
Used in cooking and scented products. There are many types of this common
garden herb, all closely related. Spanish sage grows wild throughout Spain.
Aromatherapy: warm,soothing, cheering.
Usage Warning: Avoid if pregnant. People with high blood pressure orepilepsy
should avoid.
*Medicinal Properties
The oils sage have antiseptic, astringent, and irritant properties. This makes sage useful in treating sore throats, mouth irritations, and possibly cuts and bruises. Experiments in 1939 showed it had estrogenic properties, which may have some connection to the herb's reputed ability to dry tip milk. Research has shown it lowers blood sugar in diabetics. Sage is used to relieve excess mucous buildup. It is beneficial to the mind by easing mental exhaustion, soothing nerves, and by strengthening the concentrating abilities. In a lotion or salve, it is useful for treating sores and skin eruptions, excessive sweating, and for stopping bleeding in all cuts. Chewing the fresh leaves soothes mouth sores and sore throats, as will sage tea. It is good for all stomach troubles, diarrhea, gas, flu and colds. As a hair rinse, it removes and treats dandruff. Sage combined with peppermint, rosemary, and wood betony provides an excellent headache remedy. It is used to regulate the menstrual cycle, to decrease milk flow in lactating women, aids in treating hot flashes, and is used as a deodorant. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy to cleanse and purify the air. In a carrier oil, it makes an excellent deodorant.
Sage also contains terpene, camphor, and salvene. An essential oil is extracted from freshly harvested leaves by steam distillation and this is used in seasonings for pork sausages, processed foods, perfumes, confectionery, naouthwashes and gargles.
Sandalwood (Santalum album)
India, Indonesia
Rare perfume used in ancient rituals as a spiritually purifying ointment.
Sandalwood is a valuable fixative which blends well with other oils. It is a very
mild oil suitable for dry skin.
Aromatherapy: relaxing, centering, exotic, sensual.
Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
United States, China
Energizing to the mind and body. Use in bath water for it's refreshing
effect. Make a facial steam of spearmint oil in a pot of boiling water to help
cleanse and refine pores.
Aromatherapy: refreshing, cooling, gently vitalizing.
Tangerine (Citrus reticulata)
United States, Brazil
Great astringent (must be properly diluted) for oily skin. Tangerine is also
a tasty addition to beverages and desserts.
Aromatherapy: cheering, uplifting.
Usage Warning: Avoid use in sun.
Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Australia
Delivers a warm, spicy, medicinal aroma. It is used in colognes and
aftershaves and as a scent in room sprays, antiseptics, gargles, shampoo, acne creams,
soaps and other skin care products.
Aromatherapy: cleansing, purifying, uplifting.
Usage Warning: Not approved by the FDA for internal consumption. Dilute well,
skin irritant.
Thyme, Red (Thymus vulgaris)
Spain (Wild)
An intense, herbaceous aroma and flavor. Thyme is used to scent soaps,
colognes and after shaves and for cooking meats, vegetables and soups.
Aromatherapy: cleansing, purifying.
Usage Warning: Dilute well, skin irritant.Avoid if pregnant. People with high
blood pressure should avoid.
*Medicinal Properties:
Oil of Thyme was used during World War I to treat infection and to help relieve pain. The part of this plant used medicinally is the above ground portion. The primary chemical constituents of Thyme include essential oil (borneol, carvacrol, cymol, linalool, thymol), bitter principle, tannin, flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin), saponins, and triterpenic acids. Small amounts of this herb are sedative, whereas larger amounts are stimulant. Thyme is used against hookworm, roundworms, and threadworms. Thyme also warms and stimulates the lungs, expels mucus, and relieves congestion. It also helps deter bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. Both constituents thymol and carvacrol have a relaxing effect upon the gastrointestinal tract's smooth muscles. Thyme aids in the digestion of high fat foods, and has been used to preserve meat. Known topical applications include its use as a gargle and mouthwash for dental decay, laryngitis, mouth sores, plaque formation, sore throat, thrush, tonsillitis, and bad breath. Thyme has been used as a compress for lung congestion such as asthma, bronchitis, colds and flu, and as a poultice for wounds, mastitis, insect bites and stings. It has also been used as an eyewash for sore eyes, and as a hair rinse for dandruff. The essential oil is added to soaps and antidepressant inhalations.
Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides)
Reunion, India, Indonesia, Philippines
A rich, woody scent. It is used as a perfume fixative, like sandalwood.
Aromatherapy: soothing, relaxing, anchoring.
Usage Warning: Not approved by the FDA for internal consumption.
Wintergreen (Gualtheria promcumbens)
China
Fresh, cleansing mint flavor.
Aromatherapy: refreshing, bracing,invigorating.
Usage Warning: Harmful or fatal if taken internally. As little as one
teaspoon can be fatal if ingested by a child. Not approved by the FDA for internal
consumption. Dilute well, skin irritant. Avoid if pregnant.
Ylang Ylang III (Cananga odorata)
Comorro Islands, Reunion, Madagascar, Indonesia
(Wild) Means flower of flowers. Ylang Ylang is a richly fragrant oil, best
used for body perfume and massage oil.
Aromatherapy: sensual, euphoric.
Ylang Ylang Extra (Cananga odorata)
Comorro Islands, Reunion, Madagascar, Indonesia
Distilled from the early morning picked flowers of the cananga tree. The
first oil drawn off is the highest quality and is graded "Extra." Ylang Ylang
Extra has an intense, floral, jasmine-like aroma. It is used in exotic and floral
perfumes.
Aromatherapy: romantic, alluring, exotic.
How much of this do you already have at home :)
If you found this Info helpful or interesting please comment and I will post more articles.
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Rayna Howe
347-641-WELL (9355)
Holistic Health Consultant
LMT, USUI Reiki Master
Registered Karuna Reiki Master ®
Certified Theta Healing Practitioner ®
Certified Sacred Energy Practitioner
www.seatofthemoon.tk
guruwannab@gmail.com
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