The following are simply guidelines for making oil blends for specific conditions, and as you become more familiar with the oils you will doubtless find that you prefer to make up your own combinations. You will find many different combinations recommended for specific conditions as some oils appeal to one person more than another, and some are more appropriate for particular individuals.
ACNE : This is usually caused by excessive secretion of sebum caused by hormonal stimulation.
Essential Oils : Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender, Frankincense, Tea-tree.
- Add to a carrier oil suitable for face massage and gently massage the face.
- Combine with a skin lotion and apply.
- Apply a toner such as rose flower water. (If the face is inflamed do NOT massage).
ANXIETY
Essential Oils : Bergamot, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender, Sandalwood, Ylang-Ylang.
- Add to a carrier oil for massage.
- Add to a bath and soak for up to 15 minutes.
ASTHMA
Essential Oils : Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Lavender.
- Add a few drops to a bath.
- Combine with a carrier oil for massage. Massaging a few drops of diluted oils on the sternum (breast bone) can help bring relief from the feeling of tightness.
ATHLETE'S FOOT : This is caused by a fungal infection.
Essential Oils : Tea-tree.
- Add a few drops to a footbath or dab the area with impregnated cotton wool.
BRONCHITIS : Oils that help bring up mucus will be beneficial.
Essential Oils : Cedarwood, Cypress, Marjoram, Pine.
- Massage the chest and back with the diluted oil.
- Add a few drops in the bath.
- Use as an inhalation.
BURNS AND SUNBURN
Essential Oils : Lavender.
- This can be added to the skin without a carrier oil to treat minor burns.
- Add to a bath.
- Use as a cold compress.
BRUISES
Essential Oils : Lavender.
- Add to a bath.
- Dab the area with 1-2 drops on cotton wool.
- Use as a cold compress.
CATARRH
Essential Oils: Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Tea-tree.
- Add a few drops to the bath.
- Use as an inhalation or compress.
CELLULITE
Essential Oils : Rosemary, Geranium, Lemon, Juniper, Fennel.
- Add to a carrier oil for massage.
- Skin brush regularly with the essential oils.
- Add a few drops of the oils to a bath.
CHILBLAINS
Essential Oils: Rosemary, Lavender, Chamomile, Marjoram.
- Add to a bath or a foot bath.
- Apply as a compress.
- Dab the affected area with the mixed oil.
COLD SORES
Essential Oils : Tea-tree or Eucalyptus.
- Apply 1-2 drops to the affected area with cotton woo;
COLDS
Essential Oils : Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Pine, Peppermint, Tea-tree.
- Add several drops to the bath.
- Use as an inhalation or in a vaporiser.
- Massage the throat and chest with diluted oils.
CONSTIPATION : The main causes are the low roughage, lack of exercise, hurried meals and stress.
Essential Oils : Rosemary, Marjoram, orange, Black Pepper.
- Add to a carrier oil for massage of the abdomen.
- The use of physillium husks or linseed in the diet is very helpful.
Bran is not recommended as it can irritate the digestive tract. Regular meal times and adequate exercise are also important.
CORNS
Essential Oils : Lemon.
- Dab with a few drops added to cotton wool.
CYSTITIS : This is an infection of the urinary tract.
Essential Oils : Bergamot, Juniper, Lavender, Sandalwood, Tea-tree, Chamomile.
- Add to carrier oil and massage the abdomen and lower back. (If the person has a temperature or is passing blood in the urine they must visit the doctor).
- Add a few drops of the oil to a bath.
- Use as a hot compress on the lower back.
DANDRUFF
Essential Oils : Rosemary, Lavender.
- Use as a hair tonic massaged into the scalp a few times a week.
- To make the tonic add a few drops of each oil to 200 ml of diluted water and 2 teaspoons of cider vinegar in a dark glass bottle. Make sure that you give it a good shake.
EARACHE
Essential Oils : Chamomile, Lavender.
ECZEMA
Essential Oils : Chamomile, Lavender, Sandalwood, Geranium.
- Add a few drops to a bath.
- Combine with a carrier oil and massage gently. (Take care as the skin may be very sensitive).
- The use of Evening Primrose Oil as a supplement or face cream can be beneficial.
EMOTIONAL STATES
The following can be used as a massage blend or added to a bath.
Depression
Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender, Sandalwood, Ylang-Ylang.
Insecurity
Sandalwood, Frankincense.
Loneliness
Marjoram.
Poor Memory
Rosemary.
Panic Attacks
Lavender, Ylang-Ylang, Frankincense.
Low Self-esteem
Sandalwood, Ylang-Ylang.
EXHAUTION AND FATIGUE
Essential Oils : Lavender, Geranium, Rosemary.
- Add to a carrier oil for general massage.
- Add to bath water and soak for about 115 minutes.
ACHING FEET
Essential Oils : Peppermint.
- Add to a bowl of warm water and soak feet for 10 minutes.
- Add to a carrier oil for foot massage.
FLATULENCE
Essential Oils : Basil, Fennel, Rosemary.
- Add to a carrier oil and massage the abdomen.
HAEMORRHOIDS : These normally occur due to constipation and can cause great discomfort.
Essential Oils : Cypress, Frankincense.
- Add a few drops to a bath.
HAY FEVER
Essential Oils : Juniper.
- Combine with a carrier oil and massage the sinus areas.
- Add a few drops to a tissue and inhale.
HEADACHE
Essential Oils : Chamomile, Rosemary, Lavender, Peppermint.
- Add to a carrier oil and massage around the temples, the base of the skull and anti-clockwise on the solar plexus. Massaging the neck and shoulders can also be helpful as some headaches are caused by tension in these areas.
- If the person is suffering from migraine headache then massage should not be given.
- Use as a compress or inhalation.
- Add a few drops to a bath.
IMMUNE SYSTEM (TO BOOST)
Essential Oils : Lavender, Lemon, Tea-tree.
- Use as an inhalation or in a vaporiser.
- Combine with a carrier oil for massage.
- Add a few drops to the bath.
INDIGESTION : Heart burn and indigestion are very common problems and can be eased by the use of the following oil. If the symptoms last for several weeks then the person should visit their doctor.
Essential Oils : Chamomile, Peppermint, Lemon, Fennel.
- Add to a carrier oil and massage the stomach and anti-clockwise on the solar plexus.
- Drinking chamomile, peppermint or fennel herbal tea is also helpful.
INFLUENZA : Flu is a viral infection which can have unpleasant symptoms such as aching muscles and fever. Fever is a sign of the body trying to rid itself of the problem and should be left to run for up to 48 hours providing it is not too high.
Essential Oils : Lavender, Peppermint, Tea-tree, Marjoram, Lemon, Cypress, Eucalyptus.
- Peppermint oil will help to reduce the problem and ease congestion. (Do not use for babies or young children).
- Muscular aches can be eased by baths or rubs using Marjoram and Lemon which will help eliminate toxins. (Do not massage in cases of high temperature).
- Use as an inhalation.
INSECT BITES
Essential Oils : Lavender, Chamomile, Tea-tree, Lemon.
- Add the oil to two tablespoons of a carrier oil and apply to the affected area. Lavender or Tea-tree oil can be used neat.
- To ease swelling apply a cold compress containing a few drops of Chamomile and Lavender.
- Add a few drops to a bath.
INSOMNIA
Essential Oils : Chamomile and Lavender.
- Add to a carrier oil and give a relaxing back massage.
- Add a few drops of Lavender oil to the bath or one drop to a pillow.
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
Essential Oils : Chamomile.
- Add to a carrier oil for an abdomen massage.
- Add a few drops to a bath.
MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS
Essential Oils : Clary Sage, Geranium, Sandalwood, Lavender.
- Add a few drops to a carrier oil to give a relaxing full body massage.
- Add a few drops of oil to the bath.
MOUTH ULCERS AND GUM INFECTIONS
Essential Oils : 1 drop of Tea-tree, Geranium and Lemon added to half a glass of water for use as a gargle.
- Dab the ulcer with 1-2 drops of Tea-tree added to cotton wool/
MUSCULAR SPASM
Essential Oils : Clary Sage.
- Massage the area with the diluted oil.
PAINFUL PERIODS
Essential Oils : Chamomile, Clary Sage, Rosemary.
- Add to a carrier oil and give full body massage.
- Add to a bath or use as a compress.
IRREGULAR PERIODS
Essential Oils : Chamomile, Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender.
- Add to a carrier oil for massage.
- Add to a bath.
HEAVY PERIODS
Essential Oils : Cypress.
- Add to carrier oil for massage.
- Use as a compress or add to a bath.
POSTNATAL DEPRESSION
Essential Oils : Bergamot, Chamomile, Neroli.
- Add to a carrier oil and give a full body massage.
- Add a few drops of oil to a bath.
PREMENSTRUAL SYMPTOMS
Essential Oils : Lavender, Chamomile, Geranium.
- Add to a carrier oil and massage the whole body using relaxing strokes.
- Add a few drops of the oil to a bath.
RHEUMATISM AND ARTHRITIS
Essential Oils : Rosemary, Chamomile, Lavender, Juniper.
- Add to a carrier oil and massage into the affected area. (Do not massage over any swollen areas or inflamed joints).
- Add 10-15 drops to a warm bath and soak for 15 minutes.
Rheumatic conditions benefits from cleansing diets containing plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and grains. Stimulants such as tea and coffee are best avoided.
Arthritis also benefits from diets which helps clear toxins from the body. Gentle exercise and keeping the joints warm are also helpful.
SINUSITIS : This can be extremely painful around the top of the nose and across the cheeks. If the problem persists a doctor should be visited.
Essential Oils : Lavender, Eucalyptus and Tea-tree, Peppermint (for inhalations), Rosemary, Bergamot and Juniper (for massage).
- Add to a bowl of hot water and inhale. (Do not use this method if an asthma sufferer).
- Using a few drops added to carrier oil massage around the base of the skull using circular movements, press on the acupressure points at the base of the nostrils and at the inner corners of the eyebrows and gently work along the eyebrows using a pinching movement.
SKIN CARE
Blackheads
Essential Oils : Pine, Eucalyptus, Lavender.
- Use a facial steam adding the oils to a bowl of hot water.
Broken capillaries / thread veins
Essential Oils : Chamomile, Neroli, Rose.
- Use combined with facial oil, cream or lotion.
Dry Skin
Essential Oils : Chamomile, Sandalwood, Rose, Lavender, Neroli.
- Use combined with facial oil, cream or lotion.
Mature Skin
Essential Oils : Frankincense, Geranium, Rose.
- Use combined with facial oil, cream or lotion.
Normal / Combination skin
Essential Oils : Chamomile, Lavender, Neroli, Rose.
- Use combined with facial oil, cream or lotion.
Oily skin
Essential Oils : Cedarwood, Frankincense, Geranium, Bergamot, Ylang-Ylang, Lemon, Rosemary.
- Use combined with facial oil, cream or lotion.
Sensitive skin
Essential Oils : Geranium, Lavender, Chamomile, Rose.
- Use combined with facial oil, cream or lotion, but in very weak mixture.
Wrinkles
Essential Oils : Neroli, Frankincense.
- Use combined with facial oil, cream or lotion.
SORE THROAT
Essential Oils : Tea-tree, Lavender, Sandalwood, Lemon.
- Add to a carrier oil and gently massage the neck and shoulder area using downward strokes. Massaging the chest can also be helpful.
- A compress can also be used.
- A few drops can be added to a bath.
STRESS
Essential Oils : Sandalwood, Chamomile, Lavender, Clary Sage, Bergamot.
- Add to a carrier oil and give a full body massage or if time is limited massage the back, shoulders, neck and face as these areas hold a lot of the tension.
- Add a few drops of the essential oil to the bath.
SPRAINS
Essential Oils : Rosemary, Chamomile and Lavender.
- Add to a carrier oil and gently massage around the effected joint with light strokes, but do not massage swollen areas.
- Apply a cold compress to the swollen area.
TOOTHACHE
Essential Oils : Clove, Peppermint.
VAGINAL THRUSH
Essential Oils : Bergamot, Rose and Lavender or Tea-tree oil.
- Add to a carrier oil and massage the abdomen and lower back.
- Add several drops of oil to a bath.
VERRUCAE AND WARTS
Essential Oils : Lemon, or Tea-tree.
- Dab the affected area with neat oil.
ROOM DISINFECTANT
Essential Oils : Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon.
