Angelica (Angelica Archangelica)
Properties - Invigorates the lymphatic system, increases perspiration, cleansing system of toxins. Aids indigestion, flatulence, dyspepsia, colic. Stimulates appetite.
Good For - Provides use as expectorant in colds, bronchitis, pleurisy. Useful for headaches, migraines, and toothache. Used as a skin tonic, soothing inflammation.

Aniseed (Pimpinella Anisum)
Properties - An antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, invigorating, reviving and uplifting.
Good For - Indigestion, flatulence and muscle spasm.
Blends well with - Bay, cardamom, Cedarwood, coriander, fennel, mandarin, Petitgrain and rosewood.
Mood - Relaxing
How To Use - Massage
Cautions - May irritate sensitive skin. Do not use if pregnant.

Basil (Osimum basilicum)
Properties - Antiseptic, decongestant, warming.
Good For - Effective with headaches and migraines. Antiseptic to the respiratory tract and used for sinus congestion, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and influenza. Restores sense of smell due to catarrh. Also antiseptic to digestive and urinary tracts, and therefore finds application with digestive disorders, vomiting, gastric spasm, nausea, and dyspepsia. Useful with deep Massage to ease muscular pain and spasm and to stimulate blood flow.
Skin: Tonic to congested skin.
Blends Well With - Bergamot, chamomile, citronella, clary sage, geranium and lemongrass.
Mood - Refreshing and invigorating.
How To Use - Inhalation, Bath and Massage
Cautions - Can cause skin irritation therefore use in low concentrations. Do not use if pregnant.

Bay (Laurus Nobilis)
Properties - Analgesic, antiseptic, astringent, promotes menstruation, stimulant, and settles upset stomach.
Good For - Respiratory problems, indigestion, rheumatism.
Blends Well With - Coriander, Eucalyptus, geranium, juniper, Lavender, rose, rosemary and thyme.
Mood - Warming
How To Use - Inhalation, Bath and Massage
Cautions - Do not use in facial steams. Do not use if you are pregnant.

Benzoin (Styrax Benzoin)
Properties - Soothing sedative, antiseptic.
Good For - Inflamed/ irritated skin and throat infections.
Blends Well With - Citrus oils, cypress, frankincense, Jasmine, Lavender, myrrh, petitgrain and rose.
Mood - Uplifting and warming
How To Use - Massage and inhalation
Cautions - Skin irritant.

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Properties - Cooling, refreshing, uplifting, antiseptic, deodorising, pain relieving and sedative.
Good For - Can be used as an aid to digestion and as an appetite stimulant. It soothes muscles and can be used in the Bath, in a Diffuser, as skincare and with Massage.
Blends Well With - Other citrus oils, chamomile, coriander, pine, Lavender, Neroli and rosemary.
Mood - Uplifting
How To Use - Inhalation and Bath
Cautions - Avoid using before sunlight.

Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
Properties - Dilates and increases circulation of local blood vessels providing use for muscular aches and stiffness. It is an acrid digestive, increasing flow of saliva and stimulating appetite. It is also a warming digestive, expelling wind, and promoting gastric motility and function Finds use with rheumatoid arthritis and temporary paralysis of limbs. . Restores tone to the colon muscles. Promotes urine and stimulates the kidneys. Its warming action also aids respiratory illnesses involving cold, as it is antiseptic to the lungs.
Good For - Muscle spasm, useful for treating bruises.
Blends Well With - Bergamot, cypress, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, rosemary, Sandalwood, and Ylang ylang.
Mood - Warming
How To Use - Massage
Cautions - Use in low doses. May irritate sensitive skin.

Cajeput (Melaleuca Leucadendron)
Properties - Antiseptic, antiviral, expectorant, carminative and pain relieving.
Good For - respiratory and digestive problems.
Blends Well With - Bergamot, cypress, juniper, lemon, pine and rosemary.
Mood - Relaxing
How To Use - Inhalation, Bath and Massage
Cautions - Skin Irritant, Avoid during Pregnancy.

Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum)
Properties - Antiseptic, aphrodisiac, digestive tonic, warming and calming.
Good For - Indigestion,
Blends Well With - Clove, coriander, frankincense, geranium, juniper, lemon, pine, verbena and Ylang ylang.
Cautions - skin irritant

Cedarwood (cedrus atlantica)
Properties - As a tonic to the glandular and nervous systems. Its expectorant and drying properties are beneficial to the respiratory tract in conditions of bronchitis, pneumonia, and coughs with catarrh or excess phlegm. Also provides a tonic effect on the genito-urinary tract where there is inflammation or burning pain.
Good For - Dry skin, eczema and acne.
Skin - Provides astringent and antiseptic properties that benefit oily skin conditions and may help acne.
Blends Well With - Jasmine, juniper, Lavender, lemon, myrrh, neroli, rose and rosemary.
Mood - Soothing
How To Use - Massage, inhalation and skincare
Cautions - Skin irritant. Avoid in Pregnancy.

Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
Properties - Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antidepressant.
Good For - Remedying pain associated with the nerves such as neuralgia, headaches, toothache, and earache. Also used for menstrual problems associated with regulation and pain. Chamomile is renowned for gastrointestinal problems, often bring relieve to those suffering with gastritis, diarrhoea, colitis, peptic ulcers, flatulence, inflammation of the bowels. Also useful for genito-urinary tract problems. Possibly useful for liver problems such as jaundice. Chamomile is also renowned for use with skin problems, providing a soothing calming and cleansing action useful for burns, blisters, inflamed wounds and ulcers.
Blends Well With - Jasmine, Lavender, lemon, neroli, palmarosa and rose.
Mood - Soothing
How To Use - Inhalation, compress, Bath and Massage
Cautions - Avoid in the first three months of Pregnancy.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum)
Properties - Antiseptic, stimulant, insecticidal and parasitical.
Good For - Nausea and digestive problems.
Blends Well With - Ginger, lemon, orange, pine, rosemary and Ylang ylang.
Mood - Warming
How To Use - Massage
Cautions - Skin irritant, avoid in Pregnancy. Inhalation can cause irritation.

Citronella (Cimbopogon nardus)
Properties - Renowned for use as an insect repellent. Can help with gastro-intestinal distress including stomach ache and colitis. Its antibacterial properties find use with intestinal parasites.
Skin: Reported for use with cases of excessive perspiration, oily skin and hair.
Good For - Insect repellent and softens the skin.
Blends Well With - Bergamot, Geranium, Lemon, Orange, Lavender and Pine.
Mood - Refreshing and uplifting
How To Use - Vaporisation and skincare
Cautions - May irritate sensitive skin, avoid use on sensitive or damaged skin. Can cause dermatitis in certain people.

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
Properties - It has a soothing and sedating effect while at the same time strengthens the nervous system. One of the best muscle relaxants used to relieve cramps and/or muscle pain. Antidepressant sometimes described as euphoric.
Good For - Stress, hormonal problems and muscle aches.
Blends Well With - Bergamot, cypress, grapefruit, juniper, Lavender, lime, pine and Sandalwood.
Mood - Relaxing and euphoric
How To Use - Inhalation, compress, Bath and creams
Cautions - Not for use in Pregnancy. Can cause headaches. Avoid with alcohol.
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The skin is the body’s largest organ. It keeps all of the other important body parts contained, and is our barrier against the world. The skin is an fascinating organism. When it gets cut, it heals itself, and constantly renews itself with daily cell regeneration. As we age, however, these miraculous properties begin to slow down, and our skin begins to exhibit evidence of wear and tear. For women, one of the most frustrating skin conditions are stretch marks. These are tiny scars in the underlying skin tissues, caused by sudden rapid weight gain or Weight Loss. It is not only pregnant women who are afflicted by these unsightly tears. Dieters, weight-lifters, as well as anyone who has experienced sudden weight gain or loss may bear the record of their transformation in their skin.

As the body ages, skin begins to lose its former elasticity and resiliancy. This results in wrinkling of various parts of the skin that are used continuously. Laugh lines or the smile lines, crows feet, and the forehead area are prime examples of this. In addition to wrinkling and scarring, some people are prone to having excessively oily, dry, or sensitive skin. Sufferers from dry skin may find themselves continually itchy, flaky, or chapped. Oily skin may cause frequent breakouts on the face, as well as a constant feeling of uncleanliness. Sensitive skin may be prone to irritation, redness, and frequent allergic-type reactions. There are many other skin ailments that can make life uncomfortable for the sufferer. Examples of these include eczema,psoriasis, or recurrent painful boils which may be the result of an underlying subcutaneous Staph infection.

There are certain steps that people to follow to promote the health, vitality, and beauty of their skin. Exercise and diet are the first areas one needs to examine when considering skin health. An optimal diet for the skin is one that includes rich organic foods, refraining from refined flours and sugar, and drinking plenty of mineral-rich water daily. Exercise need not exceed a daily brisk walk for 20 minutes, but at a minimum, this is enough exercise to maintain proper body function.

Aromatherapy is also beneficial to those who are actively seeking skin remedies and looking for methods for skin repair or rejuvenation. Because the skin is made up of many absorbant pores, Aromatherapy is one of the most direct ways to treat skin conditions. Aromatherapy as a treatment for skin conditions includes taking aromatic baths, drinking or soaking in herbal infusions, applying Aromatherapy Lotions and creams, and the use of herbal toners. By utilizing steam, baths, and vapors, the skin will immediately absorb the properties of your chosen Herbs. Rosehips, calendula, orange and other citrus oils, almond and macadamia nut oil, horsetail, shea butter, rosemary, Lavender, Ylang ylang, and aloe vera are some of the most beneficial Herbs for skin rejuvenation.

by: William Brown

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