This is a continuation (but not the end) of a descriptive list of some common or familiar essential oils. The more I read about them, the more I appreciate the natural healing power of plants. It's amazing what these essential oils can do for our skin and well-being. Source: "Aromatherapy Handbook or Beauty, Hair, and Skin Care" by Erich Keller.

Geranium (Perlargonium graveolens) The same common geranium that blooms so splendidly in gardens and flowerpots contain a valuable essential oil for skin care, a clear, thin liquid that is obtained from the leaves and stem through distillation. Geranium oil is antiseptic, astringent, deodorizing, toning, anti-inflammatory, cleansing, and stimulates the lymphatic system...the essential oil of the geranium is recommended for general skin care--for dry as well as oily skin--since the oil has a balancing effect on sebaceous production...The fragrance is rose-minty and harmonizes well with rose and rosewood.

Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum, J. officinale) Jasmine oil has been used for thousands of years in skin care cosmetics and perfumes. The reddish-brown oil is derived from the blossoms through extraction and is very expensive...Jasmine oil is good for the care of all types of skin. It is toning and antiseptic, and has a relaxing, aphrodisiac scent. It is particularly suited for treating dry, sensitive, and sore skin. It has a soothing effect on skin infections...A bath with jasmine oil lets you forget aggravation, stress, anger, nervousness, and worries. Jasmine oil lends many perfumes a flowery, honey-sweet, fruity touch.

Juniper (Juniperus communis) The berries of the juniper bush which grows throughout Europe are distilled to obtain the thin, clear liquid called juniper oil or juniper berry oil. Juniper purifies the blood, promotes metabolism, is antiseptic, detoxifying, toning, astringent, and antibacterial. It tightens tissue and inhibits infections. It is particularly suited for cleansing the skin in the form of aromatic lotions or cleansing oil, and for the care of oily, hydrated, or sluggish skin. The skin will be taut and well supplied with blood after a juniper-oil facial cleanser or facial steam bath...Its scent is powerful, and slightly reminiscent of pine needles...

Lavender (Lavendula officinalis, L. vera) ...The fresh stems and flower buds are used to make the essential oil. Lavender is an all-purpose oils for skin care. Its effect is antibacterial, pain-relieving, healing of wounds, soothing for skin diseases, deodorizing, antiseptic, fungicidal, insect-repellent, rejuvenating, and anti-inflammatory. It may be used to treat all types of skin and is effective for acne and oily hair (as it regularizes sebum production)...It also plays an important role in aromatherapy, for its fragrance has a calming and relaxing effect...Its scent is sweet, balsamy, flowery, woodsy, and light.

Lemon (Citrus limonum) Lemon oil is obtained by cold pressing pure, untreated lemon peels. It is a thin liquid with a clear color. This essential oil is astringent, antibacterial, and antiseptic; it cleanses and cares for the skin and rejuvenates the cell...It is used for oily, sluggish skin and the treatment of acne. The oil reduces sebaceous production, and clears and tautens the skin. This last effect is also beneficial for tired and aging skin. An ashen face is easily freshened by lemon, since it stimulates the skin functions. Lemon bleaches well and can therefore be used to treat freckles (but only in diluted form)...The oil has a typical fresh, sparkling scent of lemon.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexousus, C. citratus) This oil is mentioned because of its refreshing fragrance and deodorizing qualities, which are repellent to insects...It can be used to prepare an invigorating summer bath, to repel insects, to give perfume a fresh lemon-verbena touch, and to bathe sweating feet...

Melissa (Lemon Balm) (Melissa officinalis) This plant is a well-known ingredient in herbal remedies and folk medicine. Its clear, thin oil is relatively expensive, since the yield from the distillation of the plant is not very high...It is definitely suitable for general skin and hand care and for skin allergies...Melissa oil stimulates the metabolism and tones and enlivens the skin...In aromatic baths and creams it has a cooling effect; it can also be used in small amounts to treat sunburn. It is also used in natural insect repellent formulas. The scent is strong, herbal-sweet, and lemony.

Neroli or Orange Blossom (Citrus aurantium) One of the loveliest blossom oils, neroli is obtained from the flowers of the bitter orange tree as they open. This tree is also the source of petitgrain oil...The oil got its name from an Italian princess who used it as her favorite perfume. The thick, brownish oil has a spicy, sweet-bitter scent. The fragrance is extremely intense and lasts for a long time...Neroli rejuvenates, smoothes and treats the skin, relieves skin pain, and is nonirritating. It is especially suitable for dry and mature skin. Since the oil stimulates cell renewal, it can be added to healing oils from treating wounds and to promote healing of deep cuts that have closed. Its scent is calming and at the same time has a certain aphrodisiac quality that provides an interesting note in bath oils or perfumes. This oils is not cheap, but is well worth including in any collection of essential oils.

Orange (Sweet) (Citrus aurantium) ...(Note that this oil is to be distinguished from the oil of the bitter orange tree, which gives us neroli and petitgrain) Sweet orange oil is derived from the fresh, untreated fruit peel through cold pressing. Orange is slightly astringent and used for general skin care (particularly for oily skin in the case of acne), cellulite, and bad breath because of its pleasant taste and smell. A few drops of orange in a facial lotion has a very refreshing and stimulating effect on the skin. Orange is also ideal for a child's bath or baby oil...It has a refreshing, sweet, slightly tart scent...

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) This aphrodisiac oil is derived through distillation of the dried and fermented leaves...It is dark yellow to brown in color and thick in consistency. Patchouli contains patchoulene, a substance that...is a healing agent for inflamed skin and wounds. Patchouli oil is anti-inflammatory, toning, antiseptic, fungicidal, and stimulates cell regeneration. It is recommended for use in caring for mature skin, acne, skin which is hydrated, raw, chapped, and scaly, dandruff, and in treating wounds, fungus infections, and eczema. Patchouli has a heavy, balsamy-sweet, woody, earthy scent...

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Its thin, clear oil is derived from the herb through distillation. It contains menthol, a crystalline substance that is known for its ability to open the breathing passages. In cosmetics, peppermint oil is used for cleansing, since it is slightly antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and toning. It purifies sluggish skin and pores and can activate the skin when used in a facial steam bath. Peppermint oil is entirely suitable for the treatment of oily skin, acne and blackheads; it can also be applied undiluted to pimples. Further areas of use are for itchy skin, infections, and dandruff...The fragrance of peppermint is typically fresh.

Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium) This oil is derived from the leaves of the bitter orange tree through distillation. Its chemical composition and scent are similar to that of neroli, but have a lighter touch. Although it is slightly deodorizing, petitgrain is primarily used in cosmetics for its refreshing, flowery-sweet scent...

(to be continued)

Comments

Name *
Email (For verification & Replies)
URL
Code   
Thank you for your comments! BY NATURE Handmade Soaps

Submit Comment