Ancient medical documents dating back to 1500 B.C. list frankincense, as well as myrrh, as remedies for certain illnesses. Frankincense oil held a regal position next to gold in that society (although it was not obtained in the same way we do modern distillation); it was used to treat skin blemishes and wrinkles, as well as viral infections and depression.

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) is closely related to myrrh (Commiphora myrrha); both are species of balsams. Boswellia carteri, also known as olibanum, originated in the Middle East and Africa. The resin is harvested from these small knotted balsam trees, and then distilled to produce an essential oil.

The use of frankincense is well documented during biblical times to treat a number of physical, as well as spiritual issues, and new research is exploring the ability of frankincense oil to stimulate human growth hormone (HGH) production in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland slows down the production of HGH after the age of thirty, so the body begins to show signs of aging.

Facial lines and creases, as well as sags and wrinkles begin to surface as HGH production slows down, but when frankincense oil is used, wrinkles seem to disappear. Compounds known as sesquiterpenes are found in frankincense oil, and they fortify the limbic system, so the key glands that secrete the hormones responsible for not only the aging process, but for the health of the cells in all organs in the body are stimulated. Reducing wrinkles is one of frankincense oil’s strong points; all the better if it is a function of restored hormone functions in the body.

                          

These beauties were considered sacred messengers in the old Anglo-Saxon belief about the god, Wotan. The fertility power of the geranium petals was an underlying belief, but they were also prominently display in ceremonies to attract prosperity and abundance. Modern research has identified the hormone balancing ability of geranium oil so those old fertility claims may not be as crazy as the medical profession said they were back in the 20th century.

Geranium oil has natural antiviral, antibiotic, anti-fungal, antidepressant, analgesic, antiseptic, and astringent properties and it also have deodorizing capabilities. The oil has cicatrisant properties as well so it is used to reduce the appearance of surgery scars, acne, and minor burns. The regenerative properties of this essential oil make it an excellent choice when wrinkles and flabby skin develop as the body ages. There are 700 different varieties of geraniums, but only ten of them produce the essential oil.

The astringent quality of the oil helps alleviate eczema and psoriasis and the antimicrobial properties help heal cuts, scratches, and other minor abrasions. The oil is also an effective treatment for ringworm. Bruises and even hemorrhoids can be treated with geranium oil since it interacts with cells not only in the skin, but with cells in other organs in the body.

This cellular interaction impacts the hormones so the oil is very effective when it comes to treating excessive hemorrhaging and menstrual problems. Hot flashes disappear since the oil is balancing hormone secretion. The oil also helps support normal liver and kidney functions because of its interaction with the adrenal glands.

The uplifting emotional qualities of geranium oil are also obvious. While the oil is creating a balance between dry and oily skin it is also relieving excess stress and anxiety at the same time. Hormonal messages are sent to brain as well as to the cells in the skin and other organs. A sense of well being permeates the body and mind so tension, depression, fluid retention, eczema, edema, bruises, cellulite, and menstrual irregularities are addressed, especially when the oil is used in an overall wellness program.

Geranium oil can be massaged into the skin or it can be diluted in a bath and blended with bergamot, lavender, citronella, jasmine, clary sage, neroli, and cedarwood to alleviate a plethora of skin issues and balance cellular regeneration.

                          

The New Testament as well as neo-paganism significance has kept myrrh in the minds of billions of people; it has never lost its ability to mystify cultures around the world.

Popular pharmaceutical uses for myrrh include toothpaste, mouthwash, and gargles because of its antiseptic qualities, but myrrh oil does much more than that when its energy moving abilities are recognized.

Myrrh essential oil has a special efficacy when it comes to heart, liver, and spleen functions, and it has the power to purge stagnant blood from the uterus. Over the years myrrh oil has been used in aromatherapy to alleviate arthritic, rheumatic, and circulatory issues and uterine tumors.

One of myrrh’s latest accomplishments is its ability to lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol, which opens a plethora of doors in terms of treating internal wellbeing. Myrrh oil is used in a variety of medical as well as cosmetic products so the list of internal and external uses for myrrh is a long one, especially when new products are considered.

The Egyptians recently developed an oral drug which contains myrrh that treats parasitic ailments, and in Italy researchers have discovered that myrrh can produce analgesic effects by interacting with opioid receptors.

One of the most important uses for myrrh oil is on older, mature skin. Dehydrated, traumatized, dry, and very distressed skin will react to an aromatherapy oil treatment using myrrh oil. Even chapped heels react to myrrh oil. The oil prevents skin degeneration so after a few treatments the skin is rejuvenated. Myrrh oil interacts with skin cells so the free radicals that destroy the cells are eliminated. Toxins damage skin cells and the result of that damage manifests as dry, chapped skin in some areas, and saggy, wrinkled skin in other areas.

Myrrh oil contains limonene, eugenol, a-pinene, cuminaldehyde, m-cresol, cadinene, heerabolene, formic acid, acetic acid, and other sesquiterpenes and acids. The combination of these chemical compounds gives myrrh oil antiseptic, astringent, anti-microbial, diuretic, antiphlogistic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, balsamic, diuretic, cicatrisant, fungicidal, tonic, and vulnerary therapeutic properties.

Myrrh oil research continues where the ancients left off so it is safe to say that myrrh is still worth as much as gold in terms of health and skin care.

                          

Modern researchers have discovered numerous benefits when oregano oil is used in food recipes because it has the ability to stop the growth of microbes, which can cause several gastrointestinal issues. That ability has made it one of nature’s finest preservative. The mineral and vitamin content of the oil is impressive with iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, boron, magnesium, copper, and manganese being the main minerals, and vitamins C, A, (beta carotene) and niacin enhancing the mineral content.

It’s not just the minerals and vitamins that make oregano oil such an important antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory substance, it’s the oils within the oil that produce some amazing qualities. The carvacrol in oregano oil is effective against salmonella, Escherichia coli, and listeria monocytogenes. The thymol has antiseptic properties, and the terpenes in essential oils are found in several plants and flowers, and those oils have antibacterial properties.

The rosmarinic acid in the essential oil has antihistamine and antioxidant properties, plus it can reduce free radical cell damage, which lowers the risk of cancer and atherosclerosis. The naringin in oregano oil is a powerful antioxidant. It can inhibit cancer cell growth, and the tocopherols like vitamin E found in the oil are incredible antioxidants as well.

All of the chemical compounds in oregano oil help it produce amazing aromatherapy results. This ancient oil helps the internal as well as the external cells function normally. According to Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs, oregano oil can help reduce fevers, bronchitis, cramps, childhood diseases like the mumps and measles, and it also helps regulate irregular menstruation. One of the most important uses for oregano oil is to prevent cell damage cause by free radicals, which are the unstable oxygen molecules that steal electrons from other molecules.

The antiviral properties of the oil go hand-in-hand with free radical control. Viruses attack damaged cells and take control and destroy them. The essential oil helps the immune system destroy the viruses so the cells can regenerate and begin to function normally.

                          

Almost three thousand tons of eucalyptus oil is produced every year by China, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Australia, Spain, and Portugal. These countries generally produce three types of oil depending on the end use, but the most popular oil of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) is the cineole-based version which has a spicy, as well as camphor like smell, and cooling effect. The medicinal uses of this naturally fragrant oil are well known and the fortification it provides to the immune system is considered a vital element in aromatherapy applications.

Eucalyptus oil has the ability to affect monocytes, which are a type of white blood cell that are an important aspect of the human immune system. Monocytes have two main functions: First, they help initiate the defense systems when free radicals attach themselves to cells and begin to damage them, and second, they respond to inflammation and infection in the tissue, so the immune system can identify and divide the cells, and then regenerate new cell growth.

A fortified immune system is the foundation for an active lifestyle, as well as for an extended life cycle, so take a hint from the happy, healthy Koala bear and make the benefits of pure eucalyptus oil a part of your daily life!

                          

Pliny, the Roman author and naturalist, claimed it was an aphrodisiac, and the Greek physician Dioscorides prescribed it for headaches, but his contemporaries used it as horse feed during breeding season. In modern aromatherapy, basil oil is used to lift the spirits and cheer the mind, especially when melancholy and sorrow overwhelm active thoughts.

Being a polymorph, basil oil comes in different strengths and is offered in a variety of scents and compositions. Scented oils range from the lemon, clove, and cinnamon and when the green and purple curly lettuce leaf basil plants are turned into oil they yield another type of oil.

There are two varieties that are used to extract large quantities of essential basil oil in this modern aromatherapy era. The first variety is the Exotic basil, which is grown and distilled on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. The European type of basil is also used to produce commercial essential oil. It was originally harvested and distilled in Southern France, but is now cultivated in America as well. The constituents that give basil oil its flavor and aroma are methyl chavicol, linalool, and eugenol.

Reunion basil contains camphor but very little linalool. It has a harsh, woody aroma so it’s not used on its own in aromatherapy since those qualities don’t conform to the energizing and refreshing elements found in a sense of well being. Basil oil is often mixed with lavender, geranium, clary sage, and bergamot to give it balance and a more pleasing aroma. Sensitive skin may react to the methyl chavicol so basil oil is often diluted with another carrier like vegetable oil to prevent skin redness.

The basic uses for essential basil oil are to stimulate the adrenal cortex, decrease anxiety, depression, and fatigue and to treat symptoms of bronchitis, indigestion, gout, fever, and colds. It has hot and cold qualities that can pep up circulation or invigorate sluggish skin. When basil is combined with thyme it’s a powerful antiseptic.

In aromatherapy basil oil is used in baths, inhalers, massages, and facial masks. Basil is still popular as a culinary seasoning, but the essential oil of basil is a valuable friend that can help relieve common cold symptoms as well as rejuvenate and promote emotional stability. Basil has been a soul protector as well as a body protector for centuries. It’s no wonder the early Egyptians offered it to the gods.

                          

The clary sage plant is native to Southern Europe, but it grows in the US, Russia, Morocco, England, and Central Europe. The plant has large heavy green leaves with a hint of purple, and the plant produces small flowers that are either blue or purple. The essential oil is obtained by processing the leaves and flowers using the steam distillation method. The essential oil may have a yellow-green appearance, but it can be clear with a nutty-herbaceous as well as sweet scent.

The composition of clary sage oil is unique since it has a high content of esters like lavender and petitgrain. Seventy-five percent of the ester is linalyl acetate. Esters are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, and they compliment rather than impede the nervous system. One of the most unique qualities of clary sage is that it blends well with other oils like cedarwood, bergamot, lavender, geranium, sandalwood, roman chamomile, jasmine, orange, rosewood, neroli, and ylang-ylang.

The essential oils that result from various clary sage combinations produce some powerful aromatherapy treatments that help alleviate an assortment of physical and mental aliments. The rich portions of linalyl acetate as well as other photochemicals like diterpene, sclareol, myrcene, flavonoids, and rosmarinic acid, make the oil an excellent fragrant compound.

The calming parasympathetic nervous system reaction to clary sage, especially when it is diluted in a warm bath, has been well documented in cultures around the world. This versatile aromatherapy oil has a compound similar to estrogen in its chemical components so it balances hormone secretion, and that has a positive effect on the hair growth cycle. Clary sage oil helps reduce excess hair oil, and it stimulates dormant hair follicles so they return to the anagen (growing) stage in the hair growth cycle.

Clary sage oil is also used as an antiseptic for surgical incisions, wounds, and post natal injuries. It is also a depurative agent that helps remove toxins from the blood through sweating. The oil is classified as an oral toxin so it should be used with care It should not be used during pregnancy since it contains camphene and camphor. But, this powerful oil has the ability to help heal a variety of skin, hair, respiratory, and mental issues when it is used responsibly.

                          

In the old days the women in the area would work for all day producing oil from the fruit. The argan nuts were then hand crushed between two stones and the seeds were naturally heated. Then these roasted seeds were worked down into a paste that was squeezed so the oil could be extracted. The time it took to create the oil made the end product very expensive. Today argan oil is processed with machinery, but it is still the most expensive oil in the world. The Argan tree is considered an endangered and rare species by UNESCO and that protection makes the oil even more valuable.

The price tag for argan oil for heath and beauty is considerable but it’s worth it. The oil from the argan tree is abundant in vitamin E and many other anti-oxidants that help to regenerate skin cells and destroy free radicals. Even though the argan tree oil costs a lot more than olive oil and other fixed oils used to treat skin ailments it is highly regarded to be one of the best anti-aging and hair care products on the market.

The phenols and phenolic acids as well as the high levels of natural vitamin E in the oil have effective anti-aging properties. When the oil passes the skin barrier it has the ability to repair hair follicles. The omega 9 and omega 3 in the oil give essential nutrition for the hair that treats conditions like dandruff, as well as frizzy and unmanageable dry hair.

Even muscles demonstrate responsiveness to organic argan oil. Muscles tend to stay toned and appear to be healthier when the oil is massaged into different muscle groups. Arthritis and other debilitating conditions can be assisted successfully with argan tree oil when the oil permeates the joints and the surrounding tissues.

This fantastic oil has zero cholesterol so it’s great cooking oil that dramatically reduces the risk of heart disease. In fact, some researchers say it’s better than olive oil when it comes to preventing a breakdown in cell activity that can create malignancies.

Many women who use it as a skin product notice the nutty toasted scent, but it dissipates after it is absorbed into the skin. Women around the world claim that acne, wrinkles, and problematic dry skin are remedied dramatically so the scent is not a problem.

Argan oil is a versatile remedy that can alleviate a variety of skin conditions without fear of any side effects. It is truly “liquid gold” when it comes to rejuvenating unhealthy cells and boosting the immune system.

                          

The angelica plant is native to countries in colder climates like Russia, Lithuania, and Norway. Even the inhabitants of Iceland have had a close relationship with the angelica plant through the years. In Lapland the plant was considered inspirational, and in Norway it was used to make bread. The French developed liquor from the plant.

Angelica oil is well known for relieving joint pain, indigestion, flatulence, bronchitis, and some reproductive issues in women. Modern herbalists continue to rely on angelica oil to relieve muscle aches, rheumatoid arthritis pain, and stomach aliments.

This essential oil is also used in lotions, soaps, and perfumes, but the aromatherapy value of angelica oil, especially when it is combined with sandalwood, myrrh, cedar wood, and frankincense continues to increase as more people become aware of its healing qualities.

The fragrance of angelica oil is known to produce a sense of well being. Negative feelings and emotions are released, especially when a traumatic event disrupts normal life experiences. This essential oil is used to connect the physical consciousness with the spiritual consciousness in some cultures, and that practice s growing in popularity due to the history of the plant and the oil. Some cultures even call it “The Holy Ghost Oil.”

The Chinese use angelica oil to promote fertility, and it is currently listed in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a remedy for bronchitis, and a catalyst to increase circulation. Other studies show that the oil has a positive effect on the adrenal glands. It can be also used as a nervine tonic when it is blended into the solar plexus. The carminative effect of angelica oil strengthens the digestive system, and rebuilds body strength when a chronic illness depletes body energy.

It’s always best to test a small amount of angelica oil for skin sensitivity. It may be phototoxic so the ultra-violet rays of the sun should be avoided when it’s applied to exposed skin. The internal use of angelica oil may also interfere with anticoagulant drugs. Aromatherapists rely on the oil as an antispasmodic, diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic, and depurative that can ease the discomfort of internal as well as eternal issues. The essential oil from the root of the angelica plant is non-toxic and a valuable remedy. It has effectively earned the title: “The Oil of Angels” in the Western World.

                          

Herpes is known as a viral infection for which there is said to be no actual cure. Skin lesions provide a visible reminder of the ailment, and for some they occur more often than others. Of course, when an outbreak does occur, it is painful and also rather unsightly. Adding insult to injury, these outbreaks usually happen when someone is stressed, which is perfectly understandable considering the impact of stress in our daily lives.

Ravensara oil offers topical relief while concurrently dealing with the viruses. Some people can use the oil ‘neat’ or undiluted as a spot treatment in smaller areas, such as for a cold sore; however, it is frequently mixed with a carrier oil or another non-sensitizing essential oil as a base. Either way, it can greatly decrease the amount of visible skin lesions and shorten the duration of any outbreak. Of course, using ravensara oil for cold sores, shingles, and herpes-related outbreaks may introduce the substance to highly sensitive skin areas, so a patch test is recommended before extensive use.

Although unlikely, be mindful of the potential for a possible skin irritation. Since the application of the essential oils is frequently very close to mucous membranes, there is a chance that over-mixing the essential oil results in too strong a substance that might lead to skin irritations. Experiment with different concentrations until finding the one that works just right for you.