by Jedi Simon and the Scentha Team.
Neroli
Botanical Name: Citrus aurantium
Common Method of Extraction: Solvent Extracted
Color: Coffee Brown
Consistency: Medium
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong
Aromatic Description: Floral, citrusy, sweet, exotic.
Possible Uses: Depression, frigidity, insomnia, mature skin, scars, shock, stress, stretch marks.
Constituents: Linalyl Acetate, Limonene, Linalol, Nerolidol, Geraniol, Alpha-Terpineol, Geranyul Acetate, Neryl Acetate
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Niaouli
Botanical Name: Melaleuca quinquenervia
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Earthy, musty, harsh.
Possible Uses: Aches, acne, bronchitis, colds, coughs, cuts, dull skin, flu, oily skin, sore throat, whooping cough.
Constituents: Cineol, terpineol, pinene, limonene, citrene, terebenethene.
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Nutmeg
Botanical Name: Myristica fragrans
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear
Consistency: Thing
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
Aromatic Description: Rich, spicy, sweet, woody. Similar to the cooking spice, but richer and more fragrant.
Possible Uses: Arthritis, constipation, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, neralgia, poor circulation, rheumatism, slow digestion.
Constituents: Terpinen-4-ol, Pinene, Sabinene, Cineole, Camphene, Limonene, Myristicin, Alpha Terpenene
Safety Information: If used in large amounts, can cause toxic symptoms such as nausea and tachycardia.
Possible oral toxin (no essential oil should be taken internally without the guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner), possible psychotripic (may affect behavior) and possible carcinogen.
Oakmoss
Botanical Name: Evernia prunastri
Common Method of Extraction: Solvent Extracted
Color: Light Brown
Consistency: Medium - Thin
Perfumery Note: Base
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Rich, earthy, woody.
Possible Uses: Perfumery
Constituents: Evernic acid, d-usnic acid, atranorine, chloratronorine.
Safety Information: Use with extreme caution. Dermal sensitizer, toxic, and mucous membrane irritant. Avoid in epilepsy and pregnancy.
Bitter Orange
Botanical Name: Citrus aurantium
Common Method of Extraction: Cold Pressed/Expressed
Color: Orange
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Top
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: As the name implies, it has a bitter orange aroma reminiscent of a cross between the sweetness of sweet orange oil and the slight bitterness of grapefruit oil.
Possible Uses: Colds, constipation, dull skin, flatulence, flatulence, flu, gums, mouth, slow digestion, stress.
Constituents: Limonene, myrcene, camphene, pinene, ocimene, cymene.
Safety Information: Phototoxic. Do not use if the area of application will be exposed to sunlight for 24 hours due to its phototoxicity.
Orange, Sweet
Botanical Name: Citrus sinensis
Common Method of Extraction: Cold Pressed/Expressed
Color: Orange
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Top
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
Aromatic Description: Citrusy, sweet, reminiscent of orange peels, but more concentrated.
Possible Uses: Colds, constipation, dull skin, flatulence, flatulence, flu, gums, mouth, slow digestion, stress.
Constituents: Limonene
Safety Information: Lawless reports that a few people have experienced dermatitis from the limonene content of Sweet Orange.
Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Oregano
Botanical Name: Oreganum vulgare
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Pale Yellow
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Medium
Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong
Aromatic Description: Herbaceous, sharp.
Possible Uses: Coughs, digestion.
Constituents: Carvacrol, thymol, cymene, caryophyllene, pinene, bisabolene, linalool, borneol, geranyl acetate, linalyl acetate, terpinene. [
Safety Information: Skin irritant, mucous membrane irritant, can cause skin irritation.
Palmarosa (Rose Geranium)
Palmarosa is sometimes referred to as Rose Geranium.
Botanical Name: Cymbopogon martini
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Pale Yellow
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong
Aromatic Description: Fresh, floral, sweet, somewhat similar to geranium oil.
Parsley
Botanical Name: Petroselinum sativum
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Light Yellow
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
Aromatic Description: Herbacous, somewhat woody aroma.
Possible Uses: Amenorrhea, arthritis, cellulites, cystitis, frigidity, griping pains, indigestion, rheumatism, toxic build-up. [
Constituents: Apiol, myristicin, tetramethoxyally-benzene, pinene.
Safety Information: Hepatotoxic (toxic to the liver). Abortifacient (can induce abortions). Research that Tisserand refers to indicates that it has a strong abortifacient action. It should be used with extreme caution and avoided with and around pregnant women.
Patchouli
Botanical Name: Pogostemon cablin
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Deep Golden Brown
Consistency: Medium – Thick
Perfumery Note: Base
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Rich, earthy, woody aroma with a nearly hidden fruity note.
Possible Uses: Acne, athlete's foot, chapped skin, dermatitis, eczema, fatigue, frigidity, hair care, insect repellant, mature skin, oily skin, stress.
Constituents: Patchoulol, Esters, Beta-Caryophyllene
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Pepper, Black
Botanical Name: Piper nigrum
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Crisp, fresh, peppercorn aroma.
Possible Uses: Aching muscles, arthritis, chilblains, constipation, muscle cramps, poor circulation, sluggish digestion.
Constituents: Limonene, Pinene, Myrcene, Phellandrene, Beta-caryophyllene, Beta-bisabolene, Sabinene, Linalol, Pinocarveol, Alpha, Terpineol, Camphene, Alpha, Terpenene
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Peppermint
Botanical Name: Mentha piperita
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear with a Yellow Tinge
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Top
Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong
Aromatic Description: Minty, reminiscent of peppermint candies, but more concentrated. More fragrant than spearmint.
Possible Uses: Asthma, colic, exhaustion, fever, flatulence, headache, nausea, scabies, sinusitis, vertigo.
Constituents: Menthyl Acetate, Menthone, Cineole, Limonene, Phellandrene, Pinene, Beta-Caryophyllene
Safety Information: Avoid in cardiac fibrillation, epilepsy, fever. Mucous membrane irritant and neurotoxic (toxic to the nerves). Some of this information applies to oral use, but is provided for informational purposes (no essential oil should be taken internally without the guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner).
Petitgrain
Botanical Name: Citrus aurantium
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear with a Yellow Tinge
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Top
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Fresh, floral, citrusy, lighter in fragrance than neroli and slightly woody.
Possible Uses: Acne, fatigue, oily skin, stress.
Constituents: Linalyl Acetate, Linalol, Nerol, Alpha-Terpineol, Geranyl Acetate, Limonene, Myrcene
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Pine, Scotch
Botanical Name: Pinus sylvestris
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear
Consistency: Medium and Slightly Oily
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
Aromatic Description: Fresh, woody, earthy, balsamic
Possible Uses: Colds, coughing, flu, rheumatism, sinusitis.
Constituents: Pinene, Limonene, Borneol, Bornyl Acetate, Cineole, Camphene, Myrcene, Phellandrene
Safety Information: Sensitization can occur. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 200.]
Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Ravensara
Botanical Name: Ravensara aromatica
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear with a Tinge of Yellow
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Top
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Slightly medicinal, eucalyptus-like, slightly sweet with a fruity hint.
Possible Uses: Not formally documented in readily available publications.
Constituents: 1,8-cineole, beta-pinene.
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Rose
Botanical Name: Rosa damascena
Common Method of Extraction: Solvent Extracted or Steam Distilled (called Rose Otto)
Color: Deep Red for the Absolute, Light Yellow for the Steam Distillate
Consistency: Thick for the Absolute, Thin for the Steam Distillate
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong
Aromatic Description: strongly floral, sweet.
Possible Uses: Depression, eczema, frigidity, mature skin, menopause, stress.
Constituents of Rose Otto: Citronellol, Geraniol, Nerol, Farnesol, Esters, Rose Oxide, Limonene, Myrcene, Pinene
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Rosemary
Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
Aromatic Description: Fresh, herbaceous, sweet, slightly medicinal.
Possible Uses: Aching muscles, arthritis, dandruff, dull skin, exhaustion, gout, hair care, muscle cramping, neuralgia, poor circulation, rheumatism.
Constituents: Cineole, Pinene, Borneol, Linalol, Alpha-Terpineol, Terpinen-4-ol, Bornyl Acetate, Camphor, Thujone, Camphene, Limonene, Beta-Caryophyllene
Safety Information: Neurotoxic (toxic to the nerves). Avoid in pregnancy. Avoid in epilepsy, fever (no essential oil should be taken internally without the guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner).
Avoid in cases of hypertension.
Rosewood
Rosewood is sometimes referred to as Bois-de-rose oil.
Botanical Name: Aniba roseodora
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear with a Yellow Tinge
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Sweet, woody, fruity, floral aroma.
Possible Uses: Acne, colds, dry skin, dull skin, fever, flu, frigidity, headache, oily skin, scars, sensitive skin, stress, stretch marks.
Constituents: a-pinene, camphene, geraniol, neral, geranial, myrcene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, benzaldehyde, linalool oxides, a-terpineol. [
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Sandalwood
Botanical Name: Santalum album
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear with a Yellow Tinge
Consistency: Medium - Thick
Perfumery Note: Base
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Rich, sweet, fragrant yet delicate, woody, floral.
Possible Uses: Bronchitis, chapped skin, depression, dry skin, laryngitis, leucorrhea, oily skin, scars, sensitive skin, stress, stretch marks.
Constituents: Santalols, santyl acetate, santalenes.
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Spearmint
Botanical Name: Mentha spicata
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Top
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Minty, slightly fruity aroma that is less bright than peppermint.
Possible Uses: Asthma, exhaustion, fever, flatulence, headache, nausea, scabies, vertigo.
Constituents: a-pinene, B-pinene, carvone, 1,8-cineole, linalool, limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene, menthol.
Safety Information: Mucous membrane irritant.
Spikenard
Botanical Name: Nardostachys jatamansi
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Golden Yellow
Consistency: Medium
Perfumery Note: Base
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
Aromatic Description: Earthy, woody, harsh, musty.
Possible Uses: Rashes, wrinkles. Constituents: Bornyl acetate, isobornyl valerianate, borneol, patchouli aclochol, terpinyl valerianate.
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Spruce
Botanical Name: Picea mariana
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Fresh, woody, earthy, sweet, with a hint of a fruity note.
Possible Uses: Coughing, depression.
Constituents: Pinenes, limonene, bornyl acetate, tricyclene, phellandrene, myrcrene, thujone, dipentene, cadinene.
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Tagetes
Botanical Name: Tagetes minuta
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Gold
Consistency: Thin - Medium
Perfumery Note: Top
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Fresh, sweet, floral, slightly fruity.
Possible Uses: Corns, warts.
Constituents: Tagetones, ocimene, myrcene, linalool, limonene, pinenes, carvone, citral, camphene, valeric acid, salicylaldehyde.
Safety Information: Possibly toxic. Use only in moderation
Tangerine
Botanical Name: Citrus reticulata
Common Method of Extraction: Cold Pressed/Expressed
Color: Orange
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Top
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Fresh, sweet, citrusy, similar to the brighter aroma of tangerine peels (as compared to orange peels), but more concentrated.
Constituents: a-pinene, myrcene, limonene, y-terpinene, citronellal, linalool, neral, neryl acetate, geranyl acetate, geraniol, thymol, carvone.
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Tea Tree, Common
Botanical Name: Melaleuca alternifolia
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear with a Yellow Tinge
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Medicinal, fresh, woody, earthy, herbaceous.
Possible Uses: Acne, athlete's foot, candida, chicken pox, cold sores, colds, corns, cuts, flu, insect bites, itching, migraine, oily skin, ringworm, sinusitis, sores, spots, urethritis, warts, whooping cough.
Constituents: Terpinen-4-ol, Alpha-Terpineol, Cineole, Pinene, Alpha Terpenene, Beta-Caryophyllene
Safety Information: May cause sensitization in some.
Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Thyme
Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Reddish Brown
Consistency: Medium and Slightly Oily
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
Aromatic Description: Fresh, medicinal, herbaceous.
Possible Uses: Arthritis, colds, cuts, dermatitis, flu, insect bites, laryngitis, lice, muscle aches, oily skin, poor circulation, scabies, sore throat.
Constituents: a-thujene, a-pinene, camphene, B-pinene, p-cymene, a-terpinene, linalool, borneol, B-caryophyllene, thymol, carvacrol.
Safety Information: Avoid in cases of hypertension.
Moderate dermal irritant and strong mucous membrant irritant.
Tobacco
Botanical Name: Nicotania tabacum
Common Method of Extraction: Solvent Extracted
Color: Deep Brown
Consistency: Medium - Thick
Perfumery Note: Base
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Rich, warm, earthy, tobacco-like aroma.
Possible Uses: Perfumery
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Lemon Tea Tree
Botanical Name: Leptospermum petersonii
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear with a Tinge of Yellow
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Top
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
Aromatic Description: Lemony, citrusy, bitter.
Possible Uses: Not formally documented in readily available publications.
Constituents: Not formally documented in readily available publications.
Safety Information: Not formally documented in readily available publications.
Tuberose
Botanical Name: Polianthes tuberosa
Common Method of Extraction: Solvent Extraction
Color: Deep Orange
Consistency: Medium
Perfumery Note: Top
Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong
Aromatic Description: Complex, exotic, sweet, floral.
Possible Uses: Used primarily in perfumery and aromatics.
Constituents: Methyl benzoate, methyl anthranilate, benzyl alcohol, butyric acid, eugenol, nerol, farnesol, geraniol.
Safety Information: Unknown toxicity.
Vanilla
Botanical Name: Vanilla planifolia
Common Method of Extraction: Solvent Extracted
Color: Deep Brown
Consistency: Thick
Perfumery Note: Base
Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong
Aromatic Description: Rich, warm, sweet vanilla aroma.
Possible Uses: Perfumery
Constituents: Vanillin, hydroxybenzaldehyde, acetic acid, isobutyric acid, caproic acid, eugenol, furfural.
Safety Information: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Vetiver
Botanical Name: Vetiveria zizanoides
Common Method of Extraction: Solvent Extraction
Color: Golden Brown
Consistency: Thick
Perfumery Note: Base
Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong
Aromatic Description: Woody, earthy, herbaceous, spicy almost smoky.
Possible Uses: Acne, arthritis, cuts, depression, exhaustion, insomnia, muscular aches, oily skin, rheumatism, sores, stress.
Constituents: Benzoic acid, vetiverol, furfurol, a-vetivone, B-vetivone, vetivene, vetivenyl vetivenate. [
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Violet Leaf
Botanical Name: Viola odorata
Common Method of Extraction: Solvent Extraction
Color: Dark Green
Consistency: Thick
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Middle - Base
Aromatic Description: Green, earthy, slightly floral in dilution.
Possible Uses: Bronchitis, headache, insomnia, rheumatism, sluggish circulation, sore throat, stress.
Constituents: Nonadienal, parmone, hexyl alcohol, bezyl alcohol.
Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.
Yarrow
Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Dark Blue
Consistency: Medium
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
Aromatic Description: Sharp, woody, herbaceous.
Possible Uses: Fever, hair care, hemorrhoids, hypertension, indigestion, insomnia, migraine, scars, stretch marks, varicose veins, wounds.
Constituents: Tricyclene, a-pinene, camphene, B-pinene, sabinene, borneol acetate, 1,8-cineole, y-terpinene, limonene, isoartemisia ketone, borneol, camphor, chamazulene.
Safety Information: Neurotoxic (toxic to the nerves). Avoid in pregnancy. Avoid orally in pregnancy, epilepsy, fever (no essential oil should be taken internally without the guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner).
Ylang Ylang
Botanical Name: Cananga odorata
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear with a Yellow Tinge
Consistency: Medium
Perfumery Note: Middle/Base
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
Aromatic Description: Fresh, floral, sweet, slightly fruity, fragrant yet delicate.
Possible Uses: Anxiety, depression, frigidity, hypertension, palpitations, stress.
Constituents: Linalol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Geranial, Benzyl Acetate, Geranyl Acetate, Eugenol, Methyl Chavicol, Pinene*Beta-Caryophyllene, Farnasene
Safety Information: Possible sensitization.
Can cause headaches and nausea if used in excess. The owner of AromaWeb has experienced headaches from lengthy use of Ylang Ylang.