Essential oils B to C

Plants contain volatile oils as part of their "essence". These essential oils are extracted from leaves or flowers and have long been used to enhance emotional and physical wellbeing, as aromatherapists do today. You can buy them at health food stores and other suppliers.

Throughout this book you will find suggestions to use particular oils as part of a herbal treatment or preventative measure. The two most common uses of the oils are for massage (diluted in a base oil such as soya or grapeseed oil) and undiluted in a warm bath. Many uses recommended here are for ailments outside the scope of this book.

Note Never take essential oils internally.

Basil: Migraine, headaches, aches, chest infections, digestive problems, colic, colds, catarrh, fevers. Low libido, depression, painful or scanty periods, tension, engorged breasts, PMS. Note Avoid in early pregnancy.

Bergamot: Coughs, fevers, urinary tract infections, vaginal infections or discharge. Poor appetite and eating problems, acne, boils, cold sores, chickenpox, shingles. Cuts and wounds. Note Avoid use before exposure to sun or a sunbed.

Black Pepper: Constipation, colds, flu, weakness. Poor circulation, weak digestion, colic, wind, abdominal pain, muscular pain, stiffness, fatigue, rheumatic and arthritic pain. Note Dilute well as it can irritate the skin.

Chamomile: Insomnia, irritability, colic, gastritis, indigestion, peptic ulcers, diarrhea. PMS, period pains, irritable bladder, fluid retention, cystitis, eczema, boils, skin infections, allergies. Migraine; headaches, children's fevers,teething, earaches. Menopause symptoms, muscular pain, inflamed joints, sprains, bums.

Cinnamon: Poor circulation, colds, flu. Rheumatism, arthritis, muscle pain. Weak digestion, colic, wind, nausea, indigestion. Note Avoid in early pregnancy. Citronella Repelling insects, weakness, fatigue.

Clary Sage: Muscle tension, PMS, depression. Uterine tension in childbirth, period pain, asthma, migraine, digestive problems. Night sweats, acne, low libido, sore throats, aches and pains. Note In early pregnancy, avoid when taking alcohol.

Clove: Toothache, headaches, weak contractions in childbirth. Bronchitis, colds, flu, diarrhea, arthritis, rheumatism. Note Avoid during pregnancy, and on sensitive skin.

Coriander: Tiredness, weakness, poor circulation, poor appetite. Digestive problems, wind, neuralgia, rheumatic pain, flu, pain.

Cypress: Painful periods, heavy periods. Excessive perspiration (e.g. night sweats, hot flashes, sweaty feet), greasy skin, incontinence, poor circulation, edema, piles, varicose veins. Asthma, repelling insects, cuts and wounds, rheumatism and arthritis, muscular aches, colds, chest infections. Note Avoid in early pregnancy.