Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic extracts which are distilled from a variety of aromatic plant material including grasses, leaves, flowers, needles & twigs, peel of fruit, wood and roots. Specific essential oils have their own special properties to heal specific ailments. You can use essential oils as compresses, in a bath, in a massage, or in steam inhalators.

The Top 20 Essential Oils are as under:

Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus globulus or Eucalyptus radiata: Eucalyptus has a refreshing effect on the nervous system and is useful in treating tiredness, poor concentration & headaches. It is also helpful in treating respiratory problems, such as coughs, colds, and asthma. Also helps to boost the immune system, and relieve muscle tension. Its antibiotic properties make it helpful in the treatment of skin infections, wounds, herpes and ulcers.

Ylang Ylang, Cananga odorata: Ylang ylang has a calming effect on the nervous system and is useful for treating anxiety, stress, depression & tension. Helps one to relax, and can reduce muscle tension. Ylang ylang is an excellent aphrodisiac for both men & women. It is also very beneficial in balancing the sebum secretions of the skin and is suitable for both dry and oily skin types.

Geranium, Pelargonium graveolens: The cooling and calming effect of geranium make it useful in treating anxiety, palpitations and panic attacks. Helps to balance hormones in women. It is good for balancing the sebum secretions of the skin and is suitable for both dry and oily skin types. Can be both relaxing and uplifting, as well as antidepressant.

Peppermint, Mentha piperita: Useful in treating headaches, muscle aches, digestive disorders such as slow digestion, indigestion, belching, diarrhoea, food poisoning, nausea, morning sickness, travel sickness and flatulence. It is useful for treating coughs, spasmodic coughs, asthma, sinusitis, head colds & migraine.

Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia: Its cooling effect relaxes the mind and body, and also useful in treating wounds, burns, and skin care. It is very useful to treat irritability, depression, insomnia, hysteria, shock and nervous tension.

Lemon, Citrus limon: Very uplifting, yet relaxing. Helpful in treating wounds, infections, and house cleaning and deodorizing.

Jasmine, Jasminum officinale: It is a very relaxing and anti depressant oil. Jasmine is excellent aphrodisiac oil and is also beneficial for menstrual cramps. It helps relieve labour pain.

Clary Sage, Salvia sclarea: Natural pain killer, helpful in treating muscular aches and pains. Very relaxing, and can help with insomnia. Also very helpful in balancing hormones. It has hypotensive properties and can be used to treat high blood pressure.

Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia: Tea tree is a germicidal & antibacterial oil, good for treating all sorts of fungal infections including vaginal yeast infections, jock itch, athletes foot, and ringworm. Also helps to boost the immune system. It is very useful in treating respiratory infections like colds & flu.

Cinnamon, Cinnamomum zeylancium: Cinnamon, a stimulating & tonifying oil, is useful for strengthening and tonifying the circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems. The strong antiseptic properties of cinnamon make it good for treating colds & flu.

Roman Chamomile, Anthemus nobilis: Very relaxing, and can help with sleeplessness and anxiety. Also good for muscle aches and tension. Useful in treating wounds and infection.

Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis: Very stimulating and uplifting, good to help mental stimulation as well as to stimulate the immune system. Very good for muscle aches and tension. Stimulating to the digestive system. Rosemary is also used in the treatment of colds, flu & coughs. Its aphrodisiac properties make it very beneficial in the treatment frigidity.

Basil, Ocimum basilicum: It is relaxing and uplifting and is an ideal remedy for mental fatigue, headaches & insomnia. Helpful to women who have PMS problems.

Clove, Syzgium aromaticum: It is a powerful antiseptic and is very useful in treating infectious diseases and septic wounds & ulcers. Its anti-neuralgic properties make it very useful for soothing the pain of toothache or an abscess.

Chamomile, Matricaria recutica: Chamomile is soothing and calming oil and helps relieve insomnia, irritability and nervousness. Helps to balance hormones in women and is a good treatment of menstrual cramps. Its anti inflammatory and soothing properties make it very suitable for allergic skin conditions.

Sandalwood, Santalum album: Sandalwood is a calming and relaxing oil which helps calm anxiety, aids meditation and soothes the nervous system. Sandalwood is also very useful in the treatment of urinary tract infections like cystitis, gonorrhea & smelly discharges. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it very soothing for dry itching and inflamed skin.

Rosewood, Amba rosaeodora: Rosewood is a calming and uplifting oil, which helps aid concentration, relieve headaches and many stress related disorders. Its aphrodisiac properties make it very beneficial in the treatment frigidity. Rosewood is very helpful in treating hot, dry & inflamed skin conditions and is also used to treat scarring & wrinkles.

Neroli, Citrus aurantium: It aids relaxation, helps clear the mind and lifts the spirits. Neroli is extremely useful for treating dry, mature skin, wrinkles, & stretch marks and for rejuvenating the skin.

Grapefruit, Citrus paradise: The detoxifying effect of grapefruit on the body helps with lymphatic cleansing, reducing cellulite and is one of the main oils used in the treatment of obesity. It is also very beneficial for the respiratory system and helps in the treatment of colds, flu and fever. Grapefruit is very useful on oily skin, open pores and acne. It also helps to tone and tighten loose skin.

Cedarwood, Cedrus atlantica: It is helpful in the treatment of chronic conditions like arthritis, chronic diarrhoea, & cystitis. It is excellent in the treatment of nervous tension, chronic anxiety, depression & tiredness. Its combination of antiseptic & astringent properties makes it a good treatment for oily skin & hair, acne, dandruff & scalp infections.