Admirers of the patchouli bush say it is the most distinct herb in the botanical kingdom in terms of fragrance and aroma. One whiff of patchouli oil is forever embedded in the olfactory memory. The bush has an impressive list of long-distance relatives that include rosemary, lavender, and other aromatic plants that grow in the temperate regions. Patchouli likes the steamy jungles, while its cousins prefer the Northern Mediterranean.

Botanists in the Philippines were the first group to write about patchouli. That was in 1845, but the oil had been used for centuries. The bush flowers, but it does so reluctantly. The hairy stems distinguish it from Java patchouli, which has smooth stems and flowers.

The oil from Java patchouli has an inferior aroma, but it does show up as an essential oil, so it is important to recognize the difference, especially when the oil is being used to treat thyroid issues or to regenerate damaged cells. Herbs labeled Pogostemon cablin may actually be Pogostemon heyneanus, which is not as potent.

Asian cultures have been using patchouli oil as a moth repellent for centuries. The Europeans followed suit in the 19th century. The aroma of the oil gave oriental goods a mark of distinction back in those days, and the perfume industry started using it in the mid-1800s. Sneaky London merchants started to use the herb to scent domestic goods so they smelled like expensive imported merchandise.

Adulteration is less common with patchouli oil; it’s easy to cultivate and the yield is better than with many other essential oils. There is a temptation to dilute, and a strong cedarwood smell or a spicy clove scent may indicate that the oil has been tampered with, especially when demand outweighs the supply.

An aromatherapy oil blend of patchouli, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, rose, and vetiver can inspire clarity and a harmonious flow of energy that interacts with thyroid glands and balances hormone secretion. When patchouli oil is combined with clary sage, rose, lavender, neroli, and geranium the regenerative properties of the oil are triggered. Wounds heal faster, the immune system is reinforced, and damaged cells in the organs are brought back to normal or new cell growth occurs.

The intriguing properties of this thick, sticky, viscous and slow-to-volatize oil get better with age, so aromatherapy treatment can take place years after the oil is distilled. The benefits in terms of thyroid stimulation and skin regeneration will be as good as or better than they were when the oil was first prepared.

The Egyptians were big fans of cardamom oil. They used cardamom to whiten their teeth, and the oil was used in perfumes and for incense in religious ceremonies. When the Romans ate too much, they drank cardamom to aid digestion, and the Arabs mixed it in their coffee to enhance the aroma and flavor of the brew. The Chinese use cardamom for cooking, and cardamom and India have enjoyed a rich history because the Indians saw the export value in this incredible herb and the oil it produced.

India was the world’s number one producer of cardamom for centuries, but Guatemala took over as the number one exporter in the 1990s. Global output of cardamom vacillates between 30,000 and 35,000 tons per year when other countries like Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, and El Salvador are included in the total.

Cardamom is the second most expensive spice in the world. It’s right behind saffron, so there are many imitators in the spice market that masquerade as the real cardamom, which actually comes from the Elettaria cardamomum plant. There are two varieties of that plant in India: Malabar and Mysore. Mysore contains high levels of limonene and cineol so it is much more aromatic than the Malabar variety.

Cardamom oil is processed in India and sent to countries in Europe as well as other countries around the world. The essential oil of cardamom plays a key role in aromatherapy treatments, and in the preparation of medicines and food. The sweet and spicy aroma of this essential oil is the perfect massage or bath oil, and serves as a general tonic as well. It aids digestion, soothes the stomach, works as a laxative, and helps with nausea. The oil of cardamom is traditionally associated with sharp eyesight and sweet breath, and it also helps the circulatory system.

The aromatherapy qualities of cardamom oil are enhanced when it is combined with blood orange and bergamot oil, and rose, cinnamon bark, clove bud, caraway, and cedarwood oil are also excellent agents for blending purposes. The chemical properties of cardamom oil give it an almost balsamic fragrance, which is perfect for inhalers and steam aromatherapy treatments.

Over the years cardamom has earned the title “Grains of Paradise” because of its versatility, and its ability to help the body’s immune system function effectively. Cardamom oil is composed of calcium, iron, and resin abstract that help with inflammation, especially in the gums and mouth. Cardamom oil can be used effectively to control skin infections and acne. Some people use the oil as a sexual tonic because it relaxes muscles and the nervous system. Other people use it to help disintegrate kidney stones.

Hops is a household word in beer-drinking communities around the world. Beer commercials tout the benefits of aged hops, and the flavor that results from harvesting only the best female plants for brewing. Most of those commercials don’t dive into the male-female aspect of hops plants, but the truth is hops used in beer brewing and as oil is only harvested from female plants.

Hop oil has risen to the top of the list of aromatherapy oils that have the ability to deal with tuberculosis, cancer, cystitis, intestinal issues and menstrual cramping. Hop oil is harvested from the dried flower cones of the plant.

The cones have resin glands coated with a permeable membrane. Inside the glands are molecules, which include hop resin, composed of 250 chemical compounds, many of which are antioxidants. Maintaining the integrity of the hops lupulin glands is essential in order to produce quality oil that contains all the compounds necessary for beneficial medicinal results.

Nervous conditions, sleeping disorders, and digestive issues are treated using hop oil either in baths or by inhalation, but the oil can be administered using other aromatherapy methods as well. Hop oil mimics valerian root oil, and so it is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness. Hop oil is especially effective in treating these conditions when it is combined with valerian oil.

The chemical component dimethylvinyl carbinol, found in hop oil, plays an important role in relaxing the nervous system. Women find great value in hop oil when menstrual cramping becomes a monumental mountain of discomfort that hinders daily life, and men also find relief from stomach cramps and insomnia through using hop oil.

Specific polyphenols, such as daidzein and genistein were recently detected in hop oil, but in extremely low concentrations. These polyphenols are also present in soya oil. They are phytoestrogens, which imitate the activity of the natural female hormone, oestradiol.  Hop oil is one oil that may support estrogen levels during menopause and reduce uncomfortable hot flashes and other symptoms. Phytoestrogens may also offer protection against specific hormone-sensitive cancers. That’s another reason why hop oil is being recognized as a very important essential oil.

Ghent Laboratories is conducting more studies on hops and hop oil. These ongoing studies confirm slight estrogen activity, but different hop varieties display different estrogen effects. This important research is revealing more pertinent facts about hop oil and its effectiveness in regards to cancer growth. The studies do indicate that hop oil is one of the richest natural sources of estrogen. That is exciting news for men and women who are searching for natural cancer protection within the realm of essential oils.

The 15th-century alchemist and physician Paracelsus called melissa “The Elixir of Life”, and it was commonly used by both the Greeks and the Romans. The Arabs used it as a special remedy because it had the ability to revive the spirit as well as the body. The ancients were well aware that wellness is rooted in both the mind and the body, something modern-day pharmaceutical remedies often overlook.

The Greeks named the melissa plant after the honey bee, since most of the plants back in those days had a beehive nearby. The Europeans used it as an insect repellent and for insect bites, and the French loved using it in soaps and perfumes. In modern times, Melissa oil has gained a noble reputation in aromatherapy, and it has been the subject of several studies on insomnia and anxiety. Studies on lemon balm extract are confirming the fact that it can relieve both troubling experiences, and produce greater feelings of alertness and calm – in other words, it revives the spirit.

Melissa oil mixes well with lavender, orange, lemon, and geranium oil, and it has demonstrated the ability to reduce the effects of Herpes Simplex outbreaks when it is blended with these oils, a few drops of tea tree oil, and almond oil. A doctor at the Technical University of Munich reported that only one drop of melissa oil on a lesion promotes remission. A drop a few times a day on the area will speed healing and prevent further outbreaks as well, especially in combination with ravensara oil.

And the redeeming qualities of the chemical constituents of melissa oil don’t stop there. The oil is used in aromatherapy to treat anorexia, car sickness, and to balance female hormones. The oil is also used for all sorts of allergies as well as digestive, respiratory and nervous system troubles. It has been known to calm down heart palpitations, and it has an antispasmodic effect on the cardiac system. The complexity and power as well as gentleness of this ancient oil demonstrate how the medicines of nature can be much more effective than synthesized medications, thanks to the fact that the vibrancy of the plant remains present.

People that use melissa oil say that it assists them in experiencing a part of the self that has great sense and sensitivity. The essential oil clears negative thoughts and eases the sorrows that can disrupt normal heart functions. The imagination is stimulated, and there’s an uplifting rather than melancholy remembrance of past experiences, which fuels positive energy into cells and organs, allowing the body to respond positively and to heal itself.

Grapefruit is a youngster in the fruit world. There’s no mention of grapefruit in Roman or Greek texts, and the Chinese make no reference to the fruit either. It’s still a mystery how, when, and why a sweet orange tree and a pomelo tree were married to produce the grapefruit tree, but records indicated that the plant originated in Jamaica sometime after Columbus arrived in 1492. There are others who believe that grapefruit came from the islands of Southeast Asia where the pomelo tree is an indigenous species.

The origin of this amazing fruit is not as important as the benefits it provides to humans. The grapefruit is a refreshing and satisfying breakfast fruit as well as an enjoyable snack, which can be eaten at any time without counting calories. The oil from grapefruit has earned a reputation as an appetite suppressant when it’s mixed with a little water and put on the tongue or inhaled. Grapefruit oil is a fat dissolver that reduces cellulite that can settle in the thighs, buttocks, stomach, and arms.

Essential oils also help the digestive process, and grapefruit oil assists the kidneys and the liver so that they function normally. It can even be used in drug withdrawal programs, and it plays a role in keeping the lymphatic and vascular systems healthy. The fragrance of the oil elevates the senses, so it is also used as an antidepressant. Travelers use it for jet lag, and migraine headache sufferers get relief when they use it in aromatherapy.

The therapeutic qualities of grapefruit oil come from the d-limonene, which is not found in any other citrus fruit. There’s also a sulfur compound called 1-p-menthen-8-thiol in the oil that gives it that distinct aroma and flavor. This compound only comprises one part per billion in the oil, but the body and senses detect it and make use of it therapeutically.

Grapefruit and essential grapefruit oil have been touted in weight-loss marketing campaigns for the last forty years, so the fact that the oil is a powerful cellulite crusher is no surprise to people who are plagued with weight issues due to genetics or overeating. Toxin build-up and fluid retention create cellulite in fat cells. When toxins are not flushed from the body they accumulate in cells. Grapefruit oil reduces fluid retention and helps the body flush out the free radicals that create cellulite.

When grapefruit is used as an aromatherapy oil it impacts the lymphatic system, and its diuretic properties remove excess fluid. The body’s immune system responds, and the digestive system turns food into energy, which is burned as calories rather than being stored as fat.

The anise seed has been an important part of the Mediterranean diet for centuries. The Egyptians and the Greeks used anise as a spice and as a medicine long before the Spanish, and the Chinese were aware of the antiseptic, antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, and stimulating qualities of anise oil longer than any culture that we know of (although Chinese anise oil comes from a different species of plant).

Most of the European information about the essential oil of anise comes from Turkey, Greece, and Italy. Pliny, the Roman author and naturalist, wrote about the stimulating properties of anise seeds in the first century. An early-morning brew was made for anise seeds and it was used as an eye-opener and pick-me-up. The concoction was a hit in early Roman society.

For centuries anise has been blended with lavender, ginger, pepper, orange, pine, and rose, and a variety of drinks and medicines have been used over the years to cure coughs, cramps, nausea, insect bites, headaches, and indigestion.

Star anise oil from China is a completely different product from Anise seed oil. Star anise oil crystallizes at cool temperatures thanks to the anethole content in the oil. Star anise oil is harvested from the fruit of the Illicium verum plant that grows in Southeastern Asia. This essential oil is also used to treat coughs, and it is a popular perfume agent.

Anise seed oil is affectionately called the fisherman’s friend because early cultures believed it had the ability to remove human scent. That quality has been a topic of conversation for centuries. Old fishermen covered their bodies in this essential oil to catch more fish. This practice is still an important part of fishing in some parts of the world.

The most effective use of anise seed oil is to relieve stomach cramps, gas, and other digestive issues, as it is a powerful digestive. This essential oil also has very strong estrogen-mimicking properties, so it is used to increase milk production in nursing mothers. Anise seed essential oil is important in aromatherapy treatments for bronchitis and asthma, plus it’s a stomach soother and digestion stimulator. These qualities keep anise oil popular in this modern pharmaceutical-driven society.

The antispasmodic properties as well as the sweet licorice aroma of this ancient remedy make it one of the most well-known essential oils in the world. Fennel oil resembles anise oil in aroma and uses, but anise seed oil is usually the first essential oil that comes to mind when one has a stomach ache (or when one is looking to hide from fish).

Ayurvedic medicine is a very ancient form of Indian healing which is truly impressive in its complexity and scope. Western medicine has taken a large portion of the knowledge found in this Indian wisdom, and applied it to the development of medicines and techniques that can relieve illnesses that destroy quality of life for millions of people around the world. For example, new Western studies show that sandalwood oil, especially the chemical compound a-santalol, has a dramatic impact on systolic blood pressure, skin conductance, and pulse rate.

The Chinese have used sandalwood oil for over 5,000 years. The calming effect and mental clarity that this oil offers have been written about in India and China for as long as people have sought liberation through the practice of meditation. The aroma of sandalwood oil increases focus and devotion, and when it is combined with other essential oils, it makes it easier to suppress sexual desire and maintain celibacy. This property was valued by 15th and 16th-century monks, who always made sure to keep a stock of the plant in the medicine chest.

Sandalwood oil comes from the Sandal tree, which grows in the forests of Karnataka, as well as Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. It is also native to the Timor Islands of Indonesia. Cultures in this part of the world have known about the therapeutic properties of sandalwood ever since humans were drawing on cave walls.

Sandalwood oil develops in the roots and in the hardwood of the tree, so 20 to 30-year-old trees are uprooted in the rainy season to harvest the oil. Most experts say the best sandalwood essential oil comes from Tamil Nadu and Mysore in India because sandalwood plantations there are controlled and regulated by the state government.

The powdered wood of the Sandal tree may be co-distilled with other oils such as rose and vetiver to create traditional attars that have been used as perfume for centuries. While the distilled Sandalwood oil blends well with anything, it is particularly lovely with heavy, rich, earthy or woody oils such as patchouli, cedarwood, frankincense, and labdanum. When the oil is blended with ylang-ylang it is renowned for its aphrodisiac properties.

The sweet, woody, and rosenacious aroma of sandalwood oil has restoring, relaxing, disinfecting, astringent, soothing, and calming qualities. The antidepressant, astringent, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, sedative, tonic and stimulant properties of the oil make it a great a urinary and pulmonary treatment, as well as a skin cancer preventative.

A study in the 2008 issue of Anti-Cancer Research explains how sandalwood oil can prevent skin cancers caused by toxic chemical exposure and UV radiation. Sandalwood oil is also used to improve sleep in aromatherapy sessions. The oil is added to several skin lotion formulas to hydrate dry skin. The aromatherapy oil is high in compounds called sesquiterpenes, which interact with the limbic region of the brain and the pineal gland. The pineal gland is the center where emotions formulate, and where the spirit meets the brain. Sandalwood oil therapy produces a refreshing as well as clear state of mind. It helps connect the non-physical consciousness with the physical consciousness.

This essential oil has been instilling a sense of inner unity in humankind for centuries. Nowadays, people from all over the world are turning to sandalwood to focus better in this reality as well as to open doors to other realities.

Limes are native to Asia, but many warm countries around the world grow limes in modern times. For example, Italy has been harvesting limes for hundreds of years, and the lime tree is even a part of Greek myth! Lime trees usually grow next to oak trees, so when the Greek gods transformed Philemon into an oak tree and Baucis into a lime tree (tilia tree) so they could live side-by-side for eternity, the lime was immortalized in Greek mythology.

India is the lime’s original home, and the trees were first introduced to Europe by the Moors in the 16th century. To the Celts, the lime tree was a symbol of justice and fairness, and they were planted by royal decree along roadsides so that the lime harvest would be plentiful. That’s when the medicinal properties of the lime were first discovered in Western civilization, but in India lime essential oil had long been known as an important wellness remedy, especially for times when emotions drained the body of energy. Later, it was discovered that oil from both lemons and limes played an important role in controlling scurvy outbreaks, so the Spanish brought the trees to the Americas on their voyages to this new world.

The tangy and sweet-scented lime oil is known for its ability to interact with the nervous system. The main constituents in lime oil are limonene, myrcene, linalool, a-pinene, b-pinene, terpinolene, fenchone, 1,8-cineole, citral, borneol, and traces of geranyl acetate and neral acetate, which means the therapeutic properties are astringent, bactericidal, antiviral, febrifuge, aperitif, haemostatic, disinfectant, and restorative. Lime oil is filled with antioxidants that attack free radicals, which can create a variety of health issues.

Lime oil can help ease the pain of toothaches, and it strengthens the gums and teeth. It can help treat colon, urinary, and kidney infections. Lime essential oil protects the body from the viral infections that cause measles, chicken pox, mumps, and the common cold. It activates the secretion of digestive juices, so it is an aperitif or appetizer.

A lime oil massage or bath will relieve joint and muscle pain, and will interact with cellulite so that cells can regenerate. And the antidepressant properties of lime oil make it a wonderful oil to inhale, especially if stress and daily challenges have an impact on the nervous system. The aromatherapy vapor will stimulate the immune system and energize the thought process. This combination of effects brings a new sense of being into focus. Parents often give children lime oil if they are experiencing difficult social situations that drain their energy. The oil is gentle enough for use with children, and kids love the sweet, soft citrus scent, too!

The Greeks fell in love with marjoram oil when Zeus was just a child. That’s a simple way of saying that the oil has been used for aeons in Greek society as an ingredient in perfume as well as for medicinal purposes.

When the English finally discovered the benefits of marjoram they used it to dissolve germs, and they put marjoram leaves in their bath water to soften the skin. If insomnia, headaches, and nausea were plaguing normal activities, the English would use the oil to alleviate those symptoms. During the 16th century, marjoram was thrown on the floors of buildings to hide unpleasant smells, and newlyweds were given marjoram oil as a gift to promote good fortune in the marriage.

Marjoram has a high mineral content, making it very valuable in treating a number of conditions. This essential oil blends well with lavender, cypress, rosemary, atlas, and cedarwood. The oil can detoxify the blood as well as increase circulation. It helps the body remove the free radicals that create unhealthy toxins in the organs, and it promotes efficient heart functions, especially when high blood pressure is an issue.

Marjoram oil increases oxygen flow and acts as a decongestant that clears the chest of excess mucus and reduces the discomfort of asthma, sinusitis, and bronchitis. It also can relieve sinus headaches and disabling migraines.

The oil contains essential constituents that reduce the amount of time it takes to recover from an illness or injury. The main chemical compounds are: terpinolene, linalool sabinene, a-terpinene, y-terpinene, p-cymene, linalyl acetate, cis-sabinene hydrate, y-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol.

Most essential oils can be combined with other oils to produce a variety of different properties that enhance wellness. Marjoram oil contains anaphrodisiac, anti-spasmodic, antiviral, analgesic, carminative antiseptic, bactericidal, cephalic, cordial, diaphoretic, fungicidal, digestive, emmenagogue, diuretic, expectorant, hypotensive, laxative, sedative, stomachic, nervine, vulnerary and vasodilator properties on its own, but when it is combined with bergamot, chamomile, tea tree, eucalyptus, cedarwood, and cypress those properties are dramatically enhanced.

In inhalation aromatherapy, marjoram oil helps relieve tension, physical exhaustion, headaches, poor circulation, and asthma. When the oil is used in a bath or as a massage oil, back pain, coughs, colds, heartburn, painful periods, and rheumatism symptoms may be eased. The general relaxing qualities of marjoram oil make it a great pain reliever during a woman’s moon time, as well. Marjoram oil is valuable for so many applications, that it makes a natural addition to any medicine cabinet or home apothecary.

The Egyptians fell in love with the spikenard plant thousands of years ago. The oil from the plant was used to anoint powerful individuals because of its reputation as a powerful healer. The oil was also known for its spiritual properties, as well as for its ability to relax the mind and allow for a higher level of awareness.

The Hebrew use of spikenard oil is well documented in the Bible.  Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with pure nard, which is another name for the oil. Nardin and muskroot oil were other names used to describe the oil. Nard oil had a variety of uses back then. It was a sedative, it was used in incense, and it was said to purify the spirit and the soul. The Greeks called it naardus after the Syrian city of Naarda, and the Indians used it in Ayurvedic healing.

The powder of spikenard is mentioned in Islamic texts as the fruit that Adam ate, and the Europeans found it a delightful ingredient, which they used to add a touch of spice to a drink called Hypocras, which is a sweet and spicy wine. The 17th-century European beer called Stingo had spikenard in the ingredients, as well. In Tibet, spikenard is still used in ceremonial incense.

One of the main benefits of using spikenard essential oil as an aromatherapy oil these days is to improve circulation. The circulatory system is the main transportation system in the body. Spikenard helps clear the impurities that enter the bloodstream from food and the environment. Another important benefit of using spikenard oil is to nourish, soothe, and regenerate the skin. When spikenard is massaged into the solar plexus and over the heart, the warm and earthly aroma relaxes the body and the mind, and a change of focus often occurs.

The oil instills a profound sense of peace, and releases the deepest form of anxiety when it is inhaled. Spikenard blends well with pine, lavender, lemon, vetiver, clary sage, neroli, and patchouli oil. The chemical components in this amazing oil are valeranone, tetramenthyloxatricyclodecanol, bornyl acetate, 1,8-cineol, jonon, and menthylthymyl-ether.

The rejuvenating qualities of spikenard oil on mature skin are legendary, and the healing properties of the chemicals within the oil can make skin rashes disappear, especially when the oil is mixed with olive oil.

Spikenard oil is a modern marvel when it comes to regulating the heart and cleaning the circulatory system. It’s an old remedy that holds a mixture of spirituality and physical health benefits in every drop.