Types of Essential Oils

There is a wide variety of essential oils available. Below are some of the more frequently used essential oils for treating the more common ailments that may cause us mental or physical discomfort. Most of these plants are already in your gardens. A large amount of plant matter is needed to obtain a significant amount of essential oil. However hydrosols are a safe and effective solution for home use and easily made from the smaller alembics. The most suitable stills are the Long column or Rotating Column. All the plants below can be steam distilled in either of these.

	Basil (Ocimum Basilicum L.) Steam distilled Harvest just before flowering for best results	- Insect repellent. - Antiseptic for respiratory tract (bronchitis, asthma, respiratory allergies). - Calmative (insomnia, nervousness, anxiety). - Vasodilator and circulation stimulant.
	Camomile (Anthemis Nobilis C.) Steam distilled Harvest flowers late morning.	- Pain relief for headaches and menstrual pains. - Calmative (anxiety, stress, hypertension). - Skin healing (dermatitis, wounds, haemorrhoids, burns, dry skin). - Antipyretic. - Appetite stimulant. - Digestive. - Analgesic for rheumatic pains (gout, arthritis, rheumatism).
	Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana C.) Steam distilled from the wood shavings.	- Antiseptic for respiratory tract (bronchitis, coughing) and expectorant. - Antiseptic for urinary tract. - Antiseptic for skin problems (acne, oily skin, cutaneous eruptions, eczemas) and scalp (dandruff, greasy hair, hair loss). - Insect repellent. - Anti-cellulite.
	Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea) Steam distilled from flowering tops and leaves.	- Calmative (tiredness, depression, stress, tension). - Antiseptic for cutaneous inflammations. - Analgesic for headaches, migraines and menstrual pains. - Reinvigorating for scalp (dandruff, oily hair).
	Cypress (Cupressus Sempervirens P.) Steam distilled from the fresh leaves and cones.	- Bronchial antiseptic and antispasmodic (asthma, flu, colds, coughing). - Vasodilator (varicose veins, feet and tired legs). - Antiseptic for skin problems (mature and oily skin). - Anti-cellulite. - Excellent for regulating the flow of bodily fluids (haemorrhaging, diarrhoea, menstrual flux).
	Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus M.) Either a simple distillation or steam distillation of both together. From the leaves.	- Antiseptic for respiratory tract (asthma, bronchitis, flu, colds, sinusitis, coughing). - Antipyretic. - Analgesic for rheumatic (arthritis, gout, rheumatism) and muscular pains. - Skin healing (wounds, herpes, burns) and scalp. - Insect repellent.
	Fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare M.) Steam distilled from the crushed seeds.	- Analgesic for menstrual pains. - Antiseptic for skin problems (oily skin and cellulite). - Antiseptic for urinary tract (cystitis, kidney stones). - Digestive (intestinal colic, flatulence, indigestion). - Diuretic. - Antispasmodic. - Reinvigorating (tiredness, physical exertion).
	Rose Geranium (Pelargonium Graveolens G.) Steam distilled from the flowers and leaves.	- Insect repellent. - Anti-cellulite. - Skin healing (acne, wounds, herpes, eczemas, burns), scalp and mouth (mouth ulcers, abscesses, gingivitis). - Antiseptic for urinary tract. - Antidepressant and calmative (fatigue, stress). - Analgesic for menstrual and rheumatic pains.
	Ginger (Zengiber Officinalis) Steamed distilled from the macerated root.	- Vasodilator and circulation stimulating. - Antipyretic. - Anticough. - Expectorant. - Digestive
	Juniper (Juniperus Communis) Steam distilled from the berries.	- Antiseptic and healing for skin problems (acne, eczemas, oily skin). - Digestive (colic, bad digestion, flatulence). - Anti-septic for respiratory problems. - Analgesic for menstrual pains. - Antidepressant and calmative (stress, insomnia, anxiety). - Antipyretic.
	Kanuka (Kunzea ericoides) Steam distilled from the flowering spikes	- Foot care, used in preparations to counteract body and foot odour. - Antiseptic. - Antibacterial. - Relieves swelling. - Soothing on bites and sun burn.
	Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia L.) Steam distilled from the flowers	- Antiseptic for skin problems, gastro intestinal tract, urinary tract and ear infection. - Antidepressant. - Calmative (insomnia, anxiety). - Pain relief for headaches and rheumatism (arthritis, gout, rheumatism). - Skin healing (acne, burns, eczemas), mouth and scalp.
	Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis) Steam distilled from the leaves and flowering tops	- Calmative and tonic (depression, melancholy, insomnia, anxiety). - Antiseptic for skin and scalp. - Antihistamine (allergies, asthma, respiratory problems).
	Lemon Verbena (Lippia Citriodora V.) Steam distilled from the leaves and flowering tops	- Reinvigorating and calmative (anxiety, stress, insomnia, restlessness, irritability). - Digestive. - Stomachic.
	Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus) Steam distilled from the leaves	- Analgesic for muscular pains and inflammations. - Reinvigorating (anxiety, depression). - Insect and moths repellent. - Stimulating for the augmentation of mother’s milk. - Vasodilator (varicose veins, tired legs). - Antipyretic.
	Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) Steam distilled from the leaves and flowering tops	- Antiseptic wash for wounds and ulcers. - Treatment for acne. - Relieves swelling and itching. - Soothes athletes foot and ringworm due to its antifungal action.
	Marjoram (Origanum Majorama) Steam distilled from the leaves and flowering tops	- Expectorant and antiseptic for the respiratory tract (asthma, bronchitis, coughing, colds). - Laxative. - Vasodilator. - Sedative e calmative (anxiety, stress, insomnia). - Analgesic for rheumatic pains, muscular pains and migraines.
	Milfoil (Alchillea Millefolium) Steam distilled from the leaves and flowering tops	- Stimulating and reinvigorating (fatigue, stress, blood pressure). - Skin healing (acne, irritated skin, damaged skin, oily skin, cutaneous eruptions). - Digestive. - Analgesic for rheumatic pains, muscular pains and headaches. - Regulates menstrual cycle. - Vasodilator (varicose veins, hypertension).
	Myrtle (Myrtus Communis L.) Steam distilled from the leaves and twigs	- Calmative (insomnia, tiredness). - Antiseptic and skin healing (oily skin, acne, psoriasis, herpes). - Antiseptic for urinary tract. - Antiseptic for lungs and expectorant (dry coughing, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis).
	Neroli (Citrus Aurantium Bigaradia) Steam distilled from the flowers	- Antiseptic and regenerative for skin (dry skin, sensitive skin, mature skin, acne, stretch marks). - Calmative (insomnia, depression, anxiety, stress, palpitations).
	Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) Steam distilled from the leaves and flowering tops	- Analgesic for muscular pains, back pains, headaches, migraines and menstrual pains. - Tonic and vasodilator (tired legs, varicose veins). - Antiseptic for skin problems. - Antiseptic for respiratory tract (coughing, bronchitis).
	Rose (Rosa Damascena) Steam distilled from the petals	- Antidepressant. - Calmative (stress, insomnia, hypertension). - Tonic for dry, sensitive and mature skin. - Regulates menstrual cycle. - Analgesic for headaches and menstrual pains. - Antispasmodic. - Diuretic. - Digestive (stomach ulcers, acidity).
	Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis L.) Steam distilled from the leaves and flowering tops	- Stimulating and reinvigorating (fatigue, hypotension, stress, and mental concentration). - Antiseptic for respiratory and intestinal tract. - Analgesic for rheumatic (arthritis, gout, rheumatism) and muscular pains. - Vasodilator (varicose veins, feet and tired legs). - Excellent for mosquito bites, bee and wasp stings.
	Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) Steam distilled from the leaves and flowering tops	- Antiseptic for skin (acne, chilblains, herpes). - Antiseptic for respiratory tract (bronchitis, sinusitis, coughing, asthma). - Skin healing (herpes, chickenpox, burns). - Antiseptic for urinary tract. - Oral antiseptic oral (aphtas, abscess, toothache).