MountAroma

Essentials

Essential Oils - C

    Cedarwood oil - "Atlas" from Cedrus atlantica. This oil is used mainly for the respiratory system. It is also is antiseptic, fungicidal and reduces oily secretions. It can be added to shampoos or facial washes. Inhaled it helps the respiratory system and is eliminated from the body through the lungs and urine. A drop of oil in 1/2 a cup of water is good as a sore throat gargle.

    Bronchitis and asthma sufferers can mix a small bottle of this oil mixed half/half with Eucalyptus and Chamomile (2oz. water + 10 drops Cedar + 10 drops Eucalyptus + 2 drops Chamomile), and breath in whenever needed. You can also put a little of this mixture on a piece of cotton and place it in your pillow case at night. You will wake up with less congestion or no congestion in the morning.

    There are different oils that are sold as Cedarwood oil. I bought some one time at a health food store. When I got home I noticed that it didn't smell the same as other Cedarwood oils I had used. I looked at the label and to my surprise it was Texas Cedarwood, which is steam-distilled from Juniperus mexicana.

    This oil is good for disinfectant and in perfumery. This taught me a lesson to make sure that what I am buying is what I want.

    Citrus oils, of which there are many. Not only is the oil gathered from the flowers, leaves, and bark of the citrus plants, but it is also expressed from the peel of the fruit. This is done by placing the peel in a press and squeezing it. You can do this easily when you eat an orange. Just take the peel and squeeze the outer layer. The oil you get is essential oil of Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit. Other Citrus oils are Naroli, Bergamot, Mandarin, Petitgrain, Tangerine

    Chamomile is a wonderful yellow daisy-like flower that is used for: Cosmetics, fragrance, herbal baths, and a very soothing tea. The root is used for toothache and the entire plant in herbal therapeutics. The whole plant is used from the roots to the flower. The essence is obtained by steam distillation of the flowers. Chamomile smells sweet, like fresh golden apples, ant this fruity scent has given it the mane of Manzanilla in Spanish-speaking countries.

    Externally, an infusion of the flower heads is used as a facial steam to cleanse the pores, and as a wash and poultice to reduce facial puffiness. The infusion and poultice can be used as a rinse for the hair. The lighter your hair is, the more golden will be the effect of the floral poultice on it. On dark hair a thick decoction of Chamomile flowers will supply bright highlights.

    The Egyptians had a great reverence for Chamomile and used it in massage oils to remove aches and pains. Sports-minded people will like using the flowers in a bath for relaxation and to ease aching muscles. This plant was one of the favored strewing herbs of the Middle Ages, to sweeten the air of a room create a relaxing atmosphere.

    Chamomile oil is produced in several countries: France, Morocco, Spain, Egypt and others. The distillate from the Anthemis nobilis, the Roman Chamomile, is golden yellow while the oil of Matricaria recutita or chamomilla, the German or Hungarian Chamomile, is a deep blue.

    Chamomile is much used in aromatherapy. It has a pronounced effect on the mind and nervous system. The scent is rejuvenative and especially helpful to those of a sensitive nature. Inhaling the hereby, aromatic, slightly bitter but always refreshing scent of the golden Chamomile blossoms will ease your depression, soothe your irritable nature, lull you into a restful sleep and calm you. Use the oil straight or use it in combinations to relax and soothe a busy household after a trying day. The oil of Chamomile is recommend for use in a diffuser, in a child's room, for the aesthetic, for the calm that will come, for sweet sleep.

    Using Chamomile oil - Use Roman Chamomile oil by inhalation; use German Chamomile oil by external application and massage. Both are anti-inflammatory and antiallergenic. When used by inhalation the oils are immunostimulant, calming and relaxing. Menstrual pains are soothed from any source. The oils ease headaches and insomnia and are used as a rub for arthritic joints. They are also antispasmodic. One of the 5 most important essential oils (Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Myrrh, and Rose).

    Chamomile is one of the more expensive oils. I have found the dried flower heads at health food stores. You can make a special massage oil by taking a jar filled with the flower heads and cover with an oil, such as sweet almond oil. After several weeks of steeping in a cool dark place, strain the oil in something like cheesecloth. You now have a wonderful massage oil to use for the above conditions. You can also use distilled water, in place of the oil, to make a floral water. I also use the Chamomile teas that are readily available at the grocery store. I have recommended the use of the tea with some of the people that I worked with that suffered with anxiety. After using the tea they said that they were a lot less anxious and were able to sleep better.

    Cinnamon oil: is steam- distilled from Cinnamomum zeylanicum. Both the bark and the leaf are distilled to create two products. The bark oil is more common. It has a distinct germicidal effect, even stronger than Clove oil. Cinnamon oil is very strong and usually not recommended for the aromatherapy beginner to use. Cinnamon bark oil is used as a stimulant for the circulation, and as an antiseptic. Cinnamon oil should only be used highly diluted. Inhaled it is used to make you sweat.

    Clove oil: the immature flower buds or Clove buds are water- or steam-distilled to produce the oil. Clove oil is antiseptic, stimulating, pain-killing, a carminative, parasiticide and sometimes aphrodisiac. It is generally applied externally, greatly diluted, as an application for rheumatism, arthritis, and for muscular aches and pains. It is inhaled to stimulate the mind, to overcome exhaustion, to stimulate memory, to stimulate the respiratory system and as a n antiseptic for various infectious diseases. However, it is considered strongly allergenic--- take care.

    Cypress oil - is steam-distilled from the needles, twigs and cones of Cupressus sempervirens. As with Cedarwood oil it is also good for the respiratory system. Cypress oil is also good for the circulatory system. It is warming and stimulating and uplifting. It can also be soothing and relaxing when inhaled just before bedtime. If you have oily hair or skin, as with Cedarwood oil mix a couple of drops in shampoo or facial washes. It is astringent and helps reduce overactive sweat and oil glands. Use a couple of drops in your bath water to sooth aching muscles, abdominal cramps or menstrual cramps. Cypress is good for smoothing transitions, such as the loss of friends and loved ones or the endings of relationships. Inhale the fragrance for strength and comfort.

Return to Essentials List

  1999-2002 MountAroma