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Here are typical claims for some of the more common essential oils:Lavender: Heals burns and cuts, destroys bacteria, relieves depression, inflammation, spasms, headaches, respiratory allergies, muscle aches, nausea, menstrual cramps, soothes bug bites, lowers blood pressure.
Peppermint: Alleviates digestive problems, cleans wounds, decongests the chest, relieves headache, neuralgia, and muscle pain. useful for motion sickness.
Eucalyptus: Lowers fever, clears sinuses, has antibacterial and antiviral properties, relieves coughs, useful for boils and pimples.
Tea Tree: Fights fungal, yeast, and bacterial infections, useful for skin conditions such as acne, insect bites, and burns, helps clear vaginitis, bladder infections, and thrush.
Rosemary: Relieves pain, increases circulation, decongests the chest, relieves pain, indigestion, gas, and liver problems, lessens swelling, fights infection, helps alleviate depression.
Chamomile: Reduces swelling, treats allergic symptoms, relieves stress, insomnia, and depression, useful in treating digestive problems.
Thyme: Lessens laryngitis and coughs, fights bladder and skin infections, relieves digestive problems and pain in the joints.
Tarragon: Stimulates digestion, calms neural and digestive tracts, relieves menstrual symptoms and stress.
Everlasting: Heals scars, reduces swelling after injuries, relieves sunburn, fights infections such as bronchitis and flu, treats pain from arthritis, muscle injuries, sprains and strains, tendonitis.
Caution: Many essential oils can trigger bronchial spasms. If you have asthma, do not use any form of Aromatherapy without first consulting your doctor. If you have any skin allergies, do not use essential oils in your bath. To check whether you are allergic to an oil, place one drop on the inside of your elbow and wait 24 hours to see if it produces a reaction. As with any medication, it’s best to avoid aroma therapy during pregnancy. Be especially wary of sage, rosemary, and juniper oils. These herbs have been known to cause uterine contractions when taken in excessive amounts. Infants and young children are especially sensitive to potent essential oils. Keep the oils away from their faces. Do not use peppermint oil on children under the age of 30 months.
Side effects: Because essential oils are highly concentrated, taking them internally can easily lead to a toxic overdose. Do not ingest even the tiniest amount without your doctor’s approval. Except for lavender, do not use any highly concentrated, undiluted oils on your skin. Be careful to keep the oils away from your eyes. Close your eyes while inhaling aromatic vapors. Many essential oils will cause skin irritation if used too frequently. They can also increase your sensitivity to sunlight, making it easier to burn. Excessive inhalation of fragrant vapors can cause headache and fatigue. Remember, too, that certain oils, such as peppermint, can cause insomnia rather than relieving it.
If you do choose to pursue Aromatherapy, it is advisable to do so under the guidance of an expert. If the treatments seem to help, they generally can be continued as long as needed. However, if you develop an allergy to any of the products you are using, stop treatment immediately and seek another form of therapy. Continued symptoms, or the development of new ones, are a signal to check with your doctor. Many seemingly minor symptoms can be evidence of a serious underlying problem. You owe it to yourself to get a professional diagnosis whenever your condition changes for the worse.
