Many of the herbs used in Aromatherapy are listed alphabetically below. Please select the first letter of the herb you are seeking:

A

ANISE: This licorice like plant has small white flowers which have a calming effect and help to promote a restfull sleep. It is known to lessen pain and improve digestion while its vapors help breathing.

ALMOND: The almond tree is primarily cultivated in California, southern Europe and the Mediterranean. The oil from the nut is used as an emollient but it also has sedative properties and is sometimes used in cough remedies. Almond butter makes a rich protein substitute.

ALOE: This strong fibrous root produces a rosette of fleshy basal leaves with larger leaves at the base which are spiny. The taste is nauseating which makes it a purgative but it also has a constipative reaction. The fresh leaves can be split and the juice used for sunburn and other minor burns, wrinkles, insect bites, skin irritations, minor cuts and scratches. The fresh juice draws out infections while the tea makes a good wash for wounds and eyes.

B

BAY: This tropical evergreen from West India has clusters of white or pink flowers that develop into black or purple berries. It is used to sharpen the sences, improve mental clarity and relax tight muscles while the vapors help breathing. It is also used as a disinfectant and repels insects but may sometimes may irritate the skin.

BERGAMOT: This evergreen citrus bears a green or yellow fruit and is used in many products because of its multiple effects. It is calming, relieves anxiety, nervous tension and stress while balancing the nervous system. Refreshing, though calming, it also promotes a restfull sleep.

BILBERRY: The leaf is often used for diarrhea while the berries are used for many things including typhoid fever. Fresh juice makes a good mouthwash and the teas are known to be used for coughs, vomiting and stomach cramps. The berries mixed with apple powder are known to have a positive effect on eyesight.

C

CELERY: This common plant with its white flowers helps the reduction of cellulite deposits while purifying and cleansing the tissues. It has a cooling effect and also promotes a restfull sleep.

CHAMMOMILE: This smallish plant with its apple scented daisy like flowers is often used as a tea to improve digestion. It reduces stress, tension and promotes a restfull sleep but, in addition, it reduces inflammation and is healing to the skin.

CINNAMON LEAF: This very large plant with its leatherly leaves and white flowers, which develop into light blue berries, is used as a disinfectant, as well as to purify the body and repel insects. In addition, it lessens pain, relaxes tight muscles, helps to relieve mental fatigue and improves digestion.

CITRUS: Citrus essential oils are uplifting and awakening. They are also mildly astringent which helps to tone and tighten the skin. These oils have been known to calm nerves and diminish depression. Citrus oils evoke feelings of happiness and bliss while helping to restore self confidence.

CLOVE: The clove evergreen has bright pink buds that develope first into yellow flowers and then into purple berries. It is sometimes used as an aphrodisiac. It's also effective in relieving mental fatigue, improving memory and relieving pain. Its warming effects inprove digestion and the vapors help breathing.

CORIANDER: This musky scented plant has small white flowers that turn into seeds. Both the flowers and the seeds are used along with the plant itself. Coriander is also commonly known as cilalntro or Chinese parsley. The oil is energizing, helps relieve mental fatigue and improves digestion.

CUMIN: Widley known for its strong spicy fragrance and taste, it also has a warming effect which improves digestion, helps in the reduction of cellulite deposits while purifying the system. It is calming and helpful for meditation, reducing stress and helping mental fatigue.

D

DOGWOOD: Dogwood is native to America. It is used as an astringent, stimulant, tonic and tincture. In making preparations only dried dogwood is used.

E

ECHINACEA: Echinacea is one of the "blood-purifying" plants used for conditions such as eczema, acne and boils. It also promotes proper digestion and fever. By itself or combined with goldenseal, it is often used to ward off colds and flu and to diminish the effects if taken after the fact.

ELM: The bark of young branches can be used as a decoction or tincture for herpes, itches and other skin problems. Soaking the bark and bruised leaves in vinegar also makes a useful wash for the skin.

ERGOT: Medicinal preparations made from ergot are useful in contracting the uterine muscles, particularly after delivery to prevent hemorrhage and have been used in menstrual difficulties. Ergotamine tartrate helps to relieve migraine and cluster headaches by constricting the swollen blood vessels causing the pain.

EVENING PRIMROSE: Evening primrose is often used as a soothing remedy for coughs associated with colds. It has also been used for mental depression and its ointment for rashes and other skin irritations. The entire plant is edible.

F

FIR NEEDLES: This pine like evergreen has needle like leaves that calm, encourage communication and improve mental clarity. Its vapors halp breathing, lessen pain and help in the reduction of cellulite.

FRANKINCENSE: This woody and camphor like tree has white flowers and has been reveared since before the birth of Jesus. Its calming effect promotes a restfull sleep, helps to bring out feelings and is very helpful during meditation. It is also used to reduce inflammation and aids in reducing wrinkles and healing the skin.

FEVERFEW: Once in popular us it is now difficult to find so it is not used as much. An infusion of feverfew is wonderful for colic, flatulence, indigestion, colds and alcoholic d.t.s. As a cold extract it has a tonic effect.

G

GINGER: Its scent is spicy and stimulating while it helps to relieve mental fatigue, improves mental clarity and memory. It can relax tight muscles and will relieve travel dizziness and nausea.

GRAPEFRUIT: Another of the evergreen family its white fragrant flowers develop into fruit. The oil sharpens the senses, is refreshing and energizing improving mental clarity, alertness and memory.

GOLDENSEAL: Goldenseal has been a popular remedy for both internal and external use. It acts particularly on the mucous membranes and can be used for catarrhal conditions. The infusion makes a good vaginal douche and antiseptic mouthwash. Snuffing the powder, up the nostrils, is good for nasal congestion. It is often mixed with echinacea and is often used to ward off colds and flu or to diminish the effects if taken after the fact.

H

HEATHER: Some people find heather useful for insomnia and it has also been recommended for gouty and rheumatic pains, stomachache, coughs and facial skin problems. Heather contains compounds that constrict the blood vessels, strengthens the heart and moderately raises blood pressure.

HOLLY: Although little is used today, mountain holly has been used in the past for gout, stones and urinary problems. It was also used for chronic bronchitis, rheumatism and arthritis. CAUTION: The berries are mildly poisonous and are dangerous for small children.

HOREHOUND: Horehound is, above all, a remedy for coughing and bronchial problems. As an expectorant, it can be taken as a tea or syrup for acute bronchitis, coughs and hoarseness. It has also been given for typhoid fever and is said to restore the normal balance of secretions by various organs and glands. It has even been known to calm the heart.

HORSERADISH: It is used as a diuretic, rubefacient, stomachic. Fresh horseradish is useful for gouty and rheumatic problems and also for bladder infections. It is also used for colitis and intestinal problems due to putrefaction. Lung problems, coughs and asthma are helped when it is combined with sugar or honey. It can be used externally and is sometimes to stimulate the blood flow.

I

INDIAN PIPE: Indian pipe is often used as an antispasmodic, nervine, sedative and tonic. The root makes a good remedy for spasms, fainting spells and various nervous conditions. Mixed with fennel seed it makes a good eyewash and vaginal douche.

INDIAN TURNIP: Indian turnip was used during the nineteenth century for asthma, rheumatism and whooping cough. Among the American Pawnee Indians, the powdered root was used to cure headaches and the Hopis Indians drank it in water to induce temporary or permanent sterility.

IRISH MOSS: Irish moss is considered an excellent remedy for tuberculosis, coughs and bronchitis. It is also used for intestinal problems and is a very nourishing food for those recovering from tuberculosis and other illnesses.

J

JALAP: Jalap is used as a purgative for complete and rapid emptying of the bowels. It should not be used when intestinal irritation is present.

JASMINE: Jasmine flowers have been known to calm the nerves but the scent arouses erotic interests. A few drops of jasmine oil massaged on the body with some almond oil may help overcome frigidity. In India, the leaves are used for eye problems.

JIMSON WEED: This is a very dangerous plant in inexperienced hands and an overdose is likely to be fatal. A tincture is sometimes given for spasmodic coughing, chronic laryngitis and asthma. The leaves have been made into cigarettes for smokers with asthma and other respiratory problems.

K

KIDNEY VETCH: Kidney vetch can be used to wash wounds, which are then covered with a poultice which is renewed every hour. The tea is often given to children as a mild purgative and sometimes helps allay vomiting in children.

KNOTWEED: Knotgrass is recommended for diarrhea, dysentery and enteritis. It is also good for bronchitis, jaundice and lung problems. It is useful for all forms of internal bleeding, including stomach ulcers. Taken regularly, the tea or the tincture dissolves gravel and stones.

KOLA TREE: Kola nuts contain more caffeine than coffee berries and are taken as a stimulant to prevent fatigue. They also act as a tonic agent for the heart and are sometimes useful in relieving pains of neuralgia and headache.

L

The blending of LAVENDER, TEA TREE and EUCALYPTUS oil creates a synergistic effect more powerful than any one oil by itself. These three oils are all powerful anti-septic, antifungal and anti-bacterial. This combination has been known to help the immune system and relieve respiratory congestion. It will also bring relief to minor skin irritations.

LEMON: This beautiful tree has white fregrant flowers that develope into edible fruits. The use of the lemon is universal in cookingwhile its oils balance the nervous system, reduce stress, shapen the senss, improve mental clarity, alertness and memory. It is refreshing and cooling with mood uplifting qualities that help relieve mental fatigue. Care should be taken because the skin can be burned if exposed to sunlight after topical application.

LEMONGRASS: Its scent is that of the lemon and duplicates its benifits also. In addition it improves digestion, aids in breathing, reduces inflamation, tones the skin, improves alertness, aids in breathing and contracts weak connective tissue.

LIME: Its fresh citrus scent is similiar to the lemon and its fragrant white flowers also develop into edible fruits. The properties are much the same but it also sharpens the senses, reduces stress, is strengthing to the nerves and in addition purifies and helps in the reduction of cellulite deposits. Care should be taken in the sun after topical application.

LICORICE: Licorice is primarily used in medicine for bronchial problems, coughs, hoarseness, mucous congestion, etc. It is also taken for stomach problems such as peptic ulcers and kidney problems.

M

MYRRH: Like frankincense, myrrh was used as money and reveared for its healing properties before the time of Christ. Its medicinal properties reduce inflammation and its calming effects uplift the mood, help during meditation and promote a restfull sleep. It is now also used as a fixative for other fragrances.

N

NERVE ROOT: A tea made from the rootstock of nerve root makes a good tranquilizer for nervous headache, general nervousness and insomnia. It can also be helpful against cramps and muscle spasms.

NETTLE: The fresh juice of the nettle plant has been used to stimulate the digestive system and promote milk in nursing mothers. As an astringent it is also used for blood in the urine, hemorrhoids and excessive menstrual bleeding.

NIGHTSHADE: Although bittersweet, nightshade is a relatively weak poison, it is used almost exclusively for external problems. It is used as a poultice for gout, herpes, and felons. Combined with chamomile, it makes a good ointment for swelling, bruises sprains and corns.

O

OREGANO: A must in the kitchen, this wonderful aromatic plant has dark green leaves and purple buds that blossom into white, pink or lilac flowers. The plant as well as the oils improve digestion, promote perspiration, increases physical endurance and energy. The oil has a warming effect loosining tight muscles thereby relieving aches and pains. It also is a fine disinfectant and repels insects.

ORRIS ROOT: Orris root is the rootstock of Florentine Iris and is used as a goodf diuretic. It is useful for dropsy and other water retention problems and can be used also for bronchitis, coughs and core throats, colic and congestion of the liver.

P

PEPPER: Hot and spicy this popular spice is a climbing vine with clusters of small white flowers. There are various types of pepper and they each have their special place in the culinary world. Pepper is stimulating, improves mental clarity and memory and in small amounts also improves digestion. When combined with other oils it also helps to improve their benifits

PEPPERMINT: This essential oil is considered to have aphrodisiac qualities and is uplifting and invigorating. It is one of the greatest ways to start the day. Peppermint oil reduces inflammation, leaving the skin tingly and cool. It energizes and relieves mental exhaustion, revives the central nervous system, stimulates the brain and clarifies the thought processes. It is also used to clear congestion and opens the sinuses.

PINE: There are 90 species in the pine family and a pine tree can live 1200 years. The greenish blue needle like leaves have been used for centuries to help mental fatigue, improve mental clarity, alertness and memory. Its purifying qualities make it a wonderful disinfectant with a refreshing scent and the vapors aid in breathing.

Q

QUEEN OF THE MEADOW: Queen of the meadows roll in American medicine has been mostly that of the diuretic, useful for kidney problems, urinary difficulties and gravel, dropsy, rheumatism and neuralgia. It can also be used for conditions where an astringent is helpful.

R

ROSEMARY: This easily found plant, with its needle shaped leaves and blue flowers, will add a unique taste to any soup or stew. Its oil is refreshing, sharpens the senses, improves mental clarity, alertness and memory. The vapors help breathing and its waming effect relaxes muscles, relieves aches and pains, stimulates the nervous system and improves digestion.

S

SANDALWOOD: There are 10 species of sandalwood and they have been long used in candles for their woody fragrance. Sandalwood encourages communication, is helpful in meditation and helps to release our emotions. Its calming effects reduce stress and it is also healing to the skin. In addition it is an aphrodisiac and is used as a fixitive for other fragrances.

SIBERIAN FIR NEEDLE: Oil from the Siberian Fur Needle is very relaxing to the muscles while being very stimulating to the brain. It is also therapeutic for the respiratory system. Additionally, it helps relieve the congestion brought on by allergies and asthma.

SPEARMINT: This wonderful minty scent has been used for gum and candy, mouth washes etc. because of its refreshing quality but it also improves mental clarity, alertness and memory. It stimulates the nervous system, increases physical strength and indurance, reduces inflammanation and improves digestion.

SPRUCE: There are about 50 species of evergreens in the spruce family and a tree can live an estimated 1200 years. Medicinally it is mood uplifting, improves mental clarity and encourages communication by bringing out feelings. It is a very fine disinfectant, breaks up congestion and its vapors break up congestion.

T

TEA TREE: There are over 150 species of trees in this camphor like family. The needle like leaves have purple or yellow flowers and are used for a myriad of conditions. It acts as a disinfectant and releives pain while healing the skin. The vapors help breathing and it uplifts the mood, is reviving and stimulating and improves mental clarity.

THYME: Again, this evergreen is a must in the kitchen but its small leaves and pink or lilac flowers sharpen the senses, uplift the mood, improve mental clarity, alertness and memory. Its warming effect relaxes tight muscles, relieves aches and pains, increases physical strength and energy and reduces inflammation of the tissue. The vapors help breathing and it improves digestion while helping in the reduction of celllulite deposits.

V

VIRGINIA SNAKEROOT: In small doses it will stir a languid appetite and promote proper digestion. In large doses it will cause vomiting, diarrhea, vertigo and other unpleasant effects. In proper doses it will stimulate blood circulation but most important is its use for snakebite.

VIRGINS BOWER: An infusion of the leaves and flowers is said to relieve severe headaches. Externally, combined with other plants, it is made into an ointment or poultice for sores, skin ulcers and itching skin.

W

WITCH HAZEL: Witch hazel leaves and bark make astringent preparations which have been taken internally for diarrhea. Externally it is used as a rinse or gargle for mouth and throat, irritations and as a vaginal douche. For skin irritations bruises, insect bites and stings, minor burns and poison ivy.

WOODRUFF: Woodruff is beneficial for jaundice and recommended where a tendency toward bladder stones exists. It also acts as an anodyne for migraine and neuralgia and as a calmative for nervous conditions such as restlessness and insomnia. The tea relieves stomach pain, regulates heart activity and is a diuretic.

Y

In our health and beauty department you will find excellent products that utilize these wonderful herbs and spices. Here you have optimum health at your fingertips.

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