Essential Oil Glossary

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) calming, energising & soothing, good for aches & pains, digestive problems & aids concentration.
Bay (Pimenta racemosa mill.) warming & calming, good for digestive problems, general aches & pains, tonic for hair & scalp, antiseptic & anti-inflammatory.
Benzoin,(Styrax benzoin) warm sweet aroma, particularly good for cracked & dry skin. A good remedy for wounds & sores & helpful where there is irritated, red & itchy skin.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) sweet, fresh citrus aroma, calming yet inspiring helpful in times of anxiety & depression. Good for acne, coldsores, oily skin & skin infections due to its antiseptic properties.
Birch(Betula lenta) an invigorating & antiseptic aroma, Birch contains Salicylic acid a good purifier & useful for rheumatic & arthritic & aches & pains.
Black pepper(Piper nigrum) a hot, spicy & sharp aroma that energises & stimulates. Good for digestive disorders, arthritis & general aches & pains.
Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) a refreshing & clearing aroma that balances & calms. Good for respiratory disorders, aches & pains, bruises & sprains & inflammation.
Carrotseed (Dauca carota) a medicinal & dry aroma & excellent purifier of the body. Fantastic skin tonic as tones & improves elasticity, helps to keep wrinkles at bay & reduces scarring.
Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) warm balsamic woody aroma & general tonic. Very good for oily skin & acne due to its antiseptic & astringent properties & a good hair & scalp tonic.
Chamomile Roman (Anthemis nobilis) has a comforting & soothing aroma & action on the skin & mind. Very good for inflammation, skin irritations & itching, aches & pains & teething. Has an affinity with babies & children to help sooth & calm.
Chamomile Blue(Matricaria chamomillia) similar to Roman Chamomile but more anti inflammatory & useful for muscular aches & pains.
Cinnamon (Cinnamoium zeylanicum) a strong spicy warming aroma, useful for Aches & pains & digestive disorders.
Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) a herby, nutty sweet aroma & nerve tonic. It is a very soothing & relaxing to the mind, a uterine tonic & hormone balancer.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) fresh sweet spicy aroma has a warming effect on body, good for digestive problems & generally cold conditions. A general cleanser, helping the body remove toxins & helpful for strengthening the constitution especially after illness.
Cypress ( Cupressus sempervivens) a woody clear & refreshing aroma has a balancing action on the fluids of the body.
Eucalyptus radiata a powerful antiseptic & fresh aroma helpful for respiratory disorders, clears the head & strengthens the nervous system.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) a herby aroma & general detoxifier.
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) a woody aroma with a lemony twist. Excellent skin tonic especially for aging & scarred skin. Clears the lungs & helpful to increase respiration & calming to the mind.
Galbanum (Ferula galbaniflua) a musky deep aroma softening to the skin, calms the mind & helps with nervous tension.
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) a floral fresh & slightly rosy aroma, a fantastic balancer for mind & body.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) warming spicy aroma useful for calming digestive upsets, cramping & general aches & pains.
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) a sharp bittersweet citrus aroma refreshes the atmosphere & mind. A lymphatic stimulant helping with congestion & clearing toxins in the body & skin.
Jasmine abs (Jasminum officinale) a deep exotic sensual sweet aroma helpful for low spirits & nervous tension. A tonic for dry & sensitive skin.
Juniperberry (Juniperus communis) a clear refreshing slightly woody aroma that clears stimulates & strengthens the nerves. A tonic for the body clearing build up of toxins & uric acid & especially good for oily & congested skin.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) a sweet refreshing floral aroma & most useful oil. Calming & soothing to the nerves & skin, relaxes & rejuvenates mind & body.
Lemon (Citrus limonum) fresh citrus aroma has a strong antiseptic & bactericide properties. A tonic for the circulatory system & cleansing & softening to the skin.
Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) a lively uplifting citrus aroma with astringent toning & refreshing actions on the skin.
Mandarin (Citrus reticulate) a delicate sweet tangy aroma helps with depression & low spirits.
Marjoram(Origanum marjorama) warm herby strong aroma calms & sedates the mind & has a analgesic effect on menstrual pains, tight & tense muscles.
May chang(Litsea cubeba) a sunshiny citrus aroma with floral undertones uplifts & stimulates the mind. Has a revitalising & balancing effect on the body.
Melissa Melissa offinalis) a fresh lemony aroma that calms & soothes yet uplifts.
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) a smoky bitter & dry aroma with antifungal & anti inflammatory properties. Especially useful for lung disorders & gum disease.
Neroli (Citrus aurantium) a fresh rounded bittersweet aroma that sooths nervous tension, anxiety & depression. Skin rejuvenating & improves skin elasticity.
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) a musky sweet spicy aroma that energises & warms the mind & body. Helpful for aches & pains.
Orange (Citrus sinensis) a sweet playful citrus aroma that refreshes & calms. It is a good skin tonic & helps the formation of collagen, vital for growth & repair of body tissues.
Palmarosa (Cymbopogo martini motia) a sweet floral with a rosy undertone that calms & refreshes the mind. Helps balance the skin & is rejuvenating.
Patchouli (Pogostimon cablin) a deep musky earthy aroma that helps with stress, & anxiety. A tissue regenerator helping with rough & cracked skin, sores & wounds.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) a refreshing minty aroma clears the mind & removes congestion in the body. Very cooling effect to the skin relieving itching & inflammation. Good for blackheads & oily skin conditions.
Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium) a bitter woody yet green aroma that refreshes the mind & is a skin tonic.
Rose(Rosa centifolia) a deep heady floral exquisite aroma that warms & calm the heart. Excellent for all skin types particularly mature, dry & sensitive skin.
Rosemary verbenone (Rosmarinus offinallis) a penetrating refreshing herby aroma that invigorates & strengthens the mind. A stimulating cleansing tonic for skin & hair.
Rosewood (Aniba rosaedora) a woody floral & slightly sharp aroma that balances & enlivens the mind. A cell stimulant & tissue regenerator & especially good for dry, sensitive & inflamed skin.
Sandalwood (Santalum austrocaledonium) a sweet woody musky aroma relaxes & sooths the nerves. Good for ageing & dehydrated skin.
Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) a antiseptic refreshing aroma that boosts the immune system & highly antiseptic. Helps to clear spot & blemishes, fungal infections & sores. A definite must for you 1st aid kit.
Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) a sweet warm balsamic aroma that soothes & revitalises that senses.
Vetivert (Vetiveria zizaniodes) a deep smoky earth aroma that ground & balances the whole being.
Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) a sweet heady exotic floral aroma that calms the nervous system & strengthens the heart. Balancing action on the skin & a tonic to the hair & scalp.

This is just a snapshot of the proprieties & uses of these essential oils please refer to any of the Aromatherapy publications that give you more in-depth information.
Personal favourites are:
The directory of Essential oils – Wanda Sellar
Magical Aromatherapy – Scott Cunningham
Aromatherapy an A-Z – Patricia Davis
The Fragrant Pharmacy/ The Fragrant Mind/ The Fragrant Heavens – Valerie Ann Worwood