Aromatherapy Oils R to Z
Ravensara - Ravensara aromatica Sonnerat - Madagascar - Ravensara Anisata is from the Bark of the tree and Aromatica is from the leaves. Both are used for clearing the sinus and breathing passages, loosening tight muscles, relieving menstrual discomfort and aches and pains.
Rose Absolute - Rosa damascena Mill. (Family, Rosaceae) - Morocco - 5% solution in Jojoba. The finest Rose Maroc. damascena. Known as the Queen of oils. With 'Feminine' properties - soothing, tones, cleanses, uplifts the spirit and helps maintain self confidence. Excellent skincare oil, perfect for dry/mature, ageing or thread veined skin. Has been renowned throughout the centuries as having Sensual and even Aphrodisiac properties. Exquisite aroma. Needs only a small amount to be affective. / Warning: Avoid using during the first four months of pregnancy. / Perfume Note=Middle / Source: flowers / Production method: solvent extraction / Aromatherapy class: cooling, balancing, calming, toning / Aroma type: floral / Skin type: dry, sensitive, normal to combination, aging/mature / Traditional use: perfume, skin conditioner, aphrodisiac / Main constituents: See Rose Otto.
Rose Geranium - Pelargonium graveolens (Family, Geraniaceae) - France - This Geranium has a wonderful rose aroma and is both uplifting and calming. It exerts a "balancing" effect on skin and is therefore useful for all skin types. It has often been used to ease the effect of PMS. A fresh, floral and sweet smelling oil it relaxes, restores and maintains stability of the emotions. An astringent oil excellent for all skin types. Used in skin care products for both its fragrance and cleansing properties. Useful insect repellent. For massage where there is cellulite and treating eczema and psoriasis. Blends well with other floral oils, and, mixed with Lavender and Bergamot produces a delightful room freshener. / Perfume Note=Middle to Top / Source: leaves and stems / Production method: steam distillation / Aromatherapy class: balancing, soothing skin type: oily, dry / Aroma type: floral / Traditional use: skin refresher, astringent / Blends well with: cedarwood, citronella, clary sage, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender, lime, neroli, orange, petitgrain, rose, rosemary, sandalwood / Main constituents: Geraniol, borneol, citronellol, linalol, termineol,limonene, phellandrene, pinene.
Rose Otto - Rosa damascena Mill. (Family, Rosaceae) - Bulgaria - The finest Rose Otto available - pure and undiluted. Warm, intense, immensely rich fragrance. One of the oldest and best known of all essential oils. Used in all types of perfumes to lend beauty and depth to the aroma. A drop or two in a massage, facial, or bath oil creates a luxurious, soothing experience. The oil is also used in skin creams, powders, and lotions. Romantic, creative, gently cheering oil. / Warning: Avoid using during the first four months of pregnancy. / Perfume Note=Middle / Source: flowers, Morocco and Turkey / Production method: steam distillation / Aromatherapy class: cooling, balancing, calming, toning / Aroma type: floral / Traditional use: astringent / Blends well with: floral oils, especially jasmine / Main constituents: Very complex with over 300 different chemical constituents but mainly Citronellol, geraniol, phenyl ethanol, nerol, stearopten.
Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis, R. coronarium (Family, Lamiaceae [Labiatae]) - Spain - Rosemary is an energizing oil with a strong herbaceous aroma. It helps to relieve muscle aches and combats mental fatigue. Use it in the daytime as its energizing effect may keep you awake at night. Perfect in Pre and Post sports rubs to maintain suppleness. Helps combat water retention and cellulite. Good hair tonic. An 'ideal pick me up'. Combats fatigue and clears stuffy atmosphere. / Warning: Do not use Rosemary when pregnant, having high blood pressure, or suffering from epilepsy. It may cause irritation of the skin. / Perfume Note = Middle / Source: leaves, Tunisia / Production method: steam distillation / Aromatherapy class: energizing, stimulating / Aroma type: camphoraceous / Skin type: oily, blemished / Traditional use: antiseptic, muscle relaxant, soothing agent, skin conditioner / Blends well with: olibanum, lavender, lavandin, citronella, thyme, basil, peppermint, labdanum, elemi, cedarwood, petitgrain, cinnamon / Main constituents: Borneol, camphene, camphor, cineol, lineol, pinene, terpineol. / Safety Information: use ½ recommended dilution or less.
Rosewood - Aniba rosaeodora (Bois De Rose) (Family, Lauraceae) - Brazil - With a beautiful woody, floral fragrance, Rosewood is a relaxing oil that is also useful for improving dry, dull and oily/dry skin. Relaxing and deodorising. Add to massage oil to help combat tired muscles - especially after vigorous exercise. Has a steadying and balancing affect on nerves, useful during exams. A good anti-depressant and may help migraine and ward off general malaise. Derived from Plantation grown wood. / Perfume Note = Middle/Top
Sage - Salvia officinalis (Family, Lamiaceae [Labiatae]) - Spain - A useful regulator of the central nervous system. May help with menstrual and digestive disorders. Warning Do not use Sage when pregnant or suffering from epilepsy. / Perfume Note = Top / Source: leaves / production method: steam distillation / aromatherapy class: energizing, stimulating / aroma type: camphoraceous / skin type: oily / traditional use: soothing agent / blends well with: lavandin, rosemary, citrus oils / Safety Information: should be avoided by pregnant women
Sandalwood - Santalum album (Family, Santalaceae) - India - Sandalwood is said to have been used for over 4000 years as a perfume and temple incense. It has a sweet, buttery, woody aroma that is very sensual. It is uplifting and relaxing and is beneficial for all types of skin. Traditionally burnt as an aid to meditation and much used in religious ceremonies. Creates an exotic, sensual atmosphere with a reputation as an aphrodisiac. Excellent skincare oil. useful for dry and damaged hair and as a body fragrance. / Perfume Note = Base / Source: wood / Production method: steam distillation / Aromatherapy class: calming, grounding / Aroma type: woodsy / Skin type: oily, blemished, sensitive, dry / Traditional use: antiseptic, emollient, soothing agent, astringent, insect repellent, skin conditioner / Blends well with: rose, violet, clove, lavender, black petter, bergamot, geranium, labdanum, vetiver, patchouli, mimosa, myrrh, jasmine / Main constituents: Santalols. fusanols, forneol, santalone.
Scotch Pine (Pine Needle) - Pinus sylvestris L. (Family, Pinaceae) - Hungary - Stimulates, refreshes and cleanses. With a strong, fresh, resinous aroma it has a powerful antiseptic quality and is widely used. It has a deodorant affect and is often used in commercial preparations. Warning Dilute and use with care as Pine oil may otherwise cause skin irritation. / Perfume Note=Middle / Main constituents: Bornyl acetate, citral, cadinene, dipentene, phellandrene, pinene, sylvertrene.
Spearmint - Mentha spicata, M. viridis (Family, Lamiaceae [Labiatae]) -USA - Energizing to the mind and body. Use in bath water for it's refreshing effect. Make a facial steam of spearmint oil in a pot of boiling water to help cleanse and refine pores. It is refreshing, cooling, gently vitalizing. / Perfume Note=Top / Source: flowering tops / Production method: steam distillation / Aromatherapy class: calming / Aroma type: minty / Skin type: blemished / Traditional use: insect repellent, emollient, astringent, soothing agent, muscle relaxant / Blends well with: bergamot, jasmine, lavender, sandalwood / Safety Information: use ½ recommended dilution or less.
Spruce - Picea marina - Austria - Steam Distilled, nearly clear in color / Note: Middle / Strength of Aroma: Medium Strength Aroma that is Fresh, woody, earthy, sweet, with a hint of a fruity note / Uses: Coughing, depression. / Constituents: Pinenes, limonene, bornyl acetate, tricyclene, phellandrene, myrcrene, thujone, dipentene, cadinene.
Tagetes - Tagetes grandulifera - France - Color is Gold / Note: Top / Medium Strength aroma that is fresh, sweet, floral, slightly fruity. / Uses: Corns, warts. / Constituents: Tagetones, ocimene, myrcene, linalool, limonene, pinenes, carvone, citral, camphene, valeric acid, salicylaldehyde. / Safety: Possibly toxic. Use only in moderation. Severely phototoxic. Do not use if the area of application will be exposed to sunlight for 24 hours due to its phototoxicity.
Tangerine - Citrus reticulata (Family, Rutaceae) - Spain - A sweet tangy aroma. Used as an astringent for oily skin. / Warning: Avoid use in sun. / Perfume Note = Top.
Tea Tree - Melaleuca alternifolia, M. linariifolia, M. uncintata (Family, Myrtaceae) - Australia - Powerful antiseptic, antifungal and anti-viral. Good for acne, cold sores, warts, and burns. Use for vaporising to kill germs. Useful cleansing agent for skin. Helps combat foot odor and athletes foot. Ti Tree, as it is also known, has a wide range of uses, including some aids related illnesses. Further reading is recommended. / Warning: May cause irritation to sensitive skins. / Perfume Note = Top / Source: leaves and stems, Australia / Production method: steam distillation / Aromatherapy class: energizing, stimulating, toning / Skin type: oily, blemished / Aroma type: camphoraceous / Traditional use: insect repellent, antiseptic / Blends well with: lavandin, lavender, clary sage, rosemary, cananga, geranium, marjoram, clove, nutmeg / Main constituents: Terpinene-4-ol, cineol, pinene, terpenes, cymene.
Thyme, Linalol - (Family, Lamiaceae (Labiatea) (Family, Lamiaceae) - France - This Thyme has the "good" properties without the "bad". More expensive but a better choice. Long known since ancient times as a medicinal herb. Vaporise as a household disinfectant. It has a strong pungent aroma and is said that it can ward off rodents and get rid of fleas. / Warning: Do not use Thyme when pregnant or having high blood pressure. / Perfume Note = Middle / Source: flowering tops, Spain / Production method: steam distillation / Aromatherapy class: energizing, stimulating, toning / Aroma type: spicy / Skin type: blemished / Traditional use: deodorant, antiseptic / Blends well with: bergamot, lemon, rosemary, lavender, lavandin, marjoram / Safety Information: can cause skin irritation / Main constituents: Thymol, carvacrol, borneol, cineol, metnone and pinene, may contain geraniol, linlol thujanol-4 or alpha-terpineol.
Thyme, White (Sweet) - Thymus vulgaris L. (Family, Lamiaceae (Labiatea) - Spain - Long known since ancient times as a medicinal herb. Vaporise as a household disinfectant. It has a strong pungent aroma and is said that it can ward off rodents and get rid of fleas. / Warning: Do not use Thyme when pregnant or having high blood pressure. Dilute to no more than 2% Thyme before use. It may cause irritation to sensitive skins. / Perfume Note = Middle / Source: flowering tops, Spain / Production method: steam distillation / Aromatherapy class: energizing, stimulating, toning / Aroma type: spicy / Skin type: blemished / Traditional use: deodorant, antiseptic / Blends well with: bergamot, lemon, rosemary, lavender, lavandin, marjoram / Safety Information: use ½ recommended dilution or less; can cause skin irritation / Main constituents: Thymol, carvacrol, borneol, cineol, metnone and pinene, may contain geraniol, linlol thujanol-4 or alpha-terpineol.
Vanilla Absolute - Vanilla planifolia - Madagascar - Source: seeds / Production: solvent extraction / Note: base with strong aroma that is rich and warm / Uses: emollient, aphrodisiac / Blends well with: sandalwood, vetiver / Constituents: Vanillin, hydroxybenzaldehyde, acetic acid, isobutyric acid, caproic acid, eugenol, furfural.
Vetiver - Vetiveria zizanoides (L.) Staph., Andropogon muricatus(Family, Poaceae [Gramineae]) - Madagascar - Sometimes known as Vetivert. Deeply relaxing, soothing oil for the mind and body. Earthy, smokey aroma, which is more pleasant when diluted. Assists in reducing blood pressure. Sensual properties. Blends subtly with Lavender, Sandalwood and Jasmine. / Perfume Note = Base / Source: roots / Production method: steam distillation / Aromatherapy class: balancing, grounding / Aroma type: woodsy / Skin type: sensitive, aging/mature / Traditional use: emollient / Blends well with: sandalwood, jasmine, patchouli, lavender, clary sage, mimosa, ylang ylang / Main constituents: Vetiverol, vitivone, vetivenes.
Yarrow - Achillea millefolium (Family, Asteraceae [Compositae]) - Hungary - Has seditive properties. Used for a wide variety of complaints, including chest infections, digestive problems and nervous exhaustion. The Chinese use it for menstural problems and in Scandinavia it is used for Rhumatism. It is also used for skin complaint including acne, reducing scaring for burns and cuts. /Perfume Note=Middle
Ylang Ylang - Cananga odorata (Family, Annonaceae) - Madagascar - There are four grades, Extra, #1, #2, & #3. With an intensely sweet, floral scent, this exotic oil lifts the spirits, promotes relaxation and has long used for its sensual properties. Soothing and relaxing during times of tension and stress. Ideal for both oily and dry skins and as a hair rinse [2 drops in rinse water]. / Perfume Note = Base/Middle / Source: flowers / Production method: solvent extraction / Aromatherapy class: calming, balancing / Aroma type: floral / Skin type: oily, dry, normal to combination, aging/mature / Traditional use: perfume, aphrodisiac / Blends well with: bergamot, lavender, lemon, narcissus, neroli, palmarosa, sandalwood, vetiver / Main constituents: Methyl benzoats, methyl salicylate, linalyl acetate, cadinene, caryophyllene, pinene, cresol, eugenol, linalol, geraniol.