Headaches and migraines

• Make a cold compress using lavender and peppermint. Apply the cold compress to your forehead and lie down in a darkened room until the pain eases. Replace the compress with a new one once it reaches body temperature.
• Drink a calming herbal tea, such as lime flower, vervain, lemon balm or chamomile.
• Massage your neck with 3 drops of marjoram mixed into 5 ml (1 tsp) of base oil. Migraine and headaches are often caused by stress and tension, and a neck massage with a warming essential oil like marjoram may well reduce this.

Dandruff

(here are two types of dandruff: simple dry dandruff, where small particles of dry skin flake off the scalp and get trapped in the hair; and what is known as seborrheic dermatitis, where over-production of sebum causes excess sebum lo get trapped in patches of skin on the scalp, which can then become infected, causing itching, scabbing and inflammation.

• For dry dandruff, mix 3 drops each of ti-tree and lavender in 10 ml (2 tsp) of base oil, and give yourself a thorough scalp massage several times a week. lry also adding 4-5 drops of ti-tree or lavender to 5 ml (1 tsp) of a mild, unfragranced shampoo and using this to wash your hair.
• For seborrheic dermatitis, follow the same methods as above, but use bergamot, sandalwood and lemongrass instead of lavender and ti-tree. These essential oils help to balance sebum production and lemongrass is an effective treatment for dermatitis.

Acne

Refer to the advice on oily skin care (see pages 62-63), and in addition try the following treatments.

• Dab individual spots several times a day with a drop of neat ti-tree oil on a cotton wool bud, applying it carefully so that you do not touch the surrounding skin.
• If scarring occurs as the spots heal, apply a little of the following mixture twice a day: 2 drops of neroli and 1 drop of lavender mixed in 5 ml (1 tsp) of calendula oil.

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(Daucus carota)

Family: Umbellifereae or Apiaceae Description: Carrot-seed essential oil comes from the wild carrot, not the common cultivated carrot.

Wild carrot is an annual or biennial herb with a tough, inedible white root. The essential oil is steam- distilled from the dried seeds. Countries of origin: France, America

Characteristics: Carrot seed is yellow or orange-brown and Carrot seed (Daucus carota) viscous, with warm, sweet but pungent, fresh herbaceous top notes and earthy, dry, woody undertones. It blends well with most spices and citruses, and also with cedarwood, geranium, patchouli and palmarosa. Main therapeutic properties: Antiseptic, carminative, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, tonic.

Carrot seed is one of the best liver tonics and when used in massage blends and bath oils, can help to regenerate liver cells after hepatitis and other liver diseases. It also has excellent blood-cleansing properties, making it useful in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis and other toxic conditions that affect the skin. Because of its excellent skin-cell regenerating properties, carrot seed is also valuable in skin care, especially for aged, mature and wrinkled skin; and it helps dermatitis and skin rashes. Overall, carrot seed is regenerative, cleansing and rejuvenating.

Psychologically, it has no particular recommendations, but its physical properties may well be mirrored in its effect on the emotions and psyche. This means that carrot seed may help to ‘cleanse’ the emotions of negativity, and may assist in letting go of past traumas. Its somewhat pungent aroma does not encourage carrot seed to be blended for aesthetic purposes, but it adds a grounding, earthy note to blends.

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Wymbopogon martini

Family: Gramineae

Description: Palmarosa is also known as gingergrass, russa grass and East Indian geranium oil. It is a tall, aromatic, perennial free-growing grass. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the fresh or dried grass.

Countries of origin: India, Java, Seychelles, Comoro Islands

Characteristics: Palmarosa has sweet, light, floral top notes with subtle lemon and rose-geranium undertones. Its lovely, delicate, rosy floral fragrance blends well with most other essential oils.

Main therapeutic properties: Antiseptic, bactericide, cytophylactic, digestive, febrifuge, tonic.

Palmarosa is much used in all skin-care preparations for its lovely fragrance, sebum-balancing and hydrating properties. It also helps to regenerate healthy new cells. Palmarosa is suited to all skin types, but is especially good for dry and slightly damaged skin, making it a useful addition to face creams, body lotions and hand creams. Overall, it is balancing, refreshing and soothing. A good digestive stimulant, palmarosa is recommended in local massage and baths for sluggish digestion and loss of appetite, and it may be useful for anorexia nervosa. It is also traditionally used to combat digestive infections, and is valuable during convalescence.

Psychologically, palmarosa is calming, uplifting and comforting and is good for stress, anxiety and restlessness, especially when these feelings have left you feeling vulnerable, lonely and insecure.

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(Myristica fragrans, Myristica officinalis, Myristica aromatica, Myristica amboinensis)

Family: Myristicaceae

Description: Nutmeg is an aromatic, evergreen tree with dark-green leaves, yellow flowers without petals and yellowish fruits. The essential oil is steam- or water-distilled from the dried nutmegs.

Countries of origin: Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Grenada Characteristics: Nutmeg has light, fresh, spicy top notes and deep, sweet, warm, woody undertones. It blends well with other spices, and also with clary sage, bay, mandarin, orange, geranium, lavender, rosemary, lime and petitgrain.

Main therapeutic properties: Analgesic, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, digestive,  Nutmeg Nyristica officinalis)
emmenagogue, stimulant, tonic.

Nutmeg is reputed to have psychotropic or psychoactive properties when it is ingested orally, meaning that it can affect mental activity and perception. In large doses it is toxic, causing convulsions and possibly death. However, in small amounts nutmeg is a useful addition to the range of essential oils for all external aromatherapeutic applications. It is very good in massage blends for muscular aches and pains, and for painful joints. It is also a good digestive stimulant and helps poor digestion, nausea and diarrhoea. Overall, nutmeg is gently euphoric, comforting and elevating.

Psychologically, it is uplifting and a good nerve tonic, helping to relieve chronic fatigue. Nutmeg is good for those who feel at the end of their tether. It can be useful in meditations and mood perfumes for those who are both sleepy-tired and tired of life, and it inspires creativity and imagination.

Contraindications: Do not use during pregnancy. Use in moderation – no more than 3 drops in the bath, and no more than 1 per cent in massage oils. Do not use consistently over long periods of time.

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(Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cinnamomum verum)

Family: Lauraceae

Description: Cinnamon is a tropical evergreen tree with fragrant bark and oval leaves, white flowers and blue-white berries. The essential oil is steam-or water-distilled from the leaves and small twigs. A cinnamon-bark essential oil is also available, but it is a skin irritant and is best avoided in aromatherapy.

Countries of origin: Madagascar, India, Jamaica, Sri Lanka

Characteristics: Cinnamon has fiery, harsh, spicy top notes and sweet, oriental undertones. It blends well with frankincense, myrrh, orange, mandarin, benzoin and ylang ylang.

Main therapeutic properties: Anti-microbial, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, astringent, carminative, digestive, stimulant, stomachic.

Cinnamon is used less in aromatherapy than most of the other spices, but it is excellent in a burner to ward off colds, flu and all other airborne infections and contagious diseases. Blended carefully into a local massage oil, cinnamon is good for digestive complaints and helps a sluggish digestion, flatulence and intestinal infection. Overall, cinnamon is warming, invigorating, restorative and uplifting.

Psychologically, cinnamon is fortifying and reviving. It is indicated for general nervous debility, and for older people during winter to warm both mind and body. It is life-affirming and can help to alleviate melancholia and depression characterized by lethargy and lack of vitality. Cinnamon restores a zest for life and inspires courage.

Contraindications: Do not use if you have sensitive or very sensitive skin. Use in moderation – no more than 2 drops in the bath and no more than 1 per cent in massage oils.

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