Ylang Ylang Benefits ~ Essential Oils Guide
The Ylang Ylang tree originated in the Philippines but now grows throughout tropical Asia. The trees bear fragrant drooping yellow flowers, which are cultivated for the perfume trade. Ylang ylang may be purchased in several commercial grades, including extra, first, second, third and complete. Beware of the less expensive canaga oil, which has an inferior scent.
The word Ylang Ylang means “flowers of flowers” due to the heady floral fragrances of this oil which is well known in perfumes with ylang ylang.
Botanical Name: Canaga odorata
Note: Base
Odor Intensity: Medium
Key Uses:
Acne
Anger
Aphrodisiac
Hypertension
Intestinal infections
Impotence, frigidity
Palpitations, tachycardia
Rapid breathing
Stress
Uterine tonic
Aroma: sweet, exotic, heavy, floral, rich, wet.
Blends well with: Sandalwood, Jasmine, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Rose, Patchouli
Parts Used: Flowers
Ylang Ylang Properties: antidepressant, antiseptic, euphoric, hypotensive, nervine, sedative, tonic.
Emotional Concerns: Ylang Ylang is useful in treating anger, anxiety, panic, insomnia and low self-esteem.
Contraindications: Avoid use on damaged skin. Those with a history of low blood pressure or sleep apnea should also avoid using this oil use in moderation; high concentrations can induce headaches or nausea.
Bath Blend for Nervous Tension:
3 drops Ylang Ylang
2 drops Rosewood
3 drops Lavender
1 1/2 tsp of a dispersible bath oils such as red turkey oil.
Add all ingredients to a warm bath; or drip the oils directly into the bath water and disperse with your hand. Relax in the bath for 10 minutes to enjoy.
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Thyme Oils
Thyme may have been used as long ago as 3500 B.C. by the Samarians. The Romans believed that thyme imbued bravery and soldiers would be sent bath waters with thyme before marching to battle. Hildegarde of Bingen suggested using thyme for body lice, plague, leprosy and paralysis.
The species Thymus vulgaris produces eight different chemotypes. When thyme is grown at sea level, it is high in the phenol thymol, and is designated as Thymus vulgaris ct. thymol, or simply “thyme thymol.” When thyme is gown in the mountains, it is high in the gentle alcohol linalol. The plant is referred to as Thymus vulgaris ct. linalol or simply “ thyme linalol,” or sometimes, “sweet thyme.” Thyme linalol, due to the alcohol linalol, is also much more gentle to the skin than the other chemotypes. And unlike the other thyme chemotypes, it can be used on children and the elderly.
Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris ct. linalol
Note: Middle
Odor Intensity: Medium
Key Uses:
Asthma
Amenorrhea
Athlete’s foot
Bronchitis
Boils, cuts, sores
Colds and flu
Fatigue, mental and physical
Fever
Hypotension
Infections—skin, intestines
Infectious diseases
Leukorrhea
Lymphatic cleanser
Parasites
Rheumatism
Sinusitis
Sore throat
Tonsillitis
Whooping cough, convulsive cough
Aroma: fresh, herbaceous, penetrating, green
Blends well with: Lavender, Bergamot, Marjoram, Pine, Geranium, Lemon, Peppermint,
Parts Used: Leaves and stem
Properties: antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitussive, antivenomous, antiputrefactive, cicatrizing, emmenagogue, expectorant, hypertensive, parasidicide, sudorific, vermifuge.
Contraindications: Do not use during pregnancy or on those with epileptic conditions, hyperthyroidism or high blood pressure.
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Tea Tree Oil Benefits
The tea tree is a small Australian tree related to the eucalyptus tree. The essential oil is distilled form the tree’s leaves, which are small and needle-like.
When the British explorer James Cook first arrived in Australia in 1777, he found the native aborigines treating skin infections with the crushed leaves of the tea tree. Almost two centuries later, scientists discovered that the oil released by crushing the leaves has powerful anti-fungal and antiseptic properties. it’s even effective against the most stubborn fungal infection, the kind that thickens and discolors toenails.
To heal any kind of fungal infection, apply 100% tea tree oil twice a day to the affected skin. Never ingest the oil: Swallowing as little as a few teaspoons can prove fatal.
Tea tree essential oil is a strong antifungal and antibacterial oil but is generally mild to the skin. In damp climates, tea tree oil has been used in air ventilation systems to reduce mold growth.
Botanical Name: Melaleuca alternifolia
Note: Top
Odor Intensity: Very High
Key Uses:
Abscesses
Acne
Air purifier
Asthma
Athlete’s foot
Burns and bruises
Candida
Colds and flu
Coughs and catarrh
Cold sores, mouth ulcers
Cuts, burns, bites
Cystitis, itching
Dandruff
Herpes, chicken pox
Lice
Nail infections
Parasites
Respiratory infections
Ringworm
Sinusitis
Tonsillitis
Vaginitis
Warts
Wound healing
Aroma: Pungent, aggressive, camphor-like, clean
Blends well with: Lavender, Geranium, Pine, Thyme, Clary Sage, Grapefruit, Bergamot,
Parts Used: Leaves
Essential Oils Properties: antibiotic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, decongestant, deodorant, diaphoretic, expectorant, immune stimulant, antiparasitic, vermifuge, vulnerary.
Emotional Concerns: Tea Tree oil is good for cases of depression and low self-esteem.
Contraindications: Tea Tree may be a possible irritant to sensitive skin despite its reputation as safe for neat application.
Tree Tea Shampoo:
1 large jug of peppermint tea with two tea bags
Tea Tree oil.
Make up the peppermint tea and let it cool. Add ten drops of tea tree oil. Pour over head as a final rinse.
Discover Recipes for Tea Tree Oil for Lice
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Sandalwood Essential Oils Guide
Sandalwood oil benefits is one of the oldest know sources of perfume and incense. It has been used in India since ancient times for religious rituals and temples have been built of sandalwood. As a powerful meditation and prayer aid, it helps the mind set aside mental chatter and crate the right mood for worship.
Medicinal uses of sandalwood are mentioned in old Sandkrit and Chinese manuscripts. In Chinese medicine, it is used to treat stomachache, vomiting and gonorrhea. In Ayurvedic medicine, sandalwood is used for urinary and respiratory tract infections, skin inflammations, abscesses and tumors.
Sandalwood essence is derived from the heartwood of the sandalwood tree. The trees grow very slowly, reaching maturity in 40 to 50 years. Cut sandalwood is left on the forest floor until the outer wood is eaten away by ants, leaving only the heartwood, which the ants will not attack. Sandalwood essential oil is steam distilled from this heartwood.
Botanical Name: Santalum album
Note: Base
Odor Intensity: Medium
Key Uses:
Aphrodisiac
Bladder infection, cystitis
Bronchitis, persistent
Calming and grounding
Cough, dry
Cracked skin
Diarrhea
Eczema
Kidney infections
Impotence
Spiritual aid
Urinary tract problems
Aroma: woody, deep, lasting, musky, sweet, balsamic
Blends well with: Chamomile, Patchouli, Geranium, Bergamot, Jasmine, Frankincense, Rose, Ylang Ylang.
Parts Used: Heartwood
Essential Oils Properties: antifungal, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, decongestant, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, insecticide, sedative, tonic.
Emotional Concerns: Sandalwood can be helpful with obsession and materialism.
Contraindications: Use with moderation
Relaxing Bath ~ Sandalwood Skin:
5-6 drops Sandalwood
2-3 drops Roman Chamomile
Combine essential oils with 1 tsp of honey. Add honey and oil mixture to running bath water.
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Rosemary Benefits
Rosemary is energizing, it stimulates the central nervous system, aids the lymphatic system by eliminating wastes from the body and is a good choice for edema and cellulite. In the bath or as a massage, rosemary helps to improve circulation. It also improves circulation in the scalp and can be used in cases of dandruff and hair loss.
Rosemary is also helpful for muscle pains and rheumatism. For rheumatism, use in a friction rub with alcohol and for muscle pins use in a friction rub with olive oil or other massage oil.
Botanical Name: Rosemarinus officinalis
Note: Middle
Odor Intensity: High
Key Uses:
Arthritis and rheumatism
Asthma
Bronchitis
Cellulite
Circulation, poor
Colds, cough and flue
Constipation
Dysmenorrheal
Edema, water retention
Hair loss, dandruff
Headache
Hypotension
Intestinal infections
Lice, scabies
Lymphatic congestion
Memory loss, mental fatigue
Migraine
Muscle soreness
Stimulant
Whooping cough
Aroma: Camphoraceous, penetrating, fresh
Blends well with: Grapefruit, Bergamot, Lavender, Peppermint, Pine, Geranium, Tea Tree, Thyme
Parts Used: Leaves and twigs
Properties: antiseptic, analgesic, antirheumatic, astringent, antispasmodic, carminative, cephalic, diaphoretic, digestive, decongestant, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypertensive, parasiticide, stimulant, tonic.
Emotional concerns: Rosemary is useful in cases of mental fatigue, lethargy and forgetfulness. It promotes mental clarity and clears the mind of doubt and confusion.
Contraindications: Avoid use during pregnancy or on those with a history of high blood pressure or epilepsy. Do not use on sensitive or damaged skin. Rosemary may have antifertility effects, preventing egg implantation. Large quantities of ingested rosemary oil may cause intestinal irritation and renal damage.
Scalp Treatment for Hair Loss
1 Tbsp Jojoba oil
2 tsp massage oil
8 drops Lavender
5 drops Clary Sage
3 drops Rosemary
3 drops Grapefruit or 3 drops Ylang Ylang
Blend. Warm the mixture in your hands or in warm water before application. Massage a few drops into the scalp and leave overnight to be absorbed. Apply 3-4 times weekly.
Discover More Rosemary for Hair
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Pine Benefits
Native to northern Europe and Russia, Pinus sylvestris is believed to be the only European pine to have survived the ice age. In Switzerland, pine needles are sometimes used to stuff mattresses as a way of treating rheumatic complaint. Pine is often recommended for lung and respiratory infection, for colds and for disinfecting and deodorizing. Pine often spritzed or diffused in a room and is a wonderful for eliminating odors.
Botanical Names: Pinus sylvestris
Note: Middle
Odor Intensity: Medium
Key Uses:
Asthma
Bronchitis, laryngitis
Colds
Deodorizer
Dysmenorrheal
Fatigue
Flu
Hay fever
Respiratory infections (pneumonia)
Sinusitis
Aroma: clean, crisp, resinous, pungent.
Blends well with: Frankincense, Lavender, Lemon, Patchouli, Rosemary, Peppermint, Thyme, Marjoram, Bergamot.
Parts Used: Needles
Pine Essential Oils Properties: antiseptic, antiviral, antirheumatic, deodorant, disinfectant, cholagogue, decongestant, diuretic, expectorant, tonic, stimulant.
Emotional concerns: Pine clears negative thoughts and helps with mental fatigue, self-esteem and emotional weakness.
Contraindications: Those with a history of prostrate cancer should avoid using pine. Pine may be a possible irritant to skin and kidneys. Do not use in large amounts in the bath.
Lung Infection Healing Inhalation:
2 drops Lavender
3 drops Pine
3 drops Thyme
2 Drops Eucalyptus
Drop essential oils into a bowl of almost boiling water. Cover head with a towel and carefully inhale vapors deeply for five minutes. Repeat three times daily for 10 days.
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Rose Benefits
Perhaps no other flower has more romantic symbolism than the rose. Its fragrance has inspired poets and lovers since ancient times.
Rose essential oil has been used in Persia for hundreds of years. In fact, the Persians were the first to distill the essential oil of rose. The Gallica rose—often referred to as the Damask rose—is the variety most highly valued. The essential oil produced from roses in Bulgaria’s Kanzanlik Valley are considered the best and most fragrant. One acre of land yields three tons of Damask roses, which in turn yield only two liters of essential oil after distillation.
Turkey also produces essential oil of rose. It is less expensive and considered to be less desirable, but it still has a beautiful smell.
Botanical Name: Rosa damascena
Note: Middle
Odor Intensity: Very High
Key Uses:
Aging, delicate skin
Aphrodisiac
Broken capillaries
Depression
Eczema
Grief
Liver problems
Menopause
PMS
Uterine tonic
Aroma: sweet and floral with complex undertones
Blends well with: Lemon, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine
Parts Used: Flowers
Essential Oils Properties: antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, emmenagogue, hemostatic, sedative, tonic
Emotional concerns: Rose is useful in treating depression, emotional coldness, sadness, anger, stress, bereavement, nervous tension and insomnia.
Contraindications: use with caution during pregnancy. Beware of adulteration with Geranium essential oil.
Thread Veins and Tender Skin:
2 drops Rose
3 drops Lavender
4 drops Witch Hazel
2 oz. rose water
Combine and apply to cheeks twice a day. Also use as a cool compress as rosewater benefits.
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Peppermint Benefits
Peppermint is one of the most commonly used herbs. The essential oil is used as an ingredient in toothpaste, confectionery, indigestion tablets and the liqueur creme de menthe. A peppermint tisane is said to aid the digestion. It is one of the few varieties of mint which can be grown from seed and will quickly establish itself.
Don’t confuse this plant with spearmint (they look a lot alike). Besides relieving spasms, gas and indigestion, peppermint can also temporarily reduce hunger pangs, but they will return later, stronger than ever. To prepare peppermint tea, pour boiling water over two thirds cup dried leaves and steep for five to 10 minutes. Peppermint teas should not be given to infants and small children because it can cause a choking sensation
Botanical Name: Mentha piperita
Note: Top
Odor Intensity: High
Key Uses:
Asthma
Bad breath
Bronchitis, chronic
Colds and flu, dry cough
Concentration, clarity, memory
Decongestant
Fatigue, mental and physical
Flatulence
Headache
Gastrointestinal spasm
Gastrointestinal poisoning, diarrhea
Indigestion, heartburn, colic
Intestinal parasites
Irritable bowel syndrome
Migraine
Muscle aches and pains
Nausea and vomiting
Pain relief
Palpitations
Aroma: fresh, minty, earthy, sweet, penetrating, invigorating.
Blends well with: Lemon, Rosemary, Marjoram, Eucalyptus, Lavender
Parts Used: Leaves
Properties: analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, expectorant, sudorific.
Emotional Concerns: Peppermint helps with the assimilation and digestion of ideas. It stimulates and awakens the mind and refreshes the spirit.
Contraindications: Peppermint may counteract homeopathic remedies, and it may cause wakefulness in the evenings. Die to its cooling effect, do not rub peppermint over the whole body, and use with caution and only in diluted form in the bath.
Recipe for Dry Cough:
5 drops Peppermint
4 drops Sandalwood
3 drops Pine
Combine with 1 ½ tsp aloe vera gel and rub onto chest. Or add to a bowl of almost boiling water and use as an inhalation.
Recipe For Gastrointestinal Distress:
2 drops Peppermint
2 drops Roman Chamomile
1 tsp carrier oil or lotion
Massage over affected area in a clockwise direction. The antispasmodic properties of peppermint oil will relieve the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, while its analgesic properties will ease pain. This combination of properties provides relief for colic, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and intestinal cramps. The addition of Roman Chamomile may augment the effect.
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Patchouli Oils
The fragrance of patchouli is deep, warm and distinct. Patchouli leaves are aged before the distillation process, which helps to impart richness into the smell of this essential oil. As patchouli essential oil ages, its smell continues to improve and deepen. Patchouli helps to rejuvenate skin, so it is a good choice for aging skin and cracked, dry skin. It is also helpful for eczema, acne, and athlete’s foot. Think of it as a remedy for whenever the skin is split, cracked or purulent. Patchouli is antifungal and antiseptic and is an excellent insect repellant, especially for wool moths.
Botanical Name: Pogostemon patchouli
Note: Base
Odor Intensity: High
Key Uses:
Athlete’s foot
Abscesses
Cold sores
Dry, cracked skin
Eczema
Enlarged pores
Fungal infections
Hemorrhoids
Impotence
Scars
Wounds, weeping sores
Aroma: deep, earthy, intense, musty.
Blends well with: Geranium, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lavender, Frankincense, Rose, Sandalwood, Pine.
Aroma: Sweet, citrus, heady with bitter undertone.
Parts Used: Leaves
Properties: anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, fungicide, insecticide, sedative, tonic.
Emotional concerns: Patchouli is grounding and calming and helps with apathy, anorexia, and anxiety.
Contraindications: Use with moderation.
Cracked and Calloused Heels:
2 drops Patchouli
2 drops Lavender
½ tsp healing lotion base
Combine lotion and Patchouli. Apply liberally to the heels. Cover with cotton socks overnight. Repeat for several nights.
Patchouli Perfumes
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Oregano Benefits
Oregano is a strong antimicrobial oil and is generally a good choice for fighting colds. It also eases the pain of arthritis. However, oregano is a skin irritant and should be used with caution. Do not confuse Origanum vulgare ssp compactum with the more gentle essential oil of marjorum, Origanum majorana.
Botanical Name: Origanum vulgare and Origanum Compactum
Note: Middle
Odor Intensity: Medium
Key Uses:
Amenorrhea
Arthritis
Asthma
Bronchitis (chronic)
Candida
Cellulite
Colds and flu
Constipation
Cough-tickling and whooping
Constipation
Digestion, sluggish
Expectorant
Lice
Parasites
Respiratory infection (tuberculosis)
Rheumatism
Warts
Aroma: pungent, hot, earthy and spicy
Blends well with: Lemon, Bergamot, Lavender, Rose, Pine, Geranium, Sandalwood.
Parts Used: Leaves
Properties: analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, stomachic, expectorant, emmenagogue, antirheumatic.
Contraindications: Avoid prolonged internal use. May be irritating to the skin and cause contact dermatitis. Always dilute well before applying to the skin. Do not use during pregnancy or on children under 5. Blend oregano with mild essential oils such as Lavender before diffusing. Excessive amounts of diffused oregano will cause eye and throat irritation.
Undiluted oregano can be very irritating to the skin. Use only in dilution with vegetable oil or lotion. be especially careful on hypersensitive skin, damaged skin, aged skin and with children.
Oregano Oil for Candida
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Neroli Essential Oils Recipes
The essential oil of Neroli is distilled from the fresh-picked flowers of the orange tree, making it a citrus family member. Neroli is one of the most expensive and precious of the essential oils. One ton of hand-picked blossoms produces only one quart of essential oil. The best quality neroli oil comes from the bitter orange tree, which is cultivated for its perfume.
Neroli has powerful psychological properties. It helps relieve the strain of long-term tension, and it is a wonderful natural aid for insomnia. Neroli also helps to regulate heart rhythm and lowers blood pressure.
Botanical Name: Citrus aurantium var amara
Note: Middle to Base
Odor Intensity: Medium
Key Uses:
Anxiety
Childbirth
Circulation
Dry, irritated skin
Hemorrhoids
High blood pressure
Hysteria
Insomnia
Intestinal spasms
Irritability
Frigidity
Mature skin
Palpitations
Perfume
PMS
Post-partum depression
Rapid heart beat
Scarring
Shock
Skin—all types
Stress
Stretch marks
Tachycardia
Varicose veins
Aroma: sweet, citrus, heady with bitter undertone
Blends well with: All citrus, Lavender, Rose, Jasmine, Chamomile
Parts Used: Flowers
Properties: antiseptic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, anti-toxic, aphrodisiac, carminative, deodorant, euphoric, hypnotic, sedative, tonic, tranquilizing.
Emotional Concerns: Neroli is useful for states such as shock or hysteria. It may be helpful for post-partum depression, irritability and sadness.
Contraindications: do not confuse this oil with niaouli oil, a variety of Tea Tree.
Soft Skin:
2 drops Neroli
1 drop Roman Chamomile
1 drop Rose
4 drops Bergamot
2 capsules vitamin E, opened
1 ounce massage oil with borage
Mix all ingredients and use on skin after showering
High Blood Pressure:
3 drops Neroli
2 drops Ylang Ylang
4 drops Lemon
1 drops Lavender
Place in nebulizing diffuser. Turn on for several minutes to inhale aroma. Or place the mixture on the cotton pad of an aroma ball to diffuse gently throughout the day.
Palpitations/Tachycardia Roll-On Blend:
2 drops Neroli
1 drop Rose
2 drops Ylang Ylang
Mix with 10 ml massage oil in roll-on bottle. Roll onto pulse points on wrists several times per day; inhale aroma directly throughout the day.
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Myrrh Oils
Myrrh has a long history of use in religious ceremonies as incense. Ancient Egyptians also used it as an embalming agent. Myrrh was one of the three gifs of the Magi, along with frankincense and gold. Jesus was anointed with myrrh after his death. Ancient texts refer to the power of myrrh to hasten labor and to treat rotten teeth.
Botanical Name: Commiphora myrrha
Note: Base
Odor Intensity: High
Key Uses:
Aging or wrinkled skin
Athlete’s feet
Bronchitis
Colds
Coughs with thick mucus
Cracked, chapped, or manure skin
Cuts, sores, skin ulcers, bedsores
Gingivitis
Tooth, gum and mouth infections
Sore throat/laryngitis
Thrush
Wound healing
Aroma: Smokey and resinous
Blends well with: Geranium, Frankincense, Rose
Part Used: Resin
Properties: Antifungal;, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, fungicidal, expectorant, sedative, vulnerary.
Emotional Concerns: Myrrh enhances spiritual connections and is calming and reassuring. It is also good for emotion confusion, fear, and hysteria.
Contraindications: Myrrh may be contraindicated in cases of low blood sugar. Avoid if during pregnancy, and use it in moderation.
Myrrh oils is helpful for eliminating excess thick mucous.
Inhalation for Thick Mucous
4 drops Myrrh
3 drops Eucalyptus
2 drops Thyme
1-2 drops Tea tree
Drop essential oils into a bowl of almost boiling water. Cover head with a towel and carefully inhale vapors deeply for five minutes. Repeat three times a day for five days, or until condition clears.
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Marjoram Uses
In ancient times, marjoram was believed to increase lifespan. Ancient Greek physicians used marjoram to treat rheumatism and muscle spasms. During the renaissance, this marvelous herb was used for jaundice and chest infections. Marjoram herb is helpful with all diseases of the chest which hinder the breathing. It is “comforting in cold diseases of the head, stomach, sinews and other parts.
Marjoram is a wonderful sedative, a first choice for insomnia, nervous tension or anguish. It relieves muscle pain, being both analgesic and antispasmodic, a rub with marjoram after strenuous exercise is an excellent choice.
Marjoram is useful for colds and coughs, because it helps kill bacteria and aids the body in expelling mucus from the lungs. It also soothes the spasm often associated with cough.
Botanical Name: Origanum majorana
Note: Middle
Odor Intensity: Medium
Key Uses:
Aches and pains
Amenorrhea
Asthma
Bronchitis
Colds
Colic
Constipation
Coughs
Dyspepsia
High blood pressure
Insomnia
Joints, stiff
Leucorrhea
Migraines
Mouth ulcers
Muscle cramps
Nervous tension
Painful menstruation
Palpitations
Rheumatism
Aroma: Warm, woody, camphoraceous, green, nutty
Blends well with: Lavender, Bergamot, Neroli, Rosemary, Tea tree, Clary Sage, Geranium.
Parts Used: Leaves
Properties: anaphrodisiac (decreases sex drive), analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, digestive, expectorant, hypotensive, laxative, nervine, restorative, sedative, tonic.
Emotional Concerns: loneliness, debility, insomnia, agitation, anguish, obsession, nervous tension.
Contraindications: Large amounts may cause drowsiness or dull the senses to the point of stupefaction. Do not use during pregnancy. May decrease sex drive.
Daytime After Exercise Muscle Relief Rug:
5 drops Marjoram
4 drops Rosemary
3 drops Eucalyptus
2 drops Peppermint
1 drops Thyme
½ oz carrier oil or aloe vera gel
Nighttime Muscle Relief Cream:
5 drops Marjoram
4 drops Lavender
2 drops Roman Chamomile
2 drops Ylang Ylang
Combine ingredients in ½ ounce of a cream-base lotion, such as self heal cream or Healing AC Cream.
Off to Sleep:
3 drops Marjoram
3 drops Neroli
3 drops Lavender
Use in a nebulizing diffuser or plug-in wall diffuser…..a simple method is to dab a few drops on a light bulb…when the bulb heats up…the oils will be released.
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Mandarin Benefits
Like other quality citrus essential oils, mandarin is obtained by cold expression of the peel of the fruit. The result is an essential oil that has a sweet citrus aroma. Green mandarin tends to have a softer more floral aroma, while red mandarin’ aroma is more pungent.
French aromatherapists consider mandarin to be one of the safest essential oils. Hence, it is used in children’s remedies and by pregnant women all well as for the elderly. It is often used for hiccups and to soothe indigestion. It may also support the liver. Like all citrus oils, mandarin is photosensitizing, which means that topical use may cause skin to burn more quickly and more deeply in sunlight or from tanning beds.
Botanical Name: Citrus reticulata
Note: Top
Odor Intensity: Low (green) to Medium-High (red)
Key Uses:
Acne
Cellulite
Children’s concerns
Dyspepsia
Fluid retention
Hiccups
Indigestion
Insomnia
Intestinal problems
Nervous tension
Oily skin
Restlessness
Stretch marks
Scars
Aroma: fresh, citrus, lively.
Blends well with: Bergamot, Cinnamon, Clove, Lavender, Sandalwood.
Part Used: Peel
Properties: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, diuretic (mild), sedative, tonic.
Emotional Concerns: stress, tension, moodiness, shock.
Contraindications: photosensitizing; do not use on skin prior to sun exposure.
Mandarin Oily Skin Toner:
6 oz. distilled water
3 drops Mandarin
2 drops Lemon
1 Tbsp Witch Hazel
Combine ingredients in a glass bottle. Shake mixture before use. Shelf life of about a month.
For an even more natural toner, make an infusion of 1 heaping Tbsp of dried Witch Hazel herb in 1 cup of boiling water. Allow the mixture to steep for 10 minutes, then strain. Substitute the infusion for the distilled water and the prepared witch hazel in the above recipe.
Stretch Mark Prevention:
6 drops Mandarin
4 drops Neroli
2 drops Geranium or 3 drops Lavender
1 tsp each fresh flaxseed oil, fresh hazelnut oil, fresh rose hip seed oil
1 Tbsp of quality base oil such as Wheat germ
1 Vitamin E capsule, cut open and added to mixture
1 ounce cocoa butter.
Melt Cocoa butter slowly over low heat in a small, stainless steel pan. Remove from heat and stir in the vegetable oil and vitamin E. Add the essential oils last, as the mixture is cooling.
High-quality carrier oils turn rancid very quickly and should be stored in the refrigerator. You can find flax seed oil in the refrigerated section of your health food store. If you cannot locate the rose hip seed oil or hazelnut oil, the recipes will still be effective. Instead, increase the base oil to 1 ½ Tbsp.
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Lemon Benefits
The lemon tree originated in Southeast Asia but is now grown extensively in hot climates around the world, particularly in California and the Mediterranean. The Greeks and Romans used lemon peel as an insect repellant. By the late 17th century, Europeans were using lemon as a blood purifier and digestive.
Lemon is effective in treating infections of all kind and is believed to increase white blood cell activity. Lemon is tonifying to the circulatory and digestive system and helps counteract acidity in the body.
Botanical Name: Citrus limonum
Note: Top
Odor Intensity: Low
Note: Lemon Zest is not the same as Lemon Peel
Key Uses:
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Cellulite, cellular congestion
Colds and flu
Depression
Indigestion infections
Gallstones and urinary stones
Gastric hyperacidity
Hypertension
Jet lag
Liver congestion
Varicose veins
Warts
Aroma: clean, fresh, citrus, penetrating.
Blends well with: Lavender, Ylang Ylang, all other citrus, Geranium, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Rose, Thyme.
Part Used: Peel
Properties: antiseptic, anti-toxic, antiviral, bactericidal, digestive, diuretic, fungicidal, stimulant, stomachic, tonic.
Emotional Concerns: Lemon is uplifting and rejuvenating. It can clear thinking and dispel sluggishness.
Contraindications: Lemon has a short shelf life. Old oil used on the skin may cause an allergic reaction. Lemon is photosensitizing, so avoid sunlight and tanning beds after application. Use only in low concentrations for all dermal applications and baths.
Benefits, Lemon for Colds:
2 drops Rosemary
2 drops Peppermint
2 drops Eucalyptus
3 drops Lemon
Combine essential oils in an amber glass bottle. Use 3-4 drops in a steam inhalation.
Antiseptic Spray for the Home:
10 drops Lemon
3 drops Thyme
8 oz. distilled Water
2 Tbsp alcohol
Add lemon to alcohol in a glass spray bottle. Add water. Shake before using.
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Lavendar Oils
Lavender is one of the most useful of all essential oils. It is perhaps most famous for its ability to accelerate the healing of wounds and burns. Lavender is also useful for coughs, colds and sore throats. It is an effective relaxant and sedative and may be useful in cases of insomnia and nightmares.
Lavender essential oil is reputed to help with migraine headaches and it is often used in skin care products due to its healing, soothing and moisturizing properties. The name “lavender’ may have come from the Latin word lavare, which means “to wash,” because the Romans frequently used fragrant lavender in their bath waters.
Botanical Name: Lavendula angustifolia
Note: Middle
Odor Intensity: Medium
Key Uses:
Acne
Anger
Anxiety
Bruises, burns, sunburn, cuts
Convulsions
Eczema and psoriasis
Hair loss
Headache and migraine
Hiccups hypertension
Infection
Insect bites
Insect repellent
Insomnia
Inflammation
Leukorrhea
Muscle spasms
Pain—arthritic, strains, sprains
Palpitations
Rash, itchy skin
Scabies
Scars
Vaginitis
Wounds
Aroma: Floral and herbaceous, clean.
Blends well with: Most essential oils, especially Geranium, Clary Sage, Pine, Thyme, Peppermint, and all citrus.
Parts Used: Leaves and Flowers
Properties: antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, antivenom, emmenagogue, hemostatic, sedative, tonic.
Emotional Concerns: Lavender is very balancing and calming to the nervous system and can soothe states of anxiety, irritability, anger, frustration and compulsion. Lavendar oils may be helpful in cases of manic depression.
Contraindications: use with caution during pregnancy. Be sure to use only true lavender, (Lavandula angustifolia). Other types of lavender have different properties and stronger contraindications.
Lavender for Sachets
Lavender Lotions
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Where To Purchase Lavender Oil:
Jasmine the Plant
Jasmine essential oil has a rich, exotic smell and it has been used as a perfume material for centuries. Louis XIV reportedly slept in jasmine-scented sheets. Jasmine is also a powerful aphrodisiac, and is reputed to help with both impotence and frigidity. It may be that jasmine has pheromone-like qualities, as it is in some ways chemically similar to pheromone-containing human perspiration.
Jasmine is helpful during childbirth; in small amounts it can reduce pain and stimulate uterine contractions. It may also help to stimulate milk production after delivery.
Jasmine oil, like rose, is costly to produce. Jasmine flowers are delicate and must be picked by hand to prevent damage. Due to changes in the plant’s chemistry, the aroma of jasmine become more intense at night. For this reason, jasmine must be gathered before daylight, which increases labor costs. Due to its remarkable nocturnal fagrance, the people of India call jasmine “Queen of the Night”.
Botanical Name: Jasminum officinale, Jasminum grandiflorum
Note: Base
Odor Intensity: High
Key Uses:
Aphrodisiac
Bronchial spasms
Coughs, spasmodic
Cramps, menstrual
Childbirth
Dry skin, dermatitis
Impotence, frigidity (emotional)
Milk production
Post-partum depression
Perfume
Uterine spasms
Fragrance: deep, oriental, flora, sensuous.
Blends well with: Sandalwood, Rose, Neroli, Geranium
Parts Used: Flowers
Properties: analgesic, aphrodisiac, antidepressant, antispasmodic, carminative, cicatrizant, emollient, euphoric, expectorant, galactagogue, sedative, uterine tonic.
Emotional Concerns: Hypersensitivity, lack of confidence, frigidity, impotence, post-partum depression, paranoia, fear.
Contraindications: Do not take internally. Beware of adulterated products. Do not use in the first four months of pregnancy. Use in low dilutions.
Luxurious Body Powder:
5 drops Sandalwood
2 drops Jasmine
2 drops Grapefruit
3 drops Bergamot
½ cup cornstarch
Self Confidence Roll-on
1 drop Jasmine
1 drop Rose
1 drop Ylang Ylang
3 drops Thyme
10ml of carrier oil
Combine and put in roll-on bottle. Use throughout the day as a perfume; apply to pulse points.
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Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helichrysum, also known as everlasting or immortelle, is native to the Mediterranean region. Like lavender, Helichrysum stimulates the growth of new cells and is recommended for bruises, burns and scars. Many claim that Helichrysum can help with hearing loss and nerve damage, but these claims are as of yet scientifically unsubstantiated.
Helichrysum essential oil acts as a stimulant for the liver, gallbladder and spleen. It aids in detoxification of the body, working especially through the lymph glands.
Botanical Name: Helichrysum italicum
Note: Middle
Odor Intensity: High
Key Uses:
Allergies
Arthritis
Bruises, burns, rashes
Chronic cough, whooping cough
Dermatitis
Detoxification
Eczema and psoriasis
Headaches and migraine
Inflammation
Liver/spleen congestion
Mediation
Muscle pain
Nerve damage
Nervous exhaustion
Ringing in the ears
Scarring, wounds
Aroma: Earthy, slightly floral, heady, powerful, hay-like.
Blends well with: Rose, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Geranium, and Clary Sage.
Part Used: Flowers
Properties: anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, antiseptic, cholagogue, cicatrizant, diuretic, expectorant, fungicidal, hepatic, nervine.
Emotional Concerns: Helichrysum is relaxing and emotionally warming and opening, easing such emotions as frustration and irritability. Helichrysum helps remove the most stubborn of wood emotions—jealousy, half-conscious anger and bitterness of spirit.
Contraindications: Do not take internally.
Blend for Bruises:
3 drops Helichrysum
3 drops Lavender
2 drops Geranium
2 drops Thyme
1 oz. carrier oil or lotion base
Mix the essential oils with the carrier oil or lotion. Apply to the bruise 3-4 times per day.
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Where to Purchase Helichrysum Essential Oils:
Grapefruit Benefits
Grapefruit is valuable for conditions in which the body is not effectively eliminating toxins, including cellulite, fluid retention, and lymphatic congestion. Grapefruit stimulates the liver and gallbladder and helps regulate eating disorders. It is balancing for people who use overeating to calm nervous anxiety.
Botanical Name: Citrus paradise
Note: Top
Odor Intensity: Medium
Key Uses:
Anorexia
Cellulite
Circulation, poor
Depression
Detoxification
Digestive problems
Drug/alcohol withdrawal
Edema and fluid retention
Headache
Jet lag
Lymphatic congestion
Obesity
Weight loss
Aroma: citrus, sweet, fresh, appealing.
Blends well with: All Citrus, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme, Cinnamon, Geranium.
Part Used: Peel
Grapefruits Benefits ~ Properties: antidepressant, antiseptic, digestive, diuretic, stimulant, tonic.
Emotional Concerns: Grapefruit is balancing to the emotions. It brightens dark, depressive moods and it eases frustrations. Grapefruit provides a sense of lightness when everyday responsibilities seem too heavy.
Contraindications: Grapefruit has the shortest shelf life of the citrus essential oils but is the least photosensitizing. Because grapefruit is a potential skin irritant, it should not be used in large quantities in the bath.
Health Benefit of Grapefruit: Grapefruit is helpful for general fatigue and tiredness. It is also good for many skin conditions, including bruises, fgungal infections, wounds, dry skin, streatch marks and cellulite.
Citrus Body Polish:
3 Tbsp Jojoba oil
1 tsp NSP massage oil
3 Tbsp unscented castile soap
1 tsp Sunshine Concentrate
4 Tbsp fine sea salt
3 tsp coarse salt
25 drops Bergamot
20 drops Lemon
15 drops Pink Grapefruit
Gently stir together the soap and the oils. Add the salts and essential oils and blend with a wooden spoon. Transfer to a wide-mouthed container for easy scooping.
Apply this blend all over in the shower before turning on the water, paying special attention to rough areas such as elbows and the heal of feet. Rinse. Enough for tow applications.
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Geranium Oils
The essential oil of geranium has a flowery, rose-like fragrance. In fact, it is often used to adulterate rose oil. The essential oil of geranium comes from the pelargonium plant and should not be confused with the European genus of geranium, which includes crane’s bill. Beware of falsified oils or oils from the wrong plant species.
Geranium is calming, balancing and uplifting for depression. It is reputed to help with female hormone balance and is useful in easing PMS, engorgement of the breast, night sweat, and hot flashes.
Geranium is helpful for general fatigue and tiredness. It is also good for many skin conditions, including bruises. Fungal infections, wounds, dry skin, stretch marks, and cellulite.
Botanical Name: Pelargonium graveolens
Note: Middle
Odor Intensity: High
Key Uses:
Acne
Anxiety
Breast engorgement or congestion
Bruises, broken capillaries
Depression
Diabetes
Cellulite
Edema
Eczema
Hormone balance (PMS, menopause)
Insect repellant (mosquitoes, gnats)
Kidney stones
Lymphatic stimulant
Neuralgia (especially facial)
Skin care
Urinary disorder
Ulcers
Wounds
Aroma: Rose-like and sweet, with an earthy, mint-like undertone.
Blends well with: Clove, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Neroli, Jasmine, Rose and all citrus, especially Bergamot.
Part Used: Leaves
Properties: Astringent, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, calming, diuretic, homeostatic, uplifting, vulnerary, tonic.
Emotional Concerns: Geranium is useful in cases of nervous tension, stress and anxiety.
Contraindications: Geranium can be an irritant to sensitive skin. It may cause restlessness or insomnia if used in the evening or if overused. Avoid long-term use if you have a history of estrogen-dependent cancers.
Wound Healer:
5 drops Geranium
5 drops Lavender
3 drops Frankincense
1 Tbsp Aloe Vera Gel
Mix and apply to the wound.
Insect Repellant:
4 drops Thyme
4 drops Geranium
4 drops Lavender
4 drops Peppermint
Add to 2 Tbsp Witch Hazel and dilute in 4 oz. water. Spray on skin to deter insect bites.
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Frankincense Benefits
Frankincense, also known as olibanum, is an aromatic gum resin obtained from African and Middle Eastern trees. When the bark of the frankincense tree is damaged or deliberately cut, the tree exudes its resin, or “tears”. The essential oil is steam distilled from the gum resin.
Frankincense, one of the three gifts of the Magi to the infant Jesus, has been used since ancient times in religious rituals. Frankincense slows and deepens the breath, produces feelings of calm and puts us in the right mental state for prayer or mediation.
Frankincense is a particularly good aid to the lungs, helping in cases of respiratory infection, nervous and allergic asthma, and chronic bronchitis.
Botanical Name: Boswellia carteri
Note: Base
Order Intensity: High
Key Uses:
Aging skin, wrinkles
Asthma
Bronchitis
Calming
Colds and coughs
Cystic breasts
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Emphysema
Fear, nightmares
Painful periods
Respiratory congestion, infections
Skin—scars, infections, boils
Spiritual aid
Ulcers
Varicose veins
Wound healing
Aroma: Balsamic, woody, dry with notes of turpentine, rich, incense-like.
Blends well with: All citrus, especially Bergamot and Lemon, Cinnamon, Geranium, Pine, Rose, Sandalwood, and Lavender
Parts Used: Resin
Properties: Antiseptic, sedative, tonic, expectorant, cicatrizant, astringent, anti-inflammatory, relaxant, hemostatic vulnerary.
Emotional Concerns: Frankincense is opening, relaxing and fear-relieving. It soothes the spirit as it deepens the breathing.
Contraindications: Avoid during Pregnancy.
Asthma Rub—Children 3-7
2 drops Frankincense
3 drops Lavender
2 drops Geranium
Add to 1 Tbsp massage oil.
Massaging the chest area helps to open constricted lungs. Regular chest massage may prevent asthma attacks from occurring frequently. Asthmatics should test-smell essential oils to avoid individual allergic reactions.
Asthma Rub—Spasmodic:
3 drops Frankincense
3 drops Clary Sage
2 drops Peppermint
Add to 10 ml carrier oil, and massage on chest. Caution: do not use on people with low blood pressure.
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Euculyptus Oil
Eucalyptus trees are native to Australia and are commonly known as gum trees. Since the late 1800’s, eucalyptus oil has been used in remedies to treat coughts and other concerns of the respiratory system.
Eucalyptus is a powerful decongestant and expectorant and is therefore useful in inhalations in cases of colds, catarrh, and respiratory infections. It is specific for colds accompanied by chills and thin mucus. Eucalyptus is one of the best oils to use in a diffuser to prevent the airborne transmission of illness.
Botanical Name: Eucalyptus globulus
Note: Top
Odor Intensity: Very High
Key Uses:
Air purifier
Antiseptic
Arthritis, rheumatoid and osteo
Bronchitis
Chicken pox
Mind clearer
Colds and flu
Coughs
Decongestant
Diabetes
Fevers insect repellent
Muscle aches, stiffness
Neuralgia
Parasites, intestinal
Respiratory infections
Sinus infection, sinus congestion
Wounds and burns
Aroma: Camphoraceous, pungent, penetrating, fresh, with a slight woody/sweet undertone.
Blends well with: Thyme, Pine, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Rosemary, Tea Tree, and Grapefruit.
Part Used: Leaves
Properties: antiseptic, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-infectious, antiviral, bactericide, deodorant, decongestant, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge.
Emotional Concerns: Constricted, overwhelmed, feeling hemmed in and limited
Contraindications: Eucalyptus may interfere with homeopathic remedies. Beware of rectified oil. Do not use in large concentrations on the skin. Avoid in cases of epilepsy or hypertension and exercise caution in case of asthma.
Massages with eucalyptus can reduce fever and relive the pain of muscle strain and rheumatism. Using eucalyptus on the dressing of a wound will speed healing.
Anti-infectious Chest Rub:
10 drops Eucalyptus
4 drops Peppermint
6 drops Pine (wheeze cough, white mucus) or rosemary (catarrhal cough)
Combine in 1 oz. Aloe vera gel, plus 1/8 teaspoon massage oil. Massage into chest and lower neck.
Cleaner Air:
6 drops Eucalyptus
4 drops Lemon
3 drops Thyme
Add to 6 oz. Water in a glass spray bottle. Spray to freshen the air, or put oils directly into a nebulizing diffuser and diffuse…Additionally, place a few drops on a light bulb..when the bulb heats up the oils will be released.
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Clove Seeds
Clove is an evergreen tree native to the Moluccas in Indonesia. Their pink flower buds are picked just before opening and laid out to dry in the sun until they turn brown. Many old texts list clove as a stomachic, carminative, and digestive. It reduces flatulence, restores appetite, stimulates digestion and fights intestinal parasites and viral infections. Hildegard of Bingen wrote that clove could be used for headaches, migraines and dropsy.
Because of its high eugenol content, essential oils clove is an extremely powerful antiseptic—in some cases more powerful than oregano and thyme. Clove can be used in small amounts for short periods of time in inhalations or diffusions to fight colds. Be sure to keep your eyes closed or covered to prevent irritation.
Botanical Name: Eugenia caryophllata
Note: Middle
Odor Intensity: Medium
Key Uses:
Amnesia, mental debility
Colds, preventative
Digestive disorders-dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhea
Exhaustion
Expectorant
Insect repellant
Mouth and tooth infections
Nausea
Neuralgia
Parasites
Pulmonary infections (tuberculosis)
Rheumatic pain
Sciatica
Shingles (internal use)
Sinusitis
Sore throat
Toothache
Aroma: sweet, spicy, warm, penetrating.
Blends well with: Mandarin, Geranium, Sandalwood, Cinnamon, Lemon, and Rosemary.
Parts Used: Immature Flower
Properties: analgesic, antiparasitic, antiseptic, antineuralgic, antispasmodic, carminative, cicatrizing, stimulant, stomachic, vermifuge.
Emotional Concerns: Clove is reputed to stop “mental chatter” and is good for emotional exhaustion, metal fatigue, and lack of concentration due to mental clutter.
Contraindications: The eugenol content is clove may inhibit blood clotting. Do not use on people with slow blood clotting, hemophilia or those who are taking warfarin or other blood thinners. Do not use concurrently with Tylenol (acetominophen). Do not use in cases of liver or kidney disease.
Clove spices may irritate skin and cause contact dermatitis. It may also irritate the liver. It should not be used for long periods of time. Clove can be adulterated with other oils, such as oil of pimento. Be sure to use only high quality clove seeds oil. Because irritation of the eyes may occur from airborne diffusion, do not use in the diffuser for more than a minute or two.
Bug Repellant Rub:
3 drops Lavender
4 drops Geranium
3 drops Eucalyptus
2 drops Lemon
1 drops Peppermint
1 drops Clove
Add to 1 oz. of carrier oil and apply liberally to skin. Eliminate the lemon if you ill be out in the sun.
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Cinnamon Benefits
Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices known to man. It was a valuable commodity in the spice trade. The Egyptians used cinnamon as perfume, incense and medicine. The Arabs considered cinnamon a symbol of wealth, and it is said that Alexander the Great knew he was near the cost of Arabia when he could smell the spices from the shore wafting past his barge. Diffusing the essential oil of cinnamon leaf disperses unwanted smells and prevents the spread of infection.
The leaf and the bark of the cinnamon tree each yield essential oils that are chemically different. Cinnamon leaf oil contains a high percentage of the phenol eugenol, also found in clove. This may irritate the liver in repeated doses. It has a milder smell, and can be used in diluted form in topical and perfume applications. Cinnamon leaf oil makes pleasant aromatic diffuser blends and works well to combat sleepiness. Cinnamon bark oil contains cinnamic aldehydes, which is an excellent infection fighter. This makes cinnamon bark the oil of choice for severe infections. Cinnamon bark oil is also effective for stimulating menstruation and helping with uterine contractions during childbirth. However, the bark oil is quite irritating to the skin and should not be used topically.
Botanical Name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Note: Middle
Odor Intensity: High
Key Uses: (Leaf and Bark Oil)
Candida
Colds and flu
Digestion, sluggish
Indigestion, dyspepsia
Infection
Infectious diseases
Muscle pain
Nervous exhaustion
Parasites
Leaf: Bark:
Lice, scabies Childbirth
Immunostimulant Diabetes
Severe infection
Aroma: Spicy, hot, sweet, sharp. Cinnamon leaf has a clove-like smell
Blends well with: Mandarin, Frankincense, Ylang Ylang
Parts used: Bark or leaves
Health Properties of Cinnamon: Anthelmintic, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antiputrescent, astringent, aphrodisiac, digestive, emmenagogue, homeostatic, parasiticide, spasmolytic, stimulant, stomachic, vermifuge.
Emotional Concerns: Frigidity, faintness, depression, nervous exhaustion.
Medicinal Benefits of Cinnamon~ Contraindications: Cinnamon is a skin irritant. Use sparingly and never use undiluted. Do not use during pregnancy or on small children. The eugenol content in cinnamon may inhibit blood clotting. Do not use on people with slow blood clotting, hemophilia or those who are taking warfarin or other blood thinners. Do not use concurrently with Tylenol (acetominophen). Do not use in cases of liver or kidney disease.
Both essential oils are excellent antifungals, antivirals and antibacterials. They stimulate digestion and may be used to destroy intestinal parasites.
Aromatic Cinnamon Immunity Blend:
3 drops Cinnamon leaf
2 drops Frankincense
3 drops Mandarin
1 drop Myrrh
Place on cotton pad of wall diffuser. Or dilute in 1 ounce of massage oil for an aromatic, immune-stimulating massage.
Muscle Pain Reliever:
4 drops Cinnamon
5 drops Marjoram
3 drops Roman Chamomile
Mix with 2 ounces massage oil and rub into sore muscles.
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Camomile Benefits
The Roman Chamomile herb has been used in European medicine for over 2,000 years. In herbal medicine, chamomile is used for nervous tension, upset stomach, and children’s ailments.
Roman chamomile essential oil is one of the best calming, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic essential oils. It is a good disinfectant for the urinary tract, and it soothes renal inflammation. Chamomile is also good for any skin irritation—rashes, acne, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and itching. It is excellent for soothing burns and reducing scarring and for soothing sore nipples.
Roman Chamomile
Botanical Name: Chamaemelum nobile
Note: Middle
Odor Intensity: Extremely High
Key Uses:
Anemia
Anger and agitation
Arthritis, bursitis
Cramps, intestinal and menstrual
Children’s ailments
Dyspepsia, indigestion, flatulence
Eczema and psoriasis
Gout
Insomnia
Irritability
Liver congestion
Migraine
Muscular aches, pains, tension
Nervous excitability
Neuralgia
Scanty periods
Sciatica
Sedative (especially for children)
Spastic colon
Teething
Renal inflammation
Aroma: warm, round, earthy, sweet, with a hint of green apple
Blends well with: Sandalwood, Rose, Lavender, Neroli, Geranium
Parts Used: Flowers
Essential Oils Properties: Analgesic, anti-anemic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, calmative, emmenagogue, hepatic, sedative, stomachic, vulnerary, vermifuge.
Emotional Concerns: Chamomile is good for all states of agitation and anger, including nervous irritability, impatience and oversensitivity. Chamomile dispels tension and fear. It is useful for people who tend to think, worry or work too much.
Teething Relief:
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 drop Roman Chamomile
Mix essential oil and olive oil in an amber glass bottle with a dropper. Rub a small amount into affected gums.
Neck and Shoulder Relief:
6 drops Roman Chamomile
18 drops Lavender
15ml carrier oil
Combine in glass bottle. Massage into tense muscles.
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Clary Sage
Clary sage was highly esteemed for its healing properties in the Middle Ages. Medieval authors referred to it as “clear eyes,” because the mucilage from its seeds was used t o clear the eyes of foreign particles.
Clary sage may be helpful in reducing high blood pressure, and because of its antispasmodic properties, it is helpful in treating asthma and muscle strain. Clary sage is also useful in addressing conditions of female hormone imbalance, including excessive sweating associated with menstruation or menopause, infrequent or scanty periods and hot flashes.
Botanical Name: Salvia sclarea
Note: Middle
Odor Intensity: Medium
Key Uses:
Anxiety
Asthma
Amenorrhea
Aphrodisiac
Dysmenorrheal
Dandruff
Nervous tension
Hemorrhoids
Hypertension
Intestinal cramps, colic
Menopause, hot flashes
Muscular tension, aches, strains
PMS
Sweating, excessive
Aroma: Clean, nutty, sweet, warm, green.
Blends well with: Geranium, Lavender, Bergamot, Sandalwood, Rose
Parts Used: Leaves and flowering tops
Essential Oils Properties: anticonvulsive, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, cicatrizant, emmenagogue, euphoric, hypotensive, sedative.
Emotional Concerns: Clary sage is indicated by nervous anxiety, shallow breathing, depression and nervous tension. It is also helpful for emotional confusion and indecision. Clary sage, considered a euphoric, should be used only in moderate doses.
Contraindications: do not use during pregnancy. Do not use while drinking alcoholic beverages, as this may increase the narcotic effect. Overuse can cause headache and stupor. Avoid using in cases of low blood pressure and estrogen-dependent tumors.
Clary sage is also indicated for dandruff and hair loss. It can encourage vivid dreaming and improve dream recall.
Hot Flash Relief:
6 oz. distilled water
4 drops Clary Sage
3 drops Roman Chamomile
3 drops Geranium
2 drops Lemon
1 drop Pine
2 drops Peppermint
Pour water into a spray bottle. Add essential oils. Shake to mix, and always shake before spraying. When you feel a hot flash coming, spritz yourself and inhale, or spritz a cloud of the mixture and walk through it.
PMS Abdomen Rub:
3 drops Lavender
2 drops Roman Chamomile
2 drops Geranium
3 drops Clary Sage
5 drops Sandalwood
Mix with 30 ml carrier oil and massage into abdomen.
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Bergamot Plants
Bergamot is perhaps one of the most useful oils for helping with emotional balance. its gentle smell is uplifting and opening without being too aggressive.
Botanical Name: Citrus bergamia
Note: Top
Odor Intensity: Low
Key Uses:
Addiction
Anxiety
Appetite loss
Bladder infection
Depression
Dyspepsia, painful digestion, colic
Eczema and psoriasis
Gastroenteritis
Insomnia
Intestinal infection/parasites
Mouth infection, herpes
Aroma: A blend of sweet floral with citrus top note and an undertone of vanilla.
Blends well with: Most other oils, especially frankincense, geranium, lavender, clary sage and cypress.
Parts Used: Peel
Essential Oils Properties: Antibacterial, antidepressant, antiseptic, anti-infectious, antispasmodic, antitoxic, deodorant, febrifuge, stomachic, vermifuge.
Emotional Concerns: Bergamot is helpful in cases of addiction, anorexia, bulimia, depression, fear, anxiety, and stress.
Contraindications: Bergamot is extremely photosensitizing and possibly irritating to sensitive skin. Do not expose skin to sunlight or tanning beds for 12 hours after use.
Perfume Bergamot: The bergamot fruit, developed for its scent, has been used in perfumery and medicine in France since the 16th century. Bergamot essence is mentioned in many old manuscripts and herbals. Bergamot is the flavoring used to make Earl Grey tea. The citrus bergamot should not be confused with bergamot herb, a red perennial also know as Oswego tea. Bergamot is primarily used in aromatherapy for its antiseptic properties, which are in some cases as effective as lavender. Bergamot has a wonderful smell and can be used to improve the odor of antiseptic blends in a diffuser.
Anxiety Blend:
8 drops Bergamot
3 drops Clary sage
2 drops Geranium
5 drops Frankincense
Mix oils in an amber glass bottle. Diffuse after a stressful day.
Mouth Ulcers:
4 drops Bergamot
2 drops Peppermint or 1 drop Myrrh
2 drops Geranium
2 drops Thyme
Dilute in 2 teaspoons brandy. To use, add 1 teaspoon of mixture to warm water and swish well around mouth. Do not swallow.
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Where To Purchase Bergamot Plants
Making Herbal Teas
Black and Green Tea
Tea runs a close second to coffee in popularity when it comes to hot drinks and although the problem is less serious, it also contains some caffeine and a good deal of tannin. Black tea and green tea characterize the leaves used to create all varieties of tea. Black tea is fermented to remove some of the tannin. Like coffee, the tannin and caffeine are kept to a minimum when tea is brewed quickly with freshly boiled water. While this may overcome the problem of the tea leaves themselves, there is still some degree of concern about the tea bag. The metals used to secure the bag are viewed as harmful by many and that innocent-looking encasement is actually a carrier of harmful dyes.
Why not use loose teas leaves? A variety of loose teas are available in your supermarket. For less than a dollar you can purchase an individual tea strainer (or you can use a small mesh juice strainer, or cheese cloth) and brew fresh tea in individual glasses or by the pot. Buy a few kinds and you can change your tea to suit your moods.
Tea has another advantage over coffee-it’s much easier to drink it black. For those who insist on sweetening their beverage, honey makes a much tastier tea than sugar.
Herbal Teas
Aside from the traditional tea-leaf teas, delicious teas can be prepared from herbs. Herb teas have no caffeine and many are believed to have healing qualities. While the taste for herb tea must sometimes be acquired, as an incurable tea drinker, I can testify that the acquisition is a simple one. Herb tea is made just like other teas, by pouring boiling water over fresh or dry leaves (or flowers) and allowing the brew to steep for three to five minutes. Some of the herbs that come highly recommended include basil, sage, aniseed, fennel, marjoram and mint.
Tea can be made from many different things. One unique suggestion for making tea is from walnuts. Inside the shell of a walnut is a woody diving membrane. Save these pieces and add a heaping teaspoon to each cup of water, allow them to boil together for five minutes and then let the shell fragments settle to the bottom. When the tea has cooled somewhat it is ready to drink. Subsequent boiling makes the tea even stronger. This method works with pieces of pecan shells and the skin of almonds as well;
Instant Tea
Instant tea (particularly the iced, flavored kind) is an adulterated waste of money. In addition to the finely ground tea leaves, which are the basis of the beverage, all the flavored brands contain either malto dextin to protect the flavor, or they derive their appeal from citric acid, artificial color and flavor, caramel color, vegetable oil and BHA (a preservative.) Don’t be sucked in by the proud claim of “Natural Flavor” that instant tea manufacturers brandish on the label. The flavor may be natural, but not much else is. When this tea comes already prepared in the bottle you not only purchase these same chemicals, but you pay a lot of money for someone else to add the water.
If you want iced tea, brew double strength tea (and here you can add any leftover tea that has been brewed previously), add honey and lemon to taste, and server over ice. Add the sweetening while the tea is hot to make for easier dissolving.
Tea Recipes
Bust Tea
Want a bustier look? Drink Bust Tea! Here’s a tea recipe that will give you a hearty dose of breast-enhancing herbs.
In a saucepan, pour two cups of water over one cup of fenugreek sprouts. Add a dash or two of anise, basil, caraway, dill, fennel, licorice, marjoram and lemongrass. Bring to a boil, then let cool. Add lemon juice and honey to taste. Drink one to two cups a day.
Fennel contains phytoestrogens, plant chemicals similar to the female hormone estrogen. Folklore maintains that the other herbs in this tea can also help enlarge the breasts.
A Tea for Your Liver
This is a grab-bag tea recipe made with herbs that reportedly have liver-protective benefits. Mix to taste: licorice, dandelion, chicory, turmeric and ginger. If you like, you can also add anise, caraway, celery seed, dill, clove, fennel, peppermint, rosemary and vanilla bean. You can mix up a jar of dried herbs and keep the mixture handy for whenever you want an herbal tea.
To Slow Aging:
Drink two antioxidant herb teas a day. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals, naturally occurring oxygen molecules that damage the body and are thought to play a significant role in the aging process. Most fruits and vegetables contain significant amounts of antioxidants, as do many herbs. If you’re a heavy coffee drinker, you might consider replacing two cups of coffee a day with herb tea. Good research suggests that Oregano, Rosemary, Bee balm, Lemon Balm (also know as Melissa), Peppermint, Sage, Spearmint, Savory and Thyme contain significant levels of antioxidants.
Multi-mint Antioxidant Arthritis Tea:
Rosemary and Oregano are both antioxidant mints. Add several more antioxidant herbs to these two and you get a Multi-mint Antioxidant tea. The mints are basil, bee balm, horehound, hyssop, lemon balm, marjoram, oregano, peppermint, rosemary, sage, savory, spearmint and thyme. It makes sense to top it off with a dash of ginger and turmeric.
Basil has five anti-arthritic compounds with marjoram, oregano and rosemary weighted in with a few each.
How much of each herb should you use to make this tea? Use two parts of the ingredients you like and one part of the ingredients you find less appealing. Pour boiling water over the herbs and let them steep for 10 to 20 minutes before drinking.
Anti-Arthritis Tea:
Approximately three parts dried willow bark to two parts dried licorice root and one part minced garlic. Pour boiling water over the mixture and steep for about 15 minutes. If you don’t like the taste, add lemon and /or honey, plus ginger and turmeric to taste.
My Herbal Tea Remedies eBooks contains over 85 recipes for Detox Tea, Aches and Pains Tea, Tea for Nervousness, Sleep Tea Recipe, Upset Stomach Tea, Urinary Infection Tea, and the list goes on and on!
Articles of Interest:
Preserving Herbs
Harvesting Herbs
Pressing Herbs
Basic Herb Dressing
A basic dressing recipe can be found in almost every cookbook. You will notice the standard proportion of oil to vinegar is 3:1. In our experimentation we have discovered that more vinegar and less oil makes a much more flavorful and less fattening dressing, so our Basic Dressing recipe goes like this:
Basic Dressing:
1/3 cup vinegar (wine or cider)
2/3 cup oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Combine all ingredients and shake before pouring.
More often than not, replace all or part of the vinegar with freshly squeezed lemon juice. The oil used varied: safflower or peanut oil for general use; olive oil for Italian-style meals.
From this starting point you can add a variety of herbs and other flavoring ingredients to completely change the look and taste of your dressing. Here is a list of ideas you can employ to change the Basic Dressing to:
Garlic Dressing: mince 1 clove of garlic and add to Basic Dressing
Herb Dressing: to Basic Dressing, with or without garlic, add 1/ 4 teaspoon of dried basil, thyme, or chervil or 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh herbs (parsley, dill). Any herb can be added or deleted to suit your taste.
Blue Cheese Dressing: beat in 3 tablespoons of crumbled Blue cheese. To make the dressing Greek, use feta cheese instead.
Cheese Dressing: gate 2 to 4 tablespoons of Parmesan or Swiss cheese into the dressing.
Creamy Dressing: make the dressing thick and creamy by mashing a hard boiled egg or egg yolk with the lemon juice or vinegar before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Indian Dressing: add 1/ 2 teaspoon of curry powder and a pinch of ginger. Raisins can be added to this dressing, along with 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley and 1 minced clove of garlic.
Chinese Dressing: for spinach salads, bean sprouts or Chinese cabbage make a soy sauce dressing. Make the Basic Dressing with peanut oil and replace the vinegar with soy sauce. Add 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds.
Articles of Interest:
List of Dried Herbs
List of Fresh Herbs
Know Your Spices
Homemade Seasonings ~ Salt Substitute!
Most herbs, spices, and table wines do not contain sodium, nor cholesterol and fat; they can be used in place of salt as seasonings. You will find that flavoring substances such as black pepper, onion, green pepper, garlic, lemon juice, and vinegar complement and enhance the natural goodness of food. When using herbs and spices, use them sparingly because a little goes a long way. However, if you use fresh rather than dried herbs, use twice the amount.
To keep a ready supply of seasonings on hand, try using a combination of herbs instead of salt in your saltshaker. You can make your own herb shaker by combining:
½ Tsp cayenne pepper
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp basil
1 tsp marjoram
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp mace
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp sage
1 tsp savory
This will enhance the flavors of meats and vegetables in the kitchen or on the table.
Table wines are fine to use in cooking, but avoid flavoring your meats with “cooking wines” as they contain added salt. As with herbs, a little wine goes a long way. You can devise your own flavorful marinades by using wine, vinegar, and oil or unsalted salad dressings. Lemon juice, vinegar, Tabasco sauce or unsalted liquid smoke are also great for adding flavor to meats, soups and vegetables.
Use onion or garlic powder, celery seed or flakes as indicated in a recipe instead of flavored salts such as onion salt, celery salt and garlic salt.
As flavor enhancers to heighten the taste of the foods, I would recommend the following low sodium alternatives:
Beef: Bay leaf, dry mustard powder, green pepper, marjoram, fresh mushrooms, nutmeg, onion, pepper, sage, thyme.
Chicken: Green pepper, lemon juice, marjoram, fresh mushrooms, paprika, parsley, poultry seasoning, sage, thyme.
Fish: Bay leaf, curry powder, dry mustard powder, green pepper, lemon juice, marjoram, fresh mushrooms, paprika.
Lamb: Curry powder, garlic, mint, pineapple, rosemary.
Pork: Apple, applesauce, garlic, onion, sage.
Veal: Apricot, bay leaf, curry powder, ginger, marjoram, rosemary.
Asparagus: Garlic, lemon juice, onion, vinegar.
Corn: green pepper, pimiento, fresh tomato.
Cucumbers: chives, dill, garlic, vinegar.
Green beans: dill, limon juice, marjoram, nutmeg, pilmiento.
Greens: onion pepper, vinegar.
Peas: green pepper, mace, onion, paprika, parsley.
Rice: chives, green pepper, onion, mushrooms, saffron.
Squash: Cinnamon, ginger, mace, nutmeg, onion.
Tomatoes: Basil, marjoram, onion, oregano.
Soups: A pinch of dry mustard powder in bean soup; a small amount of vinegar or allspice in vegetable soup; peppercorns in skin milk chowders; bay leaf and parsley in pea soup.
Kali S. Winters
Articles of Interes:
List of Fresh Herbs
List of Dried Herbs
Know Your Spices
List of Dried Herbs & Their Uses
Those herbs not readily available fresh are dried and bottled for your convenience. While not as fresh tasting in this form, if properly prepared, the flavor and aroma can be satisfactorily retained. The potency is much greater in the dried form. As a general guide for interchanging fresh and dried herbs allow 1/3 to ½ teaspoon of dried herbs to replace 1 tablespoon of fresh.
Basil
This dried leaf is a natural companion for tomatoes. Use it in tomato sauces, vegetable casseroles, and fresh tomato salads.
Bay Leaves
While the leaf itself is not eaten it imparts flavor and aroma to soups and tomato dishes and pickling liquors. Also recommended in fish chowders. Add one leaf to the pot when you begin cooking, remove before serving.
Chervil
The French are particularly fond of chervil, and it is one of the traditional components of “fines herbs.” It is much less common in American kitchens but is found to be one of the best flavoring ingredients for salad dressing. Use it just as you would parsley.
Chives
When fresh chives are unavailable, freeze-dried chives are the best substitute. In this form the herb retains a maximum of flavor and when added to a liquid medium dehydrates readily. Use them in any way that you would the fresh.
Marjoram
The traditional way of using marjoram is in lamb dishes. It is also good on string beans and limas and for a unique taste you might try adding some to poultry stuffing.
Oregano
The essential ingredient in all Italian dishes, so any time you want to impart Italian flavor be sure to include this herb. Also used in Greek and Mexican food.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a sweetest herb that is sold dried and resembles small spikes. Add it along with basil, oregano and marjoram to Italian dishes. It can be used in soups and stews, lamb and chicken dishes and it is great in gin drinks too.
Sage
Again, a valuable stuffing enhancer particularly favored with pork products. Steeped in hot water it is supposedly an excellent medicinal beverage for alleviating colds.
Thyme
Of “parsley sage, rosemary and” fame, this herb is associated most often with poultry.
Caring for herbs
All dried herbs should be stored in airtight containers away from heat. Most cooks keep their herb (and spice) shelf within easy reach of the stove, a handy place except that heat dissipates the flavor and quality of your seasonings. Try to have a permanent storage place in a cooler part of your kitchen.
Always buy the form of dried herb closest to the whole-leaf state, avoiding finely crushed leaves whenever possible. The crumbling of the leaves releases the essential flavoring oils; therefore it is best to crush the leaves between your fingers just before introducing them to the pot.
Successful Gardening~
Kali S Winters
Articles of Interest:
Cooking with Spices
List of Fresh Herbs
List of Medicinal Plants
List of Fresh Herbs & Their Uses
Herbs are nothing more complicated than aromatic leaves and sometimes flowers that are both edible and flavorful. To preserve the flavor and aroma they are frequently dried, but many of them are just as popular in the fresh form and far richer this way.
Celery leaves
The fresh leafy tops of celery are excellent for perking up soups and an essential ingredient in homemade chicken broth. If you have more leaves than you can use, you’ll find home drying a great money saving trick.
Soak the leaves in cold water to clean and pat dry with absorbent paper. Spread on paper (wax, parchment) and let dry slowly, exposed t o the air at room temperature until crumbly. Do not dry in direct sunlight. Store these and all of your home dried herbs in a tightly covered jar for future use.
Chives
Chives are sold as a growing plant. The plant is usually jammed into a tiny container and dies because the roots are too plentiful for the pot. You can have a long-lasing source of this herb in your kitchen if you replant it in a larger pot and continually cut the tops so your chive shoots remain upright. Chives are a member of the onion family. Although much milder, and can be used uncooked to flavor cheese dips, sauces, and spreads. Try adding chives to cottage cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise to accentuate the taste.
Dill
Fresh dill makes everything taste like spring. You probably know dill in the taste of dill pickles. Its use extends to soup (particularly potato and white bean) and salads as well. Add fresh dill and lemon to fish salads or combine the chopped herb with sour cream for a fish sauce.
Mint
Mint may be sold fresh or dried in your market. Add the leaves to yogurt for a refreshing salad. Also good in fruit mixtures and steeped in boiling water for a Mid-Eastern tea. For an instant breath refresher, chew a few mint leaves.
Parsley
Fresh parsley, often used as a garnish only to be pushed to the side of the plate, is actually a fine source of vitamin A and C and vegetable protein. It is also rich in chlorophyll to make your breath rich and sweet-both cheaper and healthier than mouthwash. Use fresh parsley to season soups, salads, stuffing’s, breadcrumb coatings and thousands of other meat and vegetable dishes. To store this herb, wash, chop and keep in a plastic bag in the freezer. When you need a spoonful, dip into the freezer stock; it thaws almost instantaneously. The dried form doesn’t compare in flavor or nutrition.
Successful Gardening~
Kali S. Winters
Articles of Interest:
Know Your Spices
Growing Basil Indoors
Know Your Spices ~ Cooking with Spices
Spices are the dried flavoring elements produced from the buds, flower, fruit, bark and the root of the plant. Many are sold already blended as curry powder, chili powder, pumpkin pie spice, etc. Although sometimes sold in the whole form, most of them are preground before they reach the market. Unless you use a particular spice in huge quantities, buy the smallest jars available; the flavor diminishes whit age and exposure to the air. Store tightly covered in a cool, dry place as you do herbs.
When the characteristic odor of your spices and herbs is no longer pungent it is time to replace them. Most spices are unadulterated (although they may be sprayed with fumigants to prevent bug habitation at he processing plant.) any tampering should be on the label.
Some of the more common spices are discussed below. Included are seeds as well. Seeds come from the dried fruit or seed of the plant and differ from spices in that the seeds usually refer to the aromatic product of plants of temperate zones, while spices come from plants of tropical origin.
Allspice
Allspice is the product of one plant only, although its name might imply that it is a mixture of more than one spice. The flavor resembles a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. The whole form is used in pickling; when ground it adds flavor to baked goods and puddings. Try placing the powdered form in stored clothing as a moth preventive.
Caraway seed
This is the flavor so many of us associate with rye bread. These seed are delicious in sauerkraut, cooked cabbage dishes, and on potatoes. We add them to cottage cheese for flavoring dips and are also wonderful in scrambled eggs.
Cardamom
Cardamom is sold both whole and ground and is often quite costly. It is a common ingredient in Indian dishes and the Danish add the ground seeds to pastry. Chewing cardamom seeds is a good cover-up for liquor on the breath.
Cayenne
This fiery red powder from small red peppers can be used to spark anything. A pinch even helps sweet dishes. Use sparingly though, it’s very hot.
Celery Seed
Use just as you would celery leaves. When stuffing vegetables with cream cheese, mix in some celery seeds and you’ll have a more flavorful spread. A teaspoon can be added to salad dressing for a fresh flavor, particularly fruit dressings.
Chili Powder
This spice is made from chili peppers blended with other spices and can be either mild or hot. Use it in Mexican dishes and bean stew.
Cinnamon
The best way to buy cinnamon is in stick form. A 1-inch stick of cinnamon equals 1 teaspoon of ground. Use with whole sticks as stirrers or straws in hot-spiced punch, tea, coffee, and milk. Ground cinnamon, of course, goes into cakes, pies, and puddings. You needn’t save it for sweet dishes though. Add some to rice to give it an arousing aroma.
Cloves
Cloves are highly fragrant nail-shaped buds, which again are used in pickling (mostly fruits). Meat is often studded with cloves t o add flavor in roasting. Ground, it is frequently used in baking. We find cloves go especially well in dishes that include lentils.
Curry Powder
Curry powder is another spice blend and can be added to white sauce in flavor leftover meat, vegetables and eggs. Curry, however, is more than just curry powder and for most effective use of curry spices consult an Indian cookbook. Improper use of curry powder is one sure way to turn people off to Indian food, which is delicious.
Fennel
Although this spice is not among the most popular, it is mentioned because it an add variety to some of your favorite dishes by imparting a licorice-like flavor. It’s quite interesting in apple pie. Also in boiled fish dishes. Highly recommended for those who like licorice, to be brewed like tea and served as a hot drink.
Ginger
In addition to the fresh root, ginger is available dried and ground. This is a spice with a real bite, so taste your dish as you proceed. Use ground ginger in baking (for gingerbread), particularly in combination with fruit fillings.
Mustard
Dried mustard powder is the base for prepared mustards, gradually beat water into the powder to creamy consistency and you’ve made your own hot mustard. It is a favorite flavoring ingredient in salad dressing. Add ¼ teaspoon along with the other seasonings for a sharp (but favorably so) taste. Add to cheese dishes as well.
Nutmeg
When Columbus set sail for the East Indies, nutmeg was one of the spies he was searching for. Nutmeg should always be used in the ground form, alone on vegetables like cauliflower, spinach and broccoli, combined with cinnamon and berries, banana, eggnog and custard.
Paprika
Sweet red peppers are the source of this popular spice, famed more for its use in coloring rather than flavoring flood. It’s mild flavor recommends it for use in egg salad, cream cheese, and sweet corn for color contrast. Also makes tomatoes sauces redder. If fresh, paprika is an excellent source of vitamin C.
Pepper
Pepper goes with everything-in small amounts. Too much (and this is true of all “hot” spices) an damage the stomach lining, invest in a pepper mil and season meat, fish, poultry, egg and vegetable dishes with the freshly ground peppercorns before serving. Pepper that is purchased ready-ground is flat and lifeless. By the way, a lavish sprinkling of ground pepper is another moth repellent used throughout the world.
The best way to judge the right amount of seasoning is by taste. By all means, taste as you go along. A pot that has not been sampled during cooking reflects this neglect.
Discover more about Seasonings Here!
Successful Gardening!
Kali S. Winters
Fresh Homemade Seasonings
Fresh seasoning not only enhances the taste but they also add nutrients to your food. Because they are derived from plant sources, any of them are rich in vitamins and minerals. Use fresh seasonings and incorporate them into your recipes.
Garlic and Onion
The two most widely used flavoring agents are garlic and onion. Both are sold fresh and in the form of ground, dried, powder and salt. Stick with the fresh. Nothing approaches the taste of these vegetables in their original form. Chop, mince, grate or press as needed for enhancing your food: 1 clove of garlic and 1 Tablespoon of chopped or grated onion can substitute for ¼ teaspoon of the powder in a recipe.
Ginger
Fresh ginger root is being offered in many supermarkets these days and is wonderful for making pungent dishes, especially for Chinese and Indian specialties. For every ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger called for in a recipe use a 1-inch piece of the fresh ginger root chopped finely or grated. Ginger can get quite fiery, so start with a little and add more to taste. Fresh ginger grated into the dressing really perks up a fruit or vegetable salad.
Hot Peppers
In certain parts of the country hot (chili) peppers are a common supermarket commodity. Be careful when you use them. Not only are they hot to taste, but fresh chili pulp will burn the skin too. To prepare chilies for cooking:
Wash and dry the pods, skewer on a long-handled fork and toast on top of the stove, turning so they blister on all sides. When the skin is evenly blistered and puffed away from the pulp you can lay the pods on a cloth, sprinkle them lightly with water and cover them with another cloth so they steam. The skins can then be pulled away easily and the seeds and veins removed. Use all the pulp, but only a few of the seeds.
The seeds and veins are the hottest part, so take it easy. Don’t be a show-off when it comes to chili. If you put one of the seeds on your lips or tongue, be assured you will never be tempted to try it again.
Lemon
Lemon juice is added to many sauces, soups, salads dressings, meat, fruit and vegetable dishes to enliven their flavor. Half of fresh lemon will serve you far better than bottled lemon juice which is rather flat tasting and preserved with chemicals.
Learn how to grow these wonderful seasonings in your own garden!
Kali S Winters
Articles of Interest:
Using Kitchen Herbs
Apply Herbs to Salads and Vegetables
Natures Herbal Recipes
List of Medicinal Plants
You don’t need a green thumb to build an herb garden. Herbs are incredibly adaptable so they require less attention than vegetable gardens. Most herbs thrive in the sun, with six to eight hours of exposure being the ideal. Herbs generally need less water than flowers or vegetables do. In fact, many need to be watered only under drought conditions.
When building an herb garden, you should start out small. First, estimate how much time you’ll want to spend gardening. (The bigger the garden, the more time it will need.) Consider the realities of the space you have to use: how much sun the garden will get, what the soil is like, which herbs will do best in your climate (the seed packet often tells you the type of soil and climate the herb will need.)
For city dwellers that lack space to cultivate, a back porch or windowsill garden is recommended. A basic herb garden might include rosemary, chamomile, peppermint lavender and feverfew. Many herbs will thrive in pots, so you are able to bring the magic of the garden indoors during the winter months. Remember these two things when growing herbs in pots: water before the soil dries out or before the leaves yellow and fall off, and use a soil that is a bit alkaline and has good drainage.
The following are eight additional herbs that stand up to the highest standards as far as clinical and laboratory studies. These herbs can effectively treat many diseases and are quite easy to grow:
Chamomile: is generally used as a tea, but its antispasmodic, anti-infective and ant-inflammatory properties are known worldwide and used in chamomile extracts, ointments and tinctures as well to treat a wide range of health problems, from indigestion to skin rashes. Chamomile is also an important ingredient in natural hair dyes for blonds.
Echinacea: stimulates the immune system, which in turn defends the body against infections, both bacterial and viral. Echinacea has a long history. The Native Americans originally used echinacea as a remedy for snakebites and skin wounds. Echinacea has now been known to help in the fight against diabetes by adjusting blood sugar levels.
Feverfew: one of the active ingredients in feverfew, parthenolide, has the ability to reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headaches. Because feverfew reduces the blood vessel spasms in the brain, it has also been known to treat nausea and vomiting as well as fevers and arthritis.
Garlic: Oh…the mighty power of garlic. No herb garden (or person) should be without especially after the high rising costs in the market place. Research shows that garlic can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and may even help heart attack survivors live longer. Garlic additionally relieves gas and aids digestion. Garlic is now being studied in tumor fighting research as well.
Ginkgo: is particularly useful for treating ailments associated by decreased blood flow to the brain. People who suffer from memory loss or confusion, especially the elderly, find that mental clarity increases by taking ginkgo. This herb improves circulation throughout the body, especially to the brain. Additionally, ginkgo helps to prevent blood clots and mood swings accompanied by anxiety and can relieve the symptoms of tinnitus (ringing in the ears), asthma, phlebitis (inflammation of a vein) and vertigo.
Lemon Balm: this herb works well to calm the nerves and to protect the body from bacterial infections. It’s also effective on insomnia and menstruation symptoms. However, lemon balm is best known to treat cold sores associated by the herpes simplex virus. Extracts, used as a cream, helps lesions heal faster and extends the time between outbreaks.
St. John’s Wort: is reputed to be an astringent, nervine and is very aromatic. Useful in coughs, colds and all lung diseases, it also is highly esteemed in the disorder of the urinary passages. The ointment is serviceable for bruises, scratches and insect bites. St. John’s wort is especially known as a treatment for depression and insomnia and now shows promise as a treatment for nervousness and anxiety.
Valerian: has an antispasmodic effect for the treatment of epilepsy. Studies show that this herb is a safe, effective alternative to prescription sleeping pills and tranquilizers. It allays pain and promotes sleep and is strongly nervine without any narcotic effects.
Discover more information on medicinal plants
Learn How to Build an Herb Garden
Successful Gardening
Kali S. Winters
Herbing Guide ~ Just click on the plant name for pictures of herbs medicinal uses, essential oils properties and definition.
Additional Articles of Interest:
Home Herb Garden Basics
Herbs for Growing
Herb Garden Plants
Growing Basil Indoors
A true monarch of herbs, appropriately, since its name is derived from Basileus, the Greek word for King. Once you have cooked with it there is no escape, you become addicted and have to restrain yourself from adding it to every dish.
Sweet basil (Ocinum basilicum Labiatae)is a native of south-east Asia and has been cultivated in Europe for about two thousand years, cosseted as much for its medical and culinary qualities as for its supposed powers in witchcraft, superstitions and religious rites. Bush basil (Ocinum minimum) is a miniature variety, no higher than 6-12 inches, more shrubby with a thick mass of small leaves. Sweet basil is more productive and bush basil more adaptable for growing in pots in the house, on balconies or in window boxes.
A pot of basil in an open window or courtyard, growing or picked, will keep away flies and other disagreeable insects, counteract the effects of foods of suspicious “freshness’ and like so many other herbs, is an aid to digestion.
The whole plant has an exotic, spicy, almost disquieting aroma, released by the lightest touch, which you want to imprison in all manner of ways. The fresh, highly pungent leaves, chopped or shredded do for tomatoes, turtle soup and liver, what fresh truffles do for egg and meat dishes. Basil transforms simple dishes and adds subtle piquant undertones particularly to tomato and mushroom sauces and soups. It is an essential ingredient of many French, Italian and Greek dishes…a tantalizing element in stuffing’s, sausages, omelets, soufflés, sauces with fish and chicken and herb butters as well as in green salads. It is a hardship to leave basil out of anything.
Basil is distinctly a solo herb. Only a cooking spoil sport would use another fresh herb at the same time in a salad dish. The fresh leaves should not be cooked but sprinkled at the last moment onto either a cold or hot dish so that the rich, warm, slightly peppery clove fragrance flows straight to the taste buds at it fullest. Of the infinite ways in which it casts its spell, it is considered at its best on a tomato salad.
Cultivating Basil:
Though basil is a perennial in warm countries, it has to be pampered as a tender annual in temperate climates and rarely stretches to its possible 2-3 feet. The glossy pale green ovate leaves vary around 2 inches long. The flowers are white or purple tinged, insignificant and should not be allowed to develop, or the plants will be more interested in producing seed pods than succulent leaves. Nip out the centers of the young plants as they grow to encourage them into a bushy shape.
Sow basil seed in the open ground after all frosts or cold-snaps are over, in a sheltered sunny place with well-drained fertile soil. Keep them well watered in dry weather. As both types dislike being transplanted…root disturbance stunts them…it is best to sow a few seeds into individual pots and when they have germinated, pull out the weaklings and leave the rest to grow on in their pots on a windowsill. In this way you can have basil in the home all through the year.
The first breath of frost kills outdoor basil, but you can rescue as many as you have space for by potting them into richer soil than they enjoyed in the garden, cut them back to the first pair of leaves from the base, and bring them indoors to use as you need.
Preserving Basil
Dried Basil is better than no basil at all, though less pungent than fresh. Pick the leaves when they are young and fresh. Discard any brown or discolored ones. Hang the leaves in bunches in a warm, dry place, away from strong sunlight-an airing cupboard would be ideal. Leave until the leaves are quite dry—the length of time taken to dry them will depend on the temperature and atmosphere of the drying place. When quite dry, crumble into airtight jars and label.
Basil freezes well, wash, scissor or chop the leaves and pack tightly into an ice cube tray. Top with water and freeze. When frozen, turn out into plastic bags and store in the freezer. Take out cubes as required; defrost in a strainer and use as fresh.
Successful Gardening ~
Kali S. Winters
