Camphor Oil (White) (Cinnamomum camphora)

Distribution: The camphor tree, a close relative of cinnamon, is a native of northeast Asia where it has been used for many centuries. Crude camphor is a substance that crystallizes inside the tree as it matures. It is usually harvested from trees that are at least 50 years old.

Extraction: Crude camphor is steam distilled from the wood and further processed to separate it into three or four distinct chemical fractions. White camphor is the lightest, most volatile fraction. It is the least toxic and considered to be superior therapeutically.

Indications: Camphor reduces pain, spasms and inflammation, promotes tissue healing and stimulates local circulation. It is used to treat pain and inflammation associated with all manner of strains and traumatic injuries of the muscles, ligaments and tendons as well as in chronic rheumatic conditions such as arthritis and gout.

Contraindications: None when used topically.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus globulus)

Distribution: There are many different species of eucalyptus that are used medicinally, the most common being the blue gum tree (E.globulus). All of the eucalyptus species are natives of Australia and Tasmania where the Aborigines have used them extensively for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Today, the blue gum tree is also cultivated in Spain and Portugal and to a lesser extent in California, Brazil and China.

Extraction: Eucalyptus essential oil is prepared by steam distillation of the leaves and young twigs.

Indications: Eucalyptus essential oil reduces pain, spasms and inflammation, and stimulates local blood circulation and the removal of waste products and toxins from the tissues. It is used to treat muscular aches and pains, strains, sprains, and other traumatic injuries of the muscles, ligaments and tendons. It also helps to reduce nerve inflammation and pain and is useful for the treatment of the various kinds of neuralgia such as sciatica. Eucalyptus reduces pain and inflammation due to chronic arthritic conditions. It also has a mild clearing and stimulating effect on the mind which helps to reduce fatigue.

Contraindications: None when used topically.

Aloe Vera Essential Oil (Aloe spp.)

Distribution: There are many species of aloe that have been used medicinally since ancient times. Believed to have originated in northern Africa, Egyptians used these plants over three thousand years ago. Today they have become established in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. The most common species used commercially are A. vera (also called A. barbadensis), A. ferox, A. perryi, A. vulgaris, A. spicata, and A. africana. They are cultivated in many parts of the world.

Extraction: The whole leaves are dried and infused in an oil base.

Indications: Aloe reduces inflammation and pain, and promotes healing of damaged tissues. It is primarily used in the treatment of irritation or damage of the skin such as burns, cuts, scrapes, bites, stings, or rashes. It also aids in the repair of damaged blood vessels which often occurs in traumatic injuries. Aloe also helps to reduce pain and inflammation associated with chronic health conditions such as the various forms of arthritis.

Contraindications: None when used topically.

Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha x piperita)

Distribution: Peppermint is not a distinct species but a sterile hybrid between spearmint (M. spicata) and water mint (M. aquatica) which must be propagated by rhizome cuttings. Nevertheless this hybrid does occur naturally, presumably originating in regions where the ranges of these two species overlap, particularly in the Mediterranean region. References to the use of mint species, possibly including peppermint, are well documented among the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. Peppermint has now become naturalized throughout the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere and is commercially grown worldwide.

Extraction: Peppermint essential oil is prepared by steam distillation of the flowering herb.

Indications: Peppermint essential oil reduces pain, inflammation, and spasms, and stimulates local blood circulation. It is used to treat muscular aches and pains, strains, and sprains. It is also beneficial for acute and chronic nerve pain and inflammation such as sciatica. Like eucalyptus, peppermint also has a mild clearing and stimulating effect on the mind which helps to reduce fatigue.

Contraindications: Not recommended for individuals with cardiac fibrillation or epilepsy, or for pregnant or nursing women and children under the age of three. Peppermint essential oil is also contraindicated for anyone with a deficiency of the liver enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). If undiagnosed, this condition may be present in anyone who has had abnormal reactions to one or more of the following types of drugs: antimalarials, sulphonamides, chloramphenicol, streptomycin and/or acetyl salicylic acid (ASA).

Rosemary Essential Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Distribution: Rosemary, a shrub from the mint family, originally a native of the Mediterranean region. It has been an important medicinal herb at least as far back as the ancient Greeks. It is still primarily cultivated in its native region.

Extraction: Rosemary essential oil is prepared by steam distillation of the flowers, leaves, and young twigs.

Indications: Rosemary essential oil reduces pain, inflammation, and spasms. It is particularly healing for damaged blood vessels and nerves. It is beneficial in the treatment of bruises, strains, sprains, and other injuries of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It significantly improves local blood circulation. Rosemary is used in the treatment of acute and chronic nerve inflammation and pain such as in neuralgia, sciatica, and neuritis. It is also beneficial for chronic rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

Contraindications: Not recommended for individuals with epilepsy, for pregnant or nursing women, and for children under the age of three. Rosemary essential oil should also be used with caution by anyone with a moderate to high fever.

Lemon Essential Oil (Citrus limon)

Distribution: A native of Southeast Asia, the lemon tree has long been used as a source of both fruit and medicine. It is now widely cultivated throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

Extraction: Lemon essential oil is cold pressed from the outer peel of the fruit.

Indications: Lemon essential oil reduces spasms, stimulates local circulation and aids in the elimination of toxins and waste products from the tissues. It also helps prevent scar formation. It is used to treat bruising and inflammation associated with chronic rheumatic conditions such as arthritis and gout.

Contraindications: Lemon essential oil is photosensitizing. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight on areas where it has been applied for at least one hour. Fair-skinned individuals should allow 2-3 hours.

Sweet Orange Essential Oil (Citrus x sinensis)

Distribution: The sweet orange tree is hybrid between mandarin orange (C. reticulata) and pumello (C. grandis), originating in China. Today there are many varieties that are primarily cultivated for their fruit. Oranges are grown throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The major producers are Florida, California, the Mediterranean region and Brazil. With many of the Citrus species, three distinct essential oils can be extracted, each with somewhat different chemical constituents and medicinal properties. Essential oils extracted from the leaves and young twigs are usually marketed as petitgrain. Petitgrain is primarily extracted from the bitter orange tree (C. aurantium), but it is also extracted from sweet orange (C. x sinensis), lemon (Citrus limon), mandarin (C. reticulata) and bergamot (C. bergamia).

Extraction: Sweet orange essential oil is prepared by steam distillation of the leaves and young twigs.

Indications: Sweet orange essential oil reduces muscle spasms and tension. It helps to relax strained or sore muscles and reduce fatigue.

Contraindications: None when used topically.