Aromatherapy is the practice of using aromatic essential oils extracted from plants to improve mental and physical health. The table highlights the most commonly used essential oils and lists the ailments that each is most often used to treat.
Don’t take essential oils internally. Essential oils are commonly combined with salts to be used in baths, mixed with a carrier oil to be used in massage or applied topically, or used with a diffuser to spread the aroma throughout a room.
| Essential Oil | Used For |
|---|---|
| Allspice berry | Arthritis, bronchitis, cough, depression, exhaustion,
indigestion, muscle cramps, muscle tone, nausea, rheumatism,
stiffness, stomach cramps Also used as an aphrodisiac |
| Amyris | Anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress Also used as an antiseptic, sedative, and fixative (for stabilizing oil mixtures) |
| Anise | Bronchitis, cold, cough, colic, flu, indigestion, rheumatism, stomach cramps |
| Atlas cedar | Acne, arthritis, bronchitis, cough, cystitis, dandruff, dermatitis, stress |
| Basil | Bronchitis, cold, cough, depression, infection, insect bites,
muscle fatigue Also used as an insect repellant |
| Bay | Circulation issues, dandruff, hair care, neuralgia, oily skin, sprains and strains |
| Bergamot | Acne, bad breath, depression, eczema, fever, infection,
tension Note: Increases sensitivity to sunlight |
| Black pepper | Arthritis, circulatory problems, heartburn, indigestion, infections, loss of appetite, nausea |
| Camphor | Acne, arthritis, bronchitis, cold, cough, fever, flu, inflammation, muscle aches and pains, nervous depression, rheumatism, sprains and strains |
| Cardamom | Colic, flatulence, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, impotence,
low sexual response Also used as a laxative and expectorant |
| Carrot seed | Arthritis, bronchitis, cold, edema, flu, gout, rheumatism, and
skin conditions, including dermatitis, eczema, and rashes Also used as a detox agent for liver and digestive system and to strengthen mucus membranes in the nose, throat, and lungs |
| Cassia bark | Cold, diabetes, diarrhea, gas, infection, nausea Note: May be very irritating to the skin |
| Chamomile | Abscesses, allergies, arthritis, boils, colic, cuts, cystitis,
dermatitis, earache, flatulence, headache, insect bites, insomnia,
nausea, neuralgia, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), rashes, rheumatism,
skin irritations, sprains and strains, stress, teething, wound
care Also used as an anti‐allergenic, antiseptic, sedative, and digestive tonic |
| Cinnamon | Anxiety, bladder infections, cardiovascular health, circulation
problems, cold, depression, diarrhea, flu, gas, indigestion,
infections, low libido Also used as an antioxidant and to support the immune system and metabolism |
| Citronella | Cold, flu, minor infections Used most frequently as an insect repellant |
| Clary sage | Cramps, dandruff, depression, hot flashes, infection, menstrual problems, oily hair or skin, painful periods, stress |
| Clove | Acne, arthritis, asthma, bad breath, bronchitis, bruises, burns, cuts, diarrhea, exhaustion, flatulence, respiratory conditions, toothache, tuberculosis, ulcers, vomiting |
| Coriander | Arthritis, cold, digestive problems, fatigue, flu, low blood glucose, nausea, muscle spasms, rheumatism, stomach cramps |
| Cypress | Arthritis, bronchitis, circulation issues, hemorrhoids,
menopause symptoms, insect bites, oily skin, relaxation,
rheumatism, varicose veins, water retention, wound care Also used as an antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic agent, and as an astringent, deodorant, and diuretic |
| Eucalyptus | Bruises, burns, colds, concentration, fever, headache, wound
care Also used as a disinfectant |
| Fennel | Aging skin, water retention, indigestion, lymphatic system |
| Frankincense | Anxiety, blemishes, dry skin, ganglion cyst, wound care Also used as an anti‐aging agent |
| Geranium | Bruises, burns, diarrhea, insect bites |
| Ginger | Constipation, cramps, indigestion, motion sickness, muscle aches, nausea, sore throat, toothache, vomiting |
| Grapefruit | Cold, detoxification, stiffness, stress, water retention |
| Helichrysum | Burns, bruises, colds, lethargy, scars, stretch marks, sunburn, wound care |
| Hyssop | Anxiety, asthma, bronchitis, bruises, nasal congestion, cold, cough, low blood pressure, fatigue, flu, respiratory conditions, sore throat, tonsillitis, viral infections, water retention |
| Jasmine | Depression; sexual issues, including impotence, premature
ejaculation, and low libido; respiratory issues, including cough,
hoarseness, and laryngitis; skin issues, including dry, greasy,
irritated skin, stretch marks, and scars; muscle pain, sprains, and
strains Also used to induce labor |
| Juniper berry | Acne, anxiety, arthritis, cellulite, cystitis, dandruff, eczema, gout, kidney stones, menstrual cycle regulation, mental exhaustion, obesity, painful periods, psoriasis, rheumatism |
| Lavandin | Muscle stiffness, aches, and pains; respiratory issues, including cold, cough, and flu |
| Lavender | Abscesses, acne, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, boils, bronchitis,
bruises, burns, cold, colic, flatulence, headache, insect bites and
stings, insomnia, laryngitis, lice, migraines, nausea, oily skin,
psoriasis, rheumatism, sunburn, vomiting, whooping cough, wound
care Also used as an antibacterial agent and antiseptic and as an insect repellent |
| Lemon | Arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, cellulite, circulatory
conditions, constipation, flu, high blood pressure, nose bleeds,
oily skin, rheumatism Also used as an astringent, diuretic, and laxative |
| Lemon eucalyptus | Insect repellant |
| Lemongrass | Digestive disorders, dry skin, excessive sweat, hair care, headache, jet lag, stress |
| Lemon verbena | Digestive disorders, cramps, indigestion, liver detox, stress |
| Lime | Boils, cold, corns, cramps, cuts, fever, nosebleed, oily skin, warts |
| Marjoram | Constipation, cough, cramps, migraines, muscle aches, nervous system disorders, rheumatism |
| Melissa | Cold, cough, cramps, menstrual pain, nausea, stress Also used as an insect repellant |
| Myrrh | Amnesia, bleeding gums, cracked and dry skin, dysentery, gingivitis, hyperthyroidism, memory loss, mouth ulcers, sore throat |
| Myrtle | Acne, asthma, bladder infection, bronchitis, diarrhea, hormone
imbalances, hypothyroidism, insomnia, lung infection, oily
skin Also used as an astringent, sedative, and expectorant |
| Neroli | Anxiety, colitis, depression, diarrhea, insomnia, post‐traumatic stress disorder, shock, stomach cramps, stress |
| Nutmeg | Arthritis, circulatory issues, constipation, digestive issues, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, neuralgia, rheumatism |
| Orange | Cold, constipation, digestive issues, flatulence, flu,
gingivitis, stress Also used as an antidepressant, antiseptic, and detox agent, and in household cleaners |
| Oregano | Boils, bronchitis, Candida yeast overgrowth, cold,
digestion, fungal infections (such as athlete’s foot and jock
itch), insect bites, pancreatitis, parasites, plantar warts,
respiratory ailments, ringworm, staph infection, strep throat Also used as an antimicrobial and antifungal agent, and as a muscle relaxant |
| Palmarosa | Acne, anorexia, dermatitis, digestion issues, exhaustion, fever, gastrointestinal infection, scarring, sore muscles |
| Patchouli | Acne, anxiety, burns, clogged pores, depression, dermatitis,
eczema, fatigue, fungal infections (athlete’s foot, jock
itch, ringworm), insect bites, substance abuse/addiction, water
retention, wrinkles, wound healing Also used as an antifungal and antibacterial agent, a diuretic, and as a uterine tonic and insect repellent |
| Peppermint | Acne, asthma, bronchitis, colic, congestion, depression, dermatitis, flatulence, gallbladder issues, headache, indigestion, insect bites, migraines, motion sickness, muscle aches and pains, nausea, painful periods, pneumonia, pruritus (anal itching), ringworm, scabies, spastic colon, stomach cramps, stress, sunburn, tuberculosis |
| Peru balsam | Bronchitis, chapped skin, circulatory issues, cold, cough, eczema, flu, rash, respiratory conditions, rheumatism, sensitive skin, stress |
| Petitgrain | Anger, insomnia, muscle spasms, panic disorders, stomach pains |
| Pine | Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, circulatory issues, cold, cough, cuts, cystitis, excessive perspiration, fatigue (mental, physical, sexual), flu, gout, laryngitis, lice, muscle aches and pains, neuralgia, prostate problems, rheumatism, scabies, sinusitis, sores, urinary tract infections (UTIs) |
| Red cedarwood | Acne, congestion, dandruff, respiratory conditions, UTIs Also used as an antiseptic and astringent |
| Rose absolute | Anger, anxiety, arrhythmia, depression, eczema, fear, grief, dry wrinkled skin, menopause, menstrual conditions, stress |
| Rose otto | Anger, arrhythmia, depression, eczema, fear, grief, dry
wrinkled skin, menopause, menstrual conditions, stress Note: Preferred over rose absolute for topical applications |
| Rosemary | Arthritis, circulatory issues, dandruff, gout, greasy hair, hair loss, headache, memory loss, migraines, muscle cramps and aches and pains, nervous disorders, rheumatism, wound care |
| Rosewood | Acne, cold, dry skin, fever, flu, headache, oily skin,
scarring, sensitive skin, stress, stretch marks Also used as an aphrodisiac |
| Sandalwood | Asthma, bronchitis, chapped skin, congestion, cystitis, depression, diarrhea, dry skin, laryngitis, nausea, oily skin, scarring, sensitive skin, stress, stretch marks, UTIs, vomiting |
| Spearmint | Acne, asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, constipation, dermatitis, diarrhea, exhaustion, fever, flatulence, headache, hiccups, migraines, nausea, pruritus, scabies, sinusitis, sore gums, teething, vertigo |
| Tangerine | Constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, stretch marks, water retention |
| Tea tree | Acne, asthma, bronchitis, blisters, catarrh, chicken pox, cold,
cold sores, congestion, corns, cough, cuts, cystitis, diaper rash,
fever, flu, fungal infections (athlete’s foot, jock itch,
ringworm), gingivitis, insect bites, itching, migraine, oily skin,
sinusitis, sores, tuberculosis, warts, whooping cough, yeast
infections (Candida yeast infection and vaginal
thrush) Also used as an antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent |
| Thyme | Atherosclerosis, bacterial infections (including MRSA), blood
clots, bronchitis, cold, cough, croup, diarrhea, dry skin, fungal
infections, hair loss, oily skin, pneumonia, psoriasis, sciatica,
scoliosis, snoring, sore throats, tuberculosis, whooping
cough Also used as an antiseptic and antifungal agent |
| Vanilla | Depression, fever, high blood pressure, cancer prevention,
inflammation, insomnia, low sex drive, menstrual regulation Also used as an antidepressant, an antioxidant, an aphrodisiac, and a sedative |
| Vetiver | Anger, anxiety, arthritis, exhaustion, insomnia, muscle aches and pains, scars, stings, stress, wound care |
| White fir | Anxiety, arthritis, asthma, bronchial obstructions, cough,
fever, flu, rheumatism, sinusitis, sore muscles, UTIs, wound
care Also used as an anti‐inflammatory, anti‐arthritic, anticatarrhal agent, and as an expectorant and stimulant |
| Wintergreen | Arthritis, bleeding gums, bronchitis, circulation disorders, insect bites, itching, joint stiffness, migraine, toothache |
| Ylang ylang | Anger, anxiety, arrhythmia, depression, hypertension, insomnia,
stress Also used as an aphrodisiac |