Basil: Sweet, spicy scent. Basil is a potent stimulant that increases circulation and eases muscle and joint aches and pains. It alleviates indigestion, and has antiseptic and expectorant properties and helps to treat congestion, coughs, and colds. Basil is excellent for relieving fatigue and nervous tension. Do not use during pregnancy.

Cypress: Spicy, balsamlike scent. The diuretic action of cypress helps to relieve water retention and cellulite. It also improves circulation and is helpful for arthritis.

Eucalyptus: Pungent, camphorous scent. Eucalyptus has powerful antimicrobial and decongestant properties and is excellent for treating colds, flus, and respiratory infections.

Fennel: Sweet, earthy scent reminiscent of anise. Fennel has diuretic properties and helps to relieve water retention and cellulite. It also has carminative and laxative properties and alleviates indigestion, gas, and constipation when used in a massage oil on the abdomen.

Herbal BeautyDo not use during pregnancy.

Geranium: Herbaceous, roselike scent. Geranium is believed to help balance hormones and has diuretic properties and is used to treat premenstrual syndrome, cellulite, and water retention. It is also relaxing and helps to relieve anxiety and stress.

Ginger: Spicy, warm, woody scent. Ginger stimulates circulation and is helpful for arthritis, sore muscles, and fatigue. When rubbed on the abdomen in a massage oil, it helps to relieve indigestion, gas, and constipation. Ginger has expectorant action, and helps to relieve colds and congestion.

Grapefruit: Sweet, fresh, citrus scent. Grapefruit has diuretic properties, stimulates lymphatic flow, and is excellent for treating cellulite and water retention. The uplifting fragrance helps to relieve fatigue.

Juniper: Sweet, woodsy fragrance. Juniper increases circulation, has diuretic action, and is used to alleviate cellulite, arthritis and water retention. It also has antiseptic properties and is helpful for treating colds and flus. Juniper can irritate the kidneys and should not be usedby anyone with kidney disease. Do not use during pregnancy.

Lavender: Sweet, floral, herbaceous fragrance. Lavender is soothing and balancing and can be used for a wide variety of conditions. It is especially helpful for alleviating fatigue, insomnia, stress, headaches, premenstrual syndrome, and sore muscles.

Marjoram: Warm, spicy, sweet, herbaceous scent. Marjoram has antispasmodic and sedative properties and eases sore muscles, stress, headaches, and insomnia. It has mild laxative effects and helps to relieve constipation when used in a massage oil on the abdomen. Do not use during pregnancy.

Peppermint: Potent menthol scent. Peppermint has antimicrobial and expectorant properties and helps to alleviate colds and congestion. The stimulating fragrance relieves fatigue and poor circulation and also soothes indigestion. Peppermint is powerful and can easily burn the skin or mucous membranes Use only in small amounts.

Rosemary: Penetrating, herbaceous, slightly camphorous scent. Rosemary is a strong stimulant and is used to treat poor circulation, arthritis, sore muscles, and cellulite. It has antimicrobial properties, and is also effective for treating colds, flus, and congestion. Do not use during pregnancy.

Healing Applications of Essential Oils

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