Wellness

Cypress essential oil is great for relaxing muscles, and promoting clarity of thought. This essential oil has antiseptic and blood-stanching properties. Learn how cypress is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathy Keville

Highly antiseptic eucalyptus oil has long been used to treat all manner of infections. This essential oil has antiviral and antibiotic properties, and can relieve joint pain. Learn how eucalyptus is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathy Keville

Fir is well known as a popular Christmas tree. The tree and its scent were associated with rebirth. Fir essential oil has antiseptic properties and can soothe muscle pain such as rheumatism. Learn how fir is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathy Keville

Frankincense essential oil is widely associated with religious ceremonies and events, and it is a valuable substance for its spiritually uplifting qualities. Learn how frankincense is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathy Keville

Ginger is a popular sushi sidekick for a reason; it has many digestive benefits. Ginger also flavors many beverages and candies. This essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties. Learn how ginger is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathy Keville

Jasmine's reputation as an aphrodisiac may overshadow its other medicinal applications. This essential oil flavors many teas and can be used as a soothing balm that promotes mental acuity. Learn how jasmine is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathy Keville

Juniper berry essential oil has antiseptic properties, and can also relieve sore muscles. This essential oil has antiviral and antibiotic properties. Juniper can also combat urinary tract infections. Learn how juniper berry is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathy Keville

Lavender is an ancient and popular essential oil with antiseptic properties. Lavender is also shown to improve mental acuity. This essential oil can relieve cramps and soothe muscles. Learn how lavender is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathy Keville

Fragrances can lift one's mood, so aromatherapy for depression uses the scents of essential oils to ease anxiety, paranoia, and mental fatigue. Learn how to use neroli or petitgrain and other essential oils as antidepressants.

By Kathi Keville

Working at a desk or computer screen can leave your eyes over-tired. But there are simple ways to treat eye strain with aromatherapy. Learn how to make warm or cool compresses with essential oils.

By Kathi Keville

It can seem like there are hundreds of diet plans to choose from. Fortunately, they boil down to just a few categories. Learn how to spot the one that's best for you.

By Adrienne Forman

Best known for its clean, sharp fragrance, lemon is a major ingredient in many cleaning products, beverages, cologne, medicines, and more. Learn how lemon essential oil and lemon flowers are used in aromatherapy.

By Kathi Keville

Lemongrass is an important medicinal and culinary herb. Its essential oil, known for its lemon/herbal fragrance, is one of the most popular in the world. Learn how lemongrass is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathi Keville

Myrrh is a spiny tree whose essential oil is distilled from its sap. Myrrh has been used since antiquity to treat a variety of skin and mouth conditions. Learn how myrrh is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathi Keville

Breaking the peel of an orange releases its essential oil, which has a distinctive, lively scent. Learn how orange has been used in aromatherapy throughout history to enhance moods and lower blood pressure.

By Kathi Keville

The heavy scent of patchouli is sensual and exotic to some, yet repellent to others. Patchouli essential oil has antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and other qualities. Learn how patchouli is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathi Keville

Peppermint is the most widely used essential oil. Its powerful, energizing scent is obvious in many edible and nonedible products. Learn how peppermint is used in aromatherapy as a stimulant and digestion aid.

By Kathi Keville

The ancients burned fragrant rosemary branches to improve memory and purify the air. Discover the many ways in which rosemary essential oil is used in aromatherapy today -- from relieving pain to boosting energy.

By Kathi Keville

The woody scent of sandalwood improves with age. Distilled in India from trees grown in plantations, sandalwood essential oil has been used as an aphrodisiac and a sedative. Learn how sandalwood is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathi Keville

Tea tree essential oil has been called a "medicine cabinet in a bottle" due to its many healing properties, some of which are supported by traditional medicine. Learn how tea tree is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathi Keville

Thyme is cultivated from an evergreen, which gives it its woody fragrance. Thyme essential oil has a strong antiseptic compound that is used in many mouthwashes and cough drops. Learn how thyme is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathi Keville

Ylang ylang has an intensely sweet, floral scent that has been used to sharpen the senses and to temper depression, fear, anger, and jealousy. Learn the many ways ylang ylang is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathi Keville

Treat your asthma with aromatherapy in-between attacks for soothing, natural relief for mind and body. Learn how to use essential oils like eucalyptus and lavender in chest rubs or steams for your lungs.

By Kathi Keville

Essential oils used in aromatherapy can provide chest congestion relief by loosening mucus, calming coughing and fighting infection. Learn how to create aromatherapy-infused vapor rub, soothing steam, and nasal inhalers.

By Kathi Keville

The trunk of the Southeast Asian benzoin tree exudes a delicious, vanilla-scented gum resin. This essential oil has been used since antiquity in medicine and incense. Learn how benzoin is used in aromatherapy.

By Kathy Keville