Family: Umbellifereae or Apiaceae Description: Carrot-seed essential oil comes from the wild carrot, not the common cultivated carrot.
Wild carrot is an annual or biennial herb with a tough, inedible white root. The essential oil is steam- distilled from the dried seeds. Countries of origin: France, America
Characteristics: Carrot seed is yellow or orange-brown and Carrot seed (Daucus carota) viscous, with warm, sweet but pungent, fresh herbaceous top notes and earthy, dry, woody undertones. It blends well with most spices and citruses, and also with cedarwood, geranium, patchouli and palmarosa. Main therapeutic properties: Antiseptic, carminative, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, tonic.
Carrot seed is one of the best liver tonics and when used in massage blends and bath oils, can help to regenerate liver cells after hepatitis and other liver diseases. It also has excellent blood-cleansing properties, making it useful in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis and other toxic conditions that affect the skin. Because of its excellent skin-cell regenerating properties, carrot seed is also valuable in skin care, especially for aged, mature and wrinkled skin; and it helps dermatitis and skin rashes. Overall, carrot seed is regenerative, cleansing and rejuvenating.
Psychologically, it has no particular recommendations, but its physical properties may well be mirrored in its effect on the emotions and psyche. This means that carrot seed may help to ‘cleanse’ the emotions of negativity, and may assist in letting go of past traumas. Its somewhat pungent aroma does not encourage carrot seed to be blended for aesthetic purposes, but it adds a grounding, earthy note to blends.
Description: Palmarosa is also known as gingergrass, russa grass and East Indian geranium oil. It is a tall, aromatic, perennial free-growing grass. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the fresh or dried grass.
Countries of origin: India, Java, Seychelles, Comoro Islands
Characteristics: Palmarosa has sweet, light, floral top notes with subtle lemon and rose-geranium undertones. Its lovely, delicate, rosy floral fragrance blends well with most other essential oils.
Main therapeutic properties: Antiseptic, bactericide, cytophylactic, digestive, febrifuge, tonic.
Palmarosa is much used in all skin-care preparations for its lovely fragrance, sebum-balancing and hydrating properties. It also helps to regenerate healthy new cells. Palmarosa is suited to all skin types, but is especially good for dry and slightly damaged skin, making it a useful addition to face creams, body lotions and hand creams. Overall, it is balancing, refreshing and soothing. A good digestive stimulant, palmarosa is recommended in local massage and baths for sluggish digestion and loss of appetite, and it may be useful for anorexia nervosa. It is also traditionally used to combat digestive infections, and is valuable during convalescence.
Psychologically, palmarosa is calming, uplifting and comforting and is good for stress, anxiety and restlessness, especially when these feelings have left you feeling vulnerable, lonely and insecure.
Description: Nutmeg is an aromatic, evergreen tree with dark-green leaves, yellow flowers without petals and yellowish fruits. The essential oil is steam- or water-distilled from the dried nutmegs.
Countries of origin: Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Grenada Characteristics: Nutmeg has light, fresh, spicy top notes and deep, sweet, warm, woody undertones. It blends well with other spices, and also with clary sage, bay, mandarin, orange, geranium, lavender, rosemary, lime and petitgrain.
Nutmeg is reputed to have psychotropic or psychoactive properties when it is ingested orally, meaning that it can affect mental activity and perception. In large doses it is toxic, causing convulsions and possibly death. However, in small amounts nutmeg is a useful addition to the range of essential oils for all external aromatherapeutic applications. It is very good in massage blends for muscular aches and pains, and for painful joints. It is also a good digestive stimulant and helps poor digestion, nausea and diarrhoea. Overall, nutmeg is gently euphoric, comforting and elevating.
Psychologically, it is uplifting and a good nerve tonic, helping to relieve chronic fatigue. Nutmeg is good for those who feel at the end of their tether. It can be useful in meditations and mood perfumes for those who are both sleepy-tired and tired of life, and it inspires creativity and imagination.
Contraindications: Do not use during pregnancy. Use in moderation – no more than 3 drops in the bath, and no more than 1 per cent in massage oils. Do not use consistently over long periods of time.
Description: Cinnamon is a tropical evergreen tree with fragrant bark and oval leaves, white flowers and blue-white berries. The essential oil is steam-or water-distilled from the leaves and small twigs. A cinnamon-bark essential oil is also available, but it is a skin irritant and is best avoided in aromatherapy.
Countries of origin: Madagascar, India, Jamaica, Sri Lanka
Characteristics: Cinnamon has fiery, harsh, spicy top notes and sweet, oriental undertones. It blends well with frankincense, myrrh, orange, mandarin, benzoin and ylang ylang.
Cinnamon is used less in aromatherapy than most of the other spices, but it is excellent in a burner to ward off colds, flu and all other airborne infections and contagious diseases. Blended carefully into a local massage oil, cinnamon is good for digestive complaints and helps a sluggish digestion, flatulence and intestinal infection. Overall, cinnamon is warming, invigorating, restorative and uplifting.
Psychologically, cinnamon is fortifying and reviving. It is indicated for general nervous debility, and for older people during winter to warm both mind and body. It is life-affirming and can help to alleviate melancholia and depression characterized by lethargy and lack of vitality. Cinnamon restores a zest for life and inspires courage.
Contraindications: Do not use if you have sensitive or very sensitive skin. Use in moderation – no more than 2 drops in the bath and no more than 1 per cent in massage oils.
Description: Cardamom is a perennial, reedlike herb with long, blade-shaped leaves and yellow flowers with purple tips, which are followed by oblong red-brown or green seedpods. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the dried, ripe seeds.
Countries of origin: India, Sri Lanka, Guatemala
Characteristics: Cardamom has warm, sweet, spicy top notes and woody, balsamic undertones. It blends well with most other spices, citruses and florals, and also with frankincense, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, cedarwood and rosewood.
Main therapeutic properties: Antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, rubefacient, stimulant, stomachic, tonic. Cardamom is one of the best overall tonic essential oils. As well as having a general overall tonic effect on the body, it is a good tonic of the nerves and the subtle energies. Cardamom is indicated for both digestive and respiratory problems, particularly those of a damp origin or nature, such as chronic bronchitis, flatulence and colic. Overall, it is warming, gentle and penetrating.
Psychologically, cardamom is fortifying, uplifting and good for nervous exhaustion, depression of the lethargic type, and mental fatigue. It fortifies those who feel over-burdened with cares, worries and responsibilities; lifts the spirits; and inspires courage and fortitude. Cardamom is associated with the earth element and is grounding for those who tend to feel ’spaced out’.
