The Oracle

Angelica Root

Botanical Name: Angelica archangelica

Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled

Color: Pale yellow (cream)

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Base

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong

Aromatic Description: Fresh, peppery, woody, herbaceous.

Possible Uses: Dull skin, exhaustion, gout, psoriasis, toxin build-up, water retention. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 57-67.]

Constituents: a-pinned, camphene, B-pinene, sabinene, d-3-carene, a-phellandrene, myrcene, limonene, B-phellandrene, cis-ocimene, trans-ocimene, p-cymene, terpinolene, copaene, bornyl acetate, terpinen-4-ol, cryptone, B-bisabolene, humulene monoxide, tridecanolide, pentadecanolide. [B. Lawrence, "Angelica Root Oil," Perfumer & Flavorist, December/January 1977, 31, cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 1997), 140.]

Safety Information: Phototoxic. Avoid during pregnancy and diabetes. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 84.] Do not use if the area of application will be exposed to sunlight for 24 hours due to its phototoxicity.


Anise

Botanical Name: Pimpinella anisum

Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled

Color: Clear

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Top

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium

Aromatic Description: Distinctive scent of licorice. Rich and sweet.

Possible Uses: Bronchitis, colds, coughs, flatulence, flu, muscle aches, rheumatism. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 60-66.]

Constituents: a-pinene, camphene, B-pinene, linalool, cis-anethole, trans-anethole, safrole, anisaldehyde, acetoanisole. [B. Lawrence, "Anise Oil," Perfumer & Flavorist, June/July 1983, 65, cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 1997), 141.]

Safety Information: Caution for those with hypersensitive skin or with skin problems. Avoid in endometriosis and oestrogen-dependent cancers. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 117.]

Is narcotic and slows circulation in large doses. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 196.]



Balsam, Peru
Botanical Name: Myroxylon pereirae

Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled

Color: Dark Brown

Consistency: Very Thick

Perfumery Note: Base

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium

Aromatic Description: Sweet, fresh, earthy, balsamic.

Possible Uses: Bronchitis, chapped skin, colds, coughing, eczema, flu, poor circulation, rashes, sensitive skin, stress. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.]

Constituents: Benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, benzyl cinnamate, cinnamyl cinnamate. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 181.]

Safety Information: Possible sensitization. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 209.]

Basil

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum

Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled

Color: Clear

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Top

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium

Aromatic Description: Sweet, herbaceous, licorice-like, slightly campherous.

Possible Uses: Bronchitis, colds, coughs, exhaustion, flatulence, flu, gout, insect bites, insect repellent, muscle aches, rheumatism, sinusitis. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 58-67.]

Constituents: Linalol, Fenchol, Eugenol, Methyl chavicol, Beta-caryophyllene [Shirley Price, The Aromatherapy Workbook (Hammersmith, London: Thorsons, 1993), 54-5.]

Safety Information: Use sparingly with caution. High doses may be carcinogenic due to its methyl chavicol content. Avoid in cases of liver problems. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 120.]

Avoid during pregnancy. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 186.]

Bay

Botanical Name: Pimenta racemosa

Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled

Color: Deep Golden Yellow

Consistency: Thin - Medium

Perfumery Note: Middle

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong

Aromatic Description: Medicinal, fruity, spicy, herbaceous aroma.

Possible Uses: Dandruff, hair care, neuralgia, oily skin, poor circulation, sprains, strains. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.]

Constituents: Eugenol, myrcene, chavicol, methyl eugenol, linalool, limonene. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 195.]

Safety Information: Avoid in alcoholism, in haemophilia, in prostatic cancer, with kidney and liver problems and if taking anticoagulants. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 121.]

Moderately toxic and a mucous membrane irritant. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 195.]

Bay Laurel

Botanical Name: Laurus nobilis

Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled

Color: Clear

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Top

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong

Aromatic Description: Herbacous, fruity, fresh, camphorous.

Possible Uses: Amenorrhea, colds, flu, loss of appetite, tonsillitis. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 63-66.]

Constituents: a-pinene, B-pinene, myrcene, limonene, linalool, methyl chavicol, neral, a-terpineol, geranyl acetate, eugenol, cavicol. [B. Lawrence, "Bay Oil," Perfumer & Flavorist, April/May 1980, 33, cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 1997), 144.]

Safety Information: Lawless says that it can be narcotic, can cause dermatitis and also should not be used in pregnancy. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 161.]

Beeswax
Botanical Name (of the honeybee): Apis mellifera

Common Method of Extraction: Solvent Extracted

Color: Deep Golden Brown

Consistency: Medium

Perfumery Note: Base

Strength of Initial Aroma: Mild - Medium

Aromatic Description: Rich, sweet, floral, honey aroma.

Possible Uses: Perfumery

Safety Information: Safety information is not readily available. As it is used for perfumery and is not used as a therapeutic oil, use with caution and common sense. It may be wise to avoid in anyone who cannot consume honey or use beeswax.

Benzoin

Botanical Name: Styrax tonkinensis

Common Method of Extraction: Solvent Extracted

Color: Golden Brown

Consistency: Very Thick, Hard to Work With

Perfumery Note: Base

Strength of Initial Aroma: Light

Aromatic Description: Rich, warm, slightly woody, creamy, vanilla.

Possible Uses: Arthritis, bronchitis, chapped skin, coughing, laryngitis, stress. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.]

Constituents for Benzoin from Siam: Coniferyl benzoate, benzoic acid, vanillin, siaresinolic acid, cinnamyl benzoate. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 222.]

Safety Information: Possible skin sensitivity and contact dermatitis. [Leung, A.Y. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients, 64 as cited in Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 222.]

Bergamot

Botanical Name: Citrus bergamia

Common Method of Extraction: Cold Pressed (best) or Steam Distilled

Color: Gold with a Green Tinge

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Top

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium

Aromatic Description: Fresh, orange/lemon/citrusy, slightly floral.

Possible Uses: Acne, abscesses, anxiety, boils, cold sores, cystitis, depression, halitosis, itching, loss of appetite, oily skin, psoriasis, stress. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.]

Constituents: a-pinene, B-pinene, myrcene, limonene, a-bergaptene, B-bisabolene, linalool, linalyl acetate, nerol, neryl acetate, geraniol, geraniol acetate, a-terpineol. [B. Lawrence, "Bergamot Oil," Perfumer & Flavorist, October/November 1982, 43, cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 1997), 145.]

Safety Information: Phototoxic. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 121.] Do not use if the area of application will be exposed to sunlight for 24 hours due to its phototoxicity.

Bergamot Mint

Botanical Name: Mentha Citrata

Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled

Color: Clear

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Top

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong

Aromatic Description: Fresh, minty, citrusy, softer than peppermint, about the strength of spearmint.

Possible Uses: Possibly similar in therapeutic use to peppermint or spearmint.

Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not list any precautions for this oil and indicates that it is only mildly irritant to the skin. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 203.]

Bois-de-rose

Rosewood is sometimes referred to as Bois-de-rose oil.

Botanical Name: Aniba rosaeodora

Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled

Color: Clear with a Yellow Tinge

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Middle

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium

Aromatic Description: Sweet, woody, fruity, floral aroma.

Possible Uses: Acne, colds, dry skin, dull skin, fever, flu, frigidity, headache, oily skin, scars, sensitive skin, stress, stretch marks. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.]

Constituents: a-pinene, camphene, geraniol, neral, geranial, myrcene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, benzaldehyde, linalool oxides, a-terpineol. [B. Lawrence, "Bois-de-Rose Oil," Perfumer & Flavorist, October/November 1984, 87, cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 1997), 197.]

Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 210.]

Boronia

Botanical Name: Boronia megastigma

Common Method of Extraction: Solvent Extraction

Color: Golden Brown

Consistency: Thick

Perfumery Note: Top

Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong

Aromatic Description: Rich, complex floral.

Possible Uses: Used primarily in perfumery and aromatics.

Constituents: Ionon, eugenol, triacontane. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 96.]

Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 213.]
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