Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia · Soft floral, herbaceous, calm

• Rest and gentle sleep
• Easing a busy mind
• Soothing baths and skin blends
• A peaceful room

Peppermint

Mentha × piperita · Bright, cool, minty-sharp

• Clear, alert mornings
• Cooling tired muscles in a carrier oil
• Clearing a stuffy room
• Focus while studying

Keep away from eyes; dilute well before skin use.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus globulus · Camphor-bright, clean, green

• Steam and shower blends for easy breathing
• Fresh, clean-smelling rooms
• Post-workout massage blends
• Cutting through heaviness in the air

Not for use on or near the faces of young children.

Tea Tree

Melaleuca alternifolia · Medicinal, fresh, green

• Skin-cleansing blends, well diluted
• Fresh-smelling laundry and floor washes
• A practical purifier for the home
• Cleansing on the energetic level as well

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus · Green, herbaceous, invigorating

• Memory and study
• Scalp and hair-oil blends
• Morning motivation
• Remembrance — an old, old use

Avoid in pregnancy and with epilepsy.

Lemon

Citrus limon · Sparkling, bright, sunlit citrus

• Lifting the mood of a room
• Cutting grease in natural cleaning
• A cheerful start to the day
• Mental clarity

Phototoxic on skin — avoid sun for 12 hours after topical use.

Sweet Orange

Citrus sinensis · Warm, sweet, joyful citrus

• Warmth and welcome in a space
• Easing tension with a smile
• Blending with spice oils for winter
• A friendly oil for beginners

Frankincense

Boswellia carterii · Balsamic, resinous, sacred

• Meditation and prayer
• Slow, deep breathing
• Mature-skin facial blends, well diluted
• Marking a moment as sacred

Bergamot

Citrus bergamia · Citrus-floral, bright yet soft

• Lifting a low mood gently
• Confidence before a hard day
• The heart of Earl Grey tea
• Easing nervous tension

Phototoxic — choose bergapten-free (FCF) for skin use.

Ylang Ylang

Cananga odorata · Rich, exotic, honeyed floral

• Sensuality and self-love
• Softening worry before bed
• Luxurious hair and body blends
• Slowing a racing heart with breath

Very sweet — use sparingly; too much can feel heavy.

Clary Sage

Salvia sclarea · Herbaceous, tea-like, slightly sweet

• Vivid dreams and intuition
• Easing monthly tension in massage blends
• Letting go of a long week
• A woman's traditional ally

Avoid in pregnancy.

Cedarwood

Cedrus atlantica · Warm, dry, pencil-wood comfort

• Grounding after a scattered day
• A steady base note in blends
• Quiet courage
• Keeping moths from the wool shelf

Geranium

Pelargonium graveolens · Rosy, green, softly floral

• Emotional balance
• Skin-balancing facial blends, well diluted
• A rose-like scent at a gentler price
• Comfort in grief's small hours

Roman Chamomile

Chamaemelum nobile · Sweet apple, soft hay, gentle

• Soothing frayed nerves
• Bedtime baths for grown-ups and little ones
• Calming irritated skin, well diluted
• Patience in a bottle

May bother those with ragweed allergy.

Sandalwood

Santalum album · Creamy, warm, meditative wood

• Deep meditation
• Anointing and quiet ritual
• A fixative that deepens any blend
• Softening sharp moods

Patchouli

Pogostemon cablin · Earthy, dark, sweetly musky

• Grounding and embodiment
• Prosperity blends
• Rich base note in perfumes
• Easing dry skin in body oils, well diluted

Basil

Ocimum basilicum · Sweet, green, faintly spicy

• Mental clarity and focus
• Confidence before a hard task
• Kitchen-witch protection blends
• Tired-head massage oils, well diluted

Use well diluted; avoid in pregnancy.

Black Pepper

Piper nigrum · Warm, sharp, dry spice

• Warming stiff joints in a carrier oil
• Courage and get-up-and-go
• Cutting through stagnant air
• A spark in autumn diffuser blends

Very warming — dilute generously before skin use.

Cardamom

Elettaria cardamomum · Sweet spice, warm and exotic

• Cheering a heavy mood
• Cozy winter diffuser blends
• Warming massage oils, well diluted
• A soft aphrodisiac warmth

Carrot Seed

Daucus carota · Earthy, woody, faintly sweet

• Mature-skin facial oils, very well diluted
• Feeling rooted after change
• Restorative salves
• Grounding after travel

Cinnamon Bark

Cinnamomum zeylanicum · Hot, sweet, festive spice

• Prosperity and abundance blends
• Warming the heart of a cold room
• A festive note in simmer pots
• Kindling motivation

Skin use needs extreme dilution; diffusing is kinder.

Citronella

Cymbopogon nardus · Bright lemon-grass, green and sharp

• Porch and patio evenings
• Lifting a dull mood
• Fresh, outdoorsy rooms
• Summertime body oils, well diluted

Clove Bud

Syzygium aromaticum · Rich, warm, deeply spiced

• Protection and banishing blends
• Warming winter diffuser notes
• Steadying nerves before a trial
• A drop of strength in the dark months

Potent — dilute heavily; avoid on sensitive skin.

Cypress

Cupressus sempervirens · Fresh evergreen, clean and resinous

• Comfort through grief and endings
• Steady breathing practices
• Massage oils for heavy legs
• Marking thresholds and goodbyes

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare · Sweet anise, soft and green

• Settling after a rich meal
• A gentle courage for the soft-hearted
• Sweet herbal massage blends
• Clearing stale energy

Avoid in pregnancy and for small children.

Fir Needle

Abies sibirica · Crisp forest, sweet conifer

• Bringing the deep woods indoors
• Easy-breathing steam blends
• Winter solstice rituals
• Refreshing a close room

Ginger

Zingiber officinale · Hot, lemony, lively spice

• Warming cold hands and feet in a carrier oil
• Fire for flagging willpower
• Settling a queasy stomach's mood
• Courage blends

Grapefruit

Citrus × paradisi · Bright, tart, sparkling citrus

• Morning brightness
• Shaking off a slump
• Fresh kitchen and desk blends
• Light-hearted energy

Cold-pressed citrus can be sun-reactive on skin.

Helichrysum

Helichrysum italicum · Honeyed hay, warm and herbal

• Skin-kind restorative blends, well diluted
• Soothing old sorrows
• A precious drop in facial oils
• Healing rituals

Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis · Clean, camphor-herbal, ancient

• Purification and cleansing rites
• Washing away the old year
• Clearing the air after illness
• Sacred-space sprays, well diluted

Avoid in pregnancy and epilepsy.

Jasmine

Jasminum grandiflorum · Intoxicating night-floral, sweet

• Confidence and allure
• Moonlit devotional blends
• Luxurious body oils, well diluted
• Opening a guarded heart

Juniper Berry

Juniperus communis · Crisp, piney, gin-bright

• Protective cleansing of a space
• Detox-style massage oils, well diluted
• Sharpening intention
• Sweeping out the old

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus · Zesty lemon-green, bold

• Energy for a long task
• Fresh, clean-smelling rooms
• Post-illness pick-me-up diffusions
• Bright morning blends

Dilute well; can irritate sensitive skin.

Lime

Citrus aurantifolia · Sharp, green, joyful citrus

• Cutting through gloom
• Summer-bright diffuser blends
• A sparkling top note in perfumes
• Renewal after a hard week

Cold-pressed citrus can be sun-reactive on skin.

Mandarin

Citrus reticulata · Soft, sweet, sunny citrus

• Gentle cheer for anxious hearts
• Childhood-soft bedtime blends
• Sweetening any citrus accord
• A kind oil for tender days

Sweet Marjoram

Origanum majorana · Warm, herbal, softly sweet

• Comfort for the lonely
• Warming muscle blends, well diluted
• Unwinding before bed
• Softening grief's edges

Avoid in pregnancy.

Melissa

Melissa officinalis · Sweet lemon-herb, tender

• Lifting a low spirit
• Calming a racing heart's mood
• Precious drops in grief blends
• Gentle joy

Myrrh

Commiphora myrrha · Deep, balsamic, ancient resin

• Meditation and prayer
• Skin-kind salves, well diluted
• Deepening any sacred blend
• Honoring the old ways

Avoid in pregnancy.

Neroli

Citrus aurantium (blossom) · White-floral citrus, honeyed

• Calming bridal-day nerves
• Elegant facial oils, well diluted
• Sleep for the worried
• Grace in anxious seasons

Nutmeg

Myristica fragrans · Warm, sweet, softly narcotic spice

• Dreamy winter diffuser blends
• Warming tired muscles, well diluted
• A cozy note in holiday oils
• Luck and comfort blends

Use sparingly; strong in excess.

Palmarosa

Cymbopogon martinii · Rosy grass, fresh and floral

• A budget-friendly rose note
• Skin-kind body oils, well diluted
• Emotional renewal
• Sweet green diffuser blends

Pine

Pinus sylvestris · Sharp, clean, mountain forest

• Clearing heavy air
• Deep-breath steam blends
• Strength and stamina rituals
• A walk in the pines, indoors

Rose

Rosa damascena · True rose, deep and honeyed

• The queen of heart oils
• Grief and self-kindness blends
• Precious facial serums, well diluted
• Devotion and love rites

Black Spruce

Picea mariana · Soft conifer, balsamic and deep

• Steady grounding
• Forest-bathing at home
• Massage oils for weary backs
• Endurance and quiet strength

Tangerine

Citrus reticulata · Sweet, bright, playful citrus

• Playfulness and light hearts
• Sweet bedtime blends for little ones
• A happy top note in any accord
• Easing a tense evening

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris · Sharp, herbal, medicinal-warm

• Bravery in old folklore
• Cleansing sick-room air
• Warming massage blends, well diluted
• Fortifying the spirit

Strong oil — dilute well; avoid in pregnancy.

Turmeric

Curcuma longa · Warm, earthy, golden spice

• Golden healing salves, well diluted
• Warming joint massage oils
• A solar note in prosperity blends
• Rooted warmth

May tint skin and fabric golden.

Vetiver

Vetiveria zizanoides · Deep earth, smoke, root-dark

• The oil of stillness
• Deep sleep blends
• Anchoring scattered thoughts
• Grounding after ceremony