Chapter Two ~ Part 2
Essential Oil Specifications Part 2
Oils M- Z

We have spilt these notes into two parts because of the size of the document.
Here are the specifications and some general information on the more popular oils that we use. The information relates to the species and country of origin of the oils we prefer.
All oils differ slightly from batch to batch; there may be variation of colour, odour and consistency depending on species and origin. For instance a cold press lime that we carry is dark green and the distilled version is almost clear. We have written briefly on each one to give you the general idea of its uses and a little bit about its history, however there is a lot more information available and this would be the size of an encyclopaedia if we tried to include it all. If there is particular oil you would like included, please get in touch.
The oils we have starred are the ones we suggest to stock in your kit at home if you are just starting out, but again they are our preferred oils and there may be others you want to include.
You will notice in a lot of the descriptions, we have used the words “According to Aromatherapists” or similar words; this is because you must be very careful when making medical claims in the UK, and you can be challenged by the MHA and be fined. For those of you blending products for sale, again you need to be very careful with the claims you make about your product and be able to show proof usually by testing by an external source. The next face cream advert you see on TV, notice how they describe the external testing results at the foot of the screen

So here we go with our first oil of part 2...

MANDARIN (peel) Fragrancing and slimming massage blends

There are two types available one expressed from the leaves and the other expressed from the peel, we will be concentrating on the peel oil. The leaf oil is considered to be photosensitive and we wouldn’t use it in skincare products

BOTANICAL NAME Citrus mandurensis
The Mandarin is a member of the orange family, Mandarin trees are smaller than orange trees with small leaves and fruits.
SCENT: Mandarin essential oil has an intense, sweet, fresh scent characteristic of citrus fruit.
STRENGTH OF AROMA: Light
PLANT PART: Crude Peel
EXTRACTION METHOD: Cold Pressed
ORIGIN: Italy
COLOUR: Orange
CONSISTENCY: Light
NOTE: Top /middle
USES:
Aromatherapists use it as a digestive aid, hiccups, anxiety, and to assist the liver functions of the elderly. Mandarin essential oil is also commonly used in soaps, cosmetics, perfumes and men’s colognes. It also has many applications in the flavouring industry.
In aromatherapy it is used for stretch marks, scars, fluid retention and for stress, irritability, insomnia, restlessness and nervous tension. It makes a wonderful slimming massage for buttocks, hips and thighs, and will also reduce stretch marks. Put a few drops in a hot bath for a deeply relaxing and uplifting soak, or inhale a few drops from a tissue whenever you feel tense or tired.
BLENDS WELL WITH
other citrus oils such as lime, orange, lemon, and grapefruit, as well as spice oils such as nutmeg, cinnamon, bay and clove. When blending with other citrus oils, be aware of the photosensitivity of them.
HISTORY:
The name is said to come from the fact that it was a traditional gift to the mandarins of China. Native to southern China and the Far East, brought to Europe in 1805 and to the USA forty years later.

·  MARJORAM (Sweet) Muscle blends and PMT

We would recommend using sweet marjoram and avoiding wild marjoram because of its high carvacol content which is known as a skin sensitizer.

Botanical Name: Origanum marjorana
Plant Part: Flowers and Leaves
Extraction Method: Steam
Origin: Spain
Description: Marjoram Sweet essential Oil is derived from the a bushy perennial growing up to 60cm in height with a hairy stem, dark green oval leaves and small whitish flowers found in clusters. The entire plant is extremely aromatic.
Colour: Clear Light Yellow
Common Uses: As it’s arming and comforting, Aromatherapists use Marjoram Sweet Essential Oil in a massage blend for PMT, it’s massaged into the abdomen during or added to a warm compress. It is also found blends for treating tired aching muscles, and is perfect for use in a sports massage. A few drops on a vaporizer will also encourage sleep, and a few drops can be added to a warm/hot bath at the first signs of a cold.
Consistency: Thin
Note: Middle
Strength of Aroma: Medium.
Blends well with: Orange, Lavender, Rosewood, Frankincense, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Clary Sage, Basil, Thyme, Cypress, Elemi, Chamomile, spices like Nutmeg or Cardamom and many more
Aromatic Scent:The aroma of the oil is warm and spicy, with a hint of nutmeg. It is used in masculine, Oriental, and herbal-spicy perfumes and colognes.
History: Marjoram Sweet essential oil was very popular and a common medicinal plant amongst the ancient greeks. The name itself originates from a Greek word meaning "Joy of the Mountains".

MAY CHANG Great in the mop bucket for its anti bac properties and fresh lemony fragrance

BOTANICAL NAME Litsea cubeba
Litsea cubeba or May Chang is an evergreen tree or shrub 5-12 meters high in the Lauraceae family. It is native to China & Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia. It produces a fruit which is processed for its lemony oil. The oil can also be extracted from the leaf, but this is considered to be lower in quality. The timber is sometimes used for making furniture and crafts. Plant parts are also used in medicine. Essential oil yields from the fruit are 3-5%. The oils prmiary isolate is citral, at 70-85% of the oil. It is mainly produced in China from plantations and is marketed as "Litsea cubebea", with production estimates between 500 - 1,500 tonnes of oil per annum. The oil is used as a fragrance and for flavouring in its own right. It is also used as a raw material by the chemical industry for the synthesis of vitamin A and violet-like fragrances.

SCENT: Litsea cubeba essential oil has a crisp, citrus smell. It has been compared to lemongrass and lemon verbena. It is considered sweeter and softer than lemongrass and a possible fragrance alternative to the costly lemon verbena, though it should not be used as an alternative in terms of therapeutic potential. Due to its high citral content, we would suggest a maximum content of 0.8% in a blend. There is some concern with its effects with diabetes medication.
STRENGTH OF AROMA: Medium
PLANT PART: pepper like fruits
EXTRACTION METHOD: Steam Distilled
ORIGIN: China
COLOUR: Yellow
CONSISTENCY: Light
NOTE: Top
USES:
Litsea Cubeba (May Chang) is most valued for its calming and anti- inflammatory properties. Other therapeutic uses often found with litsea cubeba include as an astringent, antiseptic, insecticide and tonic. Great in mop bucket to freshen a room or on an oil burner to improve your mood.
BLENDS WELL WITH
Basil, Bergamot, Geranium, Ginger, Jasmine, Rose, Rosemary, Rosewood and Ylang-Ylang.
HISTORY:
Litsea cubeba essential oil has been used historically in both Japan and Taiwan as an alternative to lemongrass or the more costly lemon verbena.
CAUTIONS: Possible skin irritant. AS WITH ALL ESSENTIAL OILS DO NOT USE ON OR NEAR CATS,CAGED BIRDS OR REPTILES

MYRRH A Spititual Oil & Anti-inflammatory

BOTANICAL NAME Commiphora myrrha
Myrrh, though classified as shrubs, can grow up to 10 Meters in height. The trunk exudes a natural oleoresin that hardens into what is classified as reddish brown “Tears”. Native collectors make incisions into the trees in order to increase the yield. It is sometimes known as Opopanax
SCENT: Myrrh essential oil has a warm, rich, spicy balsamic odour.
STRENGTH OF AROMA: Medium
PLANT PART: Resin
EXTRACTION METHOD: Steam
ORIGIN: Africa
COLOUR: Dark Brown
CONSISTENCY: Medium to Heavy
NOTE: Middle
USES:
Myrrh is thought to enhance spirituality. Aromatherapists use it as an aid in meditation or before healing. Its actions are characterized as the following: antifungal, astringent and healing, tonic and stimulant, carminative, locally antiseptic, anti-inflammatory

BLENDS WELL WITH
Frankincense, Lavender, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Tea Tree, and Thyme.
We use in it our arthritis blend.
HISTORY:
Myrrh has been used for centuries as an ingredient in incense, perfumes, for embalming and fumigations in Ancient Egypt. In folk tradition it was used for muscular pains and in rheumatic plasters. Called mo yao in China, it has been used since at least 600B.C. primarily as a wound herb and blood stimulant. Gerard said of Myrrh' the marvellous effects that it worked in new and green wounds were here too long to set down...' Myrrh oil, distilled from the resin, has been used since ancient Greek times to heal wounds.
CAUTIONS: Myrrh can be possibly toxic in high concentrations, and should not be used during pregnancy.AS WITH ALL ESSENTIAL OILS, DO NOT USE NEAR OR ON CATS, BIRDS OR REPTILES

Neroli GRATIS Skincare, Anit-ageing & fragrancing

BOTANICAL NAME Citrus Aurantium
Neroli Gratis oil is distilled from a plant oil similar in scent to bergamot produced from the blossom of the bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium var. amara or Bigaradia).
SCENT: The essential oil has a smell that is true to nature, of wonderful bitter-orangey blossom. It is a hypnotic sedative, calming, relaxing and anti-depressant.
STRENGTH OF AROMA: Strong
PLANT PART: Blossom
EXTRACTION METHOD: collected from the waters of the steam distillation
ORIGIN: France
COLOUR:Brown
CONSISTENCY:Medium
NOTE: Middle
USES:
In aromatherapy it is excellent for any kind of stress or tension, over-excitement, anxiety, insomnia or fears, and it is excellent for improving dry or mature complexions.
It is one of the most widely used floral oils in perfumery. More than 12% of all modern quality perfumes use Neroli as their principal ingredient.
It is used in the flavouring industry but only in a limited sense.
BLENDS WELL WITH
Bergamot, Coriander, Geranium, Lavender, Lime, Palmarosa, Sandalwood, and Ylang Ylang
We use it in our feminine fragrances and our high performance skincare products.
HISTORY:
Neroli oil was discovered in the late 1600s and it was said to be named after Anne-Marie, Princess of Neroli, in Italy. The Roman god Jupiter gave an orange to his sister Juno when he married her, and brides have carried the blossom to calm nerves ever since.
By the end of the 17th century, Anne Marie Orsini, duchess of Bracciano and princess of Nerola, introduced the essence of bitter orange tree as a fashionable fragrance by using it to perfume her gloves and her bathwater. Since then, the name of Neroli has been used to describe this essence.
CAUTIONS: Neroli essential oil is perfectly safe for home use. All citrus oils need to be stored in a cool, dark to preserve them and keep them fresh. AS WITH ALL ESSENTIAL OILS, DO NOT USE ON OR NEAR CATS,CAGED BIRDS OR REPTILES.

NIAOULI Stimulating & muscle ache blends

BOTANICAL NAME Melaleuca viridiflora
Niaouli is an evergreen tree with pointed leaves and spiky long yellow flowers. The leaves of the evergreen are extremely fragrant when crushed. Niaouli can be found in New Caledonia and Australia.
SCENT: Niaouli’s essential oil has a sharp, clear floral and slightly campherous aroma.
STRENGTH OF AROMA: Medium
PLANT PART: Leaves and Twigs
EXTRACTION METHOD: Steam Distillation
ORIGIN: New Caledonia
COLOUR: Typically colourless but it may take on a pale yellow or slight greenish tinge.
CONSISTENCY: Light
NOTE: Middle
USES:
It is sought after for its antiseptic, clearing and cleansing properties and as a physical and mental stimulant. It is also used for its decongestant, insecticidal and stimulant properties. In today’s society it is used during radiology treatments on the skin to prevent burning during radiation treatments. Niaouli is used often with cancer patients because of its effect as a stimulant for the circulation as it increases the growth of white blood cells. It can be used to alleviate the pain of muscle tension.
BLENDS WELL WITH
Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Myrtle, Rosemary, Scotch Pine and Sweet Fennel
HISTORY:
Niaouli has a long history of use by many different cultures. In New Caledonia the fresh air and absence of malaria is credited solely to the indiginous niaouli tree which grows all over the islands. It is also used in to purify their water supply.
In the Middle East it is valued as a tea that helps stimulate healthy bowels.
It has been used in many hospitals: the French use it in the obstetrics and gynaecology fields because of its high antiseptic qualities.
Niaouli essential oil did not appear in Europe until the 17th century. Captain Cook gave it the botanical name while on route from Australia, though the French still sometimes refer to it as Gomenol.
CAUTIONS:None noted

AS WITH ALL ESSENTIAL OILS, DO NOT USE NEAR OR ON CATS, BIRDS OR REPTILES

NUTMEG Fragrancing Especially Winter & Christmas Blends
BOTANICAL NAME Myristica fragrans
Nutmeg Essential Oil is derived from the evergreen tree capable of growing 20 meters in height. It produces a fleshy red fruit. The exterior husk is dried and produces Mace essential oil, while the seeds produce the Nutmeg essential oil.
SCENT: Rich, spicy, sweet, woody. It is similar to the cooking spice, but richer and more fragrant.
STRENGTH OF AROMA: Medium
PLANT PART: Seeds
EXTRACTION METHOD: Steam Distillation
ORIGIN: Indonesia
COLOUR: Clear to Pale Yellow
CONSISTENCY: Thin
NOTE: Middle
USES:
Arthritis, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, neuralgia, poor circulation, rheumatism, slow digestion.
BLENDS WELL WITH
Nutmeg is a valuable addition to many aromatherapy blends, adding warmth, spice, and inspiration, when used in very small amounts. Lavender, Clary Sage, Geranium, Rosemary, Petitgrain, orange, other spices.
HISTORY:
Nutmeg was used by the Indians for intestinal disorders, by the Egyptians in embalming and by the Italians during the Plague. In the Middle Ages Nutmeg was grated and mixed with lard as an ointment for piles. Nutmeg oil is used in soap, candle making, dental products, and hair lotions.
CAUTIONS: If used in large amounts, can cause toxic symptoms such as nausea and tachycardia. This product should also be avoided if pregnant.