What are my favourite oils?

I have a particular interest in the history of medicinal plants and I regard these four Oils as some of the most precious. They have wide-ranging applications in modern Aromatherapy and fascinating medicinal folklore history. They are Frankincense, Roman Chamomile, Clary Sage and Sandalwood.

Frankincense is distilled from the gum that seeps from the bark of the frankincense tree and is particularly useful oil in treating anxiety and hyperactivity. It has a warm spicy scent and is known to be almost overwhelming in its ability to relax the mind as well as slow down and deepen breathing. Frankincense is a sedative as well as a relaxant so it can help with stress related insomnia and it is helpful in calming the digestive tract, reducing symptoms of indigestion, irritable bowel and bloated ness. It also has a balancing effect on the skin.

Chamomile is distilled from the herbal flowers and is one of the best oils available for treating anxiety and insomnia. It has a calming and anti-depressive effect. Chamomile has a profoundly balancing effect on the emotions, which makes it ideal for the hyperactive, workaholic types or the chronic worriers. Alongside this it is useful oil to use to help treat stress related skin conditions such as allergies and eczema. Chamomile is also generally believed to stimulate the immune system so it is useful for those people who tend to succumb to “bugs” when they are working very hard.

Clary Sage is recommended for physical and mental relaxation, particularly for individuals who are suffering from stress related insomnia. Although it has a sedative action it is also “uplifting” and can engender a euphoric state in some people. It is calming for the digestive system and can be helpful for indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome. It also has a good reputation for relieving the pain associated with menstruation, back ache, muscle stiffness and stress related migraine.

Sandalwood is a soft, emotionally comforting oil to both men and women. Its properties mean that it can be very helpful for anxiety and depression and is recommended for individuals who overwork, need to calm nerves and find it difficult to “switch off”. It is also a well-known antidote to nausea and generally calms the digestive system. Sandalwood is also very kind to the skin and has a balancing and beneficial effect, being especially useful on dry skin for women and sensitive skin on men (hence its use in 80% of after shaves).