Table Of ContentThe Complete Book
of Essential Oils and
Aromatherapy
Also by Valerie Ann Worwood
The Fragrant Mind:
Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood, and Emotion
Aromatherapy for the Soul:
Healing the Spirit with Fragrance and Essential Oils Essential
Aromatherapy:
A Pocket Guide to Essential Oils and Aromatherapy The
Endometriosis Natural Treatment Program:
A Complete Self-Help Plan for Improving Health and Well-Being
Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child:
More Than 300 Natural, Nontoxic, and Fragrant Essential Oil Blends
Scents and Scentuality:
Aromatherapy and Essential Oils for Romance, Love, and Sex
Aromatherapy for the Beauty Therapist
For my mum — Vera Marion Howdown Worwood — who taught
me the true value of unconditional love, and for my daughter
Emma, who uplifts my heart.
The material in this book is intended for education and general interest and is not
intended or implied to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or
treatment by a licensed medical practitioner. While every effort has been made
to provide accurate and up-to-date information, no expressed or implied
guarantee as to the effects of the suggestions can be given nor should be taken
either now or in the future. Information may change over time as further research
and clinical data become available. Any application of information set forth in
this book is at the reader’s sole discretion and risk and is beyond the author’s
and publisher’s control. The author and publisher assume no responsibility for
any action taken and disclaim any liability for damages arising directly or
indirectly either now or in the future.
Contents
List of Tables
Preface
Introduction: The Fragrant Pharmacy
Chapter 1. Medicines Out of the Earth
We’re All Individuals
Essential Oils — Not So New
Synergy
Adaptogens
Chemotypes
The Timeless Apothecary
Quality Control
Quantities to Use and Blending
Conversion Charts
Table 1. Dilution Guide
Methods of Use
Table 2. Essential Oil Methods of Use: An A–Z Guide
Table 3. Special Situations to Consider
Environmental Issues
Chapter 2. The Basic Care Kit
The Basic Care Kit Oils
Lavender • Geranium • Thyme Linalol • Chamomile Roman • Rosemary
• Peppermint • Cardamom • Lemon • Eucalyptus Radiata • Tea Tree
The Basic Care Kit Applications: An A–Z Guide
Abdominal Pain • Abrasions • Abscesses • Anal Fissures • Athlete’s
Foot • Bilious Attacks • Black Eyes • Bleeding • Blepharitis • Blisters •
Boils • Bruises • Bumps (Accidental) • Burns • Catarrh • Chapped Lips
• Chapped Skin • Chilblains • Cold Sores / Fever Blisters • Common
Cold • Conjunctivitis • Constipation • Convalescence • Coughs • Cuts
and Wounds • Dental Abscess • Diarrhea • Diverticulosis • Earache and
Ear Infections • Fainting • Fevers • Fibrositis • Frostbite • Frozen
Shoulder • Grazes • Hay Fever • Headaches • Heartburn • Hiccups •
Influenza • Insect Bites • Laryngitis • Lumbago • Nettle Rash •
Neuralgia • Palpitations • Scalds • Shock • Sinusitis • Sore Throats •
Splinters • Sties • Synovitis • Whitlows
Chapter 3. The Self-Defense Kit
The Self-Defense Kit
10 Self-Defense Kit Essential Oils: Eucalyptus Radiata • Ho Wood •
Lavender • Manuka • May Chang • Niaouli • Oregano • Palmarosa •
Ravensara • Thyme Linalol
Table 4. Guidelines to the Antibacterial, Antiviral, and Antifungal Properties
of Essential Oils
How to Use Essential Oils to Help Protect Against Bacterial and Viral
Infections
Environmental Methods • Physical Methods
Bacterial Infection
MRSA • Helicobacter Pylori
Viral Infection
General Antiviral Blends • Flu-Like Symptoms • HSV-1 • HSV-2 •
Postviral Recovery
Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Room Sprays, Baths, Gel, and Body Oils
Fungal Infections
Essential Oils for Fungal Infections
Hospitals and Nursing Homes
Environmental Cleansing • The Bed • Cuts and Scratches • Bathing •
The Nose • Urinary Tract Infections • Infections of the Digestive System
• Respiratory System Infections
Chapter 4. Occupational Oils for the Working Man and Woman
Essential Oils for the Workplace Environment
The Office • The Industrial Workplace • The Hospital • The Land
Visual Stress and Screen Stress
Interviews and Exams
Self-Hypnosis for Relaxation
The Whole Brain
Burns
Electrical Burns • Corrosive Burns
The Back: Aches and Pains
Repetitive Strain Syndrome
Tenosynovitis • Tendinitis • Ganglion • Writer’s Cramp • Tennis Elbow
• Bursitis • Torticollis (Cervical Dystonia)
The Workaholic Heart
Stress at Work (Environmental Stress, Chemical Stress, Physical Stress,
Mental Stress, Emotional Stress)
Table 5. Levels of Stress
Table 6. Stress Level 2 Blends
Table 7. Stress Levels 1 and 3 Blends
Stress Management at Work • Performance Stress • Burnout
Chapter 5. Emotional Rescue
Essential Oils for Emotional Problems
Emotional Stress (The Emotional Stress Kit, Stress Levels, Essential
Oils to Help Alleviate Emotional Stress, Women in Stress, Stress
Management) • Anxiety (General, Tense, Restless, Apprehensive,
Repressed) • Depression (General, Weepy, Agitated or Anxious,
Lethargic, Hysterical) • Moodiness and Mood Swings • Trauma •
Bereavement
Essential Oils for Life Enhancement
Mindfulness • Positivity • Confidence • Concentration • Self-Esteem •
Assertiveness • Happiness
Chapter 6. The Basic Travel Kit
The Journey
The Arrival
The Gap Year...or Weekend! — Mini Travel Kit
A Home Away from Home
The Sun
The Heat
Fevers
Traveler’s Tummy
Little Things That Bite
Prevention • Bites and Stings: General Action (Animals, Insects,
Snakes, Fish and Marine Animals)
Plants
Pollution
The A–Z Basic Travel Kit Emergency Reference Chart
Chapter 7. The Gentle Touch for Babies, Children, and Teenagers
The Successful Child
Enhanced Memory for Exam Success • School Stress • Exam Stress • To
Help Sleep • A Good Foundation
Essential Oils for Babies and Children
Table 8. Oils for Children by Age
Newborn Babies
The Umbilical Cord • Baby’s Skin • Cradle Cap • Other Early Problems
Babies from 3 to 12 Months
Baby Massage • Diaper Rash • Colic • Fretfulness • Sickness and
Vomiting • Sleeping • Teething • Colds and Coughs
Children’s Health
Cuts, Grazes, Bruises, and Burns • Insomnia • Colds and Flu • Aches
and Pains • Fevers • Impetigo • Constipation • Diarrhea • Tonsillitis •
Sore Throats • Ears • Bronchitis • Childhood Asthma • Allergies •
Migraine • Mumps • Measles • Rubella (German Measles) • Chicken
Pox (Varicella) • Whooping Cough (Pertussis) • Verrucas (Plantar
Warts) and Other Warts • Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis) • Ringworm •
Pinworms • Head Lice
The Teenage Years
Skin Problems • Drug Abuse
Children with Special Challenges
Spina Bifida • Paralysis • Atrophy • Muscular Dystrophy (MD) •
Spasticity • Cerebral Palsy • Pressure Sores • Diabetes Mellitus (DM) •
Down Syndrome • Arthritis • Visual Impairment • Club Foot • Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD and ADD)
Chapter 8. A Woman’s Natural Choice
Pressure to Be Perfect
Breast Care
Sore Breasts • Breast Abscess • Fibrocystic Breast Conditions
Cystitis
Ovarian Cysts
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Uterine Prolapse
Varicose Veins
Raynaud’s Disease
Menstrual Problems
Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder •
Dysmenorrhea • Menorrhagia • Amenorrhea
Menopause
Blends and Essential Oils for: Hot Flashes • Fluid Retention •
Exhaustion/Fatigue • Depression • Aches and Pains • Anxiety •
Digestive Problems • Sleeplessness
Pelvic Pain
Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome • Endometriosis
Thrush (Candida Albicans)
Vaginal Infections and Inflammation
Nonspecific Vaginitis or Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) • Vaginal
Gardnerella • Atrophic Vaginitis • Leukorrhea
Infertility
Essential Oils • Body Blends
Miscarriage and Preterm Delivery
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Essential Oils • Problems in Pregnancy (Morning Sickness,
Nausea, Stretch Marks, Constipation, Hemorrhoids, Varicose Veins,
Cramps, Edema, Exhaustion)
Preparing for the Birth
The Delivery Room • Delivery Room Essential Oil Profiles • Massage •
Inhalation • Hydrolat Body Sprays
Postnatal Care
Infection • Care of the Breasts (Nipple and Breast Soreness, Breast
Abscesses, Mastitis) • Postnatal Depression
Chapter 9. The Natural Choice for Men
Exhaustion
Androgen Decline in the Aging Male (ADAM)
Sexual Vigor
Infertility
The Reproductive System
Pains and Sores • Abrasions • Inflammation • Balanitis • Hydroceles •
Orchitis • Prostatitis • Intertrigo • Varicocele
Other Problems
Foot Odor • Jock Itch • Candida/Thrush • Pruritus Ani • Hemorrhoids
The Liver
Hepatitis
Hair Loss
Shaving
Beards
Chapter 10. Essential Help in the Maturing Years
High Blood Pressure
Circulation
Swollen Ankles and Feet
Leg Cramps
Varicose Veins
Leg Ulcers
Pressure Sores
Insomnia
Breathing Difficulties
Bronchitis
Pneumonia
Occasional Loss of Memory
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
Table 9. Essential Oils for Complications of Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Parkinson’s Disease
Trembling
Arthritis
Nutritional Changes • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) • Osteoarthritis (OA) •
Maintenance Program for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
Other Skeletal Disorders
Gout
Dyspepsia (Indigestion)
Flatulence/Gas
Constipation
Hemorrhoids
Care of the Feet
Nails and Nail Beds
Chapter 11. Assertive Oils for Sports, Dance, and Exercise
Sport, Dance, and the Mind
Stress • Increased Physical Performance • Fatigue
Running
Foot Care
Muscles
Methods of Treating Injury
Cold • Heat • P.R.I.C.E. • Massage • Massage Oils • Compresses •
Cabbage Leaf • Clay Poultice
A–Z of Sports and Dance Injuries
Abdominal Wall Strain • Achilles Tendinitis • Ankle and Heel Contusion
• Ankle Sprain • Arm Strain • Back: Prolapsed or Herniated Disk •
Back: General Strain • Breast Contusion • Buttock Contusion • Chest
Muscle Strain • Elbow Contusion • Elbow: Lateral Epicondylitis
(Tennis Elbow) • Elbow Sprain • Face Contusion • Finger Sprain • Foot
Bursitis • Foot Contusion • Foot Ganglion (Synovial Cyst) • Groin
Strain • Hand Contusion • Hand Ganglion • Hands and Arms: Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome • Head Injury • Hip Strain • Knee: Cartilage Injury •
Knee Synovitis (Water on the Knee) • Leg Sprain (Lower Leg) • Leg
Strain (Lower Calf Muscles) • Neck Sprain or Strain • Nose Injury •
Shoulder Strain or Sprain • Thigh Injury: Hamstrings • Wrist Ganglion
• Wrist Sprain
Sports, Dance, Home, and Recreational Facilities
Showers • Saunas • Jacuzzis and Hot Tubs • Locker Rooms and
Changing Rooms
Chapter 12. Major Health Concerns
Cancer
Research into Essential Oils and Cancer • Essential Oil Use and
Cancer • Nutrition • Caring for the Mind and Emotions (Relaxation,
Well-Being, Insomnia) • Symptoms and Side Effects (Infection Control,
Pain Relief, Aching Muscles, Constipation, Fatigue, Headaches,
Indigestion, Nausea, Neuralgia, Skin Care, Respiratory Distress,
Lymphedema) • Male and Female Reproductive Issues • Massage and
Cancer • Palliative Care (Fragrance, Massage, The Family, The
Spiritual Connection)
Heart Issues
Heart Care • Atheroma and Arteriosclerosis
Stroke
Table 10. Essential Oils for Stroke Rehabilitation (Essential Oils for
Strength, Muscles, Inflammation, Digestive Problems, Circulation,
Emotions)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Fatigue • Muscular Pain • Loss of Sensitivity • Exhaustion
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Muscular Fatigue • Insomnia • Depression • Loss of Memory
Chapter 13. The Fragrant Way to Beauty
Cleansers
Exfoliants and Face Polishes
Face Masks
Facial Steaming
Facial Sprays and Tonics
Astringents
Skin Care Oils
Wrinkles and the Aging Skin
Skin-Enhancing Oil Extracts for Use in Face Oils: Acai Berry •
Blackberry Seed • Black Raspberry Seed • Blueberry Seed • Borage
Seed • Chia Seed • Cranberry Seed • Cucumber Seed • Evening
Primrose Seed • Gotu Kola • Hemp Seed • Olive Squalane •
Pomegranate Seed • Red Raspberry Seed • Rosehip Seed • Sea
Buckthorn Berry • Strawberry Seed
Problem Skin
The Neck
The Eyes
Table 11. Essential Oils for Facial Skin Care
Hydrolats and Beauty
Table 12. Hydrolats for Facial Skin Care
Table 13. Hydrolats and Their Uses in Skin Care
Table 14. Hydrolats in the Treatment of Skin Conditions
Hair Care
Shampoos • Rinses • Plant Oils for Hair Care • Normal Hair • Dry Hair
• Oily Hair • Fragile Hair • Afro-Textured Hair • Falling Hair • Hair
Loss and Alopecia • Dandruff • Eczema and Psoriasis of the Scalp
Chapter 14. The Home Spa — Body Beautiful
Body Polishes and Scrubs
Body Masks (Clays, Other Body Mask Ingredients)
Body Lotions
Body Butters and Balms
Body Splashes and Spritzers
Baths and Bubbles
Prebath Body Oils
Deodorizing Body Oils
Dieters’ Essential Helpmates
Cellulite
