Essential Oil Safety
True essential oils are intensely aromatic, highly concentrated plant extracts derived directly from leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, bark, twigs, resins, and other botanical parts. Each oil contains a complex mixture of natural compounds that combine to produce its signature scent as well as its unique topical and aromatic effects.
Because of their intricate botanical composition, essential oils interact with the olfactory system in powerful ways. Inhaling them can trigger the release of neurochemicals in the brain, affecting mood, memory, and emotional responses, while also providing the traditional benefits associated with aromatherapy.We use only USDA Certified Organic essential oils, selected for both their skin-supportive qualities and the authentic aromatherapy experience they deliver.
Important Note: Our essential oil information is intended for external use only.
Pregnancy & Children: Safety information regarding essential oil use during pregnancy or for children is limited and often contradictory. Always consult a healthcare professional—such as a doctor, midwife, or pediatrician—before using essential oils in these cases.
What Essential Oils Are
Highly concentrated, plant-derived aromatic compounds
Used in aromatherapy, skincare, personal care, and wellness
Not oily in texture despite the name
Usually clear, but can be colored (amber, yellow, green, blue)
How They’re Produced
Primarily through:
Steam distillation
Water (hydro) distillation
Citrus essential oils are either cold pressed or steam distilled from the rinds (peels) of citrus fruits
Plant parts used:
Leaves, wood, petals, buds, bark, roots, needles
Aromatic oils:
Oils not made by these methods are not true essential oils
Essential Oils vs. Fragrance Oils
Essential oils: Natural, plant-derived, therapeutic benefits
Fragrance/perfume oils: Contain natural and synthetically derived scents, do not offer therapeutic properties
Benefits & Uses
Provide psychological and physical therapeutic effects
Common application methods:
Inhalation (diffusers, inhalers, aromatic jewelry)
Topical (must be diluted)
Safety Considerations
Highly concentrated—use small amounts
Improper use can cause:
Skin irritation or sensitization
Phototoxic reactions (some oils)
Always dilute with carrier oils (e.g., jojoba, almond, apricot kernel)
Do not take any oils internally
Use extreme caution when using oils with children or the elderly
Safe use requires education and caution
Avoid using essential oils near the genitals, mouth, nose, eyes and ears
If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner
The same essential oils and blends that we use on ourselves are not always safe to use on our dogs, cats, birds, horses or other pets
Chemical Composition
Made of naturally occurring chemical compounds (constituents)
Example: Lavender contains linalyl acetate and linalool
“Chemical” does not mean synthetic—these are natural components
Quality & Pricing Factors
Botanical rarity
Growing conditions and origin
Distillation quality
Yield (how much oil a plant produces)
Blends vs. Single Oils
Blends (pre-made):
Pros:
Convenient
Professionally formulated
Cons:
Less control
Harder to customize
Additional Notes
Often sold in small bottles due to concentration
Proper storage is important
Wide variation in quality between suppliers
Often used alongside other botanical ingredients
Essential Oils We Use
Basil, Holy (Tulsi) Essential Oil
Reducing stress, promoting mental clarity, and relieving anxiety. Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, soothe skin irritations, treat acne, massage sore muscles, and support immune health
Bergamot Essential Oil
Reduce anxiety, stress, and improve mood. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent to treat acne, skin irritations, and oiliness when diluted
Cajeput Essential Oil
Antiseptic, analgesic, and decongestant properties. Relieve joint and muscle pain, treat skin infections, and reduce acne; natural insect repellent
Camphor, White Essential Oil
Respiratory relief, pain management, decongestant and boosts circulation. Relieve muscle aches, arthritis, and skin irritations, or used to repel insects
Cedarwood, Virginian Essential Oil
Calming, grounding, and antiseptic properties. Reducing stress and promoting sleep. Balance oil production, support scalp health, and a natural insect repellent
Chamomile, Roman Essential Oil
Soothe irritated skin, reduce inflammation, promote relaxation, promote sleep, reduce anxiety, soothe skin irritations (eczema, rashes), relieve muscle aches, and ease digestive discomfort
Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil
Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and insect-repellent properties. Reduce anxiety, ease muscle aches, promote circulation
Clary Sage Essential Oil
Reduce stress, balance hormones, and promote relaxation. Treat acne, soothe inflammation, improve sleep quality
Clove Leaf Essential Oil
Potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. Treating acne, relieving joint pain, enhancing immune health, and aiding digestion
Eucalyptus Globulus Essential Oil
Respiratory support, relieving congestion, coughs, and bronchitis, due to its high (80–85%) content of 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol). Boost energy and mental focus. Soothe sore muscles and joint pain
Lavender, Bulgarian Essential Oil
Promoting better sleep, reducing stress and anxiety, treating skin irritations (burns, acne), and relieving pain or muscle tension
Lemon (expressed) Essential Oil
Antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties. Boosting mood, easing stress, improving skin conditions like acne, and supporting immune health. Boost concentration and to reduce nausea
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Reduce stress, ease muscle pain, and repel insects
Lime (expressed) Essential Oil
Uplifting, cleansing, and purifying properties. Boost mood and focus, in skincare to tighten skin and reduce oil,
Orange, Sweet Essential Oil
Reduces stress and anxiety. Antibacterial and antioxidant agent to brighten skin, treat acne, and reduce inflammation. Supports digestion and immunity
Peppermint Essential Oil
Soothe digestive issues, analgesic for tension headaches, decongestant for respiratory issues, and provides a cooling, antimicrobial effect on skin irritations
Petitgrain Essential Oil
Reduce stress, improve sleep, and balance oily skin or hair, a potent skin toner, and a digestive aid
Pine Needle Essential Oil
Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and stimulating properties. Respiratory support and mental clarity, soothe muscle aches, treat skin conditions
Rosemary Essential Oil
Promote hair growth, improve scalp health, enhance memory, and relieve muscle pain. Stimulating, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agent. Promoting hair density, alleviating stress, and increasing circulation
Spearmint Essential Oil
Alleviating digestive issues (nausea, indigestion), boosting mood/mental clarity, easing headaches and muscle pain, and treating acne. Anti-androgenic effects, natural insect repellent
Tea Tree (Common) Essential Oil
Potent antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, primarily used topically for skin conditions like acne, athlete's foot, nail fungus, and dandruff. It also acts as a natural insect repellent
Thyme, White Essential Oil
Potent antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal agent used for respiratory support, skin health, and stimulating the immune system. Stimulant to improve circulation and reduce aches
Common Essential Oils
Essential Oils — Common Name, Botanical Name & Common Uses
|
Common Name |
Botanical Name |
Common Uses |
|
African Sandalwood |
Osyris lanceolata |
Relaxation, grounding, meditation |
|
Agarwood (Oud) |
Aquilaria crassna |
Aromatic perfumery, meditation |
|
Allspice |
Pimenta dioica |
Warming blends, muscle discomfort |
|
Aloeswood |
Aquilaria malaccensis |
Aromatic, contemplative blends |
|
Ambrette Seed |
Abelmoschus moschatus |
Skin care, uplifting |
|
Amyris |
Amyris balsamifera |
Calming, skin soothing |
|
Angelica Root |
Angelica archangelica |
Digestive support, grounding |
|
Anise |
Pimpinella anisum |
Respiratory blends, digestion |
|
Star Anise |
Illicium verum |
Digestive support, warming blends |
|
Anthopogon |
Juniperus indica |
Respiratory blends |
|
Atlas Cedarwood |
Cedrus atlantica |
Calming, insect repellent |
|
Australian Sandalwood |
Santalum spicatum |
Relaxation, meditation |
|
Balsam Fir |
Abies balsamea |
Respiratory blends |
|
Peru Balsam |
Myroxylon balsamum |
Skin soothing |
|
Basil |
Ocimum basilicum |
Mental focus, digestion |
|
Holy Basil |
Ocimum tenuiflorum |
Stress relief, respiratory |
|
Bay |
Pimenta racemosa |
Muscle blends |
|
Bay Laurel |
Laurus nobilis |
Respiratory, warming |
|
Bergamot |
Citrus bergamia |
Mood uplift, skin care |
|
Bergamot Mint |
Mentha citrata |
Digestive, calming |
|
Bitter Orange |
Citrus aurantium |
Uplifting, digestive |
|
Black Pepper |
Piper nigrum |
Warming blends |
|
Black Spruce |
Picea mariana |
Respiratory support |
|
Blood Orange |
Citrus sinensis |
Mood uplift |
|
Blue Cypress |
Hesperocyparis sp. |
Relaxing, skin care |
|
Blue Spruce |
Picea pungens |
Respiratory blends |
|
Blue Tansy |
Tanacetum annuum |
Skin calming |
|
Bois de Rose |
Aniba rosaeodora |
Relaxation, perfumery |
|
Boronia Absolute |
Boronia megastigma |
Perfume, mood uplift |
|
Buddha Wood |
Eremophila mitchellii |
Grounding |
|
Bursera Graveolens (Palo Santo) |
Bursera graveolens |
Meditation, cleansing |
|
Cade |
Juniperus oxycedrus |
Skin blends |
|
Cajeput |
Melaleuca cajeputi |
Respiratory support |
|
White Camphor |
Cinnamomum camphora |
Respiratory blends |
|
Cananga (Ylang Ylang) |
Cananga odorata |
Emotional balance |
|
Cannabis* |
Cannabis sativa |
Aromatherapy blends (non‑psychoactive) |
|
Caraway Seed |
Carum carvi |
Digestive support |
|
Cardamom |
Elettaria cardamomum |
Digestive, calming |
|
Carrot Seed |
Daucus carota |
Skin care |
|
Cassia |
Cinnamomum cassia |
Warming blends |
|
Catnip |
Nepeta cataria |
Relaxation |
|
Cedarwood, Virginian |
Juniperus virginiana |
Relaxation, skin care |
|
German Chamomile |
Matricaria recutita |
Soothing, calming |
|
Roman Chamomile |
Chamaemelum nobile |
Calming |
|
Cilantro |
Coriandrum sativum |
Digestive support |
|
Champaca |
Michelia champaca |
Perfume blends |
|
Cinnamon |
Cinnamomum zeylanicum |
Warming, circulation |
|
Cistus |
Cistus ladaniferus |
Calming |
|
Citronella |
Cymbopogon nardus |
Insect repellent |
|
Clary Sage |
Salvia sclarea |
Emotional balance |
|
Clove Bud |
Syzygium aromaticum |
Warming blends |
|
Coffee |
Coffea arabica |
Energizing blends |
|
Petitgrain Bigarade |
Citrus aurantium |
Calming |
|
Kaffir Lime Petitgrain |
Citrus hystrix |
Uplifting |
|
Lemon Petitgrain |
Citrus limon |
Uplifting |
|
Common Sage |
Salvia officinalis |
Respiratory support |
|
Copaiba Balsam |
Copaifera spp. |
Skin care |
|
Coriander |
Coriandrum sativum |
Digestive support |
|
Cornmint |
Mentha arvensis |
Respiratory support |
|
Cubeb |
Piper cubeba |
Warming blends |
|
Cumin |
Cuminum cyminum |
Digestive |
|
Cypress |
Cupressus sempervirens |
Respiratory blends |
|
Japanese Cypress |
Chamaecyparis obtusa |
Respiratory support |
|
Taiwan Cypress |
Chamaecyparis formosensis |
Relaxing blends |
|
Dalmatian Sage |
Salvia officinalis subsp. lavandulifolia |
Respiratory support |
|
Damiana |
Turnera diffusa |
Mood uplift |
|
Davana |
Artemisia pallens |
Aromatic |
|
Dill |
Anethum graveolens |
Culinary, respiratory |
|
Douglas Fir |
Pseudotsuga menziesii |
Respiratory blends |
|
East Indian Sandalwood |
Santalum album |
Meditation, skin |
|
Elemi |
Canarium luzonicum |
Respiratory support |
|
Ericifolia (Rosemary variant) |
Eucalyptus ericifolia |
Respiratory support |
|
Eucalyptus Globulus |
Eucalyptus globulus |
Respiratory support |
|
Lemon Eucalyptus |
Eucalyptus citriodora |
Insect repellent |
|
Eucalyptus Radiata |
Eucalyptus radiata |
Respiratory support |
|
Eucalyptus Staigeriana |
Eucalyptus staigeriana |
Uplifting |
|
Fennel |
Foeniculum vulgare |
Digestive |
|
Douglas Fir (Siberian) |
Abies sibirica |
Respiratory blends |
|
Siberian Fir |
Abies sibirica |
Respiratory support |
|
Silver Fir |
Abies alba |
Respiratory blends |
|
Fragonia |
Agonis fragrans |
Calming |
|
Frankincense |
Boswellia sacra |
Meditation, inflammation support |
|
Galbanum |
Ferula galbanifera |
Skin blends |
|
Geranium |
Pelargonium graveolens |
Skin care, emotional balance (Wikipedia) |
|
Rose Geranium |
Pelargonium graveolens |
Skin care |
|
Greenland Moss |
Cetraria islandica |
Aromatic blends |
|
Ginger |
Zingiber officinale |
Digestive support |
|
Goldenrod |
Solidago spp. |
Aromatic |
|
Grapefruit |
Citrus paradisi |
Uplifting |
|
Gurjum Balsam |
Dipteryx odorata |
Calming |
|
Nard |
Nardostachys jatamansi |
Calming |
|
Neroli |
Citrus aurantium |
Emotional balance |
|
Niaouli |
Melaleuca quinquenervia |
Respiratory support |
|
Nutmeg |
Myristica fragrans |
Warming blends |
|
Ocotea |
Ocotea quixos |
Aromatic |
|
Olibanum |
Boswellia serrata |
Meditation |
|
Opoponax |
Commiphora guidottii |
Aromatic |
|
Sweet Orange |
Citrus sinensis |
Uplifting |
|
Oregano |
Origanum vulgare |
Respiratory support |
|
Palo Santo |
Bursera graveolens |
Meditation |
|
Parsley |
Petroselinum crispum |
Digestive |
|
Patchouli |
Pogostemon cablin |
Grounding, perfumery (Wikipedia) |
|
Pink Pepper |
Schinus molle |
Warming blends |
|
Plai |
Zingiber cassumunar |
Muscle blends |
|
Rambiazina |
Maytenus senegalensis |
Aromatic |
|
Ravensara |
Ravensara aromatica |
Respiratory support |
|
Ravintsara |
Cinnamomum camphora ct. cineole |
Respiratory |
|
Rock Rose |
Cistus ladanifer |
Calming |
|
Rhododendron |
Rhododendron spp. |
Aromatic |
|
Rose |
Rosa damascena |
Emotional balance |
|
Rosemary |
Rosmarinus officinalis |
Mental clarity |
|
Rosewood |
Aniba rosaeodora |
Perfume |
|
Scotch Pine |
Pinus sylvestris |
Respiratory blends |
|
Spearmint |
Mentha spicata |
Digestive, energizing (Wikipedia) |
|
Spike Lavender |
Lavandula latifolia |
Calming |
|
Hemlock Spruce |
Picea glauca |
Respiratory |
|
Sweet Myrrh |
Commiphora myrrha |
Meditation |
|
Tangerine |
Citrus reticulata |
Uplifting |
|
Tea Tree (Common) |
Melaleuca alternifolia |
Antimicrobial |
|
Lemon Tea Tree |
Leptospermum petersonii |
Respiratory |
|
New Zealand Tea Tree |
Leptospermum scoparium |
Skin support |
|
Thyme |
Thymus vulgaris |
Respiratory |
|
Turmeric |
Curcuma longa |
Skin care |
|
Valerian |
Valeriana officinalis |
Sleep support |
|
Verbena, Lemon |
Aloysia citrodora |
Digestive |
|
Vetiver |
Vetiveria zizanioides |
Grounding |
|
White Sage |
Salvia apiana |
Cleansing |
|
Wintergreen |
Gaultheria procumbens |
Muscle support |
|
Yarrow |
Achillea millefolium |
Muscle support |
|
Ylang Ylang |
Cananga odorata |
Emotional balance |
|
Yuzu |
Citrus junos |
Uplifting |