BASIC GUIDANCE FOR USING ESSENTIAL OILS

Bergamot Essential Oils

A powerful antiseptic, diuretic, antitoxic, deodorant and insecticide.

Used in massage or as a compress it's good for skin complaints (acne or oily skin), cellulite, chest infections and sore throats. It can relieve the pain associated with shingles and chickenpox and can be used as an insect repellent.

Added to bathwater it can alleviate feelings of depression, anxiety or irritability and eases cystitis, urethritis and vaginal itching.

Caution: Bergamot is phototoxic so it shouldn't be used on the skin before being exposed to sunlight. Never use undiluted on the skin as this can result in discolouration and a skin rash.

Never take internally unless professionally advised.

Chamomile Essential Oils

Chamomile is antibacterial, sedative, digestive and analgesic.
Use diluted and applied to the skin for healing infected wounds, cuts, burns, rashes, insect bites, boils and abscesses.

Caution: Don't use during first three months of pregnancy.
A small percentage of people experience skin irritation; sensitive individuals should do a skin patch test first.

Never take internally unless professionally advised.

Eucalyptus Essential Oils

A decongestant, antiseptic, detoxifying and circulatory stimulant.

Used in steam inhalation or added to a carrier oil and rubbed into the chest, or a few drops on a handkerchief will help to ease sore throats, coughs, chest infections, such as bronchitis or asthma and in clearing the catarrh of colds, flu and sinus infections.

Used in a compress for burns and healing cuts and other wounds. or diluted and applied to the skin for blisters, such as those associated with herpes, shingles and chickenpox; muscular pains and stiffness, sprains, athlete's foot,nervous headaches, neuralgia and cystitis.
It can be used as an insect repellent and can also help in treating insect bites and head lice.

Caution: May cause skin irritation. Only use diluted and not for more than a few days at a time. Don't use on babies and young children.
Not advisable in early pregnancy or if you have high blood pressure.
Don't use in conjuction with homeopathic remedies.

Toxic if taken internally.

Frankincense Essential Oils

Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, calming, diuretic, sedative and tonic.

Added to bathwater, as a steam inhalation or a few drops on a handkerchief, Frankincense is good for easing respiratory problems such as asthma, catarrh, coughs and colds, chest infections, sore throats, to relieve anxiety and promote deep sleep.
It's also used for cystitis, haemorrhoids, irregular or heavy periods, ulcers and nosebleeds.
Diluted and applied to the skin it is particulary valuable for mature, wrinkled skins, restoring suppleness and vitality.

Caution: Best avoided during first three months of pregnancy.

Toxic if taken internally.

Geranium Essential Oils

A mild sedative, so can be useful in treating emotional and stress-related conditions such as anxiety, mood swings and general apathy. Also anti-inflammatory, astringent and antiseptic and is often use as a skincare oil.
Diluted and applied to the skin it's good for congested pores, oily complexions, acne, burns, nappy rash and blisters.
It can also be used to discourage, head lice, mosquitoes and the spread of ringworm.

In a massage or added to bathwater, geranium is good for easing PMS and menopausal symptoms (especially hot flushes), postnatal depression cellulite and bruises.
Caution: May irritate very sensitive skin. Not to be used in the first three months of pregnancy and not at all if there's a history of
miscarriage.

Never take internally unless professionally advised.

Lavender Essential Oils

A relaxant, antiseptic, antibacterial, antidepressant, decongestant, detoxifying, diuretic and restorative oil.
Added to bathwater it's good for soothing tension and headaches, relieving stress and lifting depression.
One or two drops of the neat, or diluted oil rubbed into the skin or applied as a compress helps with acne, boils, spots, sores, dermatitis, eczema and athlete's foot.
A few drops added to shampoo can be used to treat dandruff and as a steam inhalation it will ease coughs, colds and congestion.

Caution: May cause skin irritation through repeated use, especially if used undiluted or in highly concentrated form.
Avoid in early pregancy if there's a history of miscarriage. Any individual suffering with asthma or hay fever may be allergic.

Never take internally unless professionally advised.

Patchouli Essential Oils

A relaxant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory oil.
Used in massage or added to bathwater it's good for relieving emotional and stress-related problems.
Widely used for skin and hair care, including treatment of acne, eczema, dermatitis, ageing skin, open pores, stretch marks, dandruff and greasy hair.
Applied neat or diluted to the skin it can be used to ease athlete's foot and it's an insect repellent.

Never take internally unless professionally advised.

Peppermint Essential Oils

Astringent, anti-flammatory, antiviral and antiseptic.
Diluted and rubbed into the skin it's good for bronchitis, sinusitis and sore throats. Also eases mental fatigue, nervous stress and palpitations. Used in massage or added to bathwater it can help with nausea, neuralgia, indigestion, colic and travel sickness. It can also ease toothache, headache and muscle fatigue.
Used as a mouthwash (diluted) it can help to combat bad breath.

Caution: Not to be used in the first three months of pregnancy.
Can irritate skin, so dilute well. Don't swallow when using as a mouthwash. Don't use whilst taking homeopathic remedies.

Never take internally unless professionally advised.

Rosemary Essential Oils

Antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, diuretic, astringent and a relaxant. Has a stimulating effect on the circulation.
Used as steam inhalation or a few drops on a handkerchief, it's good for colds, catarrh & nasal congestion.
Diluted and applied to the skin, it can ease skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema.
As a massage, diluted with a carrier oil into the temples to ease headaches, into the joints for muscles and strains and into the
abdoment to ease indigestion, flatulence and menstrual cramps.
A few drops added to shampoo or diluted and rubbed into the scalp will cleanse hair, prevent head lice and alleviate dandruff and greasy
hair.
Caution: Shouldn't be used during pregnancy or by those with eplilepsy, insomnia or high blood pressure. May irritate sensitive skin.

Never take internally unless professionally advised.

Sandalwood Essential Oils

Antiseptic, anitbacterial, expectorant, antidepressant, sedative, tonic and an aphrodisiac.
Use in steam inhalation for dry persistent coughs, catarrh, bronchitis and sore throats.
Added to bathwater to alleviate itching inflamed and sensitive skin, dry cracked and chapped skin, acne, greasy skin, psoriasis, eczema and shaving rash. It can help ease urinary infections such as cystitis and urethritis.
Caution: May cause irritation for those with sensitive skin.

Never take internally unless professionally advised.

Tea Tree Essential Oils

A powerful, natural antiseptic. Also antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory.
Applied neat to the skin or added to compresses it's good for abscesses, blisters, cuts, warts, pimples, burns, insect bites and stings, cold sores, dandruff, herpes, oily skin, rashes (including nappy rash), acne, blackheads verrucae, wound healing, athlete's foot and ringworm.
In steam inhalation for relieving coughs and colds, sinus and throat infections, fever, flu, bronchitis asthma and whooping cough.
Added to bathwater it can ease uro-genital infections such as vaginitus, cystitis, pruritis and urethritis.
Diluted with water for a mouthwash to ease gum inflammation, mouth ulcers, bad breath and oral thrush.
Caution: May cause skin irritation when applied neat.

Never take internally unless professionally advised.

Ylang Ylang Essential Oils

Sedative to the nervous system and stimulant to the circulatory system, antidepressant and an aphrodisiac.
Added to bathwater it can relieve stress-related disorders, such as insomnia, depression, anxiety and nervous tensions, high blood pressure and palpitations.
As a massage it's good for eassing skin complaints such as acne, irritated, dry or oily skin, insect bites and stings.
Caution: Can cause nausea or headache if not diluted enough; is best used in moderation.

Never take internally unless professionally advised.

We at TUGS are not qualified to give advice on any individual case. Therefore, before treating any medical condition it is essential that advice is sought from an aromatherapist or qualified practitioner. We regret that we cannot be held responsible for any adverse effects which may occur from the use of any oil purchased from us.

"If there is no God, who pops up the next Kleenex?" - Art Hoppe