Psychological Oils

Question 1

FRANKINCENSE

Botanical name
Hazards?
3 Indications & relevant Actions

Answer 1

Boswellia thurifera or sacra

Non toxic, non irritant in dilution, non sensitising. Isolated reports of skin sensitivity with old oxidised oils - high monoterpenes.

Panic or Asthma attacks / hyperventilation - Respiratory & Nervous system tonic, Deepens breathe - affinity for diaphragm, anti-inflammatory for asthma.

Wounds, esp. slow to heal - Vulnerary, Cytophylactic.

Depression, esp. loss - Antidepressant, Tonic

(MAPS & RA - Anti-inflammatory, rubefacient, tonic)

Question 2

CISTUS

Botanical name
Hazards?
3 Indications & relevant Actions

Answer 2

Cistus ladanifer

Non toxic, Non irritant, Non sensitising. But many texts say avoid in pregnancy & with babies & children - chemistry doesn’t indicate this!

Grief, deep seated & emotional wounds - Tonic NS
Abdominal spasms, digestive or menstrual - Antispasmodic
Slow to heal wounds - Cytophylactic, antiseptic, antibacterial.

Question 3

VETIVER

Botanical name
Hazards?
3 Indications & relevant Actions

Answer 3

Vetiveria zizanoides

Non toxic, non irritant, non sensitising. But caution is needed with v. depressed as may be too grounding & sedative.

Liver congestion / overload - Liver tonic, nervine
Constipation, sluggish digestion - digestive stimulant
Insomnia - Sedative, Tonic

Question 4

JASM|NE

Botanical name
Hazards?
3 Indications & relevant Actions

Answer 4

Jasminum officinale

Non toxic, non irritant, non sensitising - but absolute best avoided with hyperallergenic skin.
Pregnancy - best use only in late 3rd trimester as it’s a Uterine tonic

Stress-related UG conditions - Kidney tonic
Loss of libido - Aphrodisiac. Tonic
Depression, esp associated with physicality, eg Chronic physical illness - Euphoric, Tonic, Antidepressant

Question 5

YLANG YLANG

Botanical name
Hazards?
3 Indications & relevant Actions

Answer 5

Canaga odorata var. genuina

Non toxic, non irritant, Moderate Sensitiser -

• Caution with hypersensitive, diseased or damaged skin.
• Avoid with children under 2
• Caution if prone to headaches - intense odour may provoke an attack in those prone to odour triggered.

Hypertension - Hypotensive, Nervine, Tonic
Sexual difficulties, inhibition, anxiety - Aphrodisiac, Nervine
PMS, emotional components - Nervine, Tonic

Question 6

MANDARIN

Botanical name
Hazards?
3 Indications & relevant Actions

Answer 6

Citrus reticulata

Non toxic, non irritant, non sensitising. Short shelf life 6-12 months

Diarrhoea, IBS - Antispasmodic, Carminative
Stress-related palpitations - Antispasmodic, Calmative
Hyperactivity, restlessness - Calmative, Tonic

Question 7

LIME

Botanical name
Hazards?
3 Indications & relevant Actions

Answer 7

Citrus aurantifolia

Non toxic, non irritant, non senstitising.
*Expressed oil is Phototoxic - Do not use above 0.7% (3d/25ml) if sun or sunbed exposure within 12 hours
Or use Distilled! - state which used on notes!

Sluggish, congested lymphatics - lymphatic stimulant
Sluggish digestion - digestive stimulant, aperitive
Sickroom disinfectant - Disinfectant, antibacterial, antiviral. restorative, tonic