Essential Oils Glossary

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LATHER crafts the finest natural products for skin, hair and home by utilizing the world's most therapeutic and effective essential oils.  Though more expensive, we choose to use essential oils because they do not contain the harsh petrochemicals or phthalates, which can be found in the synthetic fragrances of other brands. 

Essential oils (EO) are derived from aromatic essences of plants, trees, fruits, flowers, herbs and spices.  They have many medicinal properties and can be used for inhalation and application to the body, where their small molecular size allows for easy absorption by the skin. Different from vegetable or animal oils, EOs lack fatty acids, but they do contain plant hormones and organic chemical compounds that regenerate and oxygenate new cells.  The quality of EOs varies greatly and is dependent on growing conditions, age of the plants and the skill of those performing distillation.

Essential oils are not perfume oils.  Perfume oils are generally synthetic and have been "created" to smell like a specific plant, fruit or other aroma.  Perfume oils may smell similar to essential oils but  they do not offer medicinal or healing properties. 

Aromatherapy, the use of fragrant essential oils extracted from herbs, flowers and fruits to enhance a feeling of well-being, has been a cornerstone of the LATHER brand from the beginning.

 
B

BASIL

Country of Origin: India
Aromatherapy Class: refreshing, uplifting, clearing
Indicated for: muscle pain; depression; migraine; insect repellent .  Avoid during pregnancy.
Scent: sweet, harbaceous, licorice-like, slightly camphorous

BERGAMOT

Country of Origin: Italy
Aromatherapy Class: purifying, balancing, calming, clarifying
Indicated for: helps oily skin, psoriasis, eczema; depression; anxiety; insect repellent
Scent: citrus-like, sweet, floral undertones
C

CEDAR

Country of Origin: USA
Aromatherapy Class: clarifying, uplifting, warming, grounding, comforting
Indicated for: eases gloomy or scattered thoughts; sore muscles; arthritis; anxiety
Scent: woody, balsamic, camphoraceous

CHAMOMILE, GERMAN

Country of Origin: France
Aromatherapy Class: soothing, balancing
Indicated for: skin inflammation; insect bites; insomnia; stress
Scent: strong, herbaceous, sweet undertone

CLARY SAGE

Country of Origin: France
Aromatherapy Class: rejuvenating, balancing, inspiring, euphoric, aphrodisiac
Indicated for: oily skin and hair; muscle discomfort; depression; migraines
Scent: sweet, herbaceous, fresh

CLOVE

Country of Origin: Sri Lanka
Aromatherapy Class: revitalizing, warming, comforting
Indicated for: acne; arthritis; insect repellent.  Avoid during pregnancy.
Scent: spicy, sweet

CORIANDER

Country of Origin: Russia
Aromatherapy Class: reviving, energizing, clarifying
Indicated for: stress; blackheads; mental fatigue; fluid retention; arthritis; migraine
Scent: warm, sweet, herbaceous, spicy, soody, slightly fruity
 
E

EUCALYPTUS

Country of Origin: Australia, China
Aromatherapy Class: refreshing, uplifting, energizing
Indicated for: improves circulation; respiratory infections
Scent: camphoraceous, sweet, woody undertones
F

FENNEL

Country of Origin: Italy
Aromatherapy Class: antiseptic, stimulant, tonic
Indicated for: skin inflammation; fluid retention; stimulates circulation; has a soothing, cleansing and toning effect
Scent: herbaceous, fresh, slightly spicy

FIR, GRAND

Country of Origin: France
Aromatherapy Class: reviving, energizing, clarifying
Indicated for: stress; blackheads; mental fatigue; fluid retention; arthritis; migraine
Scent: warm, spicy, slightly musky

FRANKINCENSE

Country of Origin: Somalia
Aromatherapy Class: calming, restoring, purifying
Indicated for: improves the appearance of scars; eases tension; promotes sleep
Scent: fresh, woody, balsamic, slightly spicy and fruity
G

GERANIUM DE MADAGASCAR

Country of Origin: Madagascar
Aromatherapy Class: soothing, calming, grounding, Clarifying
Indicated for: encourages communication; eases anxiety; dry skin
Scent: floral, sweet, dry

GINGER

Country of Origin: China
Aromatherapy Class: stimulating, warming, aphrodisiac, detoxifying
Indicated for: jet lag relief; fluid retention; memory enhancer; muscle pain
Scent: fresh, spicy, warm

GRAPEFRUIT, PINK

Country of Origin: USA
Aromatherapy Class: cleansing, stimulating, refreshing, uplifting
Indicated for: stress relief; muscle aches and stiffness; water retention
Scent: citrus, sweet, slightly tangy
H

HELICHRYSUM

Country of Origin: France
Aromatherapy Class: soothing, detoxifying, uplifting, strengthening
Indicated for: improves muscle endurance; scars; arthritis; depression
Scent: herbaceous, spicy
 
J

JASMINE

Country of Origin: India
Aromatherapy Class: intoxicating, aphrodisiac, euphoric
Indicated for: dry or irritated skin; depression; labor pains; muscle spasms
Scent: floral, warm

JUNIPER

Country of Origin: Central Europe
Aromatherapy Class: aphrodisiac, restorative
Indicated for: improves mood, mental clarity, and memory; reduces fluid retention; oily skin; helps prevent hair loss
Scent: woody, balsamic, smoky
 
L

LAVENDER

Country of Origin: France, Bulgaria
Aromatherapy Class: soothing
Indicated for: improves most skin conditions including acne, sunburn and irritation; stress; insomnia; migraines; depression; insect repellent; soothes insect bites
Scent: sweet, floral, herbaceous

LEMON

Country of Origin: Italy
Aromatherapy Class: refreshing, stimulating, strengthening
Indicated for: oily skin; soothes insect bites; arthritis; improves poor circulation
Scent: clean, crisp, citrus

LEMONGRASS

Country of Origin: India
Aromatherapy Class: refreshing, balancing, uplifting
Indicated for: improves alertness; muscle pain; headache; insect repellent; improves poor circulation; promotes restful sleep
Scent: grassy, citrus, clean

LIME

Country of Origin: USA
Aromatherapy Class: refreshing, clarifying
Indicated for: oily skin; high blood pressure; improves poor circulation; arthritis
Scent: citrus, sweet odor

LITSEA CUBEBA (May Chang)

Country of Origin: China
Aromatherapy Class: calming, clarifying, cooling
Indicated for: reduces stress; improves alertness; mental clarity; insect repellent
Scent: spicy, lemon
M

MANDARIN, RED

Country of Origin: Italy
Aromatherapy Class: warming, comforting, soothing
Indicated for: alleviates tension; oily skin; improves the appearance of scars, stretch marks
Scent: floral, citrus, tangy undertone

MARJORAM, SWEET

Country of Origin: Egypt
Aromatherapy Class: warming, calming
Indicated for: good for anxiety; migraine; improves poor circulation; promotes restful sleep; eases muscle pain
Scent: warm, herbaceous, peppery undertones

MELISSA (Lemon Balm)

Country of Origin: France
Aromatherapy Class: comforting, strengthening, soothing, calming
Indicated for: allergies; depression; migraine
Scent: light, fresh, lemon undertones
N

NIAOULI

Country of Origin: Madagascar
Aromatherapy Class: Balancing
Indicated for: improves most skin conditions; muscle spasms
Scent: herbaceous, camporaceous, medicinal

NEROLI

Country of Origin: Egypt
Aromatherapy Class: aphrodisiac, hypnotic, soothing, restorative
Indicated for: improves the appearance of scars stretch marks, mature skin, wrinkles
Scent: citrus, floral

NUTMEG

Country of Origin: India
Aromatherapy Class: calming, euphoric
Indicated for: arthritis; muscle and nerve pain; poor circulation
Scent: sweet, warm, spicy
O

ORANGE

Country of Origin: Portugal
Aromatherapy Class: refreshing, uplifting, soothing
Indicated for: dull or oily skin; water retention; stress relief
Scent: light, citrus, fruity

ORANGE, BLOOD

Country of Origin: Italy
Aromatherapy Class: refreshing, uplifting
Indicated for: stress relief Scent:light, citrus, fruity (sweeter than orange EO)
P

PALMAROSA

Country of Origin: Nepal
Aromatherapy Class: refreshing, balancing, comforting
Indicated for: acne; dermatitis; regulates sebum; stimulates cell regeneration; reduces scars and wrinkles
Scent: light rose, lemon undertones

PATCHOULI

Country of Origin: Indonesia
Aromatherapy Class: aphrodisiac, appeasing, calming, stimulating
Indicated for: oily skin; cracked and chapped lips; stress relief, insect repellent
Scent: heavy, musky, herbaceous

PEPPER, BLACK

Country of Origin: India
Aromatherapy Class: aphrodisiac, strengthening, comforting
Indicated for: curbs smoking addiction; arthritis; soothes muscle pain and stiffness
Scent: warm, peppery

PEPPERMINT

Country of Origin: USA
Aromatherapy Class: refreshing, restorative, aphrodisiac
Indicated for: improves mental ability; eases pain; acne; headache; migraine; stress; insect repellent
Scent: sweet, mint

PETITGRAIN

Country of Origin: Italy
Aromatherapy Class: refreshing, uplifting, grounding
Indicated for: acne; perspiration; oily skin; insomnia
Scent: woody, floral undertones
 
R

ROSE

Country of Origin: Morocco, Bulgaria
Aromatherapy Class: purifying, aphrodisiac
Indicated for: improves dry, mature, sensitive skin; depression
Scent (Moroccan): floral, spicy (Bulgarian):floral, fruity

ROSEMARY

Aromatherapy Class: stimulating, reviving, refreshing
Indicated for: acne; fluid retention; muscle pain; improves poor circulation; relieves headaches
Scent: minty, herbaceous, balsamic
S

SANDALWOOD

Country of Origin: Australia
Aromatherapy Class: aphrodisiac, soothing, purifying, grounding, opening
Indicated for: acne; dry skin; depression; insomnia
Scent: deep, soft sweet, woody, earthy
T

TEA TREE

Country of Origin: Australia
Aromatherapy Class: penetrating, stimulating
Indicated for: acne; oily skin; relieves pain; heals chicken pox, rash, cold scores; improves mental clarity
Scent: camphoraceous, medicinal, spicy undertone

TUBEROSE

Country of Origin: India
Aromatherapy Class: aphrodisiac, soothing, purifying, grounding, opening
Indicated for: acne; dry skin; depression; insomnia
Scent: deep, soft sweet, woody, earthy
 
V

VANILLA

Country of Origin: France
Aromatherapy Class: calming, aphrodisiac
Indicated for: encourages dreaming, warming
Scent: rich, warm, honey-like

VETIVER

Country of Origin: China
Aromatherapy Class: sedative, soothing, grounding
Indicated for: acne; oily skin; arthritis, muscle ache and pain, stiffness, debility

VIOLET

Country of Origin: Egypt
Aromatherapy Class: stimulating
Indicated for: acne; relieves eczema; refining pores
Scent: herbal, sweet, floral
 
 
Y

YLANG YLANG

Country of Origin: Madagascar
Aromatherapy Class: aphrodisiac, balancing, uplifting, opening
Indicated for: relieves depression; eases tight muscles; enhances communication
Scent: heavy, sweet, floral, camphoraceous undertone

YUZU

Country of Origin: Japan
Aromatherapy Class: purifying, balancing, calming, clarifying
Indicated for: helps oily skin, psoriasis, eczema; depression; anxiety; insect repellent
Scent: tangy, citrus, sweet