Rosemary essential oil is derived from the attractive, evergreen, shrubby herb found growing wild throughout Mediterranean countries where it is believed to have originated. Known botanically as Rosmarinus officinalis and belonging to the Lamiaceae family, the upright form of this herb can reach a height of 1.8 metres, although there are other forms of the plant such as R. officinalis var. prostratus, which is a creeping variety that is often grown in rock gardens or for ground cover. Read more…

As is often the case at this time of year here in the UK, we seem to be suffering from a deluge of flu, sore throats, coughs and colds. Almost every other person that you speak to has either just got rid of a cold, or they are coming down with one.
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German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is a flowering medicinal plant that has truly stood the test of time, with over 2,000 years of documented medical use by luminaries such as Asclepius, Galen, Hippocrates and Culpepper. It would be almost impossible to find a herbal book published during the past 500 years that does not include the virtues of this amazing healing herb. Read more…

Largely ignored for 9 months out of the year here in the United Kingdom, citronella essential oil is currently enjoying its 3 months reign as king of the insect repellent oils. This seems such a shame, because although it is very effective in this role it could hardly be considered mainstream aromatherapy, and yet the oil is capable of delivering so much more therapeutically. Let’s look at the background of this essential oil and see what else it has to offer in aromatherapy. Read more…

Eucalyptus globulus was first discovered in Tasmania in 1792 by the botanist Labillardiere, and since that time 4 sub-species and several variations of the species have been identified and described. However, the close physical similarities and wide variability in leaf biochemistry of the Eucalyptus genus has presented many difficulties to botanists over the years, and to say that the taxonomy of Eucalyptus is confused and incomplete would be a major understatement.
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Niaouli essential oil has been derived commercially from the tree of the same name now for well over 100 years, although it has taken many years to correctly identify and classify it botanically. This is because there are several plants with strikingly similar appearance that were originally mistaken for niaouli. Over the years a wide range of common names and synonyms were associated with all of these species which added to the confusion, taxonomically speaking.
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The genus Mentha comprises of over 20 individual species with a diversity of varieties and chemotypes, most of which have aromatic foliage. However, only the essential oil extracted from Mentha piperita and Mentha arvensis (Cornmint), has the sharp, crisp and familiar aroma we associate with the term ‘peppermint’. Read more…

Cypress is the common name given to several genera of evergreen, aromatic trees and shrubs that belong to the coniferous family of Cupressaceae. Only the species of the genus Cupressus are considered to be true cypress, and it is not uncommon to find ‘cypress’ essential oil derived from species other than Cupressus sempervirens being sold by less experienced oil suppliers.
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Now that winter is in full swing it is not uncommon to find ourselves wanting to stay in bed that little bit longer to keep snug and warm. I must admit, it’s certainly much easier to get out of bed on a bright summers morning than it is when it’s cold, dark and raining outside. And on top of all that, the colder weather brings with it the misery of blocked noses, cold feet, aching joints – and summer seems so very, very far away. . . . . .
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