What is an Essential Oil?

Essential oils are the volatile, aromatic oils obtained by steam or hydrodistillation of botanicals – the very essences of plants. These essences are the components that give plants their aroma, flavor, and beneficial properties. Most essential oils are primarily composed of terpenes and their oxygenated derivatives. EOs are a volatile (evaporative) oil and, as such, are not to be confused with fatty oils (vegetable, seed, and animal oils). 

Probably the most important aspect of EOs is the fact that they capture the therapeutic qualities of the plant. In doing so, we are able to access all the healing properties or beneficial influences of that particular plant, in a highly concentrated form, without needing the actual living plant present.

Custom Blending

When two or more essential oils are blended together, they synergistically create a more effective product, kind of like two men together are capable of doing the work of three. Rain (Danielle) is a Certified Aromatherapist and first started creating custom blends in 1999. She blends specifically for individual people, according to whatever they need, what health challenges or issues they may be dealing with in their lives. Ideally, a custom blend will address all levels of life, including the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual – as they all work together.

Rain has also created many custom blends that address common issues such as stress, insomnia, depression, anxiety and more. Other custom blends work more on the physical body and can be effective in treating arthritis, digestive problems, chronic inflammation, headaches, brain fog, bloating, to name just a few.

Custom blend pricing varies, depending on the size of bottle (2 dram, 5 mL, 10 mL) and the actual essential oils used (some are very expensive, others much less). Please call 847.323.9188 or email for more information or to order a custom blend.
Custom Blends MAKE GREAT GIFTS!

Safety Guidelines for Essential Oils — PLEASE READ THIS!

•   Use only pure essential oils; avoid synthetic fragrances. FYI, the terms, "Fragrance", "Perfume", and "Parfum" on a label mean that a scent is man-made and very likely a neuro-toxin (poisonous to the brain). Read labels on all scented products carefully to avoid these toxins.

•   Use common sense when utilizing essential oils, do some research first, and/or engage the services of a certified Aromatherapist.

•   Do not take essential oils internally. There can be exceptions to this, please see above bullet.

•   Do not apply essential oils directly to the skin, always dilute with a carrier oil such as almond, olive, or some type of massage oil. There can be exceptions to this, please see first bullet above.

•   Do not use more than a few drops of essential oil(s) in a bath, as some are highly irritating. However, if you know you will not react and have already bathed with an oil, feel free to add a few more drops each time you try this.

•   Keep your essential oils out of childrens' reach.

•   Avoid contact with the eyes, mucous membranes, and sensitive areas.

•   Do not use citrus essential oils on skin before sun or UV light exposure. This may cause the skin to burn as most citrus oils are phototoxic.

•   Do not use essential oils on infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with serious health problems without advanced medical study.

•   Should ingestion of an essential oil occur, immediately call your local Poison Control Center. Do not induce vomiting. Do not give water if breathing or swallowing is difficult.

•   If a skin reaction occurs when an essential oil is applied (such as stinging, burning, or any type of irritation), DO NOT TRY TO WASH OFF the oil with soap and water. Water will drive the essential oil into the skin even more. To remove the essential oil, apply a carrier oil such as almond, olive, or some type of massage oil, and gently wipe off.

Essential Oil Mini-Guide

The following information is not meant to diagnose, cure, or treat any specific health condition or disease. These are merely suggestions as to the efficacy of certain essential oils.

Basil: Anti-inflammatory, helps intestinal problems, muscle spasms, headaches, and mental fatigue. Dilute with carrier oil, as basil can sting and burn the skin (especially on children).

Bergamot: Analgesic, anti-depressant, anxiety, female hormone balance. Anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, allergies, sedative.

Birch: Analgesic, anti-spasmodic, natural cortisone, may give relief to arthritis, bone, joint, and muscle pain. Helps back pain.

Cardamom: Diuretic, anti-bacterial, normalizes appetite, colic, coughs, heartburn, nausea, menstrual period.

Cedar (Canadian red): Anti-bacterial, antiseptic, follicle stimulant, helps dandruff, hair loss, respiratory system.

Cedarwood: Purifies animal odors. Helps cellulite, bronchitis, hair loss, dandruff, and oily hair. Tones lymph system.

Chamomile (roman): Skin care, acne, boils, rashes, and hair care. Helps relieve migraine headaches and inflamed joints.

Cinnamon Bark: Always dilute with carrier oil. Helps with strep and virus conditions. Strengthens circulatory system.

Cistus: Stops viruses from mutating, anti-microbial, works directly on immune system.

Clary Sage: May help PMS and hot flashes; helps regulate hormones and relieves menstrual cramps. DO NOT USE WHEN PREGNANT. However, can be useful during labor.

Clove: Used in Egypt to strengthen respiratory system. Improves memory, anti-viral, helps toothaches and gum pain.

Coriander: Cairo University research: lowers glucose levels by normalizing insulin levels, supports pancreas function.

Cypress: Stimulates circulation, reduces inflammation, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, lymphatic decongestant.

Davana: Anti-infectious, helps dry chapped skin. Stimulates endocrine glands. Treats PMS symptoms.

Dill: Helps lower glucose levels by normalizing insulin levels. Pancreas support bronchial congestion and liver deficiencies.

Eucalyptus: Assists respiratory system, sinuses, flu, and allergies. Helps hypoglycemia and Candida.

Fennel: assists the adrenal cortex, helps break up toxins and fluid in tissue. Balances pituitary, thyroid and pineal glands. 

Fir: Known to fight airborne germs and bacteria. Can help reduce symptoms of arthritis, rheumatism and fevers.

Frankincense: Used for energetic protection from negativity. Has helped some cases of cancer. Works on immune system. Has reduced tumors and external ulcers.

Galbanum: Helps wounds, boils and abscesses. Calms mind for meditation.

Geranium: Anti-depressant, may assist dissolving stones, helps shingles and ulceration, deodorant, bug repellent.

Ginger: Anti-parasitic, relieves sprains, breaks up chest congestion, colic and indigestion, For motion sickness and chills.

Grapefruit: Good for acne, flabby arms, reduces cellulite. Relieves water retention.

Helichrysum: Anti-bacterial, reduces bleeding in accidents, skin regenerator, helps repair nerves.

Hyssop: Don't use on children. Thins mucous, for bruises, immune stimulator, anti-viral. May help asthma sufferers.

Jasmine: Helps childbirth, labor pain, frigidity, and coughs. Anti-spasmodic, muscle spasms and uterine disorders.

Juniper: A nerve stimulator, natural diuretic and cleanser. Reduces dermatitis, eczema and acne.

Lavender: Universal oil, with many uses. May help allergies, excellent for all types of burns, wounds, sprains, ulcers, insomnia, diaper rash, to name a few.

Lemon: Germicide, purifies air and water. Relives heartburn, anti-parasitic, stimulates white and red blood cell formation.

Lemongrass: Mosquito repellent, helps connective tissue repair and regenerate. Reduces varicose veins. Sedative

Marjoram: Especially good for tight muscles, may calm spasms and respiratory problems. Insomnia.

Melalueca: Used in war for gangrene and wounds. Can be taken before, during and after radiation treatment.

Melissa: Powerful anti-viral, anti-depressant, skin problems and eczema. Regulates menstrual cycle and calms emotions.

Mountain Savory: Kills all airborne bacteria and viruses. Discovered in 1996 lab studies. Best to diffuse. Anti-bacterial

Myrrh: Helps gum infections, mouth ulcers, skin rashes, wrinkles, and hemorrhoids. Can help abnormal vaginal discharge.

Myrtle: Helps treat hypothyroidism. Used for chronic coughs as an expectorant. Fights colds and flu.

Nutmeg: Good for chronic bowel disorder. Eases digestion difficulties. Good for circulation, gout, flatulence, neuralgia.

Orange: Reduces fluid retention, overcomes sadness, calming to children, aid digestion, mouth ulcers and gas.

Oregano: Strong anti-viral and anti-fungal. It stimulates and helps protect the immune system.

Patchouli: Helps relieve anxiety, influences physical and sexual energies. Used for centuries for skin care and wrinkles.

Peppermint: Keeps one mentally alert and awake. Relieves some headaches. Excellent for digestion. Reduces fever, nausea, and vomiting. Also a great bug (mosquitos, ants, etc.) repellent!

Petitgrain: Antiseptic, calming, brings mood up, helps heartburn, and insomnia. Nerve equilibrium.

Pine: Hormone-like, anti-diabetic, cortisone-like, antiseptic, anti-fungal, used on sore muscles.

Ravensara: From Madagascar, the oil that heals, helps flu and hay fever, respiratory problems and walking cramps.

Rose: Anti-aging, anti-depressant. Great for skin.

Rosemary: Mental stimulant, fights Candida, good for dandruff, helps open bile ducts. Helps reduce cholesterol.

Rosewood: Known for slowing the aging process. Used for skin care, acne, eczema, vaginitis.

Sage: oral infection and skin condition. Asthma, bronchitis, menopause, and menstrual irregularities.

Sandalwood: Stimulates pineal and pituitary glands to enhance meditation. Helps with cystitis and urinary tract infections.

Spearmint: Helps to reduce weight. Good for colic, diarrhea, nausea, helps balance metabolism, stimulates gallbladder.

Spikenard: Antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, used as a deodorant and skin tonic.

Spruce: Helps reduce weight. Beneficial for bone pain, arthritis, rheumatism, aching joints, prostatitis.

Tangerine: Assists dissolving of cellulite, improves circulation, treats dizziness, laxative, cleansing the lymphatic system.

Tansy (Blue): Anti-inflammatory, Reduces pain, relieves itching, antihistamine. soothing nerves.

Tarragon: Relief and balance to intestinal tract. Neuromuscular antispasmodic. Anti-microbial and antiseptic. Colitis, hiccups.

Thyme: Anti-bacterial. Respiratory problems, digestive complaints, treatment for gastritis, bronchitis, asthma, laryngitis.

Valerian: Sedative and tranquilizing to the central nervous system. Treats sleep disorders, insomnia, stress, tension.

Vetiver: Anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory used for arthritic symptoms. Antiseptic, warming properties to help hypothermia.

Ylang Ylang: Anti-depressant, alleviates headaches, hot flashes, and hypertension. Is very calming.