Influenza in TCM is understood as an attack of an external pathogenic factor, mostly Wind Heat or Wind Cold with sometimes the addition of Damp.

AILMENTS

Acne and black heads

Steaming the face once or twice a week helps deep cleansing of the skin; once a week make a clay mask with three tablespoon of green or white clay to which 5 drops of Niaouli or Tea Tree and 3 drops of Roman Chamomile have been added, before mixing with 4 tablespoon of Witch Hazel water; apply on and around affected area, leave until almost dry, rinse off with water. Once a day a carrier oil with drying or astringent qualities such as Hazelnut or Calendula maceration oil should be used: in a tablespoon of oil add two drops each of Tea Tree, Roman Chamomile, Geranium and 1 drop of Cedarwood. The addition of 15% Macadamia or Jojoba oil to a carrier facilitate the regulation of seborrhoea

AILMENTS

Boils and Carbuncles

Apply on the affected area a mixture of 2 tablespoon of clay, one tablespoon of lemon juice, 10 drops of Tea Tree and enough water to make a smooth paste; leave until almost dry, rinse with water. Essential oils are chosen for their anti-bacterial properties, to promote the elimination of pus, and to stimulate cicatrisation. Calendula maceration oil is for this condition an excellent carrier; to 30 ml of oil add 2.5 ml of Niaouli, 2 ml of Lavender, 1 ml of either Red Thyme or Clove; apply in situ twice a day. After a few days, to facilitate cicatrisation, in a tablespoon of Calendula oil add 2 drops of German Chamomile, 2 drops of Geranium, one drop of Cedarwood, one drop of sage.

AILMENTS

Ringworm

Essential oil with strong antifungal properties such as Niaouli, Cinnamon, Oregano, are particularly effective for this condition; the additional use of liquid propolis brings quicker result.

In 30 ml of liquid propolis, add 2 ml of Tea Tree, 1 ml of Lavender 0.5 ml of Red Thyme; apply on affected part twice a day using a piece of cotton wool. If propolis is not available, use a vegetable oil instead, with the same proportion of essential oil; Tea Tree Niaouli and Lavender can all be applied neat directly on the affected area Cinnamon, Oregano and Thyme must be diluted as 5% of an oily solution

AILMENTS

Athlete’s Foot

Essential oil with strong antifungal properties such as Niaouli, Cinnamon, Oregano, are particularly effective for this condition, they should be diluted in vegetable oil; the use of liquid propolis as an alternative brings quicker result.

In 30 ml of liquid propolis, add 2 ml of Tea Tree, 1 ml of Lavender 0.5 ml of Red Thyme; apply on and around affected toes twice a day using a piece of cotton wool, after bathing the feet in heavily salted water. The liquid propolis, if alcohol based will set and leave a thin dark coating. Niaouli, Tea Tree or Lavender can be use neat on the skin if the condition is particularly bad.

AILMENTS

Dermatitis and Eczema

anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial essential oils together make an excellent topical preparation for dry or weepy eczema, or various kind of dermatitis; they are good alternative to topical antibiotics and cortisone creams, and extremely gentle to the skin

in 50ml of a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, olive oil or if available a Calendula maceration oil, add 10 drops of Roman Chamomile, 10 drops of Rosewood, 10 drops of either Tea Tree or Niaouli, 10 drops of Lavender 10 drops of Palmarosa and 5 drops of geranium.

Apply on affected parts once or twice daily, using a cotton ball.

AILMENTS

Corns and calluses

Essential oil of Tagetes is well known for its beneficial action on corns and calluses; after soaking the foot in heavily salted water, apply on the corn or calluses a mixture made of 20 ml of Calendula maceration oil, two ml of Tagetes, and one ml of roman chamomile; apply the oil mixture in the morning, and after a foot bath in the evening.

Macerated oil of Arnica and Calendula mixed in equal amount, are make an excellent basic massage oil for the foot, to which Tagetes can be added specifically for this condition

AILMENTS

Wart

to have any chance of success oil must be applied neat, directly on the wart, but not on the surrounding skin.

Use equal amount of either Red Thyme or Satureja Montana with Cinnamon, mixed in advance in a 10 ml brown bottle, to be applied twice a day for 10 days using a cotton bud.

Thuja and Artemisia Alba can be used in the same way, their significant toxicity makes them unsuitable for children and pregnant women. Tea Tree alone has sometimes be used successfully on its own, this oil is extremely safe for external application and wisely available; it is worth trying it first

AILMENTS

Oral thrush

Put 10 drops of Tea tree oil or Niaouli on a tablespoon of salt, then dissolve it in a glass of warm water; rinse your mouth and gargle with this mixture twice a day until the condition has completely disappeared. To avoid any reoccurrence, once a day put a drop of Niaouli on your tooth brush with the tooth paste to clean your teeth.

AILMENTS

Sinusitis

in a 10 ml bottle mix in equal amount: Eucalyptus Radiata, Ravensara, Niaouli, and Pinus Sylvestris. Pour a few drops of this mixture on an handkerchief, and breath it in, for 2 or 3 minutes at a time, 3 or 4 times a day

In a 10 ml bottle, mix in equal amount Niaouli, Sweet thyme cinnamon and clove oil; apply 5 drops of this in the crease of the extended elbow, then close your arm immediately for an immediate absorption of the oil in the bloodstream; do this on each elbow, twice a day,

for steam inhalation, use mix No1, 10 drops in a bowl of boiling water, inhale under a towel for 5 mn

AILMENTS

Nosebleeds

Apply cold compress to the forehead and neck and / or immerse both arms in cold water for a few minutes, pour a few drops of lemon and geranium essential oil or if available, Helychrisum Italicum; on an handkerchief, and breath these deeply for a while, keeping the head well tilted back.

AILMENTS

Sore Throat

For an acute sore throat, add to a tablespoon of honey one drop of Tea Tree oil, one drop of Sweet Thyme, and one drop of Ravensara; dilute this mixture in half a cup of warm water, and gargle with it twice a day.

Also twice a day, add a drop each of Tea Tree and Ravensara in a teaspoon of honey , to be taken internally, without water; alternatively

in twenty ml of sweet almond oil add one ml of Niaouli, one ml of Eucalyptus Radiata, one ml of Lavender; this mixture may be massaged around the throat, neck an at the site of lymph glands

AILMENTS

Cold Sores

In a brown bottle mix 30 drops of Niaouli (Tea Tree can be used instead) , 20 drops of Roman Chamomile ( or 10 drops of German chamomile) 20 drops of lavender four drops of peppermint; apply this mixture three times a day directly on the sore, using a cotton bud. Once the sore has nearly disappeared, use the essential oils mixture only once a day, and twice a day apply a Calendula cream or oil instead; as an alternative, it is also useful to apply the contents of a capsule of vitamin E on and around the site of the sore.

AILMENTS

Shingles

In a 20 ml brown bottle mix 2 ml of Tea Tree, 1 ml of roman chamomile ( or 20 drops of German chamomile) 3 ml of lavender 20 drops of peppermint; add 10 ml of Calendula maceration oil; if unavailable, use 10 ml of olive oil instead apply this mixture three times a day, covering all affected area, using a small cotton ball, wait until the oil is completely absorbed and reapply. Repeat this procedure every 3 hours until better.

AILMENTS

Vaginal thrush

To use as a douche: make an infusion with one litre of water, and two tea bags each of chamomile and peppermint; pour one third of the infusion in a liquidiser, add to it 10 drops of Tea Tree, 5 drops of Ravensara 5 drops of lavender; process for 5 mn, mix with remaining infusion, use as a douche.

Hydrolat of lavender, chamomile and cornflower can be used directly as a douche.

add to a live yoghurt 4 drops of Niaouli, 4 drops of lavender, 2 drops of chamomile, keep application for 30 mn, douche with chamomile tea or slightly salted water.

AILMENTS

Colds

in a 10 ml bottle mix in equal amount: Eucalyptus Globulus, Myrtus Communis, Oregano, and Pinus Sylvestris. Pour a few drops of this mixture on an handkerchief, and breath it in, for 2 or 3 minutes at a time, 3 or 4 times a day

for steam inhalation, use mix No1, 10 drops in a bowl of boiling water, inhale under a towel for 5 mn

AILMENTS

Influenza

in a 10 ml bottle mix in equal amount: Eucalyptus Radiata, Ravensara, Oregano, Cinnamon and Pinus Sylvestris. Pour a few drops of this mixture on an handkerchief, and breath it in, for 2 or 3 minutes at a time, 3 or 4 times a day; for small children, 2 or 3 drops of the same mixture can be left on the pillow

In a 10 ml bottle, mix in equal amount oregano, Sweet thyme cinnamon and clove oil; apply 5 drops of this in the crease of the extended elbow, then close your arm immediately for an immediate absorption of the oil in the bloodstream; do this on each elbow, twice a day,

for steam inhalation, use mix No1, 10 drops in a bowl of boiling water, inhale under a towel for 5 mn

AILMENTS

Bronchitis

in a 10 ml bottle mix in equal amount: Eucalyptus Radiata, Ravensara, thyme, cinnamon and Pinus Sylvestris. Pour a few drops of this mixture on an handkerchief, and breath it in, for 2 or 3 minutes at a time, 3 or 4 times a day

In 50ml of vegetable oil: add one ml each of Niaouli, Lavender, Myrtus Communis, Ravensara and 20 drops of Oregano; apply this massage oil on the chest and upper back every evening

Take internally, 2 drops of thymus vulgaris diluted in a teaspoon of honey, three time a day

AILMENTS

Rectal Itch

Mix in a brown bottle 20 ml of liquid propolis, with 1 ml of Tea Tree, one ml of lavender, 10 drops of clove 20 drops of roman Chamomile, 5 drops of peppermint; apply twice a day using a cotton ball. If liquid propolis not available, use wheatgerm oil instead.

AILMENTS

PMS including PMT)

Mix in a brown bottle 5 ml of Clary Sage, 3 ml Rose Geranium, 3 ml Roman Chamomile, 1 ml of cypress, and 1 ml of anise seed oil add 10 drops of this mixture to a tablespoon of vegetable oil, and massage it on the abdomen and lower back once a day, twice if needed; start this procedure if possible two weeks before the first day of a period is due;

10 drops of the same essential oil mix can be mixed in a teaspoon of milk powder and added to a bath; do not use theses recipes if you are trying to conceive.

AILMENTS

Period problems

Amenorrhoea

Mix in a brown bottle 5 ml of Clary Sage, 3 ml Rose Geranium, 3 ml Roman Chamomile, and 1 ml of anise seed oil add 10 drops of this mixture to a tablespoon of vegetable oil, and massage it on the abdomen and lower back once a day, twice if needed; start this procedure on the first day of a period, and continue until two weeks before a period is due. Clary sage alone can be applied neat (one drop) at the crease of the elbow, on both arms, also during the first two weeks of a cycle

10 drops of the same essential oil mix can be mixed in a teaspoon of milk powder and added to a bath.

AILMENTS

Nappy rash

Essential oils can provide a safe, and pleasant alternative to the standard nappy cream available in chemist

A gentle, very effective oil can be prepared at home in advance, by mixing in a brown bottle: 50ml of Calendula maceration oil (if unavailable, use Apricot kernel oil, add to it the contents of two standard capsules of vitamin E), one ml of Tea Tree oil, one ml of Roman chamomile, one ml of Lavender oil; apply on rash, using a cotton ball, wait a few minute until the oil has been absorbed before putting a new nappy

AILMENTS

Mumps

A variety of oil with a powerful anti viral action may be used externally for the treatment of mumps among them are Laurus Nobilis, Satureja Hortansis, Thymus Vulgaris, Palmarosa, Coriander. These can be added to a carrier oil in a combined maximum strength of 3% and massaged gently around the neck and lymph glands, three times a day. The same oil at a higher concentration of 15% can be applied to the sole of the feet. Use Chamomile tea as a soothing mouth wash; the essential oil specialist Dr Belaiche recommend: 60 gr of green clay, mixed with 2 ml each of eucalyptus, rosemary, juniper, cypress, Oregano, and 100 ml of glycerol; apply on and around parotid glands morning and evening.

AILMENTS

Female sexual problems (including vaginismus, frigidity.

Hormone like oil such as Clary Sage, Rose Otto, Geranium Rosat, Anise seed, associated with oils that have a calming, balancing effect on the nervous system such as Citrus Aurantum, Lavender, Ocillum Basilicum or roman Chamomile may be added to a carrier oil to the strength of 5% and massaged every day on the abdomen, flanks and lower back;

An example of such a mixture would be Clary Sage, Lavender, Citrus Aurantum and Chamomile in a sweet almond carrier oil. the use of Anise seed and Clary sage is contraindicated during a pregnancy

AILMENTS

Measles

To calm down irritation and itching, German chamomile, lavender and rosewood can be used together, diluted to 5 % strength in a Calendula maceration oil; if unavailable, sweet almond or olive oil can be used instead. Chamomile tea, Hydrolat of Corn flower, Chamomile or lavender are also very effective when applied directly to the skin. Half a ml of Oregano, Thyme Pinus Sylvestris, Hyssop Eucalyptus and Myrtus communis can be added to 125 ml of food grade almond oil; for a child, give internally one drop of this mixture per kilo of weight of the child, twice a day.

AILMENTS

Chicken pox

To calm down irritation and itching, German chamomile, lavender and rosewood can be used together, diluted to 5 % strength in a Calendula maceration oil; if unavailable, sweet almond or olive oil can be used Instead. Chamomile tea, Hydrolat of Corn flower, Chamomile or lavender are also very effective when applied directly to the skin. Half a ml of Oregano, Thyme Pinus Sylvestris, Hyssop Eucalyptus and Myrtus communis can be added to 125 ml of food grade almond oil; for a child, give internally one drop of this mixture per kilo of weight of the child, twice a day.

AILMENTS

Whooping cough

To help reducing coughing attacks, Cypress oil is particularly recommended: add 2.5 ml of cypress to 125 ml of food grade almond oil, to be given, for a child, one drop per kilo of weight three time a day. Mix equal amount of Oregano, Satureja Montana, cypress, Hyssop, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Myrtus Communis; add 20 drops of this blend to a tablespoon of vegetable oil, and apply to the feet twice a day. To help the child sleep, apply 2 drops each of cypress, lavender and eucalyptus on the pillow. If the coughing causes nausea and vomiting, give the child an infusion of ginger tea or Peppermint tea

AILMENTS

scarlet fever

Beside the recommended antibiotic treatment and medical supervision, add a teaspoon of lemon juice to 150 ml of Hydrolat of cornflower or chamomile; this can be applied, two or three times a day, using a cotton ball, to the skin to calm down eruptions. For the throat, add one drop each of Niaouli, roman chamomile and Ravensara to a teaspoon of honey, and dilute it in a cup of tepid chamomile tea; this can be used for gargling several times a day. At night, to promote sleeping, leave 2 drops each of lavender, mandarin and eucalyptus Smithii on the pillow.

AILMENTS

Glue ears

In a 10 ml bottle, mix in equal amount Niaouli, Sweet thyme lavender; apply 3 drops of this to a teaspoon of glycerol or sweet almond oil, and introduce a few drops of this blend into the ear twice a day; Important note: this procedure is contraindicated when the tympana is perforated.

for steam inhalation, use mix No1, 10 drops in a bowl of boiling water, inhale under a towel for 5 mn

AILMENTS

infestations

for Lice infestation, add to a normal mild shampoo to a combined strength of 5% Tea Tree, Rosemary, Lavender, and citronella; use this shampoo initially every two days for three weeks, then after that once a week as a preventative

For other type of infestation, mix the same oils in equal amount in a 10 ml brown bottle, and mix 15 drops of this blend with a tablespoon of milk powder before adding it to a daily bath.

AILMENTS: Cradle cap

Before applying any oil, using a cotton bowl, wash the scalp with Chamomile tea, or a mixture of equal amount of Rose water and Witch Hazel water ( these are available at any pharmacy) ; twice a day apply gently to the scalp some Calendula maceration oil to which a few drops of Rosewood, Lavender and Geranium may be added; 2 drops of each for 10 ml of oil is sufficient; massage gently your preparation onto the skin, but carefully avoid pressing on the fontanel. If Calendula is not available, use a cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil, wheatgerm or hazelnut oil.

AILMENTS

sleep problems

Many oils have a calming effect on the nervous system, they are useful for insomnia, difficulties in getting to sleep, or erratic sleep pattern. they can be useful for children as well as adults; often a few drops of a single oil or a blend is sufficient for good results; oil that have a known calming or sedative effect on the nervous system are; lavender, mandarin, Roman Chamomile, Neroli, Angelica Archangelica root, Melissa. any of these oil may be added to a vegetable oil in the proportion of 3% for massage of the neck and shoulder before going to sleep

AILMENTS of later life: pneumonia

Many essential oils are mucolytic, anti infective and anti-spasmodic: they can be used effectively in cases of pneumonia, bronchitis and emphysema.

In a brown bottle, mix in equal amount of Lavender, Oregano, Eucalyptus Radiata and Ravensara: this can be used as a “dry” inhalation ( a few drops on an handkerchief, take deep breath and inhale for 2 or 3 mn at a time, several times a day) or “wet” inhalation (10 drops of this mixture in a bowl of water, inhale under a towel for 5 to 10 mn twice a day). mix of Eucalyptus Smithii or Ravensara, Lavender and Niaouli at 15% in a vegetable oil can be massaged on the back and chest in the evening

AILMENTS of later life

Skin problems

For dry or itchy skin, Hydrolat of Chamomile, Lavender, Cornflower can be applied directly onto the skin, using a large cotton ball; an oil preparation made of 50% wheatgerm oil, 30% Calendula, 15% Borage and 5% essential oil of Geranium, Lavender, Niaouli, Sage to be applied twice a day. Maceration oil of Arnica, Hypericum and Rosa Rubiginosa are also good anti-inflammatory and reduce itching; oil application are not for open wounds or ulcers; Hydrolat can be used to wash gently open ulceration

Depression;

Mild depression can often be relieved by essential oils rich in sequisterpenic Alcohols, such as Oregano, Sandalwood, Patchouli, German and Roman Chamomile; esters such as citrus Aurantium, Lavendula Angustifolia, Myrtus Communis, Geranium Rosat; and Ethers such as Tarragon or Ocinum Basilicum. oils with an hormone-like action are also useful; among them: Clary Sage for women, Satureja Montana for men. There are no objective criteria for choosing the oils, one has to rely mainly on smelling the oils and intuition.

Sexual problems:

Sexual asthenia in both men and women can sometimes be alleviated by the regular use of essential oil that stimulate the nervous system and reputedly have some aphrodisiac properties: among them are Satureja Montana, Ginger, Rosemary, Pine, Sandalwood. Any of these oils can be combined and diluted in a carrier oil (about 10 drops in total for 10 ml of carrier) and used for full body massage, or to apply on the lower back. Alternatively, a 50% dilution of any of these oils can be applied to the sole of the feet or the crease of the elbow for quick penetration. Oils containing Phyto-oestrogen such as Clary Sage, Geranium and rose Otto are more indicated for women

Menopause

The symptoms of menopause can be relieved considerably by the judicious use of essential oils: Sclareol, a substance found in Clary Sage has a strong oestrogen-like action and can be used daily for the two weeks of a menstrual cycle, or longer when menses become more irregular. One drop of Clary Sage applied on the crease of each elbow twice a day is often sufficient; the same amount can also be massaged on the lower abdomen. Other oil such as Anise seeds or Geranium may be used as well mixed with Clary sage in equal amount and preferably diluted in 50% of vegetable oil