Cajeput (Melaleuca cajeput), also known as Melaleuca leucadendron

For an in-depth discussion of the properties and benefits of this Cajeput essential oil, please visit our growing Essential Oil Database.

Cajeput was not one of the oils in my original aromatherapy certification class, so it was a few years before I actually became acquainted with it. I love it now for so many reasons. It has the same familiar aroma to me as our Stay Awake Blend, which is a blend of Rosemary, Eucalyptus, and Peppermint. I could have just used Cajeput! It has been described as penetrating, camphorous and medicinal. I don't think medicinal, but that is such a subjective term. I will be making a soap with it after testing a little bit more. 

Cajeput essential oil is distilled from the fresh leaves and twigs of the paperbark tree according to most sources. It has a long history of being used successfully to combat colds, flu and chronic arthritis. It was apparently also prescribed for cholera. It has been said that this particular oil would be the one to grab for immediately at the onset of any respiratory infections accompanied with aches, pains, chills and congestion. I usually know when my immune system is fighting off a "bug" when I get a sore, scratchy throat. I've found that our Cold & Flu blend with some raw honey has always, and I do seriously mean always, stopped it in its tracks. I would imagine that cajeput alone would do the same thing. It contains a high percentage (although in the literature there was a wide range of "typical" chemical constituents for this essential oil, particularly in the amount of 1,8-cineole.) We can assume though that it consists mainly of 1,8-cineole, followed by a-pinene  and b-pinene. 

The other amazing property of this Cajeput essential oil is it's ability to clear the mind and, therefore, I think would be a wonderful oil to put in your diffuser or your nasal inhalers (coming soon to Wingsets). 

Safety/Cautions: From my research, it appears that this oil is non-toxic and nonsensitizing; however, may irritate skin if used in high concentrations. One should use care and caution during pregnancy.

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We also suggest you have a good working knowledge of the use of essential oils or consult with an aromatherapy professional prior to use. In addition, Essential Oils must be properly diluted before use in order to avoid any damages to property or adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm). Please read our Disclaimer before using our products.

Black pepper (Piper nigrum)

See more indepth information in our Essential Oil Database and a blog about it's anti-tumoral properties.

Safety/Cautions: The literature shows black pepper essential oil to be non-toxic and generally non-sensitizing, but could be a skin irritant in high concentrations due to its ability to increase blood circulation to the skin. We've found this property to be of special benefit for inclusion in our Spicey Muscle Oil.

Bay Rum Essential Oil

Synergistic recipe for Back Pain: (from Aromatherapy Solutions by Veronica Sibley)

Bay Rum 2 drops
Clove 1 drop
Lemon 2 drops

Sunflower oil 15 mls (1/2 ounce)
Hypericum oil 15 drops

According to Veronica Sibley in her excellent book, Aromatherapy Solutions, she notes that this synergy works because of the following properties of each of these oils:

Bay Rum - Helps nerve-end pain with a warming effect where there is "coldness within the muscles."
Clove - Has "pain relieving properties affecting the nerve end pathways."
Lemon - Is a "superb tonic to the circulatory system, cleansing the body of waste, and works well with neuralgic pain."

Now, she doesn't state specifically the botanical names for the oils in this recipe which would be helpful. The lemon is not a problem, but there are different types of "bay" essential oil. We believe since she profiles Bay Rum (Pimenta racemosa) later in the book that's the one she is referring to. Also clove is available as the oil from the bud, bark and leaf. We are assuming she means clove bud. Both clove and bay rum can be very irritating to the skin if not diluted properly so test this recipe as you go and possibly do a patch test prior to applying over a large area such as your back. I think it sounds like a winner though and will try it on my foot where I had a neuroma surgically removed that has left me with a high degree of nerve pain. CAUTION: Both Bay Rum and Clove Bud are anticoagulants and should not be used by anyone who is taking blood thinning medication such as Coumadin.

For additional in-depth information about Bay Rum essential oil look at our Essential Oil Database. We would also recommend our Spicey Muscle Oil for any nerve pain or back pain issues - already blended and ready to go. And for additional recipes using essential oils, take a look at our Aromatherapy Recipes section. We will be adding to that almost daily.

Safety/Cautions: Bay Rum should be used in moderation due to the high levels of eugenol content, as mentioned above, and can be a mucous membrane irritant. We repeat, use caution if taking any anticoagulant drugs such as aspirin, heparin or Coumadin. We have been using this particular essential oil more and more as we discover new and practical ways to use it other than just the fact it smells so wonderful and is a favorite for many. Bay Rum should never be taken orally.

Basil Essential Oil, ct Linalool

For more in-depth information on this particular essential oil and how to incorporate it in your wellness program and aromatherapy-at-home use, refer to our Essential Oil Database.

My favorite use of this particular chemotype of basil is to relieve the neck pain that starts at my cervical spine (from too many years back in the days we had typewriters), moves to the base of my skull and then radiates up and out into a full-fledged tension headache. Now a good massage would work wonders, but for a do-it-yourself quick and effective fix, I keep a bottle of Tamanu oil with just basil essential oil mixed in it - the linalool chemotype.  I use about 8 drops (using the dropper type bottles we sell our essential oils in) to 15 grams (by weight) or 1/2 ounce of Tamanu oil. You could use any oil, but I've found the Tamanu to be very effective for this application. Arnica infused oil would also be a good choice. Check out our Aromatherapy Recipes blog for more ways to use basil - we will be adding more and more recipes. I keep a small bottle of this mixture handy, but if you wanted to make up just enough for one application it would be easy to do with the treatment type bottle we offer with the Tamanu oil. Using the treatment bottle you would be safe with one or two pumps of the Tamanu oil and then add 1 to 2 drops of the basil essential oil.