People often associate spice essential oils with the fall and winter months. Spices are considered warming. However, spice essential oils are also powerful and should be used in low dilution by the beginner to aromatherapy. In addition, there are some instances where spice essential oils should never be used. Here is a quick guide to spice essential oils and a couple of spice aromatherapy recipes (all recipes are based on quantities for a healthy adult with no known contra-indications for use).

In all cases, consult a certified aromatherapist and/or a qualified health care practitioner, for specific advice pertaining to your situation. This post doesn’t replace the advice of a health care professional and does not claim to cure with the use of aromatherapy; it is for educational purposes only.

Examples of Spice Essential Oils

Spice essential oils include many of the spices that you may be familiar with for culinary purposes; these include:

• black pepper (Piper nigrum)

• cardomon (Elettaria Cardomum)

• cinnamon ( Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

• clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

• ginger (Zingiber officinale)

• nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)

• oregano (Origanum vulgare)

• star anise (Illicium verum).

Spice essential oils usually blend well with citrus essential oils in aromatherapy practice.

Cautions for Using Spice Essential Oils

Spice essential oils often contain more potent chemical components than some of the other essential oils and should always be used with care. Consult individual essential oil monographs before using a particular spice oil. Many spice essential oils are contra-indicated for use in pregnancy, with babies and children, with certain health conditions, with certain medication, and with the elderly.

In short, understand the potential results for using your chosen spice essential oil – before using it.

Spice Aromatherapy Diffuser Mix

One popular way to use spice essential oils is in an aromatherapy diffuser, particularly during the Holiday season. Diffuse for a seasonal feel, for parties, and for friends – or to combat a particular ailment.

Here’s a simple spice aromatherapy diffusion mix:

• 5 ml blend:

Essential Oils:

• 20 drops ginger (Zingiber officinale)

• 30 drops cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

• 50 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)

Blend the essential oils together and add to a suitable aromatherapy diffuser. DO NOT use this blend undiluted on the skin or in any other type of application. Note contra-indications before use.

Spicy Floral Mix for Perfume

Spice essential oils blend well in perfume bases, if you like the aroma. Experiment with this spicy floral mix:

• 8 oz white lotion base*

Essential Oils:

• 12 drops ylang ylang (Cananga odorata)

• 7 drops rose (Rosa damascena)

• 20 drops tangerine (Citrus reticulata blanco)

• 7 drops anise star (Illicium verum)

*Learn to make a simple white lotion base in the Sedona Aromatherapie Basic Butters, Balms, Creams and Lotions Course.

Note contra-indications before use.

Use this blend as a perfume body lotion. Increase quantity of essential oils as desired – and within safety guidelines.

Warming Spice Aromatherapy Rub for Colds

Spice essential oils may help to relieve the symptoms of colds, depending upon specific circumstances. Here is one simple spicy aromatherapy mix for colds:

• 1 oz sunflower (Helianthus annuus) oil

Essential Oils:

• 3 drops lemon (Citrus limon)

• 2 drops black pepper (Piper nigrum)

• 3 drops Eucalyptus smithii

Note contra-indications before use; apply to the chest area to relieve congestion.

Learn More About Aromatherapy with Sedona Aromatherapie

If you would like to learn more about essential oils, and how to use them safely, consider one of the Sedona Aromatherapie home study courses. To learn more, visit the courses home page.

References:

• Author is a certified aromatherapist, published author, and aromatherapy business owner

• Caddy, Rosemary, 1997, Aromatherapy: Essential Oils in Colour UK: Amberwood Publishing Ltd

• Lawless, Julia, 1995, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils UK: Thorsons