Victoria's Wisdom

ESSENTIAL OILS

NOTE: I have listed the target systems, use and cautions where I know them but unfortunately I do not know all of them. I will add in more oils and information as I find them. Please exercise caution when using any oils. The list I have composed is meant as a guide only.

Tea Tree

Thyme

Valerian

Vervain

Vetiver [khus-khus]

Vine

Walnut

White Chestnut ~ see Chestnut

White Deadnettle

Wild Lettuce

Wild Oat

Wild Rose

Willow

Wintergreen

Witch Hazel

Wood Betony

Yarrow

Yellow Dock

Ylang Ylang

TEA TREE

Used for an immune system stimulant, general stimulant; infections, viruses.

Target systems: blood, immune.

Useage: external

Caution: although this oil has been used internally, because of its neurogical action, it is preferred for external use only. More than other essential oils it may induce allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Use sparingly.

THYME

For dry irritating coughs, congestion, whooping cough or bronchitis [as a chest rub is great]; rheumatic pains; soothe insect stings & infected wounds; gargle for mouth & throat infections; taken for chest infections, diarrhea & irritable bowel syndrome; is a tonic for fatigue; infections, otitis; roundworms.

Target systems: respiratory, digestive, skin.

Useage: internal, external, inhalation.

Caution: avoid high doses in pregnancy. Excessive quantities may cause indigestion.

VALERIAN

Used to treat anxiety, hysteria, delerium, convulsions; insomnia; palpitations; sedative for nervous disorders, nervous coughs; high blood pressure; migraines; tension headaches; menstrual pain; bronchial spasms; antispasmodic for intestinal pains, flatulence; for nervous, digestive & respiratory problems; muscle cramps; sores, wounds, ulcers; epilepsy; vertigo.

Target systems: nervous, digestive, respiratory, musculo-skeletal, neurological.

Useage: internal, external

Caution: prolonged use can cause headaches & palpitations; avoid with other sleep-inducing drugs. Large does can produce paralysis.

VERVAIN

Natural tranquilizer & used for nervous problems; for fevers & chills, congestion in the throat & chest; tonic; eliminates intestinal worms; heals sores & wounds; emotional problems associated with menopause; insomnia & other nervous conditions; use as a liver restorative in many conditions including hay fever; soothe insect stings; for sprains & strains; improve liver function & digestion while encourages rest & sleep.

Target systems: urogenital [female], digestive.

Useage: internal, external.

Caution: do not take in pregnancy, although it can be helpful during labor.

VETIVER [Also called KHUS-KHUS]

Aromatic, stimulant, tonic; most of this is non-medicinal but a tea made from the roots can be taken as a generally stimulating tonic drink.

Target systems: nervous.

Useage: internal.

VINE

An astringent, diuretic, tonic; recommended to take as a tea during the last few weeks of pregnancy to make childbirth faster & easier; can be used for gravel & urinary problems; good wash for sore eyes & skin problems; said to relieve insomnia.

Target systems: urogenital, skin, nervous.

Useage: internal, external.

WALNUT

For diarrhea; to stop milk production; douche for lerrcorrhea, mouthwash for soreness or inflamed tonsils; cleansing wash; poultice to remove ringworm; soothing tonic laxative for chronic constipation; expels worms; feverish colds & flu; tonic for stomach, promotes good appetite; for catarrhal enteritis; for rheumatism, gout, glandular swelling, gum problems, scrofula, sweaty feet, acne, dandruff & other skin problems; for failing virility; astringent.

Target systems: digestive, circulatory, urogenital [female], skin.

Useage: internal, external.

Caution: should not be taken in excess.

WHITE DEADNETTLE

Used for cystitis; heavy or irregular periods; prostrate problems; irritable bowel syndrome; piles; minor cuts & scrapes, conjunctivitis; tea can help recovery after surgery for benign prostrate enlargement.

Target systems: urogenital, digestive, skin.

Useage: internal, external.

WILD LETTUCE

For nervous excitability, anxiety; insomnia, hyperactivity in children; persistant irritant or nervous coughs.

Target systems: respiratory, neurological.

Useage: internal, inhalation.

Caution: excess may cause restlessness.

WILD OAT

Special diet for convolescents or for those with certain ailments eg gastro-enteritis & dyspepsia; nerve & uterine tonic; for chest problems; as bath for rheumatic problems, lumbago, paralysis, liver ailments & gout, kidney & gravel problems, bladder & abdominal problems, intestinal colic, bedwetting, chronically cold feet, skin diseases, flaky skin, frostbite, chillblains, wounds & eye problems.

Target systems: respiratory, digestive, urogenital [female], skin.

Useage: internal, inhalation.

WILD ROSE

For headache & dizziness, for the purpose of a heart & nerve tonic, as a blood purifier; treat mouth sores; to invigorate a tired body; to ease uterine cramps; allay toothaches; compress for headaches; relieve earache; ancient remedy for sore throat.

Target systems: urogenital [female], circulatory, blood.

Useage: internal, external.

WILLOW

Effective against fever; anti-aphrodisiacs & sexual sedatives; for indigestion: whooping cough catarrh; disinfect bandages, antiseptic; alleviates pain; reduces inflammation & effective for articular rheumatism; for internal bleeding; diuretic for gout & rheumatism problems; good for heartburn & stomach ailments; gargle for gum & tonsil inflammations; for eruptions, sores, burns & wounds; for sweaty feet; astringent.

Target systems: immune, respiratory, digestive.

Useage: internal, external.

WINTERGREEN

Used as a decongestant; cough syrup; improves appetite & aids digestion.

Target systems: respiratory, digestive.

Useage: internal, inhalation.

WITCH HAZEL

Use as an astringent for diarrhea, as a rinse or gargle for mouth & throat irritations; vaginal douche for vaginitis; for skin irritations, bruises, insect bites & stings, minor burns & poison ivy; as a poultice eg for eye inflammations or hemorrhoids; as a sedative or a tonic; a hemostatic.

Target systems: skin, nervous.

Useage: internal, external.

WOOD BETONY

Take as a liver tonic or for food intolerance; to bathe infected wounds & sores; for headaches, nervous tension & insomnia; ease labor pains & period cramps; stimulate circulatin in the brains of the elderly.

Target systems: circulatory, digestive, immune.

Useage: internal, external.

Caution: avoid in pregnancy.

YARROW

For poor circulation in the elderly; as a compress for varicose veins; taken for colds & flu; inside nose to stop nosebleeds; can staunch bleeding wounds.

Target systems: circulatory, blood.

Useage: internal, external.

Caution: in rare cases yarrow can cause an allergic skin rash, and prolonged use may increase sensitivity to sunlight. Do not take in pregnancy.

YELLOW DOCK

For liver congestion & related digestive problems; irritant skin eruptions, boils, rheumatic disorders; mouth ulcers.

Target systems: skin, digestive.

Useage: internal, external.

YLANG YLANG

Used as a skin tonic, perfume; anxiety, tension, mood enhancer.

Target systems: skin, neurological.

Useage: external, inhalation.

Caution: for external use only. Frequent inhalation may be overly stimulating, avoid excessive use.