The Oils and Plants Oil Finder Database, helps you quickly find which Essential Oils to use for which ailment. Type in the name of an Essential Oil or an Ailment to find the definition. You will find fuller explanations on our Ailments and Essential Oil pages.

Please note that this is only a guide to help you identify which oils are good for which ailments and vice versa. Once you have found the oil that suits your needs, please read the whole article for that oil to find out any contraindications and if it is the right oil for you.

Here are the results for the letter l

LARYNGITIS

The accepted medical treatment includes steam inhalations, since the vapour eases the breathing and soothes the inflammation. This can be made doubly effective by adding essential oils to the inhalation. The traditional choice is Benzoin, which has been used to treat laryngitis, in the form of Friar's Balsam; but Lavender, Sandalwood or Thyme are also effective.

Laryngitis seldom lasts more than a few days, so any symptoms of hoarseness which persist for longer than this may be due to other, more serious, causes and should be properly investigated.

LAVENDER

Where to start with this most versatile oil? What a great aroma! Lavender is the most versatile of essential oils. It is relaxing and refreshing, uplifts the spirits, and helps to relieve the distress of muscle pain. NO home should be without it. Balances your body and mind. Calms or stimulates according to your bodies needs. Excellent for refreshing tired muscles, feet and head. Add a drop to the pillow/sheet before peaceful sleep. Treats burns and reduces scaring. Can be used neat in small amounts on burns, but care still needs to be taken. Has a sedative action on the heart and will help to bring down high blood pressure and calm palpitations. Long known as giving effective relief from insomnia. It is renowned as an insecticide so keeps moths and insects at bay. Also said to cleanse dog bites and Purify the air.

See our Lavender Oil Page for indepth information.

LEMON

It has antibacterial and tonic properties, making it useful for relief of cold symptoms. Widely used in beauty care. It cleanses, refreshes, cools and stimulates. Astringent and antiseptic oil. Useful for oily skin. Can be used to lighten dull, stained hands or to tone and condition nails and cuticles. Blends well with other oils A superb tonic to the circulatory system, liquefying the blood and aiding How thus easing pressure on varicose veins. An effective heart tonic and often used in bringing down high blood pressure. Restores vitality to red corpuscles easing anaemic conditions. At the same time stimulates the white corpuscles thereby invigorating the immune system and aiding the body to fight infectious disease.

See our Lemon Oil Page for indepth information.

LEMONGRASS

A refreshing, cleansing and stimulating tonic on the body. Added to shampoos to give a shine to the hair. An antiseptic and astringent oil. Sweet powerful 'lemony' aroma which make a good refreshing and deodorising room fragrance. Excellent for aching muscles, relieves pain and makes them more supple since it helps to eliminate lactic acid and stimulates circulation. Its toning effect on muscles may help with loose skin due to dieting or lack of exercise. Seems to relieve tired legs, especially after standing for long periods of time. Also aids the flow of breast milk in nursing mothers.

See our Lemongrass Oil Page for indepth information.

LIME

May help to cool feverish conditions which accompany colds, sore throats and influenza. Eases coughs, congestion of the chest, catarrh and sinusitis. A tonic to the immune system and keeps infection down. Gives back energy after illness. A digestive stimulant, like most citrus oils, and may be useful to sufferers from anorexia since it encourages appetite by stimulating the digestive secretions. Said to treat the effects of alcoholism possibly because of its disinfecting and restorative properties. Reputedly helpful with rheumatic pain.

See our Lime Oil Page for indepth information.

LINDEN BLOSSOM

>This relaxing essential oil will help you sleep and tone the venous (veins and capillary) system, while thinning the blood. It brings down FEVER and helps to dislodge CATARRH and mucus and increase perspiration, but decreases night sweats. Linden blossom essential oil helps to clear that blocked stuffy feeling. It tones and help remove blemishes on the skin. An excellent tonic for the NERVOUS SYSTEM, helpful with HEADACHES, MIGRAINE, neuralgia and vertigo. Also said to be effective against high blood pressure resulting from nervous tension.

Its purifying and thinning action on the blood could help with chronic circulatory diseases, helping to clear high CHOLESTEROL levels and apparently has a beneficial action on anaemia. Its soothing, softening, toning action is said to keep wrinkles at bay. Also boasts a reputation for dealing with blemishes, freckles and burns as well as having a tonic effect on the scalp encouraging hair growth.

See our Linden Blossom Oil Page for indepth information.

LUMBAGO

Essential oils can help in the relief of pain, but any long term back pain should be referred to a qualified medical practitioner. Add the following oils to a hot compress and apply to the lower back.

Rosemary 3 drops
Clove 1 drop
Eucalyptus 1 drop

When the compress becomes cold replace it with another. Do this at least three times daily.

Massage Oil Recipe:

Massage the lower back with the following oils:

Peppermint 2 drops
Rosemary 5 drops
Camomile 2 drops
Diluted in 2 teaspoons of your favourite unscented Carrier Oil.

Take lots of bed rest until the situation improves.