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 b

BACKACHE

Aromatherapy massage is a very effective form of treatment where the pain is due to muscular fatigue, spasm or tension, and there are a large number of essential oils that will help both to reduce pain in the short term and treat the muscular problem in the longer term. Lavender, Marjoram and Rosemary are the most often used, sometimes with an oil from one of the warming spices, such as Black Pepper or Ginger where there is acute pain.

BASIL

Soothing, energizing, toning. Traditional use: deodorant, soothing agent, insect repellent, muscle relaxant. Invigorates body and spirit: helps refresh the mind allowing concentration, especially when tired. A good nerve tonic after a stressful day and seems to have an uplifting effect on depression. See our Basil Page for indepth information.

BAY

A good scalp and hair tonic, and for Respiratory disorders and depression. Can be stimulating to the memory. Stimulating, energising. Expels wind , settles stomach pain and has a tonic effect on the liver and kidneys. Promotes the flow of urine. Has a tonic action on the reproductive system, regulates scanty periods and speeds up delivery in childbirth. May also help to ease ear infections thereby mitigating feelings of dizziness and restoring balance. See our Bay Page for indepth information.

BENZOIN

Benzoin is a warming, vanilla scented resin absolute from Sumatra with uplifting and soothing properties. Seems to have a rejuvenating effect on the body. It warms the heart and circulation and may ease general aches and pains as well as arthritis. Also helps with disorders of the urinary tract such as cystitis since it aids urine flow. A remedy for genital problems like leucorrhoea and may have a part to play with sexual difficulties, reputedly premature ejaculation. Calming effect on the stomach, expels flatulence and strengthens the pancreas aiding digestion. Said to control blood sugar levels which could be helpful to sufferers of diabetes.

BERGAMOT

Relaxes and refreshes and is good for confidence building. Uplifts the spirit and emotions with its fresh and invigorating citrus fragrance. Useful for caring for oily and blemished skin. Use in vaporiser to disperse unpleasant odours. It is familiar to many as the flavouring in Earl Grey Tea. Also works well on the digestive tract and relieves conditions such as painful digestion, dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, indigestion and loss of appetite. An excellent intestinal antiseptic, casts out intestinal parasites and diminishes gall stones apparently. May be useful to anorexia sufferers by regulating appetite. Also helpful with infections of the respiratory system which may include breathing difficulties as well as tonsillitis, bronchitis and tuberculosis. Often effective on cold sores, chicken pox and shingles. Could have a tonic action on the uterus and was once used to heal sexually transmitted diseases. Excellent insect repellent and keeps pets away from plants. Skin type: oily, blemished, normal to combination.

See our Bergamot Page for indepth information.

BLACK PEPPER

Analgesic, Antiemetic, Antiseptic, Antispasdmodic, Aphrodisiac, Cardiac, Carminative, Detoxicant, Digestive, Diuretic Tebrifuge, Laxative, Rubefacient, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic. Fortifying effect on the stomach, increases flow of saliva and stimulates appetite. Expels wind, quells vomiting and encourages peristalsis. Useful in bowel problems generally as it restores tone to colon muscles. Promotes urine and stimulates the kidneys. Generally expels toxins. Gives tone to skeletal muscles. Dilation of local blood vessels makes it useful for muscular aches and pains, tired and aching limbs and muscular stiffness. Good oil to use before excessive exertion like sport. Also helpful with rheumatoid arthritis and temporary paralysis of the limbs.

See our Black Pepper Page for indepth information.

BLADDER PROBLEMS

Aromatherapy can help to alleviate the symptoms of Bladder Problems. See our article on Cystitis for more information. Several essential oils can come to the rescue. Juniper, Sandalwood, Camomile, Pine, Tea Tree, and Bergamot are especially effective treatments. However, Juniper is so strong that it could irritate the kidneys if the bladder infection has spread into them. If that is the case, stick to the other oils. In fact, if there is any chance that you have a kidney infection, be sure to seek a doctor's opinion, as it can have serious consequences.

BLEEDING

Main oils: Lemon, Geranium, Rose, Eucalyptus

Several essential oils are haemostatic, i.e. they help to stop bleeding by speeding up the coagulation of the blood. The most useful of these is oil of Lemon, though Geranium and Rose have similar, though less powerful, effects.

BLISTERS

Blisters, of the kind that occur due to rubbing by shoes, are best dealt with by covering with a gauze that has had a few drops of Lavender oil sprinkled on it. If the blister is large, it may be more comfortable to puncture it with a thoroughly sterilized needle, and then apply neat Lavender oil and a gauze covering. Oil of Myrrh added in equal proportions to the Lavender is valuable if the blister remains very damp, and oil of Benzoin can be used after initial treatment with Lavender, to help the skin heal.

Do not cover the blister with a plaster that lets in little or no air, but anchor a gauze dressing in place with plaster strips so that the skin can 'breathe' and leave off shoes and socks for as much of each day as is possible until the blister has healed. Blisters can become infected and should be seen to immediately. One drop of Lavender and/or Camomile on an open blister can stop it from becoming infected. Alternatively dilute 2 drops of Tagetes oil in 2 drops of iodine and apply to the area.

BOILS

Hot compresses with essential oils can be used to 'draw out' a boil and speed healing, the most suitable being Bergamot and Lavender because of their antiseptic properties, though Camomile is useful, too. The whole area around the boil should be washed several times a day with a 1 to 3 percent dilution of Lavender or Bergamot.

BRONCHITIS

Acute bronchitis is a feverish condition, usually lasting a few days, with a harsh and painful cough. At first the cough is very dry, but as the lungs produce additional mucus in response to the infection, the cough becomes easier and less painful as the mucus lubricates the bronchi. Acute bronchitis usually originates with a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, such as a cold or sore throat, spreading to the lungs. Aromatherapy treatment aims at combating the infection, reducing fever, easing the cough and expelling mucus. In the first stages, when the cough is dry and painful, steam inhalation with Benzoin, Bergamot, Eucalyptus, Lavender or Sandalwood will give a great deal of relief. Bergamot and Eucalyptus oils are also effective in lowering fever, and all these oils will help to reinforce the body's own defence mechanism in response to the infection. In the latter stages of acute bronchitis, it is very important to clear all the mucus from the lungs, to prevent complications, and any of the essential oils described as expectorant will be helpful: Basil, Benzoin, Bergamot, Marjoram, Myrrh, Sandalwood or Thyme have all been used effectively, but of these I most often use Benzoin, Bergamot, Sandalwood or Thyme. The cough may persist for some time after the fever has subsided, but inhalations, baths and local massage to chest and throat with expectorant oils will shorten the time needed for full recovery.

See our Bronchitis Page for indepth information.

BRUISES

Several essential oils can be used to reduce bruising. Fennel, Hyssop or Lavender are effective if applied to the area as soon as possible after the bruising has occurred, preferably in an ice-cold compress. Lavender can be used later, too, to reduce pain. However, Arnica in a homoeopathic preparation is probably the most effective anti-bruising agent there is, and an Arnica ointment or tincture should be in every natural first-aid kit. In the latter stages of a bruise, when the colour turns green or yellowish, local massage with a stimulating oil, such as Rosemary, will help to disperse the bruising by increasing local circulation, which will help to drain away the blood that was released into the surrounding tissues by the original blow. In the case of severe bruising, such as that resulting from an accident, oils which stimulate the spleen, such as Black Pepper, Camomile and Lavender, are helpful.

BUNIONS

If the joint is inflamed, very gently massage with one of the anti-inflammatory oils such as Camomile or Melissa may help; otherwise choose an analgesic oil to reduce the pain. Lavender, Marjoram and Peppermint have all been found to give relief by various people. While massaging, gently rotate and manipulate the big toe as much as possible without causing too much pain. Give the patient cream containing one or more of these oils (Lavender with Peppermint is a very good combination) to use several times a day between treatments.

BURNS

Essential oil of Lavender is one of the most effective treatments for burns, both major and minor. It can be applied neat to all minor burns, and if this is done very quickly after burning, blistering will not usually appear. Lavender is not only a very effective antiseptic, but is also analgesic (painkilling) and helps to reduce the pain of the burn. It promotes rapid healing, and will reduce eventual scarring. Lavender applied to a burn very quickly will often heal it with no scarring at all.