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 p

PALMAROSA

Light, lovely floral aroma which is uplifting. Makes a wonderful skin care oil when mixed with Sweet Almond. It is said to stimulate cellular regeneration and it moisturises making it particularly good for mature skin care and acne. Has a calming yet uplifting effect on the emotions. Also said to be able to refresh and clarify the mind. Acts as a tonic to the digestive system and said to have a beneficial effect on pathogens in the intestinal flora. Could therefore be useful in dysentery and it also has a strengthening effect on stomach muscles. Stimulates the appetite and may be helpful to people suffering from anorexia nervosa. Restores water balance and stimulates natural secretion of sebum which is a useful oil for dry skin. It also helps in skin regrowth by aiding cell regeneration.

See our Palmarosa Oil Page for indepth information.

PALPITATIONS

This may be experienced when the person is frightened, shocked or anxious, and essential oils such as Neroli, which have a profoundly calming effect, are the most effective. As an emergency measure, simply provide some of the oil to smell straight from the bottle or on a tissue or handkerchief. A person who is subject to palpitations would benefit from regular massage with any one of a wide range of essential oils with calming properties, including Camomile, Lavender, Neroli, Rose and Ylang Ylang.

PARSLEY

Parsley is mostly used in aromatherapy as a carminative, tonic and diuretic. Although it was used by the ancients to salute and help men, I have found it most useful in helping women. Echoing the findings of researches in the nineteenth and our own centuries, I find the plant a marvellous remedy for women of all ages, not only as a tonic for the nervous system, but for all the female menstrual cycle problems ¬flatulence, water retention, pain, indigestion and all other symptoms around period time. It is the supreme remedy for all of us, and we should eat parsley every day, adding it to salads, sauces and stews although it is better raw than cooked.

See our Parsley Oil Page for indepth information.

PATCHOULI

Soothes and uplifts the spirit. Is soothing to the skin and is reported to be especially good for mature skin. Useful in protecting dry, mature or blemished skin, Sensual properties, Musky aroma lingers. Use on scalp for dandruff. Used in the East to scent linen and clothes and to repel fleas and lice. Perhaps Patchouli's most outstanding feature is its binding action due to strong astringent and cicatrisant properties. This could be helpful for loose skin especially after excessive dieting. Since it also seems to curb appetite its probably useful for overall weight reduction. Could well be helpful in cases of diarrhoea too. There is some association between Patchouli and increasing libido. Its bracing action on the central nervous system may account for this! However, it is neither too sedative nor too stimulating which effectively assists feelings of balance. In any event, it seems to relieve the nasty effects from insect (and snake) bites.

See our Patchouli Oil Page for indepth information.

PEPPERMINT

Peppermint is an energising oil with a penetrating, minty aroma. It helps to relieve fatigue and muscle pain. Use it in the daytime, as its energising effect may keep you awake at night. Add to a massage blend for the digestive system. Excellent for refreshing tired head and feet. Sniff from bottle or one drop on handkerchief to revive during travel. Has a dual action - cooling when hot and warming when cold. This makes it a good remedy for colds by halting mucous and fevers and encouraging perspiration. Useful in respiratory disorders generally as well as dry coughs and sinus congestion. Reputedly has an effect on asthma, bronchitis, cholera, pneumonia and tuberculosis, and some relief may also be gained from rheumatism, neuralgia and muscular aches. Especially good at relaxing stomach muscles and dealing with intestinal problems.

See our Peppermint Oil Page for indepth information.

PETITGRAIN

Revitalising yet relaxing. It has a toning effect on the skin. from the same trees as Neroli/orange blossom though Petitgrain is distilled from the leaves rather than the petals. Similar properties to Neroli, it has deodorant properties and helps to relieve anxiety and stress. Lovely aroma. Good in final rinse for healthy hair, (two drops). Helpful in debilitated states after illness since it seems to act as a mild imuno-stimulant, encouraging general resistance to illness. At the same time, its deodorising.Properties could help refresh and revive the body. Reputedly helpful with painful digestion by calming stomach muscles.

See our Petitgrain Oil Page for indepth information.

PINE

Stimulates, refreshes and cleanses. With a strong, fresh, resinous aroma it has a powerful antiseptic quality and is widely used. It has a deodorant affect and is often used in commercial preparations. A general kidney cleanser and known to be effective with cystitis, hepatitis and prostate problems. Reduces inflammation of the gall-bladder an puts a an on gall-stones. Said to stimulate the adrenal glands producing a revitalising effect on the body. Also stimulates the circulation and with its warming properties may relieve rheumatism, goat, sciatica and arthritis - often used in compresses when these conditions are very painful. Could be beneficial for muscular pain and stiffness generally, Seems to give some relief to digestive problems particularly intestinal disturbances.

See our Pine Oil Page for indepth information.

PMT/PMS

Using aromatherapy is not only a great means of getting rid of your cramps, but is ideal for creating a calmer feeling and sense of well being from head to toe. When your whole body is relaxed, chances are your stress and emotional levels will be decreased, preventing future cramps from occurring. The easiest way to go about this method is to make an appointment at your local Aromatherapist and sign up for a generous aromatherapy massage. Be sure to let the masseuse know that your cramps are making you uncomfortable and they will center the massage on your abdominal area.

Useful Oils for PMT/PMS are:

GERANIUM, JUNIPER, LAVENDER, MELISSA, CLARY SAGE, MARJORAM

You can create special massage oil that uses essential oils that work as natural muscle relaxers. The best ones to choose from include Ginger, Lemon, Camomile, Marjoram, and Lavender. Once you’ve selected your essential oil, mix 2-3 drops with an ounce of either sweet almond or jojoba oil. Then take the mixture and gently massage onto the affected areas. Another similar recipe you can create in the comfort of your own home involves mixing 5 drops of lavender essential oil, 15 drops of peppermint essential oil, 1- drops of cypress essential oil, and 1 ounce of what is known as a carrier oil (this is a base or vegetable oil that is used to properly dilute essential oils), like sweet almond and gently massaging a small amount of the mixture onto your abdominal area. It is important to remember that when dealing with essential oils, you must dilute it with a carrier oil before applying it to the skin in order to avoid an allergic reaction.

PNEUMONIA

Most authorities list essential oils which can be used in the treatment of pneumonia, but it must be emphasised that it would be grossly irresponsible to do so without a doctor being consulted. An acute infection of this kind is one of the situations in which the use of antibiotics can be fully justified.

While medical treatment is absolutely necessary, this can be reinforced with careful use of essential oils. Eucalyptus, Lavender, Tea tree and Pine are among those which have been used effectively, also Cajeput and Niaouli (both closely related to Tea tree). Any of these oils, or a blend of two or three of them, should be gently rubbed onto the chest and back at frequent intervals - as often as half-hourly if possible. Massage should not be attempted while there is any fever present. If the patient feels well enough, a bath with one or more of these oils is a good alternative, also steam inhalations.

PREGNANCY

The oils which should NOT be used at this time are: Aniseed, Armoise (mugwort), Arnica, Basil, Birch, Camphor, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Cypress, Fennel, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Origano, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Savoury, Thyme and Wintergreen plus any other oil described as toxic. Camomile and Lavender are also described as emmenagogue, but can be used with care in small amounts and low dilutions except where the mother has reason to fear a possible miscarriage, e.g. if she has miscarried previously, there is a history of miscarriages in her family, if she has had any abnormal bleeding or other symptoms, or has been told by her doctor that there is some risk.

Later in pregnancy, from about sixth months, you can use Lavender as it is so good at relieving backache, and Rose in extremely low dilutions as it corresponds so much to the emotional needs of many pregnant women. For the nausea which often accompanies the first few months, ginger tea is a safe and effective remedy. Peppermint tea is better avoided, as is Peppermint oil.

A great many women experience some low back pain as their pregnancy advances, due not only to the increase weight of the baby, but to the changing shape of her own body, and the way this increases the lumbar curve of the spine. Gentle exercise, such as yoga and specific ante-natal exercises, are important, and it is also, a great help to rest for at least 20 minutes each day lying flat on the back, with the legs bent at the knees and supported on a chair. The thighs should be at right angles to the body, and the calves at right angles to the thighs. This position straightens out the lumbar curve and deeply relaxes the overworked muscles of the lower back.

See our Pregnancy Page for more information.

PROSTATE PROBLEMS

See our Prostate Page for indepth information.