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 t

TAGETES

The therapeutic properties of Tagetes oil are anti-infectious, anti-microbial, antibiotic, anti-spasmodic, anti-parasitic, antiseptic, insecticide and sedative.

Although very few people buy this oil for the fragrance, it is a very effective oil when used in cases of infection and especially weeping wounds and chest infections. Tagetes oil has a wild, sweet, fruity almost citrus-like smell and is yellow to reddish-amber in color. It is of medium viscosity that can turn thick and even gel-like if exposed to the air for a long time.

See our Tagetes Oil Page for indepth information.

TANGERINE

Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Cytophylactic, Sedative, Stomachic, Tonic. Effects the digestive system, dealing with all manner of gastric complaints like flatulence, diarrhoea, constipation as well as stimulating flow of bile, thus helping to digest fats. A ' tonic to the vascular system particularly the peripheral circulation which nourishes the veins and arteries in the extremities, therefore activating tired and aching limbs.

See our Tangerine Oil Page for indepth information.

TEA TREE

A very useful powerful antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-viral. Good for acne, cold sores, warts, and burns. Use for vaporising to kill germs. Useful cleansing agent for skin. Helps combat foot odor and athletes foot. Ti Tree, as it is also known, has a wide range of uses, including some aids related illnesses. Activates the white corpuscles to form a defence against invading organisms and helps to shorten the duration of illness. A strongly antiseptic oil and sweats toxins out of the body. Indicated for influenza, cold sores, catarrh and could treat glandular fever as well as gingivitis. Helps to ease otitis, a middle ear infection which is often linked to ailing tonsils. May also ease inflammation of the intestines such as enteritis and casts out intestinal parasites.

See our Tea Tree Oil Page for indepth information.

TEETHING

The discomforts of teething, and the various other health upsets which babies often suffer while their teeth are coming through, can be greatly minimised by the sensible use of essential oils. The single most useful oil at these times is Camomile, with Lavender coming a close second.

The discomfort and various side effects can all be helped with essential oils, remembering to observe the safety precautions, listed in the entry for CHILDREN.

THRUSH

Thrush is the common name for infection of a mucous membrane by the fungus Candida albicans. It sometimes affects the mouth, particularly in young babies, but is most often a vaginal infection. Thrush often follows a course of antibiotics, because these kill many of the helpful bacteria in the intestines. Everybody has the Candida organisms present in the body, but in normal conditions the intestinal flora keep the Candida from proliferating to a level where they cause trouble.

Aromatherapy treatment consists of baths and local applications of Lavender, Myrrh or Tea tree oil, or a blend of any of these three.

THYME

Fortifies the lungs when treating colds, coughs and sore throats particularly tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, whooping cough and asthma. Rather warming and helps to eliminate phlegm. Basically stimulates action of white corpuscles and helps the body fight disease and deters the spread of germs. Beneficial to the immune system. Good for the circulation and raises low blood pressure. May be used for rheumatism, gout, arthritis and sciatica since its stimulating effect and diuretic action facilitates the removal of uric acid. When used in a compress can reduce painful arthritic swelling.

See our Thyme Oil Page for indepth information.

THYROID PROBLEMS

See our Thyroid Page for a fuller explanation of this condition.

TONING BATH

Here are four toning bath synergistic blends to help tone your skin during and after dieting. They are designed for use in baths - the oils work by osmosis. Prepare your bottle of essential oils in these proportions and use 6 drops in each bath or use these quantities for two baths:

BLEND 1                     BLEND 2

Grapefruit Basil

5 drops 3 drops

Rosemary Pettigrain

5 drops 3 drops

BLEND 3                    BLEND 4

Lemongrass Lavender

4 drops 4 drops

Orange Thyme

6 drops 2 drops

TONSILLITIS

The tonsils are formed of lymphoid tissue, and lie in the upper part of the throat (pharynx). In common with the spleen, thymus and lymphatic system they form part of our defence against infection. Like the thymus, they are larger in childhood, and dwindle in adulthood, possibly because antibodies to a great number of illnesses are formed during childhood as the child progressively comes into contact with the various bacteria and viruses responsible for infection.

Tonsillitis, or inflammation of the tonsils, is due to infection of these organs themselves, often by streptococci. Steam inhalations at frequent intervals will both relieve the pain and help to combat the infection. Thyme is one of the best essential oils to use, as it is not only a very powerful antiseptic but also has a mild local anaesthetic effect which reduces the discomfort. Lavender and Benzoin are other good oils.

TOOTHACHE

There are one or two aromatherapy first-aid methods which will relieve the pain of toothache until the sufferer can get to a dentist. The classic method is one known to many people who otherwise know nothing of aromatherapy - to put a little Oil of Cloves into the cavity of the painful tooth. Clove acts as a local anaesthetic, and is also a very powerful disinfectant which can help to prevent infection of the root until proper dental treatment is possible. Put a drop of Clove on a cotton-bud and apply to the tooth. If there is a large cavity, for example if a filling has fallen out, or the tooth is broken, put one or two drops of Clove oil on a small twist of cottonwool and press into the cavity. When the anaesthetic effects wears off, the Clove oil can be re-applied.

Another method, perhaps more helpful for a dull ache than an acute pain, is to make a hot compress with oil of Camomile and place this over the cheek. The compress can be renewed as it cools. This is the best method to use if an abscess is forming, or you suspect that it might. The heat and the action of the Camomile oil will not only ease the pain, but will help to draw infection to the surface so that the abscess will clear faster, and the tooth can then be treated.

See the entries under ABSCESSES, also COMPRESSES for methods of making and applying.

TOXICITY

Toxicity is the degree to which a substance is able to damage an exposed organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell (cytotoxicity) or an organ (organotoxicity). Among the oils which are potentially dangerous, but which you may be able to buy without difficulty, are Camphor, Mug-wort (often sold under its French name of Armoise), Pennyroyal, Sassafras, Thuja, Wintergreen and Wormwood. All these oils present risk of poisoning, and it is best to leave them strictly alone.

See our Toxicity Page for a fuller explanation of this condition.