A selection of essential oils on a table with a bright light illuminating them.

OIL PROPERTIES GLOSSARY

Essential oils can quite often have more than one therapeutic property, and whilst some of the terms will be familiar, others may leave you guessing. So with that in mind I have created the list below to assist in promoting a better understanding of those properties.
Analgesic relieves or allays pain
Anaphrodisiac reduces sexual desire
Anti-allergenic reduces allergic response
Antiarthritic effective in treatment of arthritis
Antibacterial kills or inhibits growth of bacteria
Anticarcinogenic inhibits development of cancer
Anti-carcinoma destroys or inhibits cancer cells
Anticatarrhal removes excess mucus
Anticoagulant prevents clotting of blood
Anticonvulsant reduces convulsions
Antidepressant effective in treatment against depression
Antiemetic effective against nausea and vomiting
Antifungal inhibits growth of fungi
Antihemorrhagic promotes hemostasis; stops bleeding
Antihistamine blocks histamine receptors; reduces allergic response
Anti-infectious reduces/prevents infection
Anti-inflammatory reduces inflammation
Antimicrobial kills or inhibits microorganisms
Antimutagenic reduces rate of genetic variants/mutation
Antioxidant mitigates damage by free radicals
Anti-parasitic destroys of inhibits growth/reproduction of parasites
Anti-rheumatic mitigates pain and stiffness
Antiseptic destroys microorganisms to prevent or treat infection on living tissue/skin
Antispasmodic relieves spasms of involuntary muscles
Antitoxic neutralises or counteracts toxins
Anti-tumourral inhibits growth of tumours
Antiviral destroys viruses or suppresses replication
Aphrodisiac heightens sexual desire
Astringent contracts tissues, generally of the skin; reduces minor bleeding
Calming pacifying
Cardiotonic tones and vitalises the heart
Carminative reduces gas or bloating
Cleanser cleanses body and/or household surfaces
Cooling provides a cooling effect when applied to the skin
Cytophylactic stimulates cell growth
Decongestant reduces respiratory congestion; opens airways
Degreaser helps to break down grease
Deodorant stops formation of odours
Detoxifier removes toxins from the body tissues and organs
Digestive Stimulant stimulates digestion
Disinfectant mitigates growth of microorganisms on inorganic surfaces
Diuretic increases production and excretion of urine
Emmenagogue helps promote and regulate menstruation
Energising generates and enhances energy
Expectorant promotes discharge of phlegm and other fluids from the respiratory tract
Galactagogue promotes lactation and increases milk supply
Grounding assists one’s sense of feeling centred and secure
Haemostatic capable of stopping the flow of blood
Hypertensive raises blood pressure
Hypotensive lowers blood pressure
Immunostimulant induces activation of the body’s protective ability
Insect Repellent deters insects and bugs
Nervine beneficial effect on nerves
Neuroprotective protects nerves
Neurotonic improves tone or force of nervous system
Purifier eliminates impurities
Photosensitive When ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a form of radiation which makes up approximately 10% of sunlight, comes in contact with particular substances it can initiate a series of chemical and biological reactions. The resulting immune system reaction is known as photosensitisation. Some essential oils contain furocoumarins (organic chemical compounds) that make some people’s skin more sensitive to the effects of UV radiation. When photosensitive skin is exposed to UV radiation, it may cause the formation of free radicals, inflicting damage to cellular membranes, proteins, and organelles. Acutely, this may result in temporary darkening of skin pigment and irritation, much like a sunburn. More extreme exposure may cause burns or hives.
Refreshing renews; promotes feeling of freshness
Regenerative promotes regeneration of body tissue
Relaxant promotes relaxation; reduces tension
Restorative encourages repair, recovery. restoration
Revitaliser uplifts and energises
Rubefacient increases circulation; increases skin redness
Sedative promotes calm and sleep; reduces agitation; tranquillising
Steroidal stimulates cortisone-like action
Stimulant increases activity
Stomachic assists digestion, promotes appetite
Tonic promotes a feeling of vigour or well being
Uplifting elevating; promotes a sense of happiness and hope
Vasoconstrictor restricts blood vessels; decreases blood flow; can increase blood pressure
Vasodilator relaxes/dilates blood vessels; increases blood flow; can decrease blood pressure
Vermicide kills parasitic worms
Vermifuge stuns worms
Warming raises body and/or specific body tissue temperature – referred to as ‘localised warming’