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Latin Name: Citrus reticulata

Description: Mandarin comes from small evergreen trees with glossy leaves, fragrant flowers and orange fruit. The essential oil is a yellow-orange oil that is expressed from the peel of the almost ripe fruit.

Largest Producing Countries: Italy, Spain, Algeria, Cyprus, Greece, Brazil, USA

Scent: Tangy, delicate, sweet, floral citrus top notes with deep, warm undertones. Blends well with other citrus and spicy oils, as well as neroli, lavender, ylang ylang, geranium and cypress.

Properties: Mandarin essential oil is one of the safest essential oils and is particularly recommended for use on children and during pregnancy. It is an uplifting, cheering and soothing oil. Mandarin essential oil is commonly used in skin healing and rejuvenation formulas to fight infections and help tone the skin. Its properties increase circulation to the skin, reduce fluid retention and thus, can help prevent the onset of stretch marks. Psychologically, mandarin is strengthening and helps to relieve stress, calm an overactive mind and promote restful sleep. It is also used to help aid digestion.

Precautions: Grapefruit oil is non-toxic and non-sensitizing. However, as with any new product, always test a small amount for skin sensitivity or allergic reaction.

Phototoxicity: Mandarin oil is not considered to be phototoxic.

Remember, the FDA has not evaluated the above statements. No claims are made regarding any medicinal value of mandarin oil. The information presented here is for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

Latin Name: Jasminum grandiflorum, Jasminum officinale

Description: Jasmine is a climbing vine that can grow up to 30 feet high. It has dark green leaves and star-shaped white flowers. The flowers bloom at night, (hence its Indian name ‘queen of the night’), releasing their intoxicatingly fragrant scent. Harvest lasts through the night into the morning, and it is said that an experienced picker can pick 10-15,000 blossoms a night. The absolute is solvent extracted, and it takes about 1000 pounds of flowers to produce 1 pound of absolute.

Countries of Origin: India, Egypt, China and Morocco

Scent: Jasmine has a warm, deep, rich and exotic floral aroma. It blends well with citrus oils as well as sandalwood, bergamot, clary sage and rose.

Properties: Jasmine has a long history in perfumery due to its rich, seductive aroma. It is used to relax, lift depression, boost confidence and energy and assist with sexual problems. It is emotionally warming and uplifting. Jasmine absolute can also be used to help childbirth as it strengthens contractions while also relieving pain.

Precautions: Jasmine is non-toxic, non-irritating and typically non-sensitizing. It should not be used during pregnancy. The scent can be overwhelming if too much is used, so it is best to dilute in very small amounts. As with any new product, always test a small amount for skin sensitivity or allergic reaction. Do not use any essential oils undiluted on the skin.

Remember, the FDA has not evaluated the above statements. No claims are made regarding any medicinal value of jasmine absolute. The information presented here is for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. Further research should be done on each essential oil to determine its proper usage for each individual. Aromatherapy is not intended to be a replacement for care under a qualified health professional, but is to be considered a complimentary therapy.

Helichrysum was one of those essential oils I put off trying because of its expense, but I am so glad I finally tried it – only a small amount is needed and I’ve seen incredible results using it on a scar from a recent surgery by blending it with rosehip seed oil. I highly recommend it!

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Latin Name: Helichrysum italicum

Description: Helichrysum is most commonly known as Immortelle and/or Everlasting. It is a fragrant herb that grows to about 2 feet tall, with long lasting, yellow daisy-like flowers, which dry as the plant matures. There are over 500 species of helichrysum, but only a few of these produce essential oil. The essential oil is steam distilled from the fresh flowers and flowering tops.

Countries of Origin: Corsica, Croatia, France, Bosnia, Spain, Italy

Scent: Helichrysum has a sweet, fruity scent with tealike undertones. It blends well with most floral and citrus essential oils, as well as clove and clary sage.

Properties: Helichrysum is an antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal oil. It is often used to treat bruises and scars. It is purported to help the body reabsorb blood back into the tissue and making bruises fade and heal very quickly. Psychologically, helichrysum is comforting and soothing and is believed to help improve creativity.

Precautions:Helichrysum is non-toxic, non-sensitizing and non-irritating. It should not be used in children under the age of 12. As with any new product, always test a small amount for skin sensitivity or allergic reaction. Do not use any essential oils undiluted on the skin.

Remember, the FDA has not evaluated the above statements. No claims are made regarding any medicinal value of helichrysum oil. The information presented here is for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. Further research should be done on each essential oil to determine its proper usage for each individual. Aromatherapy is not intended to be a replacement for care under a qualified health professional, but is to be considered a complimentary therapy.

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Latin Name: Citrus bergamia

Family: Rutaceae

Description: Bergamot is named after the city of Bergamo, Italy where most of its trade originated. The tree can grow up to 13 feet tall and bears small, inedible (because they are sour and bitter) citrus fruits. Bergamot essential oil is expressed from the peel of the almost-ripe fruit. It takes about one hundred fruits to make 3 ounces of essential oil.

Countries of origin: Italy, Mediterranean countries and United States (California)

Scent: Bergamot has sweet, lemony top notes with warm, floral and spicy undertones. It blends well with other florals and citruses. Some may recognize the scent as it is used in Earl Grey Tea.

Properties: Bergamot is called a ‘sunny’ essential oil and may help to reduce anxiety, depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The oil is cheering, calming and uplifting. Bergamot oil is also the go-to essential oil for treating urinary tract infections because it has antiseptic properties. Some also use it to regulate appetite or in facial creams to help with oily skin and acne.

Precautions: Do not use if you have very sensitive skin. With any new product, always test a small amount for skin sensitivity or allergic reaction. Do not use any essential oils undiluted on the skin.

Phototoxicity: Bergamot oil may cause photosensitivity, which means it makes the skin sensitive to sunlight. Exposure to sunlight or tanning beds after using products containing phototoxic ingredients can lead to irritation. It is best to avoid exposure to strong sunlight or tanning bed rays for 24 hours after using products containing this essential oil.

Vintage Body Spa products containing Bergamot Oil: Our Whipped Sugar Scrub in Lavender Bergamot is a calming blend of these two wonderful essential oils.

Remember, the FDA has not evaluated the above statements. No claims are made regarding any medicinal value of bergamot oil. The information presented here is for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.