Essential Oil Classifications
Last year when I conducted a quick reader poll regarding what kind of content my VIP’s wanted to read in this Newsletter, the results were overwhelmingly “a little bit of everything!”, and so for the next few editions, I’m going to be doing a bit of a “series”.
This series has four parts and we’ll be looking at Essential Oil Classifications- in depth! 🌿 Such a juicy, fun topic!
Whilst there are generally eight widely accepted essential oil categories- (Floral, Citrus, Spices, Herbs, Roots, Leaves, Woods and Resins), because my jam is “going a layer deeper”, in this series of A Moment to Breathe fortnightly newsletter, we’re going to be looking at more than just the classifications based on chemical composition.
By introducing the concepts of Subtle Aromatherapy*, Aromachology** and Aroma Genera***, we will be adding a Ninth Essential Oil Class-Seeds, and leaving out Citrus as the more inclusive Fruits class is introduced.
Understanding plant classifications helps with getting to know your essential oils categorically. This then gives us broader knowledge of the general attributes and characteristics, improving our ability to identify oils that best serve in a particular set of circumstances. It is important to acknowledge that while oils within a classification have common characteristics, each individual oil has far more specific and unique properties.
FLORALS 🌺
Florals are flowers. Oils are distilled from the petals or aerial parts of the plants.
Known to promotes states of Calm and Harmony, this group includes- Boronia, Carnation, Chamomile German, Chamomile Roman, Clary Sage, Helichrysum, Lavender, Neroli, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Yarrow, and Ylang-Ylang.
Top Properties- Anti inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Relaxant, Antihistamine, Analgesic, Regenerative, Antiviral
Positive energy and emotions heightened by floral oils:
Better able to express oneself, reassured, mended, purposeful, light filled, loved exuberant, expressive.
Negative energy and emotions addressed by floral oils:
Fearful, worried, hurt, unheard, wounded, neglected, frustrated, depressed, isolated, burdened.
Positive Personality Traits-(Abundant Self)
Enterprising, artistic, energetic, dynamic, confident, genuine, loving, passionate, sensuous.
Balanced Floral personalities, those existing in their abundant state, are sensitive, soft hearted individuals who intuitively sense the mood of those around them and will always strive to uplift the spirits of those who need it. Florals are artistic, lovers of dance, art, music, all the finer things in life.
Florals Generally are- Flirtatious, romantic, vulnerable, sensitive, self-promoting, status conscious, friendly, dreamers.
Negative Personality Traits- (Impoverished Self)
Insensitive, shallow, competitive, envious, manipulative.
When Floral personality types are unbalanced, or existing in an impoverished state they may become manipulative and underhanded- to the point of ruthlessness if it serves their desire to be centre stage- receiving all of the admiration and acclaim they feel entitled to.
FRUITIES/ (CITRUS) 🍊
Fruities are defined as those essential oils which are extracted from the fruit of a plant or tree.
Known to promote states of Uplift and Detoxification, this group includes- Bergamot, Black Pepper†, Cardamom, Clove†, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Mandarine, Orange, Tangerine, Tonka bean and Vanilla.
Top Properties- Stimulating, Uplifting, Antiseptic, Calming, Antimicrobial, Energising, Antioxidant.
Positive energy and emotions heightened by Fruit oils:
Invigorated, joy, energised, validated, feeling worthy, enlivened, restored, productive, mindful.
Negative energy and emotions addressed by Fruit oils:
Discouraged, gloomy, distressed, depleted, drained, oppressed, mindless.
Positive Personality Traits-(Abundant Self)
Appealing, lovable, engaging, emotionally balanced, loyal, enthusiastic, inspirational, self-aware, empathetic.
Balanced Fruitie personalities, those existing in their abundant state, are hard working, friendly, committed, supportive and encouraging. This personality loves seeing projects come together, as they are naturally great organisers, with loads of positive energy, enthusiasm and innate sense of responsibility. Fruities are self-aware, emotionally balanced and are usually bright, joyful and playful, liked by most people because of their engaging positivity and friendliness.
Fruities Generally are- Compliant, respectful, organisers, realistic, emotionally secure, assertive, can be rebellious.
Negative Personality Traits- (Impoverished Self)
Contradictory, indecisive, hesitant, cautious, defensive, immature, self-sacrificing, illogical, clingy, self-abasing, masochistic.
When Fruitie personality types are unbalanced, or existing in an impoverished state, which can occur if they’re taken advantage of, they can become world weary, depressed and tend to withdraw from their life and friends. Insecure, indecisive, and self critical an impoverished Fruitie is uncharacteristically disheartened and defensive. Becoming more and more impatient, touchy and sensitive a Fruitie might employ aggression or a sharp tongue to avoid being used or hurt again.
HERBIE 🪴
Herbie’s are defined as those essential oils which are extracted from plants generally thought of as Herbs. Herbs are seed-bearing, flowering plants that do not have woody tissue in the stem. Oils are distilled from the green leafy part of these low growing plants.
Known as Cleansing and Activating, this group includes- Basil, Blue Tansy, Cilantro, Clary Sage, Dill, Geranium, Marjoram, Melissa, Oregano, Patchouli, Peppermint, Rosemary, Spearmint and Thyme.
Top Properties- Immunostimulant, Detoxifier, Antiviral, Antifungal, Carminative, Antibacterial, Anti-parasitic.
Positive energy and emotions heightened by herb oils:
Accepting, yielding, open- minded, invigorated, enhanced, unattached, trusting, progressing, enlightened, relieved.
Negative energy and emotions addressed by herb oils:
Stubborn, angry, unyielding, confused, hindered, degraded, obstinate, doubtful, stalled, limited, inundated.
Herbie’s Aspirations- To love and be loved unconditionally, to be appreciated and needed.
Positive Personality Traits-(in balanced state)
Loving, empathetic, charitable, compassionate, unselfish, big-hearted, generous, welcoming, caring, supportive, giving, encouraging.
Balanced Herbie personalities, those existing in their abundant state, are the salt of the earth. Herbies are nice, solid, dependable people who love to give service; whether that is in the form of picking up your groceries, taking out the rubbish or baking a cake. Thoughtfulness is their middle name, they plan ahead to help people, doing whatever they can or whatever they think people might need. Herbies are interested in other people and consider it a privilege to be allowed into their lives.
Herbies Generally are- Friendly, neighbourly, sympathetic, welcoming, emotional, demonstrative, self-sacrificing, enthusiastic, smothering, nosey, gushing, home bodies, down-to-earth.
Negative Personality Traits- (when unbalanced)
Resentful, anguished, manipulative, guilt-inflicting, hypochondriac.
When Herbie personality types are unbalanced, they can resent the fact that they seem to do everything for others with little reciprocation-not having the self awareness to acknowledge the innate drive within to serve. Being such home-bodies, Herbies have a strong tendency to live vicariously- this thirst for details of other’s lives can lead to Herbie’s having a very “nosy” tendency. Herbies can get too intimate, smothering even-and when a person becomes exasperated by the intrusion and cuts off all contact- Herbie tends to become jealous and possessive- using guilt as a weapon and form of manipulation.
LEAFIES 🍃
Leafies are defined as essential oils which are extracted from leaves of trees or plants.
Known to promote states that are both Invigorating and Soothing, this group includes- Bay, Birch, Cajeput, Cinnamonˠ, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Citradora, Eucalyptus Radiata, Eucalyptus Piperita, Fir, Myrtle, Niaoli, Patchouli, Pettigrain, Pine, Ravinsara, Tea Tree.
Top Properties- Antiseptic, Invigorating, Anti-inflammatory, Insecticide, Analgaesic, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial.
Positive energy and emotions heightened by Leaf oils:
Accepting, yielding, receiving, invigorated, enhanced, unattached, trusting, progression, enlightened, relieved.
Negative energy and emotions addressed by Leaf oils:
Stubborn, refusing, unyielding, confused, hindered, degraded, obstinate, doubtful, stalled, limited, inundated.
Leafies Aspirations-to connect with the environment, understand the global perspective, and gain wisdom.
Positive Personality Traits- (in balanced state)
Visionary, knowledgeable, wise, creative, perceptive, innovative, focused, insightful, observant, attentive, inspirational, contributive.
Balanced Leafie personalities, those existing in their abundant state, are wise visionaries, who know where we have come from and their minds are always on alert. They take everything in in an instant and shake it down to its core components, storing it away for future reference. Lateral thinking is standard practice for Leafies, as is thinking holistically.
Leafies Generally are- Cerebral, thoughtful, logical, solitary, idealistic, imaginative, non-conformist, complicated, revolutionary, vulnerable, melancholic.
Negative Personality Traits- (unbalanced state)
Compulsive, obsessive, paranoid, cynical, scornful, hostile, hypersensitive, confused, defeatist, suppressed.
When Leafie personality types are unbalanced, they can become cynical, and paranoid. Whilst Leafies are intellectually brilliant- they can be wrong sometimes, and if in their unbalanced state, will take great offence to anyone questioning their conclusions-this can lead to a detachment- a withdrawal, which may in extreme cases be followed by melancholy and paranoia.