Essential oils, A to Z
What each oil is for, how to use it, and how much to add.
Search by name, another name (tea tree, melaleuca, Boswellia) or a use (sleep, headache, cleaning). Misspellings are fine.
- 51essential oils
- 18carrier oils
- 22with a safety note
The dilution calculator turns a percentage into drops for any amount of carrier oil.
What do you want to use oils for?
Pick a use to see the oils for it, the best-of guide, and the safety notes that go with them.
How many drops do I add?
Essential oils go on skin diluted in a carrier oil. Pick how you’ll use it and how much carrier you have.
of essential oil to 1 ounce (30 mL) of carrier for a 2% blend.
| Carrier | 1% | 2% | 3% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 10 mL roller | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 1 tablespoon | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| 1 ounce | 6 | 12 | 18 |
| 2 ounces | 12 | 24 | 36 |
| 4 ounces | 24 | 48 | 72 |
Based on about 20 drops per mL. Hot oils like clove, cinnamon and oregano stay at 1% or less.
Four ways to use essential oils
How you use an oil matters as much as which oil you pick.
A few drops in a water diffuser. Run it 30–60 minutes, then give the room a break.
Always mixed into a carrier oil first: 1% for the face, 2% for the body. Patch-test a new oil.
Oil and water don’t mix. Blend the drops into a spoonful of carrier oil or unscented soap before they go in.
Two or three drops on a tissue or an inhaler stick, or a drop in a bowl of steaming water for adults.
Use them safely
Oils are concentrated plant medicine. These six rules cover most of what goes wrong, and every oil they apply to carries a safety note in the A to Z.
Cold-pressed citrus oils can burn skin in sunlight. Keep treated skin out of the sun for 12 hours, or use them in a diffuser.
Strong on skin. Dilute to 1% or less, patch-test first, and keep them away from eyes and mucous membranes.
Menthol- and cineole-rich oils can affect a small child’s breathing. Keep them off and away from young faces.
Toxic by mouth even in small amounts. Store every oil out of children’s reach; call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if one is swallowed.
Widely listed to avoid while pregnant. Check any oil with your OB or midwife during pregnancy and nursing.
Cats and birds are especially sensitive. Diffuse in a room they can leave, and never put oils on a pet without a vet’s OK.
Best essential oils for…
Dr. Axe’s roundups for the uses readers ask about most.
Every essential oil, A to Z
Pick a letter, filter by goal or type, or search the list. Other names are listed too.
103 entries
- Lavender oilAlso called Lavandula angustifolia · True lavender oil
- Roman chamomile oilAlso called Chamaemelum nobile · Anthemis nobilis
- Cedarwood oilAlso called Cedrus atlantica · Juniperus virginiana
- Vetiver oilAlso called Khus oil · Chrysopogon zizanioides · Vetiveria zizanioides
- Sandalwood oilAlso called Santalum album
- Ylang ylang oilAlso called Ilang-ilang oil · Cananga odorata
- Peppermint oilSafety noteAlso called Mentha piperitaKeep off and away from the face of babies and young children.
- Rosemary oilSafety noteAlso called Rosmarinus officinalis · Salvia rosmarinusKeep off and away from the face of babies and young children.
- Frankincense oilAlso called Olibanum · Boswellia sacra · Boswellia carterii
- Orange oilAlso called Sweet orange oil · Citrus sinensis
- Lemon oilSafety noteAlso called Citrus limonSun-sensitive: keep treated skin out of the sun for 12 hours.
- Bergamot oilSafety noteAlso called Citrus bergamiaSun-sensitive: keep treated skin out of the sun for 12 hours.
- Tea tree oilSafety noteAlso called Melaleuca oil · Melaleuca alternifoliaNever swallow: toxic by mouth even in small amounts.
- Helichrysum oilAlso called Immortelle oil · Everlasting oil · Helichrysum italicum
- Geranium oilAlso called Rose geranium oil · Pelargonium graveolens
- Carrot seed oilAlso called Daucus carota
- Jojoba oilAlso called Simmondsia chinensis
- Rose oilAlso called Damask rose oil · Rosa damascena
- Argan oilAlso called Argania spinosa
- Ginger oilAlso called Zingiber officinale
- Oregano oilSafety noteAlso called Oil of oregano · Origanum vulgareHot oil: dilute to 1% or less and patch-test first.
- Eucalyptus oilSafety noteAlso called Eucalyptus globulusKeep off and away from the face of babies and young children. Never swallow: toxic by mouth even in small amounts.
- Clove oilSafety noteAlso called Syzygium aromaticumHot oil: dilute to 1% or less and patch-test first.
- Homemade vapor rubSafety noteAlso called Homemade chest rubKeep off and away from the face of babies and young children.
- Fir needle oilAlso called Fir oil
- Copaiba oilAlso called Copaiba balsam oil · Copaiva oil · Copaifera officinalis
- Marjoram oilAlso called Sweet marjoram oil · Origanum majorana
- Evening primrose oilAlso called EPO · Oenothera biennis
- Homemade bug sprayAlso called Natural insect repellent
- Citronella oilAlso called Cymbopogon nardus · Cymbopogon winterianus
A
4 entries- Almond oilAlso called Sweet almond oil · Prunus dulcis
- Argan oilAlso called Argania spinosa
B
11 entries- Basil oilAlso called Sweet basil oil · Ocimum basilicum
- Bergamot oilSafety noteAlso called Citrus bergamiaSun-sensitive: keep treated skin out of the sun for 12 hours.
- Black pepper oilAlso called Piper nigrum
- Black seed oilAlso called Black cumin seed oil · Nigella sativa oil · Kalonji oil
- Blue tansy oilAlso called Moroccan blue chamomile · Tanacetum annuum
- Borage oilAlso called Starflower oil · Borago officinalis
C
12 entries- Camphor oilSafety noteAlso called Cinnamomum camphoraKeep off and away from the face of babies and young children. Never swallow: toxic by mouth even in small amounts. Avoid during pregnancy.
- Carrot seed oilAlso called Daucus carota
- Cassia oilSafety noteAlso called Chinese cinnamon oil · Cinnamomum cassiaHot oil: very strong on skin; use a tiny amount, well under 1%, or diffuse it instead.
- Cedarwood oilAlso called Cedrus atlantica · Juniperus virginiana
- Cinnamon oilSafety noteAlso called Cinnamomum verum · Cinnamomum zeylanicumHot oil: very strong on skin; use a tiny amount, well under 1%, or diffuse it instead.
- Citronella oilAlso called Cymbopogon nardus · Cymbopogon winterianus
- Clove oilSafety noteAlso called Syzygium aromaticumHot oil: dilute to 1% or less and patch-test first.
- Copaiba oilAlso called Copaiba balsam oil · Copaiva oil · Copaifera officinalis
- Cypress oilAlso called Cupressus sempervirens
D
4 entriesE
23 entries- Eucalyptus oilSafety noteAlso called Eucalyptus globulusKeep off and away from the face of babies and young children. Never swallow: toxic by mouth even in small amounts.
- Evening primrose oilAlso called EPO · Oenothera biennis
- EPO → see Evening primrose oil
F
5 entries- Fenugreek oilAlso called Trigonella foenum-graecum · Methi oil
- Fir needle oilAlso called Fir oil
- Frankincense oilAlso called Olibanum · Boswellia sacra · Boswellia carterii
G
5 entries- Gardenia oilAlso called Gardenia jasminoides · Cape jasmine
- Geranium oilAlso called Rose geranium oil · Pelargonium graveolens
- Ginger oilAlso called Zingiber officinale
- Grapefruit oilSafety noteAlso called Citrus paradisiSun-sensitive: keep treated skin out of the sun for 12 hours.
- GLA → see Borage oilEvening primrose oil
H
6 entries- Helichrysum oilAlso called Immortelle oil · Everlasting oil · Helichrysum italicum
- Hemp seed oilAlso called Hemp oil
- Homemade bug sprayAlso called Natural insect repellent
- Homemade vapor rubSafety noteAlso called Homemade chest rubKeep off and away from the face of babies and young children.
- Hyssop oilSafety noteAlso called Hyssopus officinalisAvoid during pregnancy. Avoid with epilepsy or a history of seizures.
J
3 entries- Jasmine oilAlso called Jasminum grandiflorum · Jasminum sambac
- Jojoba oilAlso called Simmondsia chinensis
- Juniper berry oilAlso called Juniperus communis
L
3 entries- Lavender oilAlso called Lavandula angustifolia · True lavender oil
- Lemon oilSafety noteAlso called Citrus limonSun-sensitive: keep treated skin out of the sun for 12 hours.
- Lemongrass oilSafety noteAlso called Cymbopogon citratus · Cymbopogon flexuosusHot oil: dilute to 1% or less and patch-test first.
M
5 entries- Mandarin oilAlso called Citrus reticulata
- Marjoram oilAlso called Sweet marjoram oil · Origanum majorana
- Marula oilAlso called Sclerocarya birrea
- Melissa oilAlso called Lemon balm oil · Melissa officinalis
N
2 entries- Neem oilSafety noteAlso called Margosa oil · Azadirachta indicaNever swallow: toxic by mouth even in small amounts.
- Neroli oilAlso called Orange blossom oil · Citrus aurantium
O
3 entries- Orange oilAlso called Sweet orange oil · Citrus sinensis
- Oregano oilSafety noteAlso called Oil of oregano · Origanum vulgareHot oil: dilute to 1% or less and patch-test first.
P
3 entries- Patchouli oilAlso called Pogostemon cablin
- Peppermint oilSafety noteAlso called Mentha piperitaKeep off and away from the face of babies and young children.
- Pine oilAlso called Pinus sylvestris
R
3 entries- Roman chamomile oilAlso called Chamaemelum nobile · Anthemis nobilis
- Rose oilAlso called Damask rose oil · Rosa damascena
- Rosemary oilSafety noteAlso called Rosmarinus officinalis · Salvia rosmarinusKeep off and away from the face of babies and young children.
S
3 entries- Sandalwood oilAlso called Santalum album
- Sea buckthorn oilAlso called Hippophae rhamnoides
- Spikenard oilAlso called Nard oil · Jatamansi oil · Nardostachys jatamansi
T
3 entries- Tea tree oilSafety noteAlso called Melaleuca oil · Melaleuca alternifoliaNever swallow: toxic by mouth even in small amounts.
- Turmeric oilAlso called Curcuma longa
V
2 entries- Vanilla oilAlso called Vanilla planifolia
- Vetiver oilAlso called Khus oil · Chrysopogon zizanioides · Vetiveria zizanioides
W
2 entries- Wintergreen oilSafety noteAlso called Gaultheria procumbens · Teaberry oilKeep off and away from the face of babies and young children. Never swallow: toxic by mouth even in small amounts. Avoid during pregnancy. Avoid with blood thinners or an aspirin allergy.
Y
1 entries- Ylang ylang oilAlso called Ilang-ilang oil · Cananga odorata
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About essential oils
How to choose, dilute and use them well. Medically reviewed articles carry a review badge and date. How we review.
Dr. Uma Naidoo
Dr. Daniel Amen
Dr. Alejandro Junger
Dr. Leigh Erin Connealy
Dr. Taz BhatiaHow do I find the right essential oil?
Type the oil or what you want it for into the search at the top of this page. Search matches names, other names (melaleuca for tea tree), uses like sleep or headaches, and small misspellings. You can also pick a use or open the A to Z list.
How much should I dilute an essential oil?
For most adults, 1% for the face and 2% for the body, up to 3% for short-term spot use. At about 20 drops per mL, a 2% blend is 12 drops in 1 ounce (30 mL) of carrier oil and 2 drops in a teaspoon. The dilution calculator does the math for any amount.
What is a carrier oil?
A plant oil, such as jojoba, fractionated coconut, sweet almond or argan, that dilutes an essential oil so it’s gentle on skin and spreads evenly.
Are essential oils safe for kids and pets?
Some are, with care. Keep menthol- and cineole-rich oils like peppermint and eucalyptus off and away from the faces of babies and young children. Cats and birds are especially sensitive, so diffuse in a room they can leave and never apply oils to a pet without a vet’s OK.
Can I take essential oils internally?
Only with guidance from a practitioner trained in it. Several oils, including wintergreen, eucalyptus, camphor and tea tree, are toxic by mouth even in small amounts. If someone swallows an oil, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Which oils make skin sensitive to the sun?
Cold-pressed bergamot, lemon, lime and grapefruit oils can cause burns or dark spots when treated skin meets sunlight. Keep that skin out of the sun for 12 hours, or use those oils in a diffuser.