Amateur Aromatherapy

Latin Names

Yes I know, nobody likes latin - particularly us amateur aromatherapists. But look, I had to do Latin at school until I could conjugate verbs in every possible tense. And did it prove useful later on in life ? Did it get me a really good job ? Did it help with my holiday Italian in Rome ? Like hell it did. So to share the suffering with others, here is a comprehensive list of essential oils with their latin names. It does help though when buying oils as the latin classification is like a 'marque' of quality - it indicates the actual plant it came from. It has to be a 'natural' oil rather than a synthetic oil and is thus a thoroughly good and wholesome thing. Some of the names below are spelt slightly differently depending on the textbook so don't tell me about it unless you are a professional botanist.

Angelica, Angelica archangelica

Anise, Pimpinella anisum

Basil, Ocimum basilicum

Bay, Laurus nobilis ( Bay Tree or Bay Laurel ) , Pimenta racemosa ( Bay Rum or West Indian Bay )

Benzoin, Styrax benzoin

Bergamot, Citrus bergamia

Birch, Betula lenta

Black pepper, Piper nigrum

Bois de Rose, Aniba rosaeodora

Camphor, Cinnamomum camphora

Cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum

Carrot, Daucus carota

Cedarwood, Juniperus virginiana ( Red Cedar ), Cedrus Atlantica ( Atlas Cedar )

Chamomile Roman, Anthemis nobilis

Chamomile German, Matricaria chamomila

Cinnamon, Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Citronella, Cymbopogon nardus

Clary sage, Salvia sclarea

Clove, Carophyllus aromaticus ( old name ), Eugenia caryophyllata ( old name ), Syzygium aromaticum ( new name )

Coriander, Coriandrum sativum

Cumin, Cuminum cyminum

Cypress, Cupressus sempervirens

Dill, Anethum graveolens

Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus globulus var. globulus ( Blue gum ), Eucalyptus citriodora ( Lemon scented ), Eucalyptus dives var. C ( Broad leaved with cineol ), Eucalyptus dives var. Type ( Broad leaved with piperitone ), Eucalyptus piperita ( Peppermint eucalyptus ), Eucalyptus radiata var. phellandra ( Narrow leaved or grey ), Eucalyptus radiata var. australiana ( Narrow leaved Australian - a sweeter variety )

Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare

Frankincense, Boswellia carterii, Boswellia thurifera

Galbanum, Ferula galbaniflua

Geranium, Pelargonium graveolens

Ginger, Zingiber officinalis

Grapefruit, Citrus paradisii

Hops, Humulus lupulus

Hyssop, Hyssopus officinalis

Immortelle, Helichrysum angustifolium

Jasmine, Jasminum grandiflorum, Jasminum officinale

Juniper, Juniperus communis

Lavender, Lavandula officinalis, Lavendula angustifolium, Lavendula vera

Lemon, Citrus limonum

Lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus

Lime, Citrus aurantifolia

Mace, Myristica fragrans

Mandarin, Citrus reticulata, Citrus nobilis, Citrus madurensis

Marigold, Calendula officinalis

Marjoram, Origanum majorana

May Chang, Litsea cubeba

Melissa, Melissa officinalis

Myrrh, Commiphora myrrha

Neroli ( Orange Blossom ), Citrus aurantium, Citrus bigaradia ( trade name )

Niaouli, Melaleuca viridiflora

Nutmeg, Myristica fragrans

Orange ( Orange Peel ), Citrus sinensis ( Sweet Orange ), Citrus aurantium ( Bitter Orange )

Oregano, Origanum vulgare

Palma rosa, Cymbopogon martini

Parsley, Petroselinum sativum

Patchouli, Pogostemon cablin, Pogostemon patchouli ( old name )

Peppermint, Mentha piperita

Petitgrain ( Orange Leaf ), Citrus aurantium

Pimento, Pimenta officinalis

Pine, Pinus sylvestris

Ravensara, Ravensara aromatica

Rose bulgar / maroc / otto, Rosa damascena

Rosemary, Rosemarinus officinalis

Rosewood, Aniba rosaeodora

Sage, Salvia officinalis

Sandalwood, Santalum album

Spearmint, Mentha spicata

Tagetes, Tagetes patula

Tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia

Thyme, Thymus vulgaris

Valerian, Valeriana officinalis

Vetiver(t), Vetiveria zizanioides

Violet, Viola odorata

Yarrow, Achillea millefolium

Ylang ylang, Cananga odorata