doTERRA essential oils can be categorized into four categories flower, spice, herb, and wood and tree essential oils. In a previous article I discussed the wood and tree oils:
How to Use Essential Oils from Trees. In this article I will be sharing all the flower essential oils, tips for how to use them, and their benefits.
It’s helpful if you start to think about essential oils in categories. This makes it a bit easier to discern how to use the oil to optimize its benefits. Of course, every oil is unique in its constituents and properties, but I want to make this extremely easy for you.
When we think about the category of floral essential oils these are extremely supportive to our emotional well-being, they help us feel calm and relax the nervous system relax. They are also supportive to skin health and anti-aging.
Below you will find an image of a cheat sheet for each of the floral oils that gives you a bit of knowledge on each one. You can
download the PDF version of this cheat sheet to keep on hand in your home.
Rose
Known as the "Queen of Oils," Rose oil is highly sought after for its aroma and powerful topical and emotional benefits. The blooming floral aroma is comforting and Rose oil, used topically, helps promote healthy-looking skin.
Just a drop of Rose essential oil delivers a beautiful fragrance that soothes away stress and uplifts mood. Aids in balancing the skin’s moisture levels and helps reduce the appearance of skin imperfections.
Rose is probably my favorite essential oil that I use every single day; not for libido, but just for the smell and the way my body responds to it. Rose is said to be the oil of divine love and it has a ton of health properties for the immune system that don’t get talked about often enough. I roll Rose on my spine for immune support along with On Guard. If you come give me a hug at any given point though, I probably smell like Rose. It is also great for supporting homeostasis within the body, not just hormone support; essentially this is an oil that you can get a lot of uses out of.
Emotional Properties:
Loved, compassionate, healing, tenderhearted, accepted, empathy
How to Use
- Use on areas of concern twice daily to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections.
- Apply to neck and wrists for a romantic personal fragrance.
- Apply to the palms of your hands over your nose, and inhale deeply for an uplifting sensation.
Neroli
Neroli essential oil is derived from the flowers of the bitter orange tree. Much research has been conducted regarding the aroma of Neroli essential oil. According to research, Neroli instills relaxation, uplifts mood, reduces feelings of anxiousness, and promotes overall well-being. Applied topically Neroli can be used to soothe skin and reduce the appearance of blemishes. Its evocative aroma has citrus and floral notes. Helpful during times of stress, anxiousness, or discouragement, Neroli offers emotionally calming benefits. Apply topically to help soothe the skin. Neroli has been called the baby maker on a lot of doTERRA platforms. It increases desire and helps to calm the nerves. This is one that I like to use on my abdomen.
Emotional Properties:
Patient, empathetic, kind, tolerant, intimate, sexual desire, cooperative
How to Use
- Apply topically to help soothe the skin.
- Apply to pulse points throughout the day to uplift mood.
- Combine Neroli, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, and Marjoram essential oils for a relaxing and aromatic massage experience.
Jasmine
Promotes healthy-looking, glowing skin, and reduces the appearance of blemishes, fine lines, and wrinkles. It can also be applied to the scalp to nourish and protect the skin. Uplifts mood and promotes a positive environment. Jasmine is another one that you could use for personal fragrance. It is also a uterine tonic so you can rub it on your abdomen for some uterine toning.
Emotional Properties:
Pure intentions, sexually healthy, innocent, self-acceptance, trusting
How to Use
- Skin Imperfections: Apply one drop to your skin care routine.
- Glowing Complexion: Roll on and slightly massage evenly onto skin.
- Calming: Provides a calming grounding effect when applied topically.
- Personal Fragrance: Use as needed throughout the day.
- Aphrodisiac: Roll over lower abdomen and pulse points.
- Menstrual Tension: Roll on lower abdomen and lower back. Add Copaiba and Clary Sage if needed.
- Milk Supply: After a breast feeding roll on and lightly massage into skin to help support the milk supply.
- Anxious Feelings: Roll on pulse points when stress is high to help calm the nerves.
- Apply to bottoms of feet and pulse points in the morning to uplift mood.
Magnolia
The magnolia flower is said to be a well-traveled flower with species scattered throughout South Asia, the Pacific, and North America. Also called white champaca or white jade orchid tree, magnolia flowers have been used in Chinese traditional health practices to help create a sense of balance within the body.
Magnolia is known for its emotional benefits along with a fresh and compellingly sweet aroma. Reduces feelings of anxiousness and helps keep the skin looking clean and healthy.
I like to keep Magnolia next to my bed. I put it over my heart before I go to sleep and then on the bottoms of my feet. When I do this, I can feel my nervous system take a deep breath and just calm down. It is one of my personal favorite sleep oils, it's not necessarily one that many people recommend for sleep, and it doesn't work for everyone.
Emotional Properties:
Connected, compassionate, unified, thoughtful, insightful, perceptive, kind
How to Use
- Skin Soothing: Apply directly to the skin.
- Balance: Roll on skin to help create a sense of balance within the body.
- Calming & Relaxing: Provides a calming, relaxing effect when applied topically.
- Anxious Feelings: Roll on pulse points when stress is high to help calm the nerves.
- Personal Fragrance: Use as needed throughout the day.
- Mood: Apply to bottoms of feet and pulse points in the morning to uplift mood.
- Healthy Skin: Combine with Bergamot or Ylang Ylang to promote healthy-looking skin.
- Menstrual Tension: Rub on lower abdomen and lower back.
- Brain Health: Apply to the back of the neck and behind the ears to support cognitive functions.
- Renewal & New Beginnings: Roll on pulse points and inhale deeply.
- Use Magnolia daily as your new signature personal fragrance.
- When your skin needs comfort, roll on Magnolia to provide a soothing touch.
- Roll onto the bottoms of your feet to create feelings of calm and relaxation.
Roman Chamomile
Roman Chamomile grows close to the ground, reaching only up to a foot in height. It has gray-green leaves, flowers that resemble a daisy, and smells like apple. The plant has been nicknamed the “plant’s physician” because it has positive effects on plants growing nearby. Ancient Romans used the oil for courage during war. While the most common use of chamomile is in teas, Roman Chamomile can also be found in face creams, drinks, hair dyes, shampoos, and perfumes.
Aromatically and topically, it is soothing to the skin and emotions. It may help soothe the digestive and immune systems, as well as generally provide calming properties throughout the body.
Emotional Properties:
Purposeful, guided, peaceful, fulfilled, relaxed, spiritually connected
Benefits
- Promotes a calming environment
- Supports healthy inflammatory response
- Soothes the systems of the body
- May help support healthy immune system function
How to Use
- Apply to skin to help soothe irritations.
- Add a drop to your moisturizer.
- Add 1-2 drops to a warm cup of tea to experience the relaxing internal benefits.
- Add a few drops into your skin and hair care products to promote healthy-looking skin and hair.
- Diffuse during your bedtime routine to help ease your mind and body as you unwind and prepare for sleep.
- Pairs well with Vetiver, Lavender, Bergamot, and Balance.
Lavender
Lavender is widely considered a must-have essential oil because of its versatility. It’s been used and cherished for centuries because of its unmistakable aroma and myriad of benefits. Ancient Egyptians and Romans used lavender for bathing and cooking and as a perfume. Its calming and relaxing aroma promotes a peaceful environment conducive to sleep and it can ease feelings of tension when used internally. Popularly used to ease tension and stress. Soothe minor skin irritations and bites.
Emotional Properties:
Open communication, calm, expressive, emotionally honest, self-aware
Benefits
- Soothes occasional skin irritations
- Reduces anxious feelings or feelings of tension
- Provides relaxing qualities that can help promote a peaceful sleep
How to Use
- Apply one drop to the skin to soothe occasional skin irritation.
- Take one drop internally to soothe and calm the nervous system.
- Diffuse to reduce anxious feelings and to ease feelings of tension.
- Take internally to reduce anxious feelings and promote a peaceful sleep.
- Add to shampoo to help keep hair looking thick and healthy.
- Diffuse to create a relaxing and restful atmosphere.
- Apply over bruises, paper cuts, or bug bites to soothe.
- Inhale deeply to calm anxious or nervous feelings.
- Apply over baby’s tummy to soothe gas and discomforts.
- Add to shampoo with Rosemary to promote hair growth.
- Diffuse with Lemon and Peppermint for seasonal discomforts.
- Add 8 drops to Epsom salts for a muscle soothing bath.
- Apply around the ear or eyes to calm minor discomforts.
- Add to lotion for calming, skin soothing or personal fragrance.
- Massage in with Peppermint to reduce head or neck tension.
Ylang Ylang
Ylang Ylang essential oil is derived from the star-shaped flowers of the tropical Ylang Ylang tree and is used extensively in making perfumes and in aromatherapy. Similar to Jasmine, Ylang Ylang has been used for centuries in religious and wedding ceremonies. In aromatherapy, Ylang Ylang oil is used to lessen tension and stress and to promote a positive outlook. Famous for its sweet, luxurious, calming scent. Ylang Ylang is nourishing to the skin and hair and provides antioxidant properties when taken internally.
You might have heard the phrase, “ylang ylang is for the big bang bang” – this is because Ylang Ylang is a natural aphrodisiac. It has been used for centuries to adorn the beds of newlyweds in other countries and it is said to help put them in the mood, according to tradition and the hormone receptors. It's the season of love so be sure to check out my article:
Spice Up Your Valentine's Day with Essential Oils.
I personally like to use it to make my own facial toner. I make my own rice water by soaking rice for 30 minutes up to 3 hours. I strain the rice from the water and then add a drop of Ylang Ylang and Copaiba to the water. Then I apply it to my face, and it feels magical. Rice water and Ylang Ylang both act as natural toners and the Ylang Ylang is anti-aging. If you don't feel like making your own the, Verage Toner from doTERRA has Ylang Ylang in it. doTERRA has many incredible skin care products that contain some of the oils discussed in this article. You can do a deep dive on all our skin care lines and determine which one is best for you here:
Skin Care Review with doTERRA | HD clear, Verage, & Essential Skin Care Line Explained.
Emotional Properties:
Playful, free, intuitive, emotionally connected, healing, joyful
Benefits
- Taken internally, may provide antioxidant support
- Provides a calming, positive environment
How to Use
- Put Ylang Ylang oil into an Epsom Salt bath for relaxation.
- Refresh your skin with an aromatherapy steam facial using Ylang Ylang essential oil.
- Put on your wrists for a sweet, floral perfume.
- Add Ylang Ylang to Fractionated Coconut Oil for a deep hair conditioner.
Clary Sage
With uses dating back to the Middle Ages, Clary Sage essential oil includes relaxing and soothing properties that help with rejuvenation and calming of the skin. Clary Sage is a biennial or perennial herb that grows up to six feet in height. Clary Sage oil is known for its calming properties and benefits to the skin. The main chemical component of Clary Sage oil is linalyl acetate, part of the esters group, making it one of the most relaxing, soothing, and balancing essential oils. In the Middle Ages, the Clary Sage plant was frequently used to soothe skin. Inhaling Clary Sage essential oil adds to a relaxing environment, and internal use promotes a restful night’s sleep.
Emotional Properties:
Spiritual clarity, intuitive, open-minded, imaginative, spiritually discerning
How to Use
- Massage: Rub a few drops on the abdomen for a soothing massage.
- Bath: Combine with Roman Chamomile and add to bath water for a stress-relieving bath.
- Hair: Add Clary Sage oil to shampoo or hair conditioner to promote healthy hair and scalp.
- Skin: Combine with a carrier oil to massage, soothe, or rejuvenate skin.
- Calming: Very soothing and relaxing, when used internally.
- Stress: Diffuse with Sandalwood.
- Sleep: Apply one to two drops to your pillow to create a relaxing environment.
- Uplifting: Combine with citrus oils to your diffuser.
- Monthly Cycle: Apply to the abdomen to help relieve tension during your monthly cycle.
- Circulation: Helps increase circulation when massaged into the skin.
If you're looking specifically for oils for hormones support, I wouldn't even mess around trying to blend your own. I would just go straight for the Clary Calm; this is the monthly blend for women. I've used it every single day since 2011. Clary Calm has Clary Sage, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood, Geranium, Fennel, Carrot Seed, Palmarosa, and Vitex. I use it under my armpits and then I put a clean doTERRA deodorant on top of it.
Geranium
A member of the Pelargonium genus, geranium is grown for its beauty and is a staple of the perfume industry. While there are over 200 different varieties of Pelargonium flowers, only a few are used as essential oils. Uses of Geranium essential oil date back to ancient Egypt when Egyptians used Geranium oil to beautify skin and for other benefits. In the Victorian era, fresh geranium leaves were placed at formal dining tables as decorative pieces and to be consumed as a fresh sprig if desired; in fact, the edible leaves and flowers of the plant are often used in desserts, cakes, jellies, and teas. As an essential oil, Geranium has been used to promote the appearance of clear skin and healthy hair—making it ideal for skin and hair care products. The aroma helps create a calm, relaxing atmosphere. Promotes healthy, glowing skin and hair, while providing a sweet, floral aroma. When taken internally, it may support a healthy urinary tract, immune function, healthy blood pressure, healthy blood sugar levels. Geranium oil is also known to naturally repel insects.
Emotional Properties:
Emotional healing, empathetic, trusting, forgiving, gentle, loving
How to Use
- Add a drop to your moisturizer for a smoothing effect. Geranium essential oil is great for both dry and oily hair.
- Apply a few drops to your shampoo or conditioner bottle or make your own deep hair conditioner.
- Use in an aromatherapy steam facial to beautify skin.
- Add a drop to your moisturizer for a smoothing effect.
- Geranium is great for both dry and oily hair.
- Apply a few drops to your shampoo or conditioner bottle or make your own deep hair conditioner.
- Diffuse aromatically for a calming effect.
Blue Tansy
Blue Tansy, also referred to as Moroccan Tansy, is an annual, yellow-flowered Mediterranean plant found in northern Morocco. Chamazulene, a chemical component in Blue Tansy, provides the characteristic indigo color. More confirming clinical research is needed, bu t preclinical studies suggest camphor, a chemical component of Blue Tansy, may soothe the skin when applied topically. Preclinical studies also suggest that sabinene, another Blue Tansy chemical component, my help diminish the appearance of blemishes. It provides a sweet aroma to fill any room. It’s perfect for massaging into skin with fractionated coconut oil or lotion after a long day of work or intense exercise. It is soothing to the mind and body.
Blue Tansy is another one that I use for my skin care routine. This is a unique oil because it is blue - this is what gives the color blue to our Balance oil which is our Grounding blend. I use Blue Tansy on my skin every day because it helps with skin rejuvenation. I use the doTERRA Hydrating Cream and I put one drop of Blue Tansy in there. I use Yarrow Pom oil with Blue Tansy as my face serum. Yarow Pom is a blend of Yarrow essential oil and compressed pomegranate seed oil. It is great for all skin types and it also supports healthy hormones. You can read more about the benefits of Yarrow Pom oil here:
The Benefits of Yarrow Pom Oil.
Emotional Properties:
Inspired, initiative, committed, energized, motivated, purposeful
How to Use
- Blemishes: Add a drop of Blue Tansy to your favorite moisturizer.
- Relaxing Massage: Include one to two drops in lotion or carrier oil.
- Natural Dye: Use as a natural dye and pleasant fragrance in place of soap colorant.
- Relaxing Bath: Add a few drops to a relaxing aromatherapy bath.
- Glowing Skin: Add a drop to your night skin cream and wake up to luminous looking skin.
- Mood: Diffuse with citrus oils to uplift your mood.
- Skin Irritations: Soothe minor skin irritations by using it topically
- Clear Breathing: Massage into chest with Cardamom and a carrier oil.
Helichrysum
Helichrysum is an exceptional oil to use for all things skin. It has been referred to as the "Everlasting Flower", because of its rejuvenating benefits for the skin and ability to enhance complexion. It is even used in anti-aging products. Helichrysum essential oil can help reduce the appearance of blemishes, and it promotes a glowing, youthful complexion. Helichrysum is also calming to the mind. When applied topically, promotes a clear complexion and is soothing when used in a massage. Internal use supports the digestive, immune, nervous, and cardiovascular systems.
I keep a mini hoard of Helichrysum essential oil because I never want to run out of it. We use this in our house anytime there is skin redness, cuts, bruising, a risk of scars, and basically any other skin blemishes. For abrasions that run the risk of scarring I will mix Helichrysum with a little bit of Yarrow | Pom oil. It can also be used for enlarged veins that often pop up on the legs. Just mix a few drops of Helichrysum with fractionated coconut oil and rub on the legs after a shower to improve the appearance of enlarged veins. Helichrysum has been dubbed liquid stitches and I keep it in my hiking backpack and my first aid kit. I put it on my skin anytime there is a cut, of course if we need medical attention we go to the doctor.
Emotional Properties:
Healing, courageous, hopeful, transforming, preserving, determined
How to Use
- Wrinkles: Apply the oil to your face daily to target fine lines and wrinkles.
- Glowing Skin: Use topically to help promote healthy metabolism cell regeneration and a glow.
- Metabolism: May help promote a healthy metabolism when taken internally.
- Razor Bumps: Add to an effective Razor Relief Serum to soothe skin.
- Soothing: Massage on the back of the neck for a soothing sensation.
- Blemishes: Add to your skin care routine to improve the appearance of the skin.
- Energy: When you want an energizing massage, Helichrysum can be used to promote vitality.
- Sun Soother: Add to a carrier oil with Lavender to calm irritated skin.
- Airways: For respiratory support, rub the oil directly over the lungs with Arborvitae and Lime.
- Tension: Massage diluted, directly into the skin.
Melissa
Melissa, also known as lemon balm, has been used as part of traditional health practices in Europe for over 2000 years. Melissa has soothing properties for your nerves and everyday tension, as well as immune-boosting benefits. Taking Melissa internally can promote a healthy immune response and support cellular function. This oil contains the chemical constituents citral, germacrene, and beta-caryophyllene, all of which are supportive to the immune system. In fact, there really isn’t anything that Melissa can’t do. With the ability to positively affect mood, Melissa essential oil is often used internally to reduce tense feelings, promote relaxation, and calm feelings of nervousness.
This is a great oil to use whenever the other essential oils don’t seem to be working or you just can’t kick whatever you have – use on your spine or under your tongue to maximize benefits. The most effective way to use this oil is on skin eruptions that often occur around the lips. Apply Melissa oil directly to them a few times a day and it will help to clear the eruptions up. You may even be able to prevent the eruptions from occurring by adding a drop of Melissa to your homemade lip balm. Here is my lip balm recipe:
DIY Lip Balm Recipe - this particular recipe calls for SuperMint essential oil, but just swap the SuperMint out for Melissa oil.
Emotional Properties:
Enlightened, joyful, energized, integrity, liberated, optimistic
How to Use
- Take one to two drops internally to promote a healthy immune response.
- Take two drops internally to promote healthy cholesterol levels already in the normal range.
- There are over 71 published studies on the benefits of Melissa.
- Apply a drop under the tongue and swallow to support cellular health.
- Diffuse at night to lessen feelings of stress and create a relaxing environment.
- Add Melissa to your daily moisturizer to rejuvenate the skin.
doTERRA does an exceptional job sourcing all their essential oils. When purchasing a floral oil, you may find that they are often on the pricey side, but these are pure essential oils. doTERRA does not use any fillers or junk in their essential oils and the floral essential oils are pure flower. It takes a lot of flowers to make one bottle of essential oil. doTERRA is also committed to sustainably sourcing essential oils and pay workers a fair living wage.
The best way to learn which oils will work best for you is to get them in a diffuser or on your body. Try a couple of floral essential oils to see which ones work best in various situations for you. You may also find that you are drawn to different aromas at different times.
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