14 Essential Oils with Origins in Africa

1. Myrtle – Tunisia

Myrtle essential oil has antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent, expectorant and sedative properties among others.

It is commonly used for:

Improving oily skin and hair
Easing coughs and congestion
Relieving insomnia

It can be directly inhaled, ingested, applied topically or diffused.

It should be diluted 50:50 with a carrier oil.

2. Myrrh – Somalia

Myrrh essential oil has antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial , antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, and sedative properties among others.

Some popular uses or myrrh oil are:

Soothing bronchitis and coughs
Calming diarrhoea and dysentery
Relieving painful tooth and gum ailments and canker sores
Treating ringworm and athlete’s foot
Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and stretch marks on the skin

Myrrh essential oil can be ingested, directly inhaled, applied topically or diffused.

3. Marigold (Calendula) – Egypt

Marigold essential oil has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, and tonic properties among others.

Marigold is commonly used in:

Combating acne symptoms, itchy skin, and rashes, eczema and psoriasis
Reducing the appearance of scars and stretchmarks
Treating minor burns, bruises, cuts, insect bites (including bee stings)
Repelling insects.

Marigold essential oil can be applied neat or diluted 50:50 with a carrier oil, ingested, inhaled directly, applied topically or diffused.

4. Lemongrass – Madagascar

Lemongrass essential oil has analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal , anti-inflammatory , antimicrobial , antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiseptic ,antiviral, digestive, sedative properties among others.

It is commonly used in:

Accelerating the healing of ligament and tendon injuries
Sedation
Improving blood circulation and lymphatic flow to promote healing
Repelling insects

Lemongrass essential oil should be diluted 20:80, that is, one part essential oil to four parts carrier oil . It can be ingested, directly inhaled, applied topically or diffused.

Lemongrass oil may cause skin irritation if applied undiluted.

5. Jasmine – Egypt

Jasmine essential oil has analgesic, anti-inflammatory , aphrodisiac, expectorant , and tonic properties among others.

It is commonly used to:

Ease anxiety and boost the mood
soothe respiratory illnesses like congestion
Relieve premenstrual symptoms
Promote hormonal balance
Relieve skin conditions like acne and eczema

Jasmine oil can be inhaled directly, applied topically or diffused.

Pregnant women should not use Jasmine oil.

6. Ginger – Nigeria

Ginger essential oil has anaesthetic, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and laxative properties among others.

Commonuses of ginger oil are:

Reducing congestion and respiratory infections
Calming indigestion, nausea and diarrhoea
Relieves sore throats and prevents scurvy
Relieving motion sickness

Ginger oil should be diluted 50:50 with a carrier oil before use. It can be ingested, inhaled directly, diffused or applied topically.

Note:

Direct exposure of Ginger oil to sunlight within twenty-four hours of use may cause dermatitis .Ginger oil is also an anticoagulant so it may increase the effects of blood thinners like aspirin, heparin, warfarin, and others.Consult your physician before use if you are on medication.

7. Geranium – Egypt

Geranium essential oil has analgesic, antibacterial , antidepressant , antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory ,antiseptic , astringent, diuretic, regenerative, sedative, and vasoconstrictor properties among others.

It is commonly used to:

Relieve anxiety and stabilize emotions
heal broken capillaries, bruises and circulatory conditions
Help eliminate fluid retention
Soothe insect bites, stings, burns and minor wounds
Relieve sore throat and lymphatic congestion
It is excellent for room sprays.

Geranium essential oil should be diluted 50:50 with a carrier oil before diffusing or applying topically. It can also be directly inhaled or ingested as a dietary supplement.

Pregnant women should avoid using geranium essential oil as it can cause irritation of the skin.

8. Frankincense – North Africa

Frankincense essential oil has analgesic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, expectorant and sedative properties among others.

Common uses of Frankincense oil are:

To boost the immune system
Attack infections
Relieve coughs, sore throat, strep, pneumonia symptoms
Relieve stress

Frankincense essential oil can be directly inhaled or blended 50:50 with a carrier oil before being diffused or applied topically.

Note: It may cause skin irritation if applied undiluted.

9. Cypress – Morocco

Cypress essential oil has ntibacterial, anti-inflammatory , antiseptic , antispasmodic, astringent, expectorant and sedative properties among others.

It is commonly used in:

Easing hemorrhoid discomfort, menorrhagia, and menstrual cramps
Relieving varicose veins discomfort
Relieving muscle spasms
Toning excessively oily skin
Detoxifying the lymphatic system

Cypress essential oil should be diluted 50:50 with a carrier oil before applying topically or diffusing.

Note: Avoid Cypress essential oil if pregnant.

10. Black Pepper – Madagascar

Black pepper essential oil has analgesic , antifungal, anti-catarrhal, anti-inflammatory , antiseptic , aphrodisiac , expectorant and laxative properties among others.

It is commonly used to:

Help improve circulation
Soothe muscle soreness
Relieve joint pain like arthritis and rheumatism pain
Calm nausea and indigestion
Prevent flatulence
Boost metabolism

Black pepper essential oil should be diluted 50:50 before diffusing or applying topically. It can also be directly inhaled.

Note: It black pepper oil can cause skin irritation if applied undiluted.

11. Peppermint – Egypt

Peppermint essential oil has analgesic, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory , antiparasitic, antiviral properties among others.

It is commonly used in:

Soothing aches and pains
Soothing itchy skin, psoriasis and eczema
Easing tension and headaches
Soothing respiratory infections and asthma
Calming nausea and other digestive problems
Combating viral and fungal infections

Peppermint essential oil should be diluted 50:50 with a carrier oil before use. It can be directly inhaled, ingested, diffused or applied topically.

Note: If peppermint oil gets in your eyes or on a cut, rather than use water which will worsen the feeling, flush the area with a carrier oil.Anyone with high blood pressure should not use peppermint oil.

12. Petitgrain – North Africa

Petitgrain essential oil has antiseptic, antispasmodic and carminative properties among others.

Common uses of petitgrain oil are:

Relieving anxiety
Soothing muscle and digestive spasms
Controlling excessive perspiration
Aiding sleep.

Petitgrain essential oil should be diluted 50:50 with a carrier oil. It can be directly inhaled, diffused, applied topically and ingested.

13. Rosemary – Tunisia

Rosemary essential oil has analgesic , antiarthritic, antibacterial ,antifungal, antioxidant, antirheumatic, antiseptic , antispasmodic, aphrodisiac , astringent, and carminative properties among others.

Rosemary oil is commonly used to:

Improve circulation
Ease arthritis and rheumatism pain
Relieve muscle cramps
Control dandruff and hair loss
Reduce oily skin and acne
Reduce respiratory discomfort
Help relieve colds and congestion
Repel insects

Rosemary oil should be diluted 50:50 with a carrier oil before use.It can be ingested, directly inhaled, diffused, and applied topically.

14. Ylang Ylang – Madagascar

Ylang ylang essential oil has antidepressant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic, sedative , tonic and vasodilator properties.

It is commonly used to: