In the world of aromatherapy, you will often come across the recommended maximum dilution for essential oils, but what does this mean exactly? In essence, it is the maximum amount of a particular essential oil that can be applied diluted to the skin without causing sensitization; the exposure to an allergen that results in the development of hypersensitivity.

This is why diluting essential oils properly is so important; it allows you to use essential oils safely in order to prevent irritation, redness, skin sensitization, blood thinning, and a number of other avoidable circumstances. Since we’re all about using essential oils properly, I thought that this was a much-needed post!

So how do you know if you have potential skin sensitization?

Here are a few common signs:

• A raised or bumpy rash
• Eczema
• Itchy skin
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in the chest

These symptoms can occur if you use more than the recommended maximum dilution for that essential oil. It can also occur when you pair essential oils with similar chemical properties, so keep that in mind when creating formulas. This is especially important for sensitive consitutions.

However, in many cases, it is usually alright to use a dilution of 1-2% of essential oil for frequent use and 4-5% for short-term/acute situations. Having said this though, it is always recommended to use the smallest effective amount of an essential oil, especially when using oils on children, pregnant and nursing mamas, and the elderly. Essential oils are potent and powerful and we should never take that for granted.

Below, I have listed almost 400 maximum dilutions of essential oils that I found in the book: “Essential Oil Safety” by Tisserand and Young. I find this book to be a highly reputable source for this information. It’s full of case studies you can reference so if you don’t have a copy, try to pick one up when it’s on sale on Amazon.

If you have trouble finding an essential oil in the list below, i.e. German Chamomile, try searching for “Chamomile” instead. I find the search function really handy! Many essential oils have several different names and just as many botanical names, so you may need to get creative when searching for a particular oil.

You’ll also notice that a lot of the oils currently have a “none known” listed next to them. However, this does not mean that you can go all willy-nilly when using it. I suggest doing some thorough research using reputable sources in order figure out a safe dilution for use.

I hope to expand and build upon this list, so if you notice any essential oils that are missing, please let me know in the comments so I can try to get it added!

So without further ado, here’s a list of almost 400 maximum dilutions for essential oils.

The Maximum Dilution for 400 Essential Oils

African Bluegrass Cymbopogon validus – 6.7%
Agarwood Aquilaria malaccensis – None known
Ahibero Cymbopogon giganteus – None known
Almond (bitter “free from prussic acid”) Prunus dulcis – None known
Almond (bitter “unrectified”) Prunus dulcis – None known
Ambrette (hibiscus) Abelmoschus moschatus – None known
Amyris (West Indian sandalwood) Amyris balsamifera L. – None known
Angelica Root Angelica archangelica L. – 0.8% to avoid phototoxicity
Angelica Root (Himalayan) Angelica glauca Edgew. – None known
Angelica Seed Angelica archangelica L. – 1%
Aniseed Pimpinella anisum L. – 2.4%
Anise (Star) Illicium verum – 1.75%
Araucaria Neocallitropsis pancheri – None known
Arina Psaidia altissima – None known
Artemisia Artimisia vestita – 10%
Asafoetida Ferulaasa-foetida L. – None known, possible skin sensitizer
Atractylis Cang-zhu atractylodes – None known
Bakul absolute Mimusops elengi L. – 2.9%
Balsamite Chysanthemum balsamita L. – 2.3%
Balsam Poplar (black poplar) Populus balsamifera L. – None known
Basil (estragole chemotype) Ocimum basilicum – 0.1%
Basil (hairy) Ocimum americanum L. – 30%
Basil (holy) Ocimum tenuflorum L./sanctum – 1.0%
Basil (lemon) Ocimum x citriodorum – 1.4%
Basil (linalool chemotype) Ocimum basilicum L. – 1.5% for the absolute and 3.3% for the essential oil
Basil (Madagascan chemotype) Ocimum gratissimum/Ocimum viride – 0.2%
Basil (Cinnamon Basil – methyl cinnamate chemotype) Ocimum basilicum L. – 15%
Basil (pungeant) Ocimum gratissimum L. – 0.8%
Bay (West Indian) Pimenta racemose – 0.9%
Bee Balm Monarda didyma L. – None known
Benzoin resinoid Styrax benzoin – 2%
Bergamot (expressed) Citrus bergamia – 0.4%
Bergamot (FCF) Citrus bergamia – 16.6%
Bergamot (wild) Monarda menthaefolia/fistulosa L. – 5.7%
Betel Piper betle L. – 0.1%
Birch (sweet) Betula lenta – 2.5%
Birch tar Betula lenta – None known
Blackcurrant Bud essential oil and absolute Ribes nigrum L. – None known
Black Seed (Black Cumin) Nigella sativa L. – None known
Boldo Peumus boldus/Boldoa fragrans – 0.37%
Boronia absolute Boronia megastigma – None known
Broom absolute (Spanish Broom) Sparitium junceum L. – 12%
Buchu (diosphenol chemotype) Agathosma betulina/ Barosma betulina – 11%
Buchu (pulegone chemotype) Agathosma crenulata/Barosma crenulate L. – 1.4%
Buddah Wood (Desert Rosewood) Eremophila mitchelli – 5%
Cabreuva Myrocarpus fastigiatus – 6%
Cade (Juniper Tar – rectified) Juniperus oxycedrus L. – 2%
Cade (Juniper Tar – unrectified) Juniperus oxycedrus L. – Should not be used internally or externally in any amount
Cajeput Melaleuca cajuputi/Melaleuca leucadendron – 4%
Calamint (lesser) (aka Cuckoo Flower) Calamintha nepeta/Calamintha officinalis – 1.2%
Calamus (diploid form) Acorus calamus – None known
Calamus (tetraploid or hexaploid form) Acorus calamus L. – 0.2%
Calamus (triploid form) Acorus calamus L. – 1.1%
Camphor (Borneo) Dryobalanops aromatica/camphora – None known
Camphor (brown) Cinnamomum camphora/Laurus camphora L. – Not recommended for use internally of externally
Camphor (white) (aka Hon-Sho or true camphor) Cinnamomum camphora/Laurus camphora – 20%
Camphor (yellow) Cinnamomum camphora, Laurus camphora – 0.25%
Cananga Cananga odorata/Canangium odoratum – 28%
Cangerana Cabralea cangerana/canjerana – 10%
Cape May Coleeonema album – None known
Caraway Carum carvi L. – 1.2%
Cardamom Elettaria cardamomum L. – 5%
Cardamom (Black) Amomum subulatum – None known
Carnation absolute (Clove pink) Dianthus caryophyllus L. – 13.9%
Carrot Seed Daucus carota L. – 4%
Cascarilla (Sweet-wood) Croton eluteria/reflexifolius – 10% for Bahamian (eluteria), El Salvadorian unknown
Cassia (bark and leaf) Cinnamomum cassia/Cinnamomum aromaticum – 0.05%
Cassie absolute Acacia farnesiana L. – 4%
Catnip Nepeta cataria L. – 3%
Cedarwood (Atlas) Cedrus atlantica – 8%
Cedarwood (Chinese) Chamaecyparis funebris/Cupressus funebris – None known
Cedarwood (Himalayan) Cedrus deodara – 2%
Cedarwood (Port Orford – aka Rose of Cedar, Oregon Cedar) Chamaecyparis lawsoniana – 3%
Cedarwood (Texas) Juniperus ashei/Mexicana – 8%
Cedarwood (Virginian) Juniperus virginiana L. – 8%
Cedrela (Spanish Cedar, West Indian Cedar) Cedrela odorata L. – None known
Celery Leaf Apium graveolens L. – None known
Celery Seed Apium graveolens L. – 4%
Chamomile (blue – aka German chamomile) Matricaria recutita L. – 4%
Chamomile (Cape) Eriocephalus punctulatus – None known
Chamomile (Moroccan) Ormenis mixta/multicaulis – None known
Chamomile (Roman) Chamaemelum nobile/Anthemis nobilis L. – 4%
Champaca (orange – aka Golden Champa) Michelia champaca L. – 17.5%
Champaca (white) Michelia alba – 0.9%
Chaste Tree Vitex agnus castus L. – 1%
Chervil Anthriscus cerefolium L. – 0.15%
Cinnamon Bark Cinnamomum verum/Cinnamomum zeylanicum – 0.07%
Cinnamon Leaf Cinnamomum verum/ Cinnamomum zeylanicum – 0.6%
Cistus (aka Rock Rose, Labdanum) Cistus ladanifer L. – 1%
Citronella Cymbopogon nardus/Andropogon nardus L./Cymbopogon winterianus – 5.3%
Clary Sage Salvia sclarea L. – 0.25% for absolute and 8% for the essential oil
Clemintine Citrus clementina/reticulata – None known
Clove Bud Syzygium aromaticum/Eugenia caryophyllata – 0.5%
Clove Leaf Syzygium aromaticum/Eugenia caryophyllata – 0.6%
Clove Stem Syzygium aromaticum/Eugenia caryophyllata – 0.6%
Coleus (aka Forskohlii) Plectranthus barbatus/Coleus barbadus/Plectranthus forskohlii – None known
Combava fruit (aka kaffir lime) Citrus hystrix – None known
Combava leaf (aka kaffir lime leaf) Citrus hystrix – None known
Copaiba Copaiba langsdorfii/officinalis L. – 8%
Coriander Leaf (aka cilantro) Coriandrum sativum L. – 0.4%
Cornmint (dementholized) Mentha arvensis L. – 5%
Costus Saussurea costus – 0.05%
Cubeb (Java Pepper) Piper cubeba L. – 7.5%
Cumin Cuminum cyminum – 0.4%
Curry Leaf Murraya koenigii L. – None known
Cypress Cupressus sempervirens L. – 5%
Cypress (blue) Callitris intratropica – 50%
Cypress (emerald) Callitris columellaris – None known
Cypress (jade) Callitris glaucophylla – None known
Damiana Turnera diffusa/aphrodisiaca L. – 30%
Davana Artemisia pallens – 4%
Deertongue absolute Trilisa odoratissima/Carphephorus odoratissimus – 5%
Dill Seed (European) Anethum graveolens L. – 1.2%
Dill Seed (Indian) Anethum sowa – 1.4%
Dill Weed (aka dill herb) Anethum graveolens L. – 1.2%
Echinacea Echinacea purpurea L. – None known
Elecampane (Alanroot) Inula helenium L. – Should not be used
Elemi Canarium luzonicum/vulgare – 6.7%
Eucalyptus (cineole-rich) including camaldulensis, globulus, maidenii, plenissima, polybractea, radiata, and smithii – 20%
Eucalyptus marcarthurii – None known
Eucalyptus (peppermint) Eucalyptus dives – None known
Eucalyptus (cryptone chemotype) Eucalyptus polybractea – None known
Fennel (bitter) Foeniculum vulgare – 1.8%
Fennel (sweet) Foeniculum vulgare – 2.5%
Fenugreek Trigonella foenum-graecum L. – 2% for absolute and essential oil
Fern (sweet) Comptonia peregrine L. – None known
Ferula Ferula jaeschkeana – None known
Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium L. – 10%
Fig Leaf absolute Ficus carica L. – Should not be used internally or externally
Finger Root (Thai Ginger) Boesenbergia pandurata/Kaempferia pandurata – None known
Fir (Douglas) Pseudotsuga menziesii – 8%
Fir Cones (silver – aka white fir/silver spruce) Abies alba – 2%
Fir Needle (Canadian aka Balsam fir) Abies basalmea – 10%
Fir Needle (Himalayan) Abies spectabilis/webbiana – None known
Fir Needle (Japanese) Abies sachalinensis – 20%
Fir Needle (Siberian) Abies sibirica – 1%
Fir Needle (silver aka White fir/silver spruce) Abies alba – 2%
Fleabane Conyza Canadensis/Erigeron canadensis L. – None known
Fragonia Agonis fragrans – 3%
Frankincense including Boswellia frereana, papyrifera,sacra, carteri, serrata, neglecta, and rivae – 2%
Galangal (Siamese ginger) Alpinia galangal L. – None known
Galangal (lesser) Alpinia officinarum – None known
Galbanum Ferula galbaniflua/gummosa – 4%
Garlic Allium sativum L. – 0.1%
Genipi Artemesia genipi – 0.3%
Geranium Pelargonium x asperum including Chinese, Egyptian, Moroccan, and Reunion – 17.5%
Ghandi Root (Sugandhmantri) Homalomena aromatica – None known
Ginger including Chinese and Indian Zingiber offinale – 4%
Gingergrass Cymbopogon martini/Andropogon martini – None known
Ginger Lily absolute Hedychium coronarium – 1%
Goldenrod Solidago Canadensis L. – 2%
Grapefruit Citrus x paradise – 4.0%
Grindelia Grindelia oregana – None known
Guaiacwood Bulnesia sarmientoi – 8%
Gurjun Dipterocarpus tuberculatus/turbinatus/jourdainii/alatus – 8%
Hay absolute Anthoxylum odoratum/Cynosurus cristatus/Lolium italicum L. – 4%
Hemp (Cannabis) Cannabis sativa L. – None known
Hibawood Thujopsis dolobrata L. – 12%
Hinoki Leaf Chamaecyparis obtusa/Cupressus obtusa – None known
Hinoki Root Chamaecyparis obtusa/Cupressus obtusa – None known
Hinoki Wood Chamaecyparis obtusa/Cupressus obtuse – None known
Ho Leaf (camphor chemotype) Cinnamomum camphora L. – 0.8%
Ho Leaf (cineole chemotype) Cinnamomum camphora L. – 11%
Ho Leaf (linalool chemotype) Cinnamomum camphora L. – 10%
Honeysuckle absolute Lonicera periclymenum L. – 3%
Hop Humulus lupulus L. – None known
Horseradish Armoracia rusticana/ Cochlearia armoracia L. – Should not use
Hyacinth absolute Hyacinthus orientalis L. – 1.3%
Hyssop (linalool chemotype) Hyssopus officinalis L. – None known
Hyssop (pinocamphone chemotype) Hyssopus officinalis L. – 0.3%
Immortelle (aka everlasting, helichrysum, curry plant) Helichrysum italicum/angustifolium – 0.5% for the absolute and 4% for the essential oil
Inula Dittrichia graveolens L. – None known
Jaborandi Pilocarpus jaborandi/microphyllus – None known but suspected to be toxic
Jamrosa Cymbopogon nardus L. – 6.2%
Jasmine absolute Jasminum grandiflorum/Jasminum officinale – 0.7%
Jasmine sambac absolute Jasminum sambac L. – 4%
Jonquil Narcissus jonquilla L. – 2%
Juniper Berry Juniperus communis L. – 8%
Juniper (Phoenician savin) Juniperus phoenicea L. – 1%
Kanuka Kunzea ericoides/peduncularis – None known
Karo (karounde absolute) Leptactina senegambica – 0.2%
Katrafay Cedrelopsis grevei – None known
Kesom Polygonum minus – None known
Kewda (aka Keora, padang, pandanus) Pandanus fascicularis/odoratissimus – 8%
Khella Ammi visnaga L. – 1%
Labdanum Cistus ladanifer L. – 8%
Labrador Tea (aka Greenland moss) Ledum greonlandicum – None known
Lantana Lantana camara L. – None known
Lanyana (aka African wormwood) Artemisia afra – 0.8%
Larch Needle Larix laricina – None known
Laurel Berry Laurus nobilis/azorica/novocanariensis – None known
Laurel Leaf Laurus nobilis – 0.5%
Lavandin Lavandula x intermedia – 0.03% for the absolute and 5% for the essential oil
Lavender (including Australian, Bulgarian, French, Moldovan, and Ukranian) Lavandula angustifolia/Lavandula officinalis – 0.1% for the absolute and 10% for the essential oil
Lavender Cotton Santolina chamaecyparissus L. – None known
Lavender (Spanish) Lavandula stoechas – 8.0%
Lavender (Spike) Lavandula latifolia/spica – 19%
Leek Allium porrum L. – None known
Lemon (distilled) Citrus x limon L. – 20%
Lemon (expressed) Citrus x limon, Citrus limonum – 2.0%
Lemon Balm (Australian) Eucalyptus staigeriana – 3.4%
Lemon Leaf (aka lemon petitgrain) Citrus x limon L. – 1.2%
Lemongrass Cymbopogon flecuosus/Adropogon flexuosus/Cymbopogon citratus/Andropogon citratus – 0.7%
Lemon-scented Gum (aka eucalyptus citriadora/lemon eucalyptus) Corymbia citriodora/Eucalyptus citriodora – 10%
Lime (distilled) Citrus x aurantifolia/Citrus x latifolia – 15%
Lime (expressed) Citrus x aurantifolia/Citrus x latifolia – 0.7%
Linaloe Wood Bursera glabrifolia/delpechiana/aloexylon/fagaroides/simaruba L. – 8%
Longoza (Longozo) Hedychium coronarium – None known
Lovage Leaf Levisticum officinale – None known
Lovage Root Levisticum officinale – 2%
Lovage Seed Levisticum officinale – None known
Mace Myristica fragrans/officinalis L. – 2% for East Indian and 4.1% for Indian
Magnolia Flower (White champaca or white jade orchid) Michelia alba – None known
Magnolia Leaf (White champaca or white jade orchid) Michelia alba – No limit according to Tisserand and Young
Mandarin Citrus reticulata – 8%
Mandarin Leaf (mandarin petitgrain) Citrus reticulata – 0.17%
Mango Ginger Curcuma amada – None known
Manuka Leptospermum scoparium – 4%
Maraba (false ginger) Kaempferia galangal L. – None known
Marigold (Mexican – aka Spanish terragon) Tagetes lucida – 0.1%
Marjoram (Spanish) Thymus mastichina L. – 6%
Marjoram (Sweet) Origanum majorana L. – 6%
Marjoram (wild – carvacrol chemotype) Origanum marjorana L. – 1.2%
Marjoram (wild – linalool chemotype) Origanum marjorana L. – 4.3%
Massoia Cryptocarya massoy – 0.01%
Mastic Pistacia lentiscus L. – 20%
May Chang Litsea cubeba/Litsea citrate – 0.8%
Melissa Melissa officinalis – 0.9%
Mimosa absolute Acacia dealbata/decurrens/Racosperma dealbatum – 1%
Mint (Bergamot) Mentha aquatic/citrate – 8%
Mint (wild forest – aka wild horsemint) Mentha longifolia L. – None known
Mugwort (common, camphor/thujone chemotype) Artemisia vulgaris L. – 2%
Mugwort (common, chrysanthenyl acetate chemotype) Artemisia vulgaris L. – 9.6%
Mugwort (Douglas aka Douglas sagewort, California mugwort) Artemisia douglasiana – None known
Mugwort (great) Artemisia arborescens L. – 0.7%
Muhuhu Brachylaena huillensis/hutchinsii – None known
Mullilam (Salai) Zanthoxylum rhetsa – None known
Mustard Brassica nigra/juncea L. – Should not be used
Myrrh (Somalian myrrh) Commiphora myrrha – 1%
Myrtle Myrtus communis – 1.9%
Myrtle (aniseed) Backhousia anisata – 2.7%
Myrtle (bog) Myrica gale L. – None known
Myrtle (honey) Melaleuca teretifolia – 0.9%
Myrtle (lemon) Backhousia citriodora – 0.7%
Nagarmotha (Cypriol, cyperus) Cyperus mitis – None known
Narcissus absolute Narcissus poeticus L. – 0.8%
Nasturtium (Indian cress) Torpaeolum majus L. – 0.5%
Neroli (orange blossom) Citrus x aurantium L. – 4%
Niaouli (cineole chemotype) Melaleuca quinquenervia – 5%
Niaouli (linalool chemotype) Melaleuca quinquenervia – None known
Niaouli (nerolidol chemotype) Melaleuca quinquenervia – None known
Niaouli (viridiflorol chemotype) Melaleuca quinquenervia – None known
Nut Grass (Coco grass, motha) Cyperus rotundus L. – None known
Nutmeg Myristica fragrans/officinalis L. – East Indian 0.8% West Indian 5%
Oakmoss absolute Evernia prunastri L. – 0.1%
Ocotea Ocotea quixos – 2%
Onion Allium cepa L. – None known
Opopanax (sweet myrrh) Commiphora guidottii – 0.6%
Orange (bitter) Citrus x aurantium – 1.25%
Orange (sweet) Citrus sinensis L. – 5%
Orange Flower (neroli) Citrus x aurantium L. – 1%
Orange Flower Water absolute Citrus x aurantium L. – None known
Orange Flower & Leaf Water absolute Citrus x aurantium L. – 4%
Orange Leaf (petitgrain) Citrus x aurantium L. – 5%
Oregano Origanum onites/Origanum vulgare/Thymbra capitate – 1.1%
Oregano (Mexican) Lippia graveolens/berlanderi/amentacea/tomentosa – 1.2%
Orris absolute (Iris) Iris pallida – 3%
Osmanthus absolute (sweet olive) Osmanthus fragrans – None known
Palmarosa (Motia, rosha grass) Cymbopogon martinii/Adropogon martinii – 6.5%
Palo Santo Bursera graveolens – 3.4%
Parsley Leaf Petroselinum crispum – 14.6%
Parsley Seed Petroselium crispum – 1.1%
Parsnip Pastinaca sativa L. – None known
Patchouli Pgostemom cablin/patchouly – 10%
Pennyroyal (N. American, European and Turkish) Hedeoma pulegiodes/Mentha pulegium/Micromeria fruticosa – 1.3%
Pepper (black) Piper nigrum L. – 5%
Pepper (pink) Schinus molle L. – 4%
Pepper (Sichuan) Zanthoxylum piperitum – None known
Pepper (white) Piper nigrum L. – None known
Peppermint Mentha x piperita – 5.4%
Perilla (shiso, beefsteak plant) Perilla frutescens L. – 2%
Peru Balsam Myroxylon balsamum/puiferum/pereirae – 0.4%
Peta Helichrysum splendidum – None known
Phoebe Phoebe porosa/Oreodaphne porosa – 7%
Pimento Berry (Allspice, Jamaican pepper) Pimenta dioica – 0.15%
Pimento Leaf Pimenta dioica L. – 0.6%
Pine (black) Pinus nigra – 12%
Pine (dwarf – mountain pine, mugo pine) Pinus mugo/pumilio – 2%
Pine (grey – Jack pine) Pinus divaricata/banksiana – None known
Pine (huon) Dacrydium franklinii/Lagarostrobos franklinii – Should not be used
Pine (Ponderosa) Pinus ponderosa – 0.5%
Pine (red – aka Norway pine) Pinus resinosa Ait. – None known
Pine (Scots – aka Scotch pine) Pinus sylvestris L. – 2%
Pine (white) Pinus strobus L. – None known
Piri-piri (aka Jointed flat sedge, priprioca, amd ardrue) Cyperus articulatus L. – None known
Plai Zingerber montanum/Amomum montanum – None known
Plectranthus Plectranthus fruticosus – Should not be used externally or internally
Pteronia (aka Blue dog, blue bush) Pteronia incana – 0.3%
Rambiazana (aka Rambiazana vavy) Helichrysum gymnocephalum – None known
Ravensara Bark Ravensara aromatica/Ravensara anisata – 0.1%
Ravensara Leaf Ravensara aromatica/Ravensara anisata – 1.0%
Rhododendron (aka Anthopogon, sunpati) Rhododendron anthopogon – None known
Rosalina (aka Lavender tea tree, Swamp paperbark tree) Melaleuca ericifolia – None known
Rose (Damask, Otto) Rosa x damascena/Rosa damascena/Rosa gallica – 0.6%
Rose (Japanese – aka Ramanas rose, rugosa rose) Rosa rugosa – 0.4%
Rose absolute (Provence – aka Cabbage rose, rose de Mai, French rose, hundred leaved rose) Rosa x centifolia L. – 2.5%
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalus L. – 16.5% for Camphor CT, 22% for Pinene, and 6.5% for Verbenone CT Rosewood (Bois de rose, Pau-rosa) Aniba rosaeodora/amazonica/parviflora – 5%
Rue Ruta graveolens L./Ruta Montana – 0.15%
Saffron Crocus sativus L. – 0.02%
Sage (African wild – aka Leleshwa, camphor bush, wild camphor tree, Hottentot tabacco) Tarchonanthus camphoratus L. – None known
Sage (Dalmatian) Salvia officinalis – 0.4%
Sage (Greek – aka Turkish sage) Salvia fruticosa – None known
Sage (Spanish – aka Lavender sage) Salvia lavandulifolia – 12.5%
Sage (white) Salvia apiana – None known
Sage (wild mountain – aka Mountain salvia) Hemizygia petiolata – 0.7%
St John’s Wort Hypericum perforatum L. – None known
Sandalwood (East African) Osyris lanceolata – None known
Sandalwood (East Indian) Santalum album – 2.0%
Sandalwood (New Caledonian – aka Pacific island sandalwood) Santalum austrocaledonicum – 2%
Sandalwood (Western Australian) Santalum spicatum/cygorum/spicatus – None known
Sanna (aka spiked ginger lily, kapur kachri) Hedychium spicatum – 6.3%
Saro (aka Mandravasarotra) Cinnamosma fragrans – None known
Sassafras Sassafras albidum/Nectaranda sanguinea/Ocotea odorifera/Ocotea pretiosa/Cinnamomum porrectum/Cinnamomum rigidissimum – Should not be used internally or externally
Satsuma (aka Mikan) Citrus unshiu/reticulata – None known
Savin Juniperus sabina L. – Should not be used internally or externally
Savory Satureia horensis L. (summer savory)/montana L. (winter savory) – 1.4% for summer savory and 1.2% for winter savory
Siam wood (aka coffin wood, peimo, pe mou, po mu) Fokienea hodginsii – None known
Skimmia Skimmia laureola – None known
Snakeroot (aka Candian snakeroot , wild ginger) Asarum canadense L. – Should not be used internally or externally
Snowbush Eriocephalus africanus L. – None known
Southernwood Artemisia abrotanum L. – 15%
Spearmint Mentha cardiaca/Mentha crispa/Mentha viridis – 1.7%
Spiknard (aka Nard, Indian nard) Nardostachys grandiflora – None known
Spruce (black – aka Canadian black pine) Picea mariana/nigra – 1%
Spruce (hemlock – aka Eastern hemlock, hemlock) Tsuga Canadensis L. – 1%
Spruce (Norway – aka common spruce, European spruce) Picea abies L. – 1%
Spruce (red) Picea rubens – None known
Spruce (white – aka Candian spruce) Picea glauca/alba/canadensis – 1%
Styrax (aka Storax, sweetgum) Liquidambar orientalis/styraciflora L. var macrophylla – 0.6%
Sugandha (aka Sugandh kokila, kokila, laurel berry) Cinnamomum cecidodaphne/glaucescens – 3.3%
Sumach (Venitian – aka smoke plant, smoke tree) Cotinus coggyria/Rhus cotinus L. – None known
Sweet vernalgrass absolute (aka Flouve) Anthoxanthum odoratum L. – 4%
Taget (aka Marigold, tegetes) Tagetes minuta L./Tagetes patula L. – 0.01% (including the absolute)
Tana (aka Issa) Rhus taratana – None known
Tangelo Citrus reticulata – 8%
Tangerine Citrus reticulata Blanco – 5%
Tansy Tanacetum vulgare L./Chrysanthemum tanacetum – 0.5%
Tansy (blue – aka Moroccan tansy, Moroccan blue chamomile) Tanacetum annuum L. – None known
Tarragon (akak Estragon) Artemisia dracunculus – 0.1%
Tea Leaf (akak black tea) Camellia sinensis L./Thea sinensis L. – 0.2%
Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia – 15.0%
Tea Tree (black – aka River tea tree oil) Melaleuca bracteata – Should not be used internally or externally
Tea Tree (lemon-scented) Leptospermum petersonii/Leptospermum liversidgei – 0.8%
Tejpat (aka Indian cassia) Cinnamomum tamala – 0.6%
Thorow-wax (aka Shrubby hare’s ear) Bupleurum fruticosum L. – None known
Thuja (aka Cedar leaf, white cedar, Eastern white cedar, Eastern arborvitea, swamp cedar) Thuja occidentalis L. – 0.4%
Thyme (borneol chemotype – aka Moroccan thyme) Thymus satureioides – 3.3%
Thyme (geraniol chemotype) Thymus vulgaris L. – None known
Thyme (lemon) Thymus x citriodorus – 3.7%
Thyme (limonene chemotype) Thymus vulgaris L./Thymus serpyllum L. – 2.1%
Thyme (linalool chemotype) Thymus vulgaris/zygis L. – None known
Thyme (Spike – aka spiked thyme thymbra pregano) Thymus spicata L. – 1.4%
Thyme (thujanol chemotype) Thymus vulgaris L. – None known
Thyme (thymol and carvacrol chemotypes) Thymus serpyllum/Thymus vulgaris/Thymus zygis – 1.3%
Tolu Balsam (aka Thomas balsam, opobalsam) Myroxylon balsamum – 2.0%
Tomar Seed (aka Timar, wartara, winged prickly ash) Zanthoxylum armatum/alatum/Xanthoxylum alatum – None known
Tonka absolute Dipterix odorata/Coumarouna odorata – 8%
Treemoss Pseudevernia furfuracea – 0.1%
Tuberose absolute Polianthes tuberosa L. – 1.2%
Turmeric Leaf Curcuma longa L. – None known
Turmeric rhizome (aka Curcuma, Indian saffron) Curcuma longa L./domestica – 4%
Turmeric (wild) Curcuma aromatica – None known
Turpentine (aka Terebinth, yarmor) Pinus ayacahuite – None known
Valerian (European type) Vaelriana officinalis L. – None known
Valerian (Indian – aka Sugandhawal) Valeriana jatamansi/Nardostachys jatamansi/Valeriana wallichii/Patrinia jatamansi – None known
Vanilla absolute Vanilla plantifolia/fragrans/tahitensis – None known
Vassoura (aka alecrim do cerrado “rosemary” in Portuguese) Baccharis dracunculifolia – None known
Verbena (honey – aka wild verbena, greendog, zinziba) Lippia javanica – None known
Verbena (lemon) Aloysia triphylla/citriodora/Lippia triphylla – 0.2%
Verbena (white – aka Bushy lippia, white lippia, anise verbena, licorice verbena, juanilama) Lippia alba/geminata – 1.2%
Vetiver (aka Khus, khus-khus) Vetiveria zizanoides/Andropogon muricatus/zizanoides/ Chrysopogon zizanoides/Phalaris zizanoides L. – 15%
Violet Leaf (aka Sweet violet) Viola odorata L. – 2%
Western Red Cedar (aka Pacific thuja, Western arborvitae) Thuja plicata – 0.25%
White Cloud (aka white kunzea, Tasmanian spring flower, Southern soring flower, tick bush, poverty bush) Kunzea ambigua – None known
Wintergreen Gaultheria fragrantissima/Gaultheria procumbens L. – 2.4%
Wormseed (aka Chenopodium) Chenopodium ambrosiodes L. – 0.14%
Wormwood (aka absinthe, artemisia) Artemisia absinthium L. – 2%
Wormwood (annual – aka sweet wormwood, sweet annie) Artemisia annua L. – None known
Wormwood (sea) Artemisia maritima L./contra/lercheana/salina/Seriphidium maritimum – 0.4%
Wormwood absolute (white – aka Armoise, desert wormwood) Artemisia herba-alba – 0.25%
Yarrow (chamazulene chemotype – aka Milfoil) Achillea millefolium L. – 8.6%
Yarrow (green – aka Ligurian yarrow) Achillea nobilis L. – None known
Ylang-Ylang Cananga odorata – 0.8% for the absolute and 0.8% for the essential oil
Yuzu Citrus junos – None known
Zdravets (aka Bulgarian geranium, bigroot geranium) Geranium macrorrhizum L. – 2%
Zedoary (aka white turmeric, hidden ginger) Curcuma zedoaria – None known

Just getting started? Be sure to check out these posts:

Beginners Guide to Essential Oils- Part 1
How to Use Essential Oils
Can You Ingest Essential Oils?

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