Spice essential oils are often thought of during the winter months; citrus essential oils are more commonly associated with summer. However, a combination of spice and citrus aromas is popular during the Holiday season. Extend the use of spice and citrus aromas during the winter season and beyond the Holidays, by using associated essential oils in aromatherapy blends.

Useful Spice Essential Oils for Winter Aromatherapy Blends

There are a number of spicy essential oils that you can use in winter aromatherapy blends but these are a few of the most popular ones – and their uses:

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – a top note essential oil with a deep, warm, spicy aroma. Ginger essential oil may help with some respiratory complaints (such as colds, bronchitis, sinusitis, coughs), arthritis and rheumatism, nausea, indigestion, and dizziness. Click here for further information on the effectiveness of ginger. Cautions: Possible phototoxicity, possible skin sensitization.
• Clove (bud) ( Syzygium aromaticum) – a base note essential oil with a sweet and spicy aroma. Clove essential oil may help with mental exhaustion, flu, colds, sinusitis, arthritis and rheumatism. Click here for further information on the effectiveness of clove. Cautions: Possible skin and mucous membrane irritation.
• Cinnamon (leaf) (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) – a base note essential oil with a warm and spicy aroma. Cinnamon essential oil may help with: colds, rheumatism, and poor circulation. Click here for further information on the effectiveness of cinnamon. Cautions: Avoid use in pregnancy; irritation to the mucous membranes.

Useful Citrus Essential Oils for Winter Aromatherapy Blends

The most popular citrus essential oils for combining with spice essential oils are:

• Lemon (Citrus limon) – a top note essential oil with a light, fresh, penetrating citrus aroma. Lemon essential oil may help with colds, flu, and digestive problems. Cautions: Phototoxic.
• Orange, sweet (Citrus sinensis) – a top note essential oil with a fresh, light, fruity aroma. Sweet orange essential oil may help with colds, flu, digestive problems, and stress. Cautions: Possible skin sensitization; phototoxic (distilled).
• Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) – a top note essential oil with a sharp, citrus aroma. Lime essential oil may help with acne, oily skin, and similar problems for which lemon essential oil is used for. Cautions: Phototoxic (expressed).

For further information on the effectiveness of citrus essential oils: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956713510003944
http://www.hoajonline.com/jptdr/2050-120X/1/2

How to Use Spice and Citrus Essential Oils in Winter Aromatherapy Blends

Depending upon the problem, there are a few ways in which you can combine spice and citrus essential oils in winter aromatherapy blends:

• Aromatherapy diffuser: use for respiratory complaints, as an anti-bacterial device, and for stress relief.
• Carrier oil blend: combine with an appropriate carrier oil (such as jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)) and apply to the skin for digestive complaints (over the abdomen area), nausea, pain relief, and stress relief. Use a roll-on applicator or a massage blend mix.
• Compress: soak a compress in a bowl of water, and the required essential oils, for headaches, achy joints, and feverish symptoms. Use as appropriate.

Consult a certified aromatherapist for guidelines on dilution rates and application methods.

Possible citrus and spice essential oil combinations include: 

• ginger, lemon, and sweet orange
• clove, cinnamon, and sweet orange
• cinnamon and lime.

Cautions for Using Spice and Citrus Essential Oils

Many essential oils carry contra-indications for use and you should always research contra-indications for a specific essential oil before using it. In addition, take extra caution when using with babies and small children, with seniors, in pregnancy, with certain health conditions, and with certain medication (both prescribed and over-the-counter).

This article is for informational purposes only; consult a qualified medical professional for specific advice on your condition.

References: 

• Falsetto, Sharon, 2014, Authentic Aromatherapy, US: Skyhorse Publishing
• Lawless, Julia, 1995, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, UK: Thorsons
• A decade of the international training and experience of a certified aromatherapist.