Uses & Applications of Plant Oils in Medicine

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Plant Oils Uses - Plant Oils in Healthcare & Medicine

Apart from the aromatherapy treatments in which a wide range of plant oils is used, mainstream medicines and pharmaceuticals also use a range of plant-based oils.

This section of PlantOils.in discusses the use & applications of plant oils and plant extracts in medicine, drug & pharma industries. Plant oils are used in the healthcare industry, both in the informal as well as the professional versions of the health-care industries, owing to their medicinal and curing properties – such as their antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal & antimicrobial properties – as well as the health-boosting constituents that comprise these oils.

The section provides inputs & links for plant oils used in the healthcare industry.

Some Important Medicinal Oils

Rhododendron Oil: Rhodendron anthopogonoides
Almond Oil(sweet):body care, massage, culinary
Apricot Oil: body care
Artemisia Oil: Artemisia valgaris
Bee Balm or Bergamot (not related to Bergamot Citrus bergamia) - Young leaves used as flavouring/seasoning/Oswego tea. Contains antiseptic thymol; traditionally oil from the leaves applied to pimples; leaves infused for steam-inhalation for colds; tea for nausea, flatulence, insomnia. L: Monarda spp. (scarlet-red varieties)
Bronze Fennel - Relative of Foeniculum vulgare, which is often used to alleviate stomach cramps. Foeniculum vulgare is an ingredient in breastfeeding teas which may help to increase milk in nursing mothers, and to disperse colic in babies. Also used in rubs to treat chesty coughs. L: Foeniculum purpureum
Buckler Sorrel - Relative of Rumex crispus (Yellow Dock) sometimes used to treat iron deficiency and chronic skin conditions. Yellow Dock also used homeopathically in the treatment of dry cough and itchy skin conditions – L: Rumex scutatus
Calamus Oil: Acorus calamus
Catnip - Relative of Nepeta cataria, which is sometimes used to ease colic and restlessness in babies. L: Nepeta longipes
Cinquefoil - Relative of Potentilla erecta, which is sometimes used internally to treat inflammation of the digestive system; as a lotion on bleeding wounds. Potentilla erecta is part of preparations to relieve non-traumatic bleeding such as in the digestive tract. L: Potentilla aurea
Citronella Oil: Acorus calamus
Chamomine Oil: Matricaria chamomilla
Chicory - Traditionally used to treat jaundice and gout. An used in medicines to stimulate digestion and appetite. L: Cichorium intybus
Coconut Oil: body care as a thickener, can be used in medicinal slaves. A saturated oil, it is solid at room temperature, as such it makes a good thickener if you want a creamier finished product
Corn poppy oil - Flowers and seeds of the wild poppy or corn rose historically used as a cough remedy, for hoarseness, or to soothe inflammation. L: Papaver rhoeas
Creeping Thyme Oil - Small creeping version of Thymus vulgaris, see below. L: Thymus polytrichus
Curry Plant - Has been used for medicinal gastric herb teas. L: Helichrysum italicum ‘Korma’
Daisy/Bruisewort - Daisy may be used for a wide range of conditions, mainly to aid deep tissue healing after surgery or injury. Used to treat sprains, bruises and joint disease – L: Bellis perennis
Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalaptus globules
Feather grass. L: Stipa tenuissima
Flax seed Oil (linseed): a good anti-inflammatory, useful for ointments. It has a light nutty flavor and is one of the most nutritious oils, rich in essential fatty acids
Foxgloves - Digitalis is an example of a cardio-active or cardiotonic drug, in other words a steroid which has the ability to exert a specific and powerful action on the cardiac muscle in animals, and has been used in the treatment of heart conditions ever since its discovery in 1775. L: Digitalis ferruginea, lutea, laevigata, x mertonensis, parviflora, ‘Giant Primrose’, spaniflora
French Basil Oil: Ocimum basilicum
Giant Scabious - Relative of Field Scabious, used historically internally for chesty coughs or respiratory problems, or applied to infected wounds or boils – L: Cephalaria gigantea
Golden Marguerite/ Dyer’s Chamomile - seed oil traditionally used to treat earache and deafness. Plant valued for its anti-spasmodic properties – L: Anthemis tinctoria
Grape seed: a light oil good for massage and body care uses (Grapefruit Oil Reference)
Hazelnut Oil: a nutty flavor good for culinary uses
Himalayan Birch – L: Betula utilis
Jacob’s Ladder – It is alexipharmic, sudorific, and cephalic, and useful in malignant fevers and pestilential distempers; it helps in nervous complaints, headaches, trembling, palpitations of the heart, vapours, etc. It is good in hysteric cases, and epilepsies have been cured by the use of this herb. L: Polemonium caeruleum
Jatamasi Oil: Nardostachys jatamansi
Juniper Berry Oil: Juniperus communis
Lady’s Mantle - Relative of Alchemilla vulgaris, which is traditionally used to treat menstrual disorders, diarrhoea and inflammations of the digestive system. L: Alchemilla mollis
Lady Fern - Fern roots historically used internally for the treatment of worms, or in wound-healing oils and ointments, or leaves taken for stomach problems – L: Athyrium filix-femina
Lavender - Widely used for its calming and relaxing properties, in ointments and oils for the treatment of muscular aches and pains including rheumatism. L: Lavandula angustifolia
Lemon Grass Oil: Cymbopogon flexuosus
Male Fern - Roots historically used internally for the treatment of worms; wound-healing oils and ointments. Leaf fronds used as ingredient in digestive remedies. L: Dryopteris filix-mas (Aspidium filix-mas)
- Mentha Arvensis Oil: Mentha arvensis
- Mullein - Verbascum thapsus is used to treat dry coughs, a hoarse voice, and bronchitis Verbascum (several varieties)
- Olive Oil (use extra virgin): this oil has wonderful keeping properties, and is widely used for medicinal and culinary preparations. The scent is too strong and it's texture too heavy to use it for massage or body care products
- Palmarosa Oil: Cymbopogon martini
- Pheasant Grass. L: Stipa arundinacea
- Pot Marigold - Often used in lotions or ointments as a natural antiseptic and to aid wound healing, for burns, sores, abrasions, wind burn. Used as a mouth wash after tooth extraction and for inflamed gums; extracts and potencies can be taken internally to cure inflammations of the stomach or gall bladder and to aid healing after surgery. L: Calendula officinalis
- Roman Chamomile - Roman chamomile may be used to relieve stomach cramps and to stimulate digestion and appetite. L: Chamaemelum nobile
- Rosemary - Used for a wide range of conditions, mainly headaches, stomach cramps, and as a mild stimulant. A warming ingredient in ointments and oils for painful joints and muscle stiffness; as a tonic for hair and scalp in shampoos or hair lotions. L: Rosmarinus officinalis
- Safflower: culinary or body care
- Sage Germander - relative of Wood Sage (Teucrium scorodonia), which is sometimes used in herbal medicine to treat chest infections, and early stages of fever and flu. L: Teucrium hircanicum
- Self-Heal - Historically used taken internally as a syrup or applied externally as an ointment, to promote the healing of wounds, bruises or ulcers. L: Prunella vulgaris
- Sesame: used for warming massage in the East Indian Ayurvedic tradition. Culinary for Asian and East Indian flavorings
- Shasta Daisy - Leaves and outer layer of stem have been used as a sedative, astringent and demulcant. Anti-spasmodic and diuretic. It is also a herbal remedy for whooping cough, asthma and stomach upsets. In Wales during the Middle Ages, Daisies were used to treat madness, smallpox, tumours and jaundice. Makes a good lotion for wounds, bruises and ulcers. Decoction of fresh herb for jaundice. Distilled water made from the flowers can be used as an eye lotion for conjunctivitis. The word "daisy" comes from two Anglo-Saxon words - daeyes and eayes = day's eye. L:Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Phyllis Smith’
- Native Silver Birch - Can be helpful in the treatment of rheumatism, gout, cellulite, to aid sluggish kidney function or as part of a detox programme. It can be taken internally (as tea, extract, potency) & applied externally (oil or ointment) – L: Betula pendula
- St John’s Wort - Herb used as a mild antidepressant. Used for nerve pain; in ointments and lotions for slow healing wounds and painful cuts. L: Hypericum perforatum
- Sugandha Kokila Oil: Cinnamomum glaucescens
- Sunflower: culinary or body care
- Thyme - Widely used, mainly in cough elixirs, valued for its expectorant, antiseptic and anti-cough properties. L: Thymus vulgaris
- Valerian Oil: Valeriana officinalis
- Verbena/Vervain - Relative of Common Vervain, historically used for variety of complaints, to cleanse and heal internally and externally, ease all sorts of aches & pains. L: Verbena bonariensis
- Wild Foxglove - Traditionally used to treat heart failure. Nowadays, preparations can only be obtained with a prescription from a medical doctor. Digoxin is a purified compound from this plant and is widely prescribed in conventional medicine to treat cardiac failure. L: Digitalis purpurea
- Wild Strawberry - Leaf used in preparations for liver disorders; fruit used in preparations to normalise iron absorption and iron assimilation in the body; an ingredient in a medicine for everyday stress and strain. L: Fragaria vesca
- WildRose/Eglantine - Oil from hips used in creams, lotions and oils for its skin-healing properties. Leaf extract from some roses is valued for its gentle toning properties. Rose petals provide fragrance, used in aromatherapy to lift negative moods and ease irritation. L: Rosa rubiginosa
- Winter Green Oil: Gaultheria fragrantissima
- Yarrow - Flowers used in formulations to relieve irregularities of the menstrual cycle; herb used to stimulate digestion and appetite, and treat haemorrhoids and varicose veins. Used internally and externally for a wide range of conditions such as fevers, bleeding, digestive problems
- Zanthoxylum Oil: Zanthoxylum armatum
- Zedoary Root Oil: Curcuma zedoaria
- Others -
  - Seeds of Moringa oleifera, a tropical plant known as the ‘miracle tree', protects hair from enviromental pollution such as UV rays and dust, said the firm. Moringa oleifera seeds are rich in proteins and oils, and are traditionally used in medicine and as a food additive.
  - Essential oils of basil (Basil Oil), clove (Clove Oil), dill (Dill Oil), nutmeg (Nutmeg Oil) and rosemary (Rosemary Oil) have cerebroneutropic properties and are helpful in improving the metabolism of the brain and nerves.
A list of plants considered to have excellent medicinal properties
- Balsam Fir - Abies balsamea
- Garlic - Allium sativum
- Serpent Garlic - Allium sativum
- Aloe Vera - Aloe vera
- Aloe Vera - Althaea officinalis
- Visnaga - Ammi visnaga
- Dang Gui - Angelica sinensis
- Great Burdock - Arctium lappa
- Lesser Burdock - Arctium minus
- Shatavari - Asparagus racemosus
- Huang Qi - Astragalus membranaceus
- Pot Marigold - Calendula officinalis
- Gotu Kola - Centella asiatica
- Camomile - Chamaemelum nobile
- Lemon - Citrus limon
- Lemon - Citrus x meyeri
- Midland Hawthorn - Crataegus laevigata
- Hawthorn - Crataegus monogyna
- Cardoon - Cynara cardunculus
- Globe Artichoke - Cynara scolymus
- Chinese Yam - Dioscorea batatas
- Echinacea - Echinacea angustifolia
- Cone Flower - Echinacea pallida
- Echinacea - Echinacea purpurea
- Siberian Ginseng - Eleutherococcus senticosus
- Yellow Gentian - Gentiana lutea
- Maidenhair Tree - Ginkgo biloba
- Sweet Tea Vine - Gynostemma pentaphyllum
- Witch Hazel - Hamamelis virginiana
- Sea Buckthorn - Hippophae rhamnoides
- Hop - Humulus lupulus
- German Camomile - Matricaria recutita
- Tea Tree - Melaleuca alternifolia
- Lemon Balm - Melissa officinalis
- White Peppermint - Mentha piperita officinalis
- Black Peppermint - Mentha piperita vulgaris
- Evening Primrose - Oenothera biennis
- Ginseng - Panax ginseng
- San Qi
- Kudzu Vine - Pueraria Montana
- Turkey Rhubarb - Rheum palmatum
- Da Huang - Rheum palmatum
- Sage - Salvia officinalis
- Wu Wei Zi - Schisandra chinensis
- Milk Thistle - Silybum marianum
- Comfrey - Symphytum officinale
- Comfrey - Symphytum uplandicum
- Feverfew - Tanacetum parthenium
- Fenugreek
- Slippery Elm - Ulmus rubra
- Stinging Nettle - Urtica dioica
- Agnus Castus - Vitex agnus-castus
Medicinal Uses of Plants & Plant Oils - Links
- Healing with Essential Oils & Aromatherapy – from Healing Therapies
- Medicinal Herbs Directory from Open Directory
- Vegetable Fat as Medicine – from All Creatures.org
- Essential Fatty Acids – from Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
- Fats & Cholesterol – Harvard School of Public Health
- What you Need to Know about Oils – from ENL Medicals
- Castor Oil Sourcing Directory
- Fragrances in Health Care – Science Tech Entrepreneur (PDF)
- Research Reference for Therapeutic Properties of Essential Oils
- Catalog of Medicinal Plants from Exotic Naturals
- Herbal Remedies – Using Herbs Medicinally
- Aromatherapy & Essential Oils
- A World of Aromatherapy – Guide to Essential Oils
- Medicinal Herbs & their Uses – from Richters
- Drugs & Herbal Supplements - from National Institutes of Health
- Herb Uses – from HerbNet
- Herbal Oils & their Uses – Arcadia Herbs & Alternatives
- Medicinal Plant Uses – from Plants for a Future
- Medicinal Plant Constituents – Excerpts from a Book (PDF)
- Unusual Medicinal Plant Seeds – Seedman.com
- Plants for a Future – Medical Uses of Plants
- Medicinal Plants of the Southwest
- Plant Oils for Hair Protection – A News Item
- Production of Bioactive Compounds from Plants
- Plant Products as Anti-microbial Agents – Clinical Microbiology Reviews
- Medicinal Herb FAQ
- Anti-bacterial, Anti-viral & Anti-fugal Properties of Essential Oil Vapours
- Scientific Research of Therapeutic Essential Oils
- Bryan’s Medicinal Plant Links
- Plant Oils Provide Great Medicinal Value
- Aromatherapy & Animals – A Dmoz Directory
- Essential Oils Could Stamp Out the Spread of MRSA
- Essential Oils to Fight Food Bacteria
- The Role of Plant Oils in Health – University of Vermont (PDF)
- Organic Essential Oils
- Plant Medicine – from Medicine Hunter
- Botanical Medicine – Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
- Oils Used in Dietetics, Cosmetics & Lipochemistry – from Cyberlipid.org
- Herbal Diary – provides inputs on the medicinal properties of various herbs

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