60 Essential Oils at a Glance
Beyond the well-known oils like lavender and peppermint, there are dozens of essential oils used in aromatherapy. Some are bright and citrusy, others are deep and earthy, and many have unique aromatic qualities that make them favorites in perfumes, skincare blends, and diffusers.
Below is a quick reference list of many commonly used essential oils along with their general aroma and what they’re often used for in everyday aromatherapy.
Essential Oils A to Z: 60 Most Common Essential Oils and Their Uses
A
Amyris Essential Oil
Aroma: soft, woody, slightly sweet
Often used for: grounding diffuser blends, natural perfume bases
Anise Essential Oil
Aroma: sweet, licorice-like
Often used for: seasonal diffuser blends and herbal-style aromas
B
Basil Essential Oil
Aroma: fresh, herbaceous
Often used for: focus blends and energizing diffusers
Benzoin Essential Oil
Aroma: warm, vanilla-like resin
Often used for: perfume blends and comforting diffuser blends
Bergamot Essential Oil
Aroma: bright citrus with a light floral note
Often used for: uplifting diffuser blends and perfume blends
Black Pepper Essential Oil
Aroma: warm, spicy
Often used for: warming massage oils and grounding blends
Blue Tansy Essential Oil
Aroma: sweet, herbal, slightly fruity
Often used for: skin care blends and calming diffusers
C
Cajeput Essential Oil
Aroma: fresh and medicinal, similar to eucalyptus
Often used for: clearing diffuser blends
Cardamom Essential Oil
Aroma: warm, sweet spice
Often used for: perfume blends and comforting diffuser blends
Cedarwood Essential Oil (Atlas or Virginian)
Aroma: warm, woody, slightly balsamic
Often used for: sleep blends and grounding diffuser blends
Chamomile Essential Oil (German)
Aroma: sweet, herbal, slightly apple-like
Often used for: calming blends and skin care
Chamomile Essential Oil (Roman)
Aroma: soft, fruity, and soothing
Often used for: bedtime blends and relaxation blends
Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil
Aroma: warm, spicy
Often used for: seasonal diffuser blends
Clary Sage Essential Oil
Aroma: herbal, slightly earthy
Often used for: relaxing blends and perfume blends
Clove Bud Essential Oil
Aroma: strong, warm spice
Often used for: holiday diffuser blends
Coriander Essential Oil
Aroma: warm, lightly spicy
Often used for: massage blends and grounding diffusers
Cypress Essential Oil
Aroma: fresh, green, and slightly woody
Often used for: refreshing diffuser blends
E
Eucalyptus Globulus Essential Oil
Aroma: sharp, fresh, and camphor-like
Often used for: clearing diffuser blends
Eucalyptus Radiata Essential Oil
Aroma: softer and slightly sweeter than globulus
Often used for: respiratory diffuser blends
F
Fennel Essential Oil
Aroma: sweet, licorice-like
Often used for: herbal diffuser blends
Fir Needle Essential Oil
Aroma: crisp evergreen scent
Often used for: forest-like diffuser blends
Frankincense Essential Oil
Aroma: resinous, slightly citrusy, and grounding
Often used for: meditation blends and skincare oils
G
Geranium Essential Oil
Aroma: rosy, fresh floral
Often used for: skin care and natural perfume blends
Ginger Essential Oil
Aroma: warm, spicy, and slightly sweet
Often used for: warming massage blends and diffuser blends
Grapefruit Essential Oil
Aroma: bright, fresh citrus
Often used for: energizing diffuser blends
H
Helichrysum Essential Oil
Aroma: honey-like, warm, slightly herbal
Often used for: skincare blends
Hinoki Essential Oil
Aroma: clean, dry wood scent
Often used for: grounding diffusers
Ho Wood Essential Oil
Aroma: soft, floral, similar to rosewood
Often used for: calming blends
J
Jasmine Absolute Essential Oil
Aroma: rich, exotic floral
Often used for: perfume blends
Juniper Berry Essential Oil
Aroma: fresh, piney
Often used for: refreshing diffuser blends
L
Lavandin Essential Oil
Aroma: similar to lavender but sharper
Often used for: cleaning blends and diffusers
Lavender Essential Oil
Aroma: soft floral with herbal undertones
Often used for: relaxation blends and skincare
Lemon Essential Oil
Aroma: bright, fresh citrus
Often used for: cleaning blends and diffusers
Lime Essential Oil
Aroma: crisp citrus
Often used for: refreshing diffuser blends
Litsea Cubeba (May Chang) Essential Oil
Aroma: strong lemony citrus
Often used for: uplifting diffuser blends
M
Mandarin Essential Oil
Aroma: soft, sweet citrus
Often used for: calming diffuser blends
Manuka Essential Oil
Aroma: earthy and herbal
Often used for: skin care blends
Marjoram (Sweet) Essential Oil
Aroma: warm, herbal
Often used for: relaxing massage blends
Melissa (Lemon Balm) Essential Oil
Aroma: bright lemony herbal scent
Often used for: calming diffuser blends
Myrrh Essential Oil
Aroma: deep, resinous, slightly smoky
Often used for: grounding blends and skincare
N
Neroli Essential Oil
Aroma: delicate citrus blossom
Often used for: perfume blends and relaxation blends
Niaouli Essential Oil
Aroma: fresh and camphor-like
Often used for: cleansing diffuser blends
O
Orange (Sweet) Essential Oil
Aroma: sweet, juicy citrus
Often used for: uplifting diffuser blends
Oregano Essential Oil
Aroma: strong, herbaceous, spicy
Often used sparingly in diffuser blends
P
Palmarosa Essential Oil
Aroma: soft rose-like floral
Often used for: skincare and perfume blends
Patchouli Essential Oil
Aroma: deep, earthy, musky
Often used for: grounding diffuser blends
Petitgrain Essential Oil
Aroma: fresh green citrus
Often used for: calming diffuser blends
Peppermint Essential Oil
Aroma: cool, minty, refreshing
Often used for: focus blends and diffusers
Pine Essential Oil
Aroma: crisp evergreen
Often used for: forest-style diffuser blends
R
Ravintsara Essential Oil
Aroma: fresh, eucalyptus-like
Often used for: seasonal diffuser blends
Rose Absolute Essential Oil
Aroma: rich, deep floral
Often used for: luxury perfume blends
Rosemary Essential Oil
Aroma: fresh herbal scent
Often used for: focus blends and scalp oils
S
Sandalwood Essential Oil
Aroma: creamy, soft wood scent
Often used for: meditation blends and perfumes
Spruce Essential Oil
Aroma: crisp forest scent
Often used for: grounding diffuser blends
T
Tangerine Essential Oil
Aroma: sweet citrus
Often used for: uplifting diffusers
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Aroma: medicinal, fresh
Often used for: cleansing blends and skin care
Thyme Essential Oil
Aroma: strong herbal scent
Often used sparingly in diffuser blends
V
Vetiver Essential Oil
Aroma: deep, smoky, earthy
Often used for: grounding and evening diffuser blends
Essential Oil Safety
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts and should always be used carefully. Most oils should be diluted before applying to the skin, and some citrus oils can cause photosensitivity if used on skin before sun exposure. When in doubt, start with small amounts and research the oil before use.
