Essential oils can be distilled from many different parts of plants, including roots, trunks and stems, leaves, grasses or needles, resins, flowers, fruits and seeds. Just like the human body these different plant parts serve different purposes and knowing which part of the plant an oil comes from can give us a real insight into oil’s characteristics and effects.

This is quite an advanced concept, but it can be really helpful when creating your own therapeutic blends. Here is a useful summary of the main benefits derived from the different parts of plants.

Essential oils from roots

Roots are the plant’s anchor providing stability and balance. They also absorb the water and nutrients that the plant needs in order to grow and thrive. 

Essential oils derived from roots include Angelica, Ginger, Plai, Spikenard and Vetivert.

As might be expected essential oils from roots have grounding, nurturing and warming qualities. They are particularly useful for providing stability and balance when feeling anxious, worried, stressed, insecure, scared or out of touch!

Blends to try:

Angelica is a powerful tonic for stress and nervous tension, encouraging feelings of comfort, confidence and safety. Try diffusing a balancing blend of 2 drops Angelica with 4 drops Geranium.

Ginger has a warming, comforting, restorative action that can be helpful for relieving stress and fatigue. Try diffusing 2 drops Ginger, 2 drops Black Pepper, 4 Rosemary and 6 drops Sweet Orange.

Vetivert is naturally grounding. It is known as the oil of tranquillity and is excellent for aiding relaxation and restoring calm. For night-time balance and more restful sleep try a soothing massage with 15ml Grapeseed oil, 1 drop Vetivert, 2 drops Geranium and 3 drops Clary Sage.

Essential oils from stems, needles and leaves

The aerial parts of the plant are where photosynthesis and gas exchange occur, giving oils from these parts a natural affinity with the respiratory system. Plants that are found in colder climates (e.g. conifers) are also typically warming and restorative, perhaps reflecting the characteristics they need in order to survive.

Essential oils derived from stems, needles and leaves include Black Spruce, Cinnamon Leaf, Cypress, Cajeput, Eucalyptus, Fir Needle, Kanuka, Niaouli, Pine Needle, Ravensara, Saro and Tea Tree. 

These oils are not only helpful for physical issues such as respiratory infections but can also aid breathing when it is affected by emotional problems such as anxiety and stress. They can also help to clear and focus the mind, release difficult emotions, encourage positive energy and assist with aches and pains. 

Blends to try:

Eucalyptus, Niaouli and Ravensara are all excellent for boosting the immune system and fighting infection. They are commonly used for respiratory problems such as coughs, colds and flu and can also help stimulate and uplift the mind and combat fatigue

To decongest the respiratory system and clear the head, do a steam inhalation with 3 drops Eucalyptus, 3 drops Niaouli and 2 drops Ravensara. Alternatively, to clear congestion while out and about simply pop 2 drops Niaouli and 1 drop Eucalyptus into an aromatherapy inhaler and sniff as required.

Fir Needle is a reviving, strengthening oil that is good for fatigue, respiratory problems and sore muscles. For a lovely winter warming massage oil mix 1 drop Fir Needle, 2 drops Cinnamon Leaf and 3 drops Tangerine with 15ml of carrier oil and massage into the body in a direction towards the heart. 

Essential oils from grasses

Grasses have fibrous root systems and long, narrow, linear leaves. They are important economically as they grown for pasture, animal fodder and for cereals which form part of our staple diet.

Essential oils derived from aromatic grasses include Citronella, Lemongrass and Palmarosa.

Grass oils have nurturing qualities that are good for providing emotional comfort and support. They can also be useful for debility, lethargy, and fatigue (both emotional and physical) and for supporting the immune system.

Blends to try:

To keep yourself energised and motivated throughout the day pop 2 drop Lemongrass and 1 drop Lime into an aromatherapy inhaler and sniff whenever you need a little boost.

To calm and uplift the mind diffuse 2 drops Palmarosa, 1 drop Geranium and 1 drop of either Rose or Jasmine.

Essential oils from woods

Some plants such as trees and shrubs have woody trunks which yield aromatic essential oils. These woody parts are responsible for providing core stability and directing essential water and nutrients from the roots into the stems, leaves and flowers. 

Essential oils derived from woods include Amyris, Cedarwood, Rosewood and Sandalwood.

Woody essential oils tend to provide core support, balance, and strength. They are excellent if you need to feel more centred and are great for aiding meditation. Similar to oils from leaves, needles and stems, they also have an affinity with the respiratory system. 

Blends to try:

Amyris, also known as West Indian Sandalwood, can help clear and calm the mind, induce a meditative state, impart courage, and strengthen resolve. For a lovely spritz to support your meditation mix 100ml Orange Flower Hydrolat with 10 drops Amyris, 10 drops Cedarwood and 10 drops Neroli.

Cedarwood also calms the mind and promotes inner strength. It is popular for use during meditation and good for chronic coughs and bronchitis. For a nasty cough try a steam inhalation with 3 drops each of Cedarwood, Sandalwood and Ravensara.

Sandalwood is deeply relaxing and another popular choice for quietening and focusing the mind. It is also the best essential oil for persistent coughs, sore throats and other respiratory problems including asthma. To soothe a sore throat mix 15ml carrier oil with 6 drops Sandalwood, 2 drops Benzoin and 1 drop Eucalyptus and massage into the neck and chest.

Rosewood is balancing and harmonising and a powerful immuno-stimulant. To balance the emotions and restore inner-calm try diffusing 2 drops each of Rosewood, Mandarin and Rose or Geranium.

Essential oils from flowers

Flowers are the reproductive part of the plant and are therefore associated with new life and growth. Oils from flowers usually have intense, often sensual aromas, and an affinity with the female reproductive system, which echoes the flower’s biological role. They are also excellent for supporting the emotions, calming the mind, soothing the heart, boosting self-confidence, and encouraging new energy and creativity. Their calming and regenerative properties also make them excellent for skincare.

Essential oils from flowers include Chamomile, Jasmine, Helichrysum, Neroli, Rose and Ylang Ylang.

Blends to try:

Rose and Jasmine are excellent for balancing the emotions and are renowned for their aphrodisiac effects. For a sensual, mood lifting room spray, mix 150ml Rose Hydrolat with 2 drops Rose, 2 drops Jasmine and 6 drops each of Bergamot and Sandalwood.

If floral fragrance is your thing, make your own natural pulse point mood perfume with 10ml Jojoba and 4 drops each of Jasmine, Neroli and Rose.  

To inspire creativity, add 1 drop each of Jasmine, Rose and Myrrh to an aromatherapy inhaler and sniff whenever you need some gentle inspiration.

Chamomile is excellent for relieving stress and tension. Try a soothing massage or soak in the bath to help you relax and unwind. Mix 4 drops German Chamomile, 1 drop Rose and 2 drops Bergamot and add to either 15ml of carrier oil or bath oil.

Essential oils from fruits and seeds

In flowering plants, the seeds formed during reproduction are contained in the flower’s ovary. In certain plants, the ovary can expand to become a fruit (or berry). Essential oils can be extracted from seeds and various types of fruit; from small fruits used as spices to large citrus fruits where the oil is extracted from the peel.

Essential oils from seeds include Star Anise, Cardamon, Carrot Seed, Coriander, Cumin, and Fennel.

Essential oils from fruits/berries include Black Pepper, Juniperberry and May Chang (Litsea cubeba).

Essential oils from citrus fruit peel include Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Mandarin, Tangerine and Yuzu.

Fruit and seed oils have an affinity with the digestive system both physically and mentally. 

Spicy oils from either seeds or entire fruits tend to be invigorating, revitalising and strengthening.

Citrus oils are uplifting and impart feelings of happiness. They tend to be clearing, clarifying, energising and focusing and can also encourage creativity.

Blends to try:

For a natural energy boost in the mornings mix 10 drops Grapefruit, 7 drops Rosemary, 4 drops Fennel and 3 drops Juniperberry with 45ml of shower gel. This will make enough for 3 showers or baths.

If you’ve overindulged and want to detox your digestive system try a cleansing massage with 15ml carrier oil, 3 drops Grapefruit, 2 drops Juniperberry and 1 drop Fennel. You can also use the essential oil blend in an aromatherapy diffuser.

To settle an upset tummy mix 15ml of carrier oil with 3 drops Cardamon and 3 drops of either Mandarin or Tangerine and gently massage into the abdomen in a clockwise direction.

To lift and balance the emotions diffuse 3 drops Yuzu, 2 drops Bergamot and 2 drops Geranium.

Essential oils from resins

When some woody plants, namely trees, are injured (or cut), they produce a thick, sticky, sometimes solid, resin. These resins have been used for thousands of years as healing agents and for incense and perfumery.

Essential oils derived from resins include Benzoin, Elemi, Frankincense, Galbanum, Myrrh and Peru Balsam.

Like woody essential oils, resin oils are great for the respiratory system, providing balance and strength, and for supporting meditation and deep reflection. Their calming, healing action is soothing for emotional wounds and they are also commonly used in skincare to help heal and regenerate the skin – like the tree does when it is ‘cut’. 

Blends to try:

Galbanum is calming, grounding and balancing for the mind and spirit!  Try diffusing 3 drops Galbanum, 2 drops Lavender and 2 drops Rose.

To help heal chapped, dry hands mix 50ml Moisturising Cream with 5ml Hemp Seed Oil, 5ml Coconut Butter and 10 drops each of Benzoin, Elemi and Myrrh.

To ease respiratory congestion try massaging the back and chest with 3 drops Benzoin and 2 drops Frankincense. 

Or do a steam inhalation with 2 drops Peru Balsam and 2 drops Eucalyptus.

Final considerations

One final thing to remember is that it's sometimes possible to find essential oils produced from other parts of the plant or from multiple parts of a plant.

For example, Juniper oil can be derived from either the berries or the needles/branchlets. Both have similar properties but the oil from the berry is thought to have superior therapeutic effects. The needle oil also has a slightly different fragrance which is little more pine-like.

Oils derived from herbs such as Marjoram, Melissa, Peppermint, Rosemary and Thyme are distilled from the aerial parts/flowering tops which includes stems, flowers and leaves/needles.

Cinnamon oil can also be derived from the outer bark of the tree, as well as the leaf and Clove Bud oil can also be derived from the leaves as well as the fruit. Both Cinnamon Bark and Clove Leaf oil however should be avoided for use in aromatherapy as they are considered potentially hazardous.

As you can see, knowing which bit of a plant your oil comes from can provide great insight into its properties and uses. Additionally, it can help you combine oils extracted from different plants and parts of plants to produce a blend that has complementary therapeutic effects.