10 Essential Oils from Common Herbs and Spices

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Used in making perfume and in aromatherapy

Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Oil is useful for an insect repellent

Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
Distilled from berries, warm and soothing for treating muscle aches and promoting digestion

Parsley(Petroselinum crispum)
Used in soaps, detergents, colognes, cosmetics, and perfumes, especially men’s fragrances

Chamomile
Roman (Chamaemelum nobile) and German (Matricaria recutita) varieties are used medicinally in aromatherapy.  German contains more antiinflammatory agent.

Star anise (Illicium verum)
Highly fragrant and used in cooking, perfume, soaps, toothpaste, and creams; most star anise is used to make Tamiflu in treatment of influenza

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
Used as a topical anesthetic to relieve dental pain

Spearmint (Mentha)
Flavors mouthwash and chewing gum, among other applications

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Used medicinally in many cultures

Rose (Rosa)
Distilled from rose petals and used as a fragrance