Explore Essential Oils
An A to Z directory of every essential oil with a guide on this site: botanical name, plant part, the key caution found in the sources we read, and a link to its guide.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read essential oil safety before you use anything on this page.
Urgent safety note. Essential oils are not meant to be swallowed. If someone has swallowed an essential oil or a product that contains one, use the online tool of a poison center or call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US). Call 911 for collapse, a seizure or trouble breathing. A US poison center says misuse of essential oils can cause serious poisoning. [1] Poison centers in other countries are listed in Poison Help by country.
This page lists every oil that has its own guide in this library. It is arranged alphabetically, not by merit: it is a lookup table, not a ranking, and it does not say which oil to choose. To understand the basics first, start with What are essential oils?.
How to read the table
- Botanical name. Common names can cover more than one plant, so the scientific name is given. We checked each name against the GBIF taxonomy on 2026-10-23. [2] GBIF folds several citrus names into a small number of accepted names, so the citrus names below are the ones used in the review we read, with a note after the table. [2]
- Plant part. The part that the oil is taken from, as stated in the source named in that cell. Where we did not find a part in a source we read, the cell says so.
- Key caution. The most important caution that a source we read states for that oil. It is not a full safety profile. Each guide has its own safety section.
- Composition changes. The chemical mix of an essential oil can vary within the same plant species, or from plant to plant. [3] A label on a bottle does not guarantee that the contents match the entry here.
The directory
| Oil | Botanical name | Plant part | Key caution in the sources we read | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Ocimum basilicum | Flowering herb [4] | General cautions only. The review we read lists components of basil oil that are on its list of 26 possible fragrance allergens: eugenol, linalool, geraniol, citronellol and limonene. [4] | More about Basil → |
| Bergamot | Citrus bergamia | Peel (rind of the fruit) [4] | Skin exposed to sun can react to some citrus oils. [5] Phototoxic compounds called furanocoumarins are found mainly in expressed citrus peel oils, and the review lists bergaptene among the components of bergamot oil. [4] | More about Bergamot → |
| Camphor | Cinnamomum camphora | Wood [4] | Even a small amount swallowed is dangerous; seizures can begin within minutes. [1] | More about Camphor → |
| Cedarwood | Cedrus atlantica. Other trees also give oils sold as cedarwood, for example Juniperus deppeana ("cedarwood Texas oil") [6] | Wood or sawdust (for Cedrus atlantica) [4] | General cautions only. | More about Cedarwood → |
| Chamomile, German | Matricaria chamomilla | Flowers and flower heads [4] | General cautions only. Farnesol, a component the review lists for this oil, is on its list of possible fragrance allergens. [4] | More about Chamomile, German → |
| Chamomile, Roman | Chamaemelum nobile | Flowers (the review groups chamomile with flower sources) [4] | General cautions only. | More about Chamomile, Roman → |
| Cinnamon | Cinnamomum verum | Bark [4] | General cautions only. The review lists eugenol and linalool among the components of cinnamon bark oil; both are on its possible-allergen list. [4] | More about Cinnamon → |
| Clary sage | Salvia sclarea | Inflorescences (flower clusters) [4] | A poison center says swallowing more than a very small amount of sage oil (Salvia) has caused seizures in children. The article does not name clary sage specifically. [1] | More about Clary sage → |
| Clove | Syzygium aromaticum | Bud [4] | General cautions only. Eugenol, listed at 70 to 95 percent of clove oil in the review, is on its possible-allergen list. [4] | More about Clove → |
| Cypress | Cupressus sempervirens | Leaves [4] | General cautions only. | More about Cypress → |
| Eucalyptus | Eucalyptus globulus | Leaves [4] | If swallowed, eucalyptus oil can cause seizures. [1] | More about Eucalyptus → |
| Frankincense | Boswellia sacra (the species named in the review we read) | Gum (resin) [4] | General cautions only. | More about Frankincense → |
| Geranium | Pelargonium graveolens | Aerial parts (parts above ground) [4] | General cautions only. The review lists citronellol, geraniol, linalool, citral and limonene among its components; all are on its possible-allergen list. [4] | More about Geranium → |
| Grapefruit | Citrus × paradisi | Peel of the fruit [4] | Skin exposed to sun can react to some citrus oils. [5] | More about Grapefruit → |
| Helichrysum | Helichrysum italicum | Aerial parts [4] | General cautions only. | More about Helichrysum → |
| Jasmine | Jasminum officinale (the species named in the review we read) | Flowers [4] | General cautions only. The review lists eugenol, linalool, geraniol, benzyl benzoate and farnesol among its components; all are on its possible-allergen list. [4] | More about Jasmine → |
| Juniper berry | Juniperus communis | Ripe berries [4] | General cautions only. | More about Juniper berry → |
| Lavender | Lavandula angustifolia | Flowering tops [4] | A poison center describes a toddler who became drowsy and confused after swallowing a lavender extract used as a home fragrance. [1] | More about Lavender → |
| Lemon | Citrus limon | Peel [4] | Skin exposed to sun can react to some citrus oils. [5] | More about Lemon → |
| Lemongrass | Cymbopogon citratus | Grass leaf [4] | General cautions only. The review lists citral, geraniol, linalool, citronellol and farnesol among its components; all are on its possible-allergen list. [4] | More about Lemongrass → |
| Lime | Citrus × aurantiifolia | Peel [4] | Skin exposed to sun can react to some citrus oils. [5] | More about Lime → |
| Mandarin and tangerine | Citrus reticulata | Peel [4] | Skin exposed to sun can react to some citrus oils. [5] | More about Mandarin and tangerine → |
| Marjoram | Origanum majorana | Leaves [7] | General cautions only. | More about Marjoram → |
| Myrrh | Commiphora myrrha | Gum (resin) [4] | General cautions only. | More about Myrrh → |
| Neroli | Citrus × aurantium (bitter orange, var. amara) | Flowers [4] | General cautions only. | More about Neroli → |
| Orange, sweet and bitter | Citrus sinensis (sweet); Citrus × aurantium (bitter) | Peel (sweet orange) [4] | Skin exposed to sun can react to some citrus oils. [5] | More about Orange, sweet and bitter → |
| Oregano | Origanum vulgare | Not stated in the sources we read | General cautions only. See also the page on strong oils and skin reactions. | More about Oregano → |
| Patchouli | Pogostemon cablin | Leaves [4] | General cautions only. | More about Patchouli → |
| Pennyroyal | Mentha pulegium | Not stated in the sources we read | Swallowed pennyroyal oil is highly poisonous to the liver. [1] | More about Pennyroyal → |
| Peppermint | Mentha × piperita | Aerial parts [4] | Menthol, which is in peppermint oil, should not be inhaled by or applied to the face of an infant or small child. [8] | More about Peppermint → |
| Pine | Pinus species | One pine oil type is described as obtained from the oleoresin of Pinus pinaster [9] | General cautions only. | More about Pine → |
| Rose | Rosa × damascena | Flowers [4] | General cautions only. The review lists citronellol and geraniol among its components; both are on its possible-allergen list. [4] | More about Rose → |
| Rosemary | Salvia rosmarinus (also written Rosmarinus officinalis) | Leaves [4] | General cautions only. | More about Rosemary → |
| Sandalwood | Santalum album | Heartwood [4] | General cautions only. | More about Sandalwood → |
| Spearmint | Mentha spicata | Aerial parts [10] | General cautions only. | More about Spearmint → |
| Tea tree | Melaleuca alternifolia | Leaves [4] | Tea tree oil should not be swallowed; taking it by mouth can cause confusion, unsteadiness, inability to walk and coma. [11] | More about Tea tree → |
| Thyme | Thymus vulgaris (and/or Thymus zygis) | Flowering aerial parts [12] | General cautions only. | More about Thyme → |
| Vetiver | Chrysopogon zizanioides (also written Vetiveria zizanioides) | Roots [4] | General cautions only. | More about Vetiver → |
| Wintergreen | Gaultheria procumbens | Leaves (stated in a regulator opinion on methyl salicylate from this plant) [13] | Wintergreen oil is very dangerous if more than a tiny amount is swallowed. [1] | More about Wintergreen → |
| Ylang ylang | Cananga odorata | Flowers [4] | General cautions only. The review lists linalool, geraniol, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate and farnesol among its components; all are on its possible-allergen list. [4] | More about Ylang ylang → |
Notes on names that cause confusion
- Citrus names. GBIF treats several names we list, for example Citrus sinensis, Citrus bergamia and Citrus × paradisi, as synonyms of other accepted citrus names. [2] We use the names printed in the review we read, because that is how oil producers and labels tend to write them. [4]
- Cinnamon and "cassia". Cinnamomum verum is accepted in GBIF. A regulator opinion we read uses the name Cinnamomum cassia for a different oil, called cassia leaf oil. [14] GBIF, however, listed Cinnamomum cassia as a synonym of another plant name when we queried it. [2] Because databases disagree, check which species and plant part a label names.
- Lavender and lavandin. The poison-center case about a toddler who swallowed a lavender extract cites a report whose title refers to lavandin, not lavender. [1] Whether the product was lavender or lavandin is not settled in the article we read.
- Pennyroyal. A 2026 rat study describes Mentha pulegium oil as pennyroyal oil and links a component called pulegone to liver and reproductive toxicity. [15]
- Vetiver and rosemary. The review we read uses the older names Vetiveria zizanioides and Rosmarinus officinalis. GBIF lists Chrysopogon zizanioides and Salvia rosmarinus as accepted. [2]
What this directory does not cover
The review we read lists about fifty plant species whose essential oils are used as fragrances, including caraway, cardamom, fennel, nutmeg, rosewood and star anise. [4] Oils without a guide in this library are not listed here. A missing oil is not a statement that it is safe or unsafe. For a quick comparison table of evidence and safety, see Essential oils at a glance. For the meaning of terms used above, see the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
Which essential oils are the most dangerous if swallowed?
A US poison center names wintergreen, camphor, eucalyptus, tea tree and pennyroyal among oils that can poison when swallowed, and sage oil in children. [1] NCCIH adds that tea tree oil should not be swallowed. [11] Swallowing any essential oil can cause harm. Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US) or use a poison center's online tool.
Why does the directory give botanical names?
Common names can cover more than one plant, and the chemical makeup of an oil varies with the plant and the batch. [3] The botanical name tells you which plant, and the plant part tells you which part of it, so you can compare a label with a guide.
Does "natural" or "organic" on a bottle mean an oil is safe?
No. The FDA says it has no regulations defining "natural" or "organic" for cosmetics, and that all cosmetic products and ingredients must meet the same safety requirement regardless of source. [5]
Is this list a ranking or a shopping recommendation?
No. It is alphabetical. We do not rank oils, name brands or sell products. The FDA notes there is no regulatory definition for "essential oils", so the term on a label does not by itself tell you what is inside. [16]
Where do I find oils grouped by a wellness goal?
See Essential oils by wellness goal, which describes what research found and does not promise results.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
What "general cautions only" means
It does not mean an oil is safe. It means that the sources we read for this directory did not state an oil-specific caution for that entry. A US poison center says many essential oils can cause rashes on the skin and some can be poisonous if absorbed through the skin or swallowed. [1] The same article says allergy to an essential oil is a very real possibility. [1] The FDA notes that many plants contain materials that are toxic, irritating or likely to cause allergic reactions on the skin. [5] Each guide covers its own oil in more depth, and Essential oil safety covers the topic as a whole.
References
- Essential oils: Poisonous when misused, Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center), US. Article date not shown on the page. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, species match service, queried 2026-10-23 for each botanical name on this page. Read 2026-10-23.
- Essential Oils, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), page last reviewed March 19, 2026. Read 2026-10-23.
- Sharmeen JB, Mahomoodally FM, Zengin G, Maggi F. Essential Oils as Natural Sources of Fragrance Compounds for Cosmetics and Cosmeceuticals. Molecules. 2021 (review). Read 2026-10-23.
- Aromatherapy, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), content current as of 09/08/2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- EFSA Panel. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil obtained from the wood of Juniperus deppeana Steud. (cedarwood Texas oil). EFSA Journal. 2024 (title read). Read 2026-10-23.
- EFSA Panel. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the leaves of Origanum majorana L. (marjoram oil). EFSA Journal. 2025 (title and plant part read). Read 2026-10-23.
- Peppermint Oil: Usefulness and Safety, NCCIH, last updated May 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- EFSA Panel. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil obtained from the oleoresin of Pinus pinaster Aiton (pine white oil). EFSA Journal. 2023 (title read). Read 2026-10-23.
- EFSA Panel. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the aerial parts of Mentha spicata L. (spearmint oil). EFSA Journal. 2025 (title and plant part read). Read 2026-10-23.
- Tea Tree Oil: Usefulness and Safety, NCCIH, last updated April 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- EFSA Panel. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil obtained from the flowering aerial parts of Thymus vulgaris L. and/or Thymus zygis L. (thyme oil). EFSA Journal. 2025 (title and plant part read). Read 2026-10-23.
- EFSA Panel. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of methyl salicylate obtained from the leaves of Gaultheria procumbens L.. EFSA Journal. 2026 (title and plant part read). Read 2026-10-23.
- EFSA Panel. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl (cassia leaf oil). EFSA Journal. 2022 (title read). Read 2026-10-23.
- Pattanashetti LA and colleagues. Mechanistic assessment of hepato-reproductive toxicity of Mentha pulegium L. essential oil in rats. Molecular Biology Reports. 2026 (abstract read; animal study). Read 2026-10-23.
- Fragrances in Cosmetics, US FDA, content current as of 02/28/2022. Read 2026-10-23.