Kobashi is a well established company from Devon that prides itself on the quality of its products. Kobashi takes great care when purchasing their oils - buying direct from growers and distillers whenever possible. Over 50% of Kobashi Oils are organic: either naturally farmed or wild.

All of the oils are from named botanical species, 100% natural, unadulterated, nothing added or taken away, of the highest quality and tested for their authenticity. Kobashi purchases and tests for chemo-type, always trying to supply oils which are organic. The company rejects any oil if pesticides or herbicides are found. The testing is operated at an independent advanced laboratory in Exeter. Kobashi has an extensive library on essential oil data to cross reference-research the oils. They are not tested on animals.

Please be aware that the therapeutic effects of essential oils are complex and potent, therefore they should be used responsibly. If in doubt ask for more information at reception. It is advisable to consult your therapist prior to purchase.

Our Essential Oils Described:

Basil Oil

Fresh, invigorating oil, good for clearing the mind and aiding concentration especially when tired. Excellent nerve tonic, helps relieve anxiety and depression. Valuable to those with a nervous nature and ideal after a stressful day.

AROMA: Fresh, sweet-spicy, herby characteristic of basil.

 Bergamot Oil

Relaxing, refreshing, excellent for skin care - especially oily or blemished. Add 1 drop to cool boiled water as a mouthwash, and breath freshener. An ingredient in Earl Grey tea and in cologne.

AROMA: Sweet, citrus lemony mandarin like - with a clean fresh green note.

 Black Pepper Oil

Stimulating/warming. Helpful in massage oil for muscular aches/pains and to increase circulation. It has a cooling effect in treating fevers. Vaporize during the winter to treat colds and flu. Ideal in bath at the first signs of a cold.

AROMA: Strong penetrating, spicy, rich, deep, warm and full.

 Cajeput Oil

Clean penetrating aroma useful during winter months for its clearing and anti-viral properties. Regarded highly in the East, where it is used medicinally.

AROMA: Strong, clean, penetrating, medicinal, eucalyptol note, slightly lemony.

 Carrot Seed Oil

Warming and stimulating. An ideal choice for adding to massage oil or bath, to help eliminate toxins. Ideal skincare oil. Its actions are soothing and gentle; it is also helpful to mature skin as it has revitalizing and toning properties.

AROMA: Warm, sweet, dry, slightly spicy and woody.

 Cedarwood Oil

Soothing woody aroma. Used traditionally to treat bronchial and urinary tract infections, as a preservative and incense. Helpful for oily skin types. Try adding to our shampoo to promote healthy scalp. Use in wardrobe to repel moths.

AROMA: Soothing woody, sweet-notes of chocolate/caramel.

 Chamomile Roman Oil

Widely used for its soothing properties and ability to blend happily with other oils. Excellent for skin care, especially sensitive and problem. Soothing and relaxing, encourages sleep. Ideal in massage oil for stiff joints and muscles.

AROMA: Strong floral, sweet fruity aroma, known as 'Earth Apple'.

 Cinnamon Leaf Oil

Stimulating. Use in massage oil for muscular aches and pains. Dilute well if using on skin. Ideal room fragrance. Blends well with orange and clove. Powerful germ killer ideal to vaporize during the winter.

AROMA: Warm spicy characteristic of fresh ground cinnamon.

 Citronella Oil

Stimulating and uplifting. Ideal to keep insects at bay, blend with catnip & cedarwood to repel mosquitoes, Midges, etc. Ideal for vaporizing and to add to detergent for its antiseptic deodorizing qualities. Often in canine shampoo.

AROMA: lemony, creamy, fresh, zesty with a slight grass hint.

 Clarysage Oil

Soothing and relaxing, often described as euphoric. It is said to encourage pleasant dreams. Ideal for mature skin and greasy hair. An excellent nerve tonic. Useful to treat symptoms associated with the menopause such as night sweating.

AROMA: Clear, nutty, sweet, grassy, heady, exotic.

 Clove Bud Oil

Use well diluted in massage oil for muscular aches and pains. Vaporise during winter months. A powerful antiseptic which may be of use in hospitals where mutated bacteria are a problem. Repels insects. Blends well with orange, nutmeg and cinnamon.

AROMA: Characteristic of fresh ground cloves, heady, rich creamy warm, sweet and spicy.

 Coriander Seed Oil

Stimulating and refreshing. Use in massage oil for muscular aches and pains. Encourages digestion. Said to be an aphrodisiac. Widely used in preparation of many dishes especially in the East, it is known as Chinese parsley.

AROMA: Characteristic of fresh ground coriander, sweet, spicy, slight aniseed.

 Cypress Oil

Natural deodorant and astringent often used in aftershave, and in men's fragrances. Try adding to our moisturizer for a great shaving lotion, or mixing with Aloe Vera gel to help oily skin conditions. Useful for combating cellulite and sweaty feet.

AROMA: Refreshing green, fruity.

 Dill Oil

The herb has a long history of medicinal and culinary use. Add to massage oil to aid digestion and promote milk flow in nursing mothers. Used in soaps and perfumes. Said to have been used by Magicians during the middle Ages, in spells against witchcraft.

AROMA: Fresh, sweet, spicy almost aniseed like.

 Wild Elemi Oil

Useful tonic and skin care oil especially mature. It is also helpful for blemished and scarred or injured skin. Vaporize to help free breathing and create a calming, spiritual atmosphere. Use in a massage blend or bath to treat stress related conditions.

AROMA: Fresh, warm, sweet, spicy and with lemon like woody notes.

 Eucalyptus Oil

Well known winter oil traditionally used for its penetrating clearing aroma. It is a strong antiseptic. Vaporize it to reduce airborne germs or add to massage oil for a clearing chest rub. Ideal for sports people in massage oil.

AROMA: Clean, sweet, penetrating.

 Fennel Sweet Oil

Detoxifying, improves circulation and helps combat cellulite and weight gain. Don't use if epileptic as its actions can be neurotoxic to some. May increase milk flow in nursing mothers. As an herb it is thought to convey longevity, courage and strength.

AROMA: Clean, fresh, sweet, aniseed like.

 Frankincense Oil

Useful tonic and skin care oil especially mature. It is also helpful for blemished and scarred or injured skin. Vaporize to help free breathing and create a calming, spiritual atmosphere. Use in a massage blend or bath to treat stress related conditions.

AROMA: Spicy , warm, soothing, with hints of lemon.

 Geranium Oil

Refreshing balancing oil for both mind and body. Good to use for the treatment of confusion and depression. Excellent for skin care, it helps to regulate the flow of sebum, the skins natural moisturizer. It is equally beneficial for all skin types.

AROMA: Sweet rosy-floral slight minty green.

 Ginger Oil

Ideal in winter for its warming effect on the body. Helpful muscle tonic, an aid to digestion helps to calm an upset stomach. Traditionally used in Eastern medicine.

AROMA: Warm, spicy characteristic of fresh ground ginger.

 Grapefruit Oil

Refreshing and uplifting, good skin toner especially for oily skin. Helpful as a treatment in times of confusion or depression. Useful hair tonic.

AROMA: Refreshing, fruity, characteristic of fresh grapefruit.

 Ho Oil

Relaxing and deodorizing. Add to massage oil to help combat tired muscles especially after vigorous exercise. Extensively used in the perfume industry in place of rosewood for its aroma. Blends well with lavender.

AROMA: Pleasant light and floral slight woody hints.

 Jasmine Abs 5% in Jojoba Oil

Relaxing, soothing and uplifting. Diluted in jojoba. Ideal for a sensual massage. Jasmine is often adulterated or contains unwanted chemical residues. Kobashi finally found a farmer distiller who is willing to work with them to give the quality they (and we) demand.

AROMA: Strong, heady, deep, floral.

 Juniperberry Oil

Antiseptic and astringent, ideal for oily skin. Has a cleansing/ detoxifying effect on the body. Add to massage oil or in Bath Base for combating cellulite. In jojoba oil for a stimulating scalp massage to encourage healthy hair.

AROMA: Strong, gin like, fruity, sweet, woody, terpintine.

 Lavandin Oil

Cross between lavender and spike lavender combines traits of both. Higher cineole/camphor content may be more effective for respiratory uses/antiseptic. Popular oil for potpourri and soap making. Add a few drops to a vaporizer.

AROMA: Sweet floral, camphorous.

 Lavender Oil

Our most popular oil. Its actions are gentle but effective, excellent for all skin care, and truly a panacea for all ills. Restive in small amounts - helps to restore balance and encourages sleep.

AROMA: Sweet strong floral, hints of melon, cucumber, peppermint, very slight hint of black pepper.

 Lavender Vera, High Altitude Oil

Grown at high altitude, gentle but effective, excellent for all skin care, and truly a panacea for all ills. Restive in small amounts - helps to restore balance and encourages sleep.

AROMA: Sweet strong floral.

 Lemon Oil

Refreshing and uplifting useful insect repellent and hair rinse. Use to lighten dull stained hands or to tone and condition nails/cuticles. Excellent antiseptic and general tonic to the body helps to boost the immune system. Blends well with other oils.

AROMA: Sweet and zesty characteristic of fresh squeezed lemon peel.

 Lemongrass Oil

Refreshing and uplifting. Vaporize to banish unpleasant odors. Excellent for tired sweaty feet, or as a rinse for greasy hair. A good insect repellent. Helpful in massage oil to increase poor circulation and treat muscular aches and pains.

AROMA: Strong sweet 'lemony', rich, deep, creamy, slightly grassy.

 Lime Oil

An excellent tonic and antiseptic. Uplifting and rejuvenating lovely as a room spray or vaporized. Shares many qualities with Lemon. Ideal when blended with eucalyptus or tea tree. Truly a great oil with a full round bodied fruity aroma.

AROMA: Fresh, sweet, zesty characteristic of fresh fruit.

 Mandarine Oil

Gentle, soothing oil, suitable for children and the very fragile. Try mixing with chamomile or lavender and adding to bath base to help fretful infants. In massage oil to help prevent stretch marks. Vaporize to combat nervous tension and encourage sleep.

AROMA: Fresh, clean, full sweet and fruity characteristic of fresh fruit.

 Marjoram Sweet Oil

Warming and comforting Useful for treating tired aching muscles. Ideal in a sports massage. Vaporizer to encourage sleep. We add a few drops of this oil to a warm bath on the first signs of a cold. Widely used in the food industry as a flavouring.

AROMA: Herby, warm, woody, slightly camphor like, characteristic of the fresh herb.

 Melissa 2% in Jojoba Oil

Soothing and uplifting to both mind and body. Very helpful during times of anxiety or shock. An excellent nerve tonic. Helpful skin care oil especially if oily. Beware as a lot of Melissa oil on the market is adulterated.

AROMA: Lemon like but with a full grass/earthy note. Has the characteristics of the fresh herb.

 Myrrh Oil

Antiseptic and healing. Good skin care oil, useful for treating chapped or mature skin. Try adding to massage oil. Used in mouth wash.

AROMA: Exotic, woody, earthy, deep, warm, sweet, balsamic.

 Myrtle Oil

Vaporize to reduce airborne germs, add to massage oil for a clearing chest rub for children as it is relatively mild and non-stimulating. Helpful in treating oily skin conditions. Excellent addition to a mild soap base for cleansing teenage problem skin.

AROMA: Camphoric, fresh, sweet, spicy with herbaceous notes.

 Neroli 2% in Coconut Oil

Exquisite light floral aroma. Antidepressant actions. Calming and soothing during times of stress, helps restore sleep. Ideal for skin care, especially mature/dry types. Used as an ingredient in eau de cologne and perfume.

AROMA: Exquisite light floral, slight nutty under tone, characteristic of the fresh flowers.

 Niaouli Oil

Ideal winter oil used for its penetrating clearing actions, gentler than Eucalyptus. It is a strong antiseptic. Vaporize it to reduce airborne germs or add to massage oil for a clearing chest rub, especially for children.

AROMA: Medicinal, penetrating, sweet, fresh and clean, eucalyptus like.

 Nutmeg Oil

Useful when added to massage oil, its warming properties help stimulate circulation and help with muscular aches and pains. Stimulates digestion, and like the other spice oils is helpful for many stomach upsets. Believed to have aphrodisiac properties.

AROMA: Warm, sweet, spicy aroma characteristic of fresh nutmeg.

 Orange Oil

Uplifting/cheering. Add to Bath Base for soothing, warming winter bath. Helpful for congested oily skin. Add to massage oil in a blend with marjoram if suffering from constipation. Encourages sleep - ideal when vaporized, blends well with other oils.

AROMA: Fresh, sweet and fruity true to the fruit.

 Palmarosa Oil

Excellent skin care oil, especially problem teenage. De-stressing. Vaporize or use to wipe kitchen surfaces to kill germs, particularly active against bacteria responsible for intestinal infections. Palmarosa is often used to adulterate rose oil.

AROMA: Sweet and floral, rose and geranium like with herbal, green tea notes.

 Patchouli Oil

Use in moisturizer or oil to treat dry/chapped skin. Ideal in shampoo/final rinse for dark hair. Great in jojoba for a conditioning head/scalp massage and to treat dandruff, and encourage hair growth. De-stressing said to also be an aphrodisiac.

AROMA: Deep musky, exotic oil with earthy under tones.

 Peppermint Oil

Refreshing/invigorating. Use to bathe tired sweaty feet. Has a general cooling effect on the body. Good choice for sports people. Ideal travel companion, it will help calm upset tummies and head aches. Add to massage oil/lotion to repel insects.

AROMA: Clearing, Sharp penetrating, green minty odour.

 Petitgrain Oil

Uplifting and refreshing, particularly good for treating any nervous condition. It is especially valuable in treating oily skin and hair. Helps to encourage sleep. This batch of oil is wonderful and very like neroli in aroma.

AROMA: Interesting, refreshing bitter sweet floral, slightly smoky, nutty, green.

 Pine Oil

Clearing/deodorizing. Excellent air-freshener/antiseptic. Inhale to clear nose and promote easy breathing. A good choice for adding to a morning bath. Extensively used in veterinary preparations. Not to be mistaken with less expensive fir oil.

AROMA: Fresh, green, turpentine, true to the crushed needles.

 Ravintsara Oil

Very clearing, ideal for all respiratory tract infections, anti viral and an immuno-stimulant. Ideal in the bath on the on set of a cold or flu.

AROMA: Sharp, sweet , piercing with camphor like tones very much like cajeput.

 Rose Abs. 3% in Coconut Oil

Rose is known as Queen of the oils and is generally affiliated to the female system. Widely used in skin care, especially for dry, sensitive types. Soothes anger and grief. Renowned sensual properties.

AROMA: Sweet, exotic, deeply floral and heady with a creamy note.

 Rosemary Oil

One of the most stimulating of all the oils. An ideal 'pick-me-up' aids memory and clear thinking. Rosemary is an ideal choice for an early morning bath as it will invigorate the body and protect the psyche.

AROMA: Clean, sharp and piercing with a herby minty slightly woody under tone, characteristic of the fresh herb.

 Rose Otto 2% in Coconut Oil

Rose is known as Queen of the oils and is generally affiliated to the female system. Widely used in skin care, especially for dry, sensitive types. Soothes anger and grief. Renowned sensual properties.

AROMA: Intensely sweet floral.

 Sandalwood Oil

Soothing/exotic excellent for dry or sensitive skin. As a body fragrance it appeals to both men and women. Add to a massage to relive dry coughs and sore throat. Antiseptic and soothing with aphrodisiacal properties. Blends well with Rose.

AROMA: Rich, soft, smooth-woody-musky sweet and tenacious.

 Spearmint Oil

Refreshing/invigorating. Use to bathe tired sweaty feet. A good insect repellent. Has a general cooling effect on the body. Ideal for use by sports people and as travel companion. It will help to calm upset tummies and head aches. Mild/none irritating.

AROMA: Clearing, sharp penetrating, sweet green minty.

 Tea Tree Oil

Powerful antiseptic, increases the bodies ability to fight off infections. An invaluable oil second only to lavender. Ideal for vaporizing to kill germs. Can be used for all skin care applications.

AROMA: Strong medicinal, clean, fresh and camphorous.

 Valerian Oil

Strong sedative and stress buster, known as 'all heal' has a long history of medicinal use. Soothing and relaxing. Encourages sleep. Add to an evening bath. For a more pleasant aroma we recommend that you blend with chamomile roman or mandarin.

AROMA: Pungent, earthy, musky, sweet, spicy and warm.

 Vetivert Oil

Known in India as 'the oil of tranquility'. Its actions are deeply relaxing, and grounding, ideal in massage oil or bath for anyone suffering from stress or simply wishing to relax. In skin care it is useful for oily skin and acne.

AROMA: Woody, smoky, spicy/sweet with lemony under tones.

 Ylang Ylang Two Oil

Ylang's actions are soothing and relaxing, useful during times of tension and stress, also helps to soothe anger and grief. Used in many local skin preparations and ointments. Ideal for dry skin and as a hair rinse. Most sell Ylang 3; Ylang 2 is better.

AROMA: Sweet, exotic, deeply floral and heady with a creamy note.

Pure essential oils are now for sale at Back In Action (individually priced). Here are some interesting facts about our supplier: