Aromatherapy
by Selena
Chemical
Constituents of Essential oils:
Selena's notebook
Aldehydes:
Keywords for Aldehydes: antifungal, anti-inflammatory,
antiseptic, anti-viral, disinfectant, sedative.
Generally have names ending in “al”. For example: citral
in lemon, lemongrass and lemon balm. Citronellal in lemongrass,
lemon balm and citrus eucalyptus.
Notes:
medicinally, essential oils containing aldehydes are effective
in treating candida and other fungal infections.
Acids:
Keywords: anti-inflammatory
Generally have names ending with “ic." For example:
cinnamic and benzoic acid in benzoin. Citric and lactic.
Notes:
Organic acids in their free state are generally found in very
small quantities within Essential oils. Plant acids act as components
or buffer systems to control acidity.
Esters:
Generally have names ending with “eel," followed by
the group attached to the ester. For example: linlyl acetate in
bergamot and lavender. Geranyl formate in geranium.
Notes:
Esters are formed through the reaction of alcohols with acids.
Essential oils containing esters are used for their soothing,
balancing effects. Because of the presence of alcohol, they are
effective antimicrobial agents. Medicinally, esters are characterized
as antifungal and sedative, with a balancing action on the nervous
system. They generally are free from precautions with the exception
of methyl salicylate; found in birch and wintergreen which is
toxic within the system.
Ketones:
Keywords: anticatarrhal, cell proliferant,
expectorant, vulnerary
Generally have names ending in “one”. For example: fenchone
in fennel, carvone in spearmint and dill and menthone in peppermint.
Notes:
Ketones often are found in plants that are used for upper respiratory
complaints. They assist the flow of mucus and ease congestion.
Essential oils containing ketones are beneficial for promoting
wound healing and encouraging the formation of scar tissue. Ketones
are usually (not always) very toxic. The most toxic ketone
is Thujone found in mugwort, sage, tansy, thuja and wormwood oils.
Other toxic ketones found in essential oils are pulegone in pennyroyal,
and pinocamphone in hyssops. Some non-toxic ketones are jasmone
in jasmine oil, fenchone in fennel oil, carvone in spearmint and
dill oil and menthone in peppermint oil.
Lactones:
Keywords: anti-inflammatory, antiphlogistic,
expectorant, febrifuge
Notes:
Lactones are known to be particularly effective for their anti-inflammatory
action, possibly by their role in the reduction of prostaglandin
synthesis and expectorant actions. Lactones have an even stronger
expectorant action then ketones.
