The chemical properties of essential oils react and intermingle to create a chemical composition unique to that oil; it’s the synergistic effect of all the components that make an essential oil what it is. When we make a blend of several essential oils that chemical composition becomes even more complex and the therapeutic affects of the synergy produced depends on the exact % of each oil used.
The ability of essential oils to have such a positive impact on mind body spirit cannot be replicated by their synthetic substitutes. Isolating individual components and trying to do a humpty dumpty with them cannot recreate something produced by nature. Essential oils comprise 100′s of different chemical components, only a few of which might produce the aromatic aspect of the plant and essential oil. By isolating these components in a laboratory, you might be able to recreate the aroma of a plant, but not the therapeutic properties of the actual plant itself.
We can’t reproduce essential oils in the laboratory because we don’t yet know what every single component is. There are thousands of components that still need to be identified (the literature we have only focuses on the ones that we know.) Even if we did know every single component, who is to say we could reproduce Neroli, for example? There might be something exquisitely unearthly, so to speak, about the essence of a plant that just cannot be reproduced away from it’s natural state of cultivation. Inside of the 4 walls of a lab by men in white coats versus in the fresh air under the rays of the golden sun. Hmm doesn’t take a genius to figure the answer to that one out.
Some naturally occurring chemical components of essential oils may be toxic and for this reason we have safety and dilution guidelines for each essential oil. The toxic component may form a small or large % of the structure of the oil and may also be the active ingredient that gives the oil it’s therapeutic properties and makes it so effective.
There are over 3000 chemical compounds in essential oils and many more that have yet to be isolated, named and understood.
The main categories of compounds are:
Esters, Aliphatic Aldehydes, Ketones, Sesquiterpenes, Lactones & Coumarins, Oxides, Acids, Aromatic Aldehydes , Monoterpenes, Alcohols & Phenols and Phenolic Ethers.
Esters are anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, calming, uplifting, balancing & vulnerary. They are found in Roman Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender, Jasmine, Clary Sage & Bergamot. Esters are generally safe.
Aliphatic Aldehydes are calming, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, anti-viral & anti-fungal. They are found in Lemongrass, Tea Tree, Citronella, Grapefruit, Lemongrass, Lime. Aliphatic Aldehydes can be skin irritants.
Ketones are decongestant, sedative, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, emmenagogues & parasitic. They can be found in Black Pepper, Geranium, Hyssop, Peppermint, Rosemary & Spearmint. Oils high in Ketones should not be used long term, can be skin irritants and should be used with caution.
Sesquiterpenes are balancing, bactericidal, hypotensive, antispasmodic, astringent, antiseptic. They can be found in Black Pepper, Cedarwood, Roman Chamomile, Ginger, Myrrh & Patchouli. Oils high in Sesquiterpenes should be used with caution (or not at all) during pregnancy.
Lactones & Coumarins are anticoagulant, decongestant, balancing, they increase sweating, reduce temperature & are mucolytic. They are found in Basil, Aniseed, Clove bud, Fennel, Mandarin & Tangerine. They should be used with caution (esp. during pregnancy), can be skin irritants and may cause liver toxicity if used in large doses over long period of time.
Oxides are mucolytic, respiratory decongestant, anticoagulant, stimulant, expectorant & diuretic. They can be found in Rosemary, G Cham, Eucalyptus, Myrtle, Niaouli & Rosemary. Oils high in oxides can be skin irritants and can set off asthma attacks.
Acids are anti-inflammatory & deodorants. They can be found in Benzoin, Hyssop, Cypress, Coriander, R Cham, Clary Sage. In general they should be used with caution.
Aromatic Aldehydes are calming, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, anti-viral, anti-fungal (more stimulating & warming than aliphatic aldehydes). They are found in Scotch pine, Jasmine, Lavender, Niaouli, Myrrh & Fennel.
Monoterpenes are air antiseptic, bactericidal, anti-viral, expectorant, stimulant, slightly analgesic. They are found in Bergamot, Black Pepper, Coriander, Cypress, Eucalyptus & Fennel. They can be aggressive to mucous tissues & have low toxicity.
Alcohols are stimulants, strongly bactericidal, anti-viral, decongestant, anti-fungal, antiseptic. They can be found in Basil, Cedarwood, Roman Chamomile, Citronella, Clary Sage & Coriander. They have a gentle but powerful action.
Phenols and Phenolic Ethers are strongly antiseptic, analgesic, antispasmodic, sedative, stimulant & diuretic. They can be found in Basil, Aniseed, Clove bud, Fennel, Mandarin & Tangerine. They should be used with caution especially during pregnancy, can irritate skin & cause slight liver toxicity if used in high doses for a long time
The chemical properties of essential oils are crucial to know if you’re using Aromatherapy for therapeutic purposes, both for therapeutic affect and safety.
Compiled with the help of The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy by Salvatore Battaglia, Aromatherapy: The Essential Blending Guide by Rosemary Caddy and The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood and Emotion by Valerie Ann Worwood
