Essential Oils and their properties
Terpenes or Sesquiterpenes: - antiseptic/anti-inflammatory
- found in citruses, flowers, seeds, woods, leaves and roots
- cardamom,carrot seed, cypress, ginger, grapefruit, sandalwood, spikenard, patchouli
Phenols: - antibacterial/stimulating
- caution: can be irritating to skin
- clove, oregano, savory, some thymes
Aldehydes: - antiseptic/anti-inflammatory/sedating/calming
- perfume aromatics
- cumin, lemon, cinnamon
Alcohols: - antiviral/antibacterial/toning/energizing
- uplifting, pleasant fragrances
- geranium,tea tree,petitgrain,rose, rosewood
Ketones: - breaks down,dissolves mucus and fats promotes healing of wounds
- some toxic factors
- hyssop, pennyroyal, sage, jasmine, fennel, peppermint
Acids: - antiseptic/anti-inflammatory/moisturizing
- combines with alcohols to create esters
- birch, rosewood, niaouli
Esters: - antifungal/antispasmodic/balancing/relaxing
- fruity aromas
- lavender,marjoram, Roman Chamomile,clary sage bergamot, neroli, ylang ylang
Coumarins: - photosensitizing/uplifting/calming
- caution-blood thinning/some toxic properties
- bergamot, angelica, citruses
Oxides: - expectorant
- hyssop,bay,eucalyptus
With this beginning knowledge, I hope to impart on you how beneficial aromatherapy can be. And how it is uniquely designed to compliment ones individual needs.
Enjoy in good health
Rebekah