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The healing properties and the fragrance of an essential oil are determined by its "active ingredients" -- the chemicals it contains.
A single essential oil can contain several hundred different chemicals that together are responsible for its individual character, aroma and therapeutic action. The relative amount of each chemical in an oil can be a guide to its effect.
Chemical combinations
Monoterpenes tend to be stimulating, and esters are sedative, so oils rich in these chemicals generally have these properties.
Active ingredients often act in combination to increase the oil's therapeutic action or balance one another out. Citral in lemon oil, for example, is an irritant, but limonene in the same oil is a "quencher," canceling out citral's harmful actions.
Changing properties
Adaptogens are essential oils that can be either sedative or stimulating, depending on the individual. Some oil ingredients have been made synthetically for medicinal use, but these are not always as effective as they are in their natural state.
Main chemical groups of essential oils
Alcohols: are very uplifting and have antiseptic and antiviral properties. They have the suffix "-ol," e.g. citrolellol. Cleansing oils such as eucalyptus are high in alcohols.
Ketones: are sedative and pain-reliving. The ketones in plants such as jasmine can help you drift off into a peaceful sleep.
Esters: are soothing and anti-inflammatory. They have the suffix "--ate," e.g. geranyl acetate. Relaxing oils such as chamomile are high in esters.
Aldehydes: are cooling and calming. They tend to end in "--al," e.g. citronellal. Aldehydes are often responsible for the strong smell fo plants such as citronella and lavender.
Phenols: stimulate the immune and nervous systems. Phenol-rich oils such as thyme aid healing.
Terpenes: are a vast family of chemicals ending in "--ene," for example pinene. Monoterpenes are found in citrus oils such as lime and are analgesic and antiseptic. Sequisterpenes are calming and balancing.
Anti-inflammatory oils:
Esters - reduce inflammation - for example, the linayl acetate in chamomile eases swelling caused by sunburn, stings and sprains.
Sequisterpenes - strongly inflammatory, for example farnasene in rose oil. Carrier bases such as aloe vera cream or lotion are also anti-inflammatory. It contains anthraquinone, which helps to make it effective in reducing inflammation when used alongside oils such as lavender or chamomile.
Antiseptic oils:
Phenols - powerful antiseptics but can irritate the skin, so they are best used in a vaporizer, incense, or room fumigant rather than in massage or bath oils.
Alcohols - more gental than phenols, alcohols are still strongly antiseptic - for example antiviral terpinoel in eucalyptus, antibacterial santalol in sandalwood, and the farnesol in rose oil.
Decongestant oils:
Ketones - act as expectorants and relieve congestion - for example, camphor, found in sage and rosemary and menthone, found in peppermint are all good oils for clearing head colds.
Oxides - are also great decongestants - for example, linalool oxide in eucalyptus and rosemary, and eucalyptol, found in eucalyptus and cajeput, are all highly effective.
Invigorating oils:
Monoterpenes - impart a feeling of health and well-being, lifting the spirits and reviving the body - such as limonene, found in citrus oils.
Phenols - spice oils are uplifting due to the presense of phenols, for example eugenol in cinnamon and clove. These oils banish fatigue, but because of their potency, they should be used only in low concentrations.
Alcohols - are invigorating - e.g. menthol in peppermint oil, which as a refreshing action. High doses can be sedative.
Relaxing oils:
Esters - are soothing to the nervous system and ease tension. The most sedative oils are Roman chamomile, jasmine, petitgrain and benzoin; some comprise more than 70% esters.
Ketones - found in some essential oils, such as the cis-jasmone in jasmine, work in conjunction with esters to help you relax.
Warming oils:
Many oils that come from spices, such as black pepper, cinnamon and ginger, are warming because they stimulate the circulation to the extremities of the body.
Phenols - such as eugenol and myristol are stimulating and warming to the mind and body. Both are found in black pepper oil, making it an ideal addition to a muscular rub.
Alcohols - have a warming effect on the body as they open blood vessels, bringing on more body heat to the skin, for example linalool in coriander oil and terpineol in eucalyptus oil. Add these to a warm bath, hot compress or chest rub on cold winter nights.
WARNING: avoid oils that contain ketones during pregnancy; Phenolic ethers such as those found in fennel are not safe for children; Citrus oils can make you more prone to sunburn; avoide oxides, phenols and aldehydes if you have sensative skin; People with epilepsy or high blood pressure should not use oils that stimulate the nervous system or circulation.
A single essential oil can contain several hundred different chemicals that together are responsible for its individual character, aroma and therapeutic action. The relative amount of each chemical in an oil can be a guide to its effect.
Chemical combinations
Monoterpenes tend to be stimulating, and esters are sedative, so oils rich in these chemicals generally have these properties.
Active ingredients often act in combination to increase the oil's therapeutic action or balance one another out. Citral in lemon oil, for example, is an irritant, but limonene in the same oil is a "quencher," canceling out citral's harmful actions.
Changing properties
Adaptogens are essential oils that can be either sedative or stimulating, depending on the individual. Some oil ingredients have been made synthetically for medicinal use, but these are not always as effective as they are in their natural state.
Main chemical groups of essential oils
Alcohols: are very uplifting and have antiseptic and antiviral properties. They have the suffix "-ol," e.g. citrolellol. Cleansing oils such as eucalyptus are high in alcohols.
Ketones: are sedative and pain-reliving. The ketones in plants such as jasmine can help you drift off into a peaceful sleep.
Esters: are soothing and anti-inflammatory. They have the suffix "--ate," e.g. geranyl acetate. Relaxing oils such as chamomile are high in esters.
Aldehydes: are cooling and calming. They tend to end in "--al," e.g. citronellal. Aldehydes are often responsible for the strong smell fo plants such as citronella and lavender.
Phenols: stimulate the immune and nervous systems. Phenol-rich oils such as thyme aid healing.
Terpenes: are a vast family of chemicals ending in "--ene," for example pinene. Monoterpenes are found in citrus oils such as lime and are analgesic and antiseptic. Sequisterpenes are calming and balancing.
Anti-inflammatory oils:
Esters - reduce inflammation - for example, the linayl acetate in chamomile eases swelling caused by sunburn, stings and sprains.
Sequisterpenes - strongly inflammatory, for example farnasene in rose oil. Carrier bases such as aloe vera cream or lotion are also anti-inflammatory. It contains anthraquinone, which helps to make it effective in reducing inflammation when used alongside oils such as lavender or chamomile.
Antiseptic oils:
Phenols - powerful antiseptics but can irritate the skin, so they are best used in a vaporizer, incense, or room fumigant rather than in massage or bath oils.
Alcohols - more gental than phenols, alcohols are still strongly antiseptic - for example antiviral terpinoel in eucalyptus, antibacterial santalol in sandalwood, and the farnesol in rose oil.
Decongestant oils:
Ketones - act as expectorants and relieve congestion - for example, camphor, found in sage and rosemary and menthone, found in peppermint are all good oils for clearing head colds.
Oxides - are also great decongestants - for example, linalool oxide in eucalyptus and rosemary, and eucalyptol, found in eucalyptus and cajeput, are all highly effective.
Invigorating oils:
Monoterpenes - impart a feeling of health and well-being, lifting the spirits and reviving the body - such as limonene, found in citrus oils.
Phenols - spice oils are uplifting due to the presense of phenols, for example eugenol in cinnamon and clove. These oils banish fatigue, but because of their potency, they should be used only in low concentrations.
Alcohols - are invigorating - e.g. menthol in peppermint oil, which as a refreshing action. High doses can be sedative.
Relaxing oils:
Esters - are soothing to the nervous system and ease tension. The most sedative oils are Roman chamomile, jasmine, petitgrain and benzoin; some comprise more than 70% esters.
Ketones - found in some essential oils, such as the cis-jasmone in jasmine, work in conjunction with esters to help you relax.
Warming oils:
Many oils that come from spices, such as black pepper, cinnamon and ginger, are warming because they stimulate the circulation to the extremities of the body.
Phenols - such as eugenol and myristol are stimulating and warming to the mind and body. Both are found in black pepper oil, making it an ideal addition to a muscular rub.
Alcohols - have a warming effect on the body as they open blood vessels, bringing on more body heat to the skin, for example linalool in coriander oil and terpineol in eucalyptus oil. Add these to a warm bath, hot compress or chest rub on cold winter nights.
WARNING: avoid oils that contain ketones during pregnancy; Phenolic ethers such as those found in fennel are not safe for children; Citrus oils can make you more prone to sunburn; avoide oxides, phenols and aldehydes if you have sensative skin; People with epilepsy or high blood pressure should not use oils that stimulate the nervous system or circulation.
