The Chemistry of Oils
The Chemistry of Essential Oils
Each essential oil is made up of various chemical compounds. It is these compounds that contribute to the aroma, potency, and medicinal value of the oil.
Acids:
Acids are both antiseptic and diuretic in nature. These compounds are catalysts. They help speed up chemical reactions. By doing this, acids help in the synergy of the essential oil blend. This in turn helps speed healing. Geranic, phenylacetic, myristic, and acetic are examples of acids.
Alcohols:
These compounds have a solvent action. Alcohols are excellent in blends because of their ability to break down compounds to make solutions. They have an energizing and uplifting effect which makes their antiviral, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties a plus. Alcohols are generally non-toxic in nature and include linalol, citronellol, geraniol, and nerol.
Aldehydes:
There are the compounds often responsible for the fragrance of plants. They are coupled with solvents to help the synergy of the blend. Aldehydes have a sedative yet uplifting effects. Citral, benzaldehyde, and citronellal are examples of aldehydes.
Esters:
This is probably one of the most abundant compounds in essential oils. Common uses are perfumes and flavorings. Esters are fungus fighters and have sedative qualities not to mention a fruity aroma. They are also helpful in countering spasms. Geranol acetate, bornyl acetate, and eugenyl acetate are a few esters among many.
Keytones:
This chemical family provides a solvent action in blends. They help to provide an essential with its characteristics. However, keytones, depending on the compound, can be toxic, and should be handled with extreme caution. Keytones have an uncanny ability to break-up congestion and get the flow of mucous going. Some keytones include: camphor, carvene, methene, and fenchone. Some keytones have been known to diminish the healing effects of homeopathic remedies.
Oxides:
These compounds are widely known for their expectorant properties. Eucalyptol (sound familiar?), linalol oxide, and ascaridol are just a few.
Phenols:
These are generally weak acids. They have disinfectant and anti-bacterial characteristics. Phenols have been known to ease pain and stimulate the nervous system. Some phenols are highly irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. Some examples include: thymol, carvacrol, and safrole.
Terpenes:
These are unsaturated hydrocarbons that are partially responsible for a plant’s aroma. Terpenes have too many properties to mention. The strength of the terpenes in an oil are usually contingent on where the plant is grown. Limonene, pinene, and camphene are just a few of the many. This compound has a subgroup, sesquiterpenes (chamazulene and fainesol are two examples), have gained attention because of their uncanny ability to reduce inflammation and fight bacterial infections.
Sources:
~Aromatherapy Kit, The. Devereux, Charla. 1993
~Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, The. Lawless, Julia. 1995
~Encyclopedia off Essential Oils, The. Wildwood, Chrissie. 1996
