Essential Oil 101 (12): Essential Oil Constituent Categories Part II
Few people appreciate how chemically complex essential oils are. They are rich tapestries of literally hundred of chemical components, however from nature, some of which --- even in small quantities --- contribute to their important therapeutic benefits.
Note: Each essential oil may contain more than one of the many consituents, in anaylsing the therapeutic effects of an oil, the full spectrum of its constituents and their respective therapeutic effects have to be studied carefully.
We are by this series, introducing to you 15 categories of essential oil constituents, in this 2nd of the three chapters, we will go into the next FIVE. If you have missed the previous chapter, please visit here:
👉🏻 Essential Oil 101 (13): Essential Oil Constituent Categories Part I 👈🏻
6. Phenyl Methyl Ethers
Phenyl Methyl Ethers are phenols with the hydroxyl function group replaced by a methyl or ethyl group which bear the names of in "-ole", "-cin", or followed by the word "-ether". Phenyl Methyl Ethers often have a strong odour as it is quite volatile. In large dose, phenyl methyl ethers are rather dangerous, with psychotropic effects and have a potential to harm the liver. However in low dose, phenyl methyl ethers have quite some therapeutic effects namely:
anaesthetic
analgetic
antispasmodic
anti-microbial
Examples of ethers are anethole in Fennel and Anise; estragole in Tarragon; elemicin in Elemi; myristicin in Nutmeg*; and eugenol methyl ester found in some Melaleuca species.
* Nutmeg contains elimicin and myristicin which are psychotropic at higher dose, therefore dilute at safe percentage prior to applying.
7. Oxides
Oxides are oxygenated hydrocarbons and are usually derived from terpenes, alcohols or ketones that have been oxidized. Their names tend to end in an "-ole" or followed by the word "-oxide" at the end. They are pretty volatile therefore often comes with a strong aroma. At higher dose, these super-strong scented oxides can irritate the respiratory musoca, but at therapeutic dose, then are known to be:
expectorant
anti-inflammatory
potentially stimulant to the CNS
digestive stiulant
Examples are bisabolol oxides, found in German Chamomile; piperitone oxide in Peppermint; linalool oxide in Hyssop; rose oxide in Rose; sclareol oxide in Clary Sage; and humulene oxide in Clove. These oxides are in very small quantities, but most oils produce the oxide 1,8-cineole, also known as eucalyptol, in varying amounts. This is more abundantly found in Eucalyptus (E.globulus), Rosemary, and Thyme. Oils with 1,8-cineole are known for respiratory-decongesting and sinus-clearing benefits.
8. Carboxylic Acids
Carboxylic Acids are very water soluble, therefore when we put a plant through steam distillation for the extraction of an essential oil, most of the carboxylic acids stays in the water portion, i.e. the hydrosol, rather than in the essential oil. Carboxyllic acids are therefore only found in a very minor proportion in an essential oil, rarely comprising more than 1-2%. They are easy to recognize because they always have the word "acid" in their name. Examples are cinnamic acid in Cinnamon; geranic acid in Geranium; and valerinic acid in Valerian. Carboxyllic acids are stimulating and cleansing and are very reactive with other components.
9. Esters
When carboxylic acids combine with alcohol, esters and water will be released. Esters are therefore very stable, not water soluble at all and has a similar volatililty to alcohol usually have a strong, sweet aroma. The names of esters end in "-ate". Esters are anti-spasmodic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-fungal. Oils composed mainly of esters include Wintergreen, Clary Sage, Petitgrain, Lavandin, Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Myrtle, Ylang Ylan, Jasmine, Geranium and Palmarosa.
10. Alkanes
Few essential oils contain alkanes, and those that do usually contain less than 1%. The alkanes undercane, dodecane, and hexadecane are found in Ginger essential oil. Rose stands alone as an essential oil that contains 11-19% alkanes, which may be why this exquisite oil exhibits so many unique characteristics.
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Continue reading:
Essential Oil 101 (13): Essential Oil Constituent Categories Part III
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Source：
1) Life Science Products and Publishing Essential Oils Desk References (8th Edition) LifeScience Products and Publishing
2) The Chemistry of Essential Oils, by David Stewart, Ph D
3) l'aromathérapie exactement by Pierre Franchomme and Daniel Pénoël
4) Advanced Aromatherapy Diploma, Centre of Excellence
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