Aromatherapy Introduction & Chemistry

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Charity Carpenter
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1 Slide 1 Aromatherapy Introduction & Chemistry Bethany Williamson Bastyr University Trained Aromatherapist

2 Slide 2 What is Aromatherapy? Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of plant derived, aromatic essential oils to promote physical and psychological well being.

3 Slide 3 WHAT IS AN ESSENTIAL OIL? Natural aromatic compounds found in plants Steam distilled or cold pressed extraction Powerful, safe benefits without side effects (Oil sacs on peppermint leaf)

4 Slide 4 Essential Oil Uses AROMATIC Diffuse in a room to purify the air or to change emotion BEST way to use essential oils. TOPICAL Apply directly to skin during massage or for topical therapy with a carrier oil INTERNAL Under the supervision of a trained aromatherapist and then in a gel capsule.

5 Slide 5 Aromatically Cool Mist Diffuser Car Diffuser Tissue in car vent/in your hand Vaporizer Wear as a perfume lotions, massage oil, roller bottle Do NOT heat up essential oils!

6 Slide 6 Your Sense of Smell Smell, almost more than any other sense, has the ability to dredge up memories, change moods, or ease tension. Your sense of smell is 10,000 times more sensitive than any of your other senses. Aroma can powerfully affect the brain. Inhaling aromatic compounds from essential oils delivers them to the olfactory bulb, part of the brains limbic system known as our emotional brain.

Slide 7 Odor stimuli in the limbic system releases a series of brain chemicals, for example: Lavender triggers the endorphin serotonin, which has a relaxing effect on the mind and

7 Slide 7 Odor stimuli in the limbic system releases a series of brain chemicals, for example: Lavender triggers the endorphin serotonin, which has a relaxing effect on the mind and body. The olfactory bulb is the only place in the body where the central nervous system is exposed to the environment. Our brain is designed to use aroma to heal and soothe itself.

Slide 8 Topical Application Dilution is important Robert Tissserand Dilution Guidelines Depends on age of person Depends on location on body Depends on percentage of

8 Slide 8 Topical Application Dilution is important Robert Tissserand Dilution Guidelines Depends on age of person Depends on location on body Depends on percentage of dilution Base guideline: 1 ounce bottle drops of essential oil Roller Bottles 10ml roller bottle drops essential oil MAX 5ml roller bottle 8-10 drops essential oil MAX

9 Slide 9 Topical Application of Essential Oils Essential oils can be applied topically, with a carrier oil for many uses. During a massage therapeutically to aid in relaxation, muscle tension and stiffness. As a scent on the neck or inside wrists to smell throughout the day for emotional balance. Applied to an area of specific concern for overall wellness. Blended with lotions, salts and oils for beauty products. Always use a carrier oil when applying essential oils topically as you can develop a sensitivity to that oil.

Slide 10 Internal Use of Essential Oils I would caution against using essential oils internally without first consulting a trained aromatherapist.

10 Slide 10 Internal Use of Essential Oils I would caution against using essential oils internally without first consulting a trained aromatherapist. There can be serious complications to using oils internally if not done properly. Dr. Robert Tisserand wrote the book, Essential Oil Safety. He is a world leader and educator in essential oils and their uses. He cautions against taking essential oils internally unless they are in a gel capsule. You can hurt your mucus membranes taking them straight or in water. There are many companies selling essential oils already in gel capsule form.

11 Slide 11 Chemistry of Essential Oils!

12 Slide 12 Essential Oil Chemistry The majority of molecular compounds found in essential oils are classified into groups, or families, of compounds according to their atomic structure. Each group, or family has specific properties. When you look at the properties of the group it helps us understand the molecules that are in a specific essential oil. The action of the essential oil is a result of the individual and combined properties of the molecular compounds it contains.

13 Slide 13 Chemical Families in Essential Oils Monoterpene (C-10) Hydrocarbons Monoterpene Alcohol Sesquiterpene (C-15) Hydrocarbons Sesquiterpene Alcohol Aldehydes Ketones Esters Phenols Phenylpropanes Ethers Oxides Coumarin & Lactones

14 Slide 14 Therapeutic Properties of Chemical Families Each Chemical family has a variety of therapeutic properties. If you understand what the properties are then you can select the appropriate essential oil with those properties. This is where a GC/MS Report comes in handy. You can ready the percentage of a chemical family and if you know the properties then you know how to use that oil.

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19 Slide 19 Monoterpene s (C-10) Properties Antiseptic great for cuts Analgesic relieves pain Rubifacient/Diuretic increases blood circulation/move Fluids Decongestant relieves respiratory congestion Antibacterial Great for diffusing to kill airborne germs Anti-Viral- Shorten the life of a virus Anti-Tumoral inhibits tumor growth

20 Slide 20 Essential Oils with Monoterpene s Here are a few oils with Monoterpene s they have different percentages. Citrus Oils Lavender Cypress Clary Sage Frankincense Pine Fennel Spruce Elemi Bay Laurel White Fir Cumi Lime Melaleuca Marjoram Grapefruit Thyme Litsea Kunzea Cardamom Black Pepper Spearmint Bergamot Juniper Berry * Musty, Dry, Hard to identify scent

21 Slide 21 Monoterpene Alcohols Anti-infectious inhibits infection spread Antiseptic great for cuts Antifungal- fungal infections Antiviral- shorten the life of a virus Immune Stimulant- Build the immunity Anti-Bacterial- Diffuse!

22 Slide 22 Essential Oils with Monoterpene Alcohols Here are a few oils with Monoterpene Alcohol they have different percentages. Geranium Coriander Lavender Rose Palmarosa Peppermint Rosemary Basil Thyme Ravanasare Melaleuca Ylang Ylang Eucalyptus Lemon Myrtle Spearmint Marjoram Lime Cardamom

23 Slide 23 Sesquiterpene (C-15) Hydrocarbons Anti-allergic- minimize and allergic reaction Anti-inflammatory helps with inflammation Anti-Fungal fungal infections Analgesic- pain relief Anti-septic great for cuts

24 Slide 24 Essential Oils with Sesquiterpene Hydrocarbons (C-15) Here are a few oils with Sesquiterpene Hydrocarbons they have different percentages. Cape Chamomile German Chamomile Myrrh Tanacetum Helichrysum Ginger Copaiba Katrafay Blue Tansey Ylang Ylang Elemi Black Pepper Patchouli Sage Poplar Balsam * Dry, Musty, Blue Scent

25 Slide 25 Sesquiterpene Alcohol Anti-inflammatory Immune supporting Sedative Skin healing Antibacterial Antispasmodic Excellent tonic for lymph system as well as veins

26 Slide 26 Essential Oils with Sesquiterpene Alcohols Here are a few oils with Sesquiterpene Alcohols they have different percentages. Elemi Cedarwood Rosewood Sandalwood Spikenard Patchouli Cistus Carrot Seed Katrafay Ginger Myrrh Vetiver *Woody, earthy, masculine, base note, leathery, fleshy Scent

27 Slide 27 Aldehydes Anti-Inflammatory Anti-infectious Anti-viral Sedative Adrenal Fatigue Analgesic Anxiety Anti-fungal Antiseptic

28 Slide 28 Essential Oils with Aldehydes This is a few of the oils with Aldehydes they have different percentages. Citronella Eucalyptus citriodora Litsea Melissa Cumin Ginger Cassia Cinnamon Lemon Marjoram Geranium Myrrh Elemi *Can be skin sensitive, analgesic

29 Slide 29 Ketones Cell Regenerative wound healing Mucolytic breakdown hard mucus Skin Care Scars Calming/Soothing Anti-coagulant- stops blood from clotting Can help break down fat cells Cautions: Neurotoxic, abortive

30 Slide 30 Essential Oils with Ketones This is a few of the oils with Ketones they have different percentages. Helichrysum Mugwort Spearmint Rosemary Sage Fennel Cedarwood Ginger Eucalyptus Divus Peppermint Roman Chamomile Geranium *Musty

31 Slide 31 Esters Anti-fungal Anti-spasmodic muscles/hyperactive nervous system Balancing to the CNS Central Nervous System Calming Sedative lympic system/adrenals Adrenal Fatigue Stress Relief Anti-inflammatory Skin rejuvenation Tension Relief

32 Slide 32 Essential Oils with Esters This is a few of the oils with Esters they have different percentages. Lavender Roman Chamomile Cape Chamomile Geranium Clary Sage Mandarin Pettigrain Melissa Fragonia Birch Bergamot Ylang Ylang Carrot Seed Wintergreen Helichrysum Cape Snowbush Cardamom *Sedative, fruity, green, feminine, some floral.

33 Slide 33 Phenyl-propanes Anti-bacterial Immune Digestion Skin Irritant Heart Tonic Analgesic

34 Slide 34 Essential Oils with Phenyl-propanes This is a few of the oils with Phenyl-propanes they have different percentages. Cinnamon leaf Cinnamon bark Clove

35 Slide 35 Phenols Anti-bacterial Anti-fungal Warming Skin irritant Immune stimulant

36 Slide 36 Essential Oils with Phenols This is a few of the oils with Phenols they have different percentages. Oregano Savory Thyme *Hot, spicy

37 Slide 37 Oxides Anti-viral Expectorant lungs Respiratory cleansing Decongestant Mental Stagnation

38 Slide 38 Essential Oils with Oxides This is a few of the oils with Oxides they have different percentages. Eucalyptus smithei, globulus, radiata Ravensare Basil Rose Thyme Melaleuca Naioli Peppermint Bay Laurel Melissa Rosemary Cape Snowbush German Chamomile

39 Slide 39 Ethers Anti-spasmodic Digestive Aid Fight/Flight/Fright Balancing to the ANS See next slide

40 Slide 40 The ANS controls and regulates all the functions necessary to maintain life and, if we were to get knocked unconscious, it is our ANS that would keep us alive. Some of the key functions controlled by the ANS ( autonomic nervous system) include: Respiration Blood pressure Heart rate Circulatory distribution All organ functions, including digestion, detoxification and elimination Immune regulation Hormonal regulation Thermoregulation, and more!

41 Slide 41 Essential Oils with Ethers This is a few of the oils with Ethers they have different percentages. Anise Seed Basil Fennel Nutmeg Tarragon Ylang Ylang Rose Peru Balsam *Licorice, spice, greenish

42 Slide 42 Coumarin & Lactones Photo-toxic Anti-spasmodic Strong mucolytic breaks down mucus

43 Slide 43 Essential Oils with Coumarin & Lactones This is a few of the oils with Coumarins and Lactones they have different percentages. Population Lavender Inula graveolens

44 Slide 44 What to do with this Knowledge? Helps with selection of essential oils to use Target specific concerns Blend several oils to use for several concerns Blending Class we will dive deeper!

45 Slide 45 Thank You!

Chemical properties of essential oils

Chemical properties of essential oils Much of the information in this chapter is gathered from a variety of reference books I use every day in my office. Among these, I have found Aromatherapy with Chinese