The chemistry of essential oils is complex, but in general, they consist of many hundreds of molecular compounds with atoms of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen. These can be subdivided into three principal groups :
The hydrocarbons consist mainly of :
The oxygenated compounds consist mainly of :
These can be grouped as :
Examples
limonene, pinene, camphene, cadinene, caryophyllene, cedrene, dipentine, phellandrene, terpinene, sabinene, myrcene
This is the molecular structure of d-limonene, or
4-isopropenyl-1-methylcyclohexene
This is the molecular
structure of pinene.
Aromatherapy Properties
anti-septic, anti-viral
Examples
chamazulene, farnesol
Aromatherapy Properties
anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory
These are found in almost all essential oils and have very useful properties.
Examples
linalyl acetate, geranyl acetate, bornyl acetate, eugenyl acetate, lavendulyl acetate
Aromatherapy Properties
fungicidal, sedative, fruity aroma
These are found in the lemon-scented oils such as melissa, lemongrass, lemon verbena, lemon eucalyptus and citronella.
Examples
citral, citronellal, neural, benzaldehyde, cinnamic aldehyde, cuminic aldehyde, perillaldehyde
This is the molecular structure of
benzaldehyde.
Aromatherapy Properties
anti-septic, sedative
Many ketones are toxic and are found in plants such as mugwort, tansy, sage and worm-wood. Non-toxic ketones include jasmone ( in jasmine ) and fenchone ( in fennel ).
Examples
thujone, pulegone, jasmone, fenchone, camphor, carvone, methone, methyl nonyl ketone, pinocamphone
This is a picture of
thujone.
This is a picture of
camphor.
Aromatherapy Properties
respiratory complaints - helps ease congestion and clears mucus
Generally non-toxic and useful in producing uplifting oils. Linalol is found in lavender and citronellol is found in rose and geranium.
Examples :
linalol, citronellol, geraniol, borneol, methol, nerol, terpineol, farnesol, vetiverol, benzyl alcohol, cedrol
This is a picture of citronellol
This is the molecular structure of
geraniol.
Aromatherapy Properties
anti-septic, anti-viral, uplifting oils
Often strongly stimulating but can be skin irritants. Found in clove, bay, thyme, oregano and savory.
Examples
eugenol, thymol, carvacrol, methyl eugenol, methyl chavicol, anethole, safrole, myristicin, apiol
This is the molecular
structure of eugenol.
Aromatherapy Properties
anti-bacterial, stimulating
Cineol is the principal constituent of eucalyptus oil and is by far the most important oxide in essential oils. It is found in other camphoraceous oils such as rosemary, bay, laurel, tea tree and cajeput.
Examples
cineol ( eucalyptol ), linalol oxide, ascaridol, bisabolol oxide, bisabolone oxide
Aromatherapy Properties
