What are Essential Oils?Essential oils are the volatile, aromatic liquids that are contained in many shrubs, bushes, flowers, trees, roots, bark or seeds and usually extracted by steam distillation, cold-pressed extraction, or hydrodistillation. They have been used for thousands of years in many different cultures. The chemistry of essential oils is quite complex. One essential oil can contain hundreds of unique chemical compounds. Unlike fatty oils such as vegetable oil, corn oil, or olive oil, essential oils have a remarkable power of penetrating cell membranes, enabling them to travel throughout the blood and tissues. This allows essential oils to travel throughout the body within minutes, even from topical application to soft tissue.
Why Does Quality Matter?The chemical make-up of the essential oils can be affected by many factors. The type of plant used, where it is grown, and how and when it is distilled can affect the chemical constituents in the essential oil. Oils that are obtained from a second or third distillation of the same plant material are less potent and, therefore, less beneficial than oils obtained from the first distillation. High heat, high pressure, and chemical solvents used for distillation can change or break down the natural chemical compounds of the essential oil.
The standards for the regulation and labeling of essential oils is very loose in the United States. Knowing where your oils come from and how they are extracted is important for your health. Essential oils can be labeled "All Natural", "Pure", or "100% Pure" and still be a low-quality oil because of the toxins it could contain from the way the oil was processed or manufactured. Many oils are adulterated by mixing some pure essential oil with synthetic compounds to extend the oil. These synthetic extended oils will not have therapeutic qualities and may possibly be harmful. Some solvents can be odorless and colorless and the only way to tell the difference between authentic essential oils and adulterated essential oils is by analytical testing. Other times, a simple smell test can tell the difference between a high quality, pure, therapeutic-grade essential oil and one that is adulterated. Young Living only uses unadulterated essential oils from the first distillation using low temperature, low pressure techniques to ensure the purest and most authentic essential oils are produced. Each bottle is labeled with a batch number so it can be traced back to the source. Click here to read more about Young Living's Global Farms or the Young Living Seed to Seal® Process. What are the Beneficial Constituents of Essential Oils?The therapeutic benefits of essential oils comes from the natural chemical compounds found in the material of the plants. Preserving these chemical constituents is the key to producing a pure, high-quality, therapeutic-grade essential oil. Some basic categories of essential oil constituents are:
Monoterpenes Monoterpenes are found in nearly every essential oil and are known for supporting the immune system, helping to alleviate minor aches and pains associated with daily life, and supporting the body's natural response to irritation and injury. Some common monoterpenes are limonene, pinene, phellandrene, sabinene, myrcene, ocimene, and camphene. Monoterpenes enhance the other constituents of essential oils. They can be stimulating with a tonic effect. Monoterpenes have light aromas and are usually the first smell detected. Sesquiterpenes Sesquiterpenes are best known for their ability to support the body's natural response to irritation and injury, soothing effects for emotional and hormonal imbalances, and anti-allergy properties. Some sesquiterpenes have a light aroma, while others have a strong, spicy aroma. The most common ones are beta-caryophyllene, bisabolen, and guaiene. Other Terpenes Other terpenes, such as diterpenes, triterpenes, and tetraterpenes, have similar properties as sesquiterpenes. Some have additional properties of supporting healthy lung function and being purgatives. Phenols The most common phenols found in essential oils are thymol, eugenol, and carvacrol and are known for supporting the immune system. Alcohols Alcohols found in essential oils help to support the immune system and also can produce an energizing effect. Alcohols have sweet, floral aromas. Some common alcohols are borneol, citronellol, linalol, and lavendulol. Ethers Ethers are known for helping with emotional release and alleviating occasional nervous irritability. They are good for balancing and calming emotions and can produce an uplifting effect. Common ethers are anethole, estragole, and methyl chavicol. Aldehydes Aldehydes support the immune system, support the body's natural response to irritation and injury, and help with occasional emotional stress by creating a calming, uplifting effect. Aldehydes have strong aromas. Some common aldehydes are octanal, decanal, citral, cinnamaldehyde, and phellandral. Ketones Ketones have strong, very distinct aromas. They are acquainted with producing a calming and relaxing effect, helping to alleviate minor aches and pains associated with daily life or after exercise, and encouraging proper nasal function. They help to cleanse receptor cites and promote cell regeneration. Camphor, jasmone, piperitone, beta-thujone and alpha-vetivone are some common ketones. Carboxylic Acids Carboxylic acids are not commonly found in essential oils. When they are, they are known to be cleansing and stimulating. They are reactive to other constituents found in essential oils. Some common carboxylic acids are cinnamic acid, valerinic acid, and geranic acid. Esters Esters support the immune system, help with emotional release, help balance and calm emotions, and soothe occasional stress and tension. Common esters found in essential oils are linalyl acetate, neryl acetate, citronellyl formate, menthyl acetate, and bornyl acetate. Oxides Oxides are known for supporting the lungs and sinuses and encouraging proper nasal function. Common oxides are eucalyptol, pipertone oxide, and linalol oxide. Lactones Lactones are also known for supporting the lungs and sinuses and encouraging proper nasal function. They also support the immune system and the body's natural response to irritation and injury. Some also have antispasmodic properties. Some common lactones are bergaptene, furanogermacrene, and umbelliferone. Am I in Chemistry Class?As you have noticed, there is a lot of chemistry involved with essential oils. The therapeutic benefits of essential oils comes from the natural chemical compounds found within the plant material. Each one of us is unique in our chemical make-up. Each essential oil will respond differently to each person based on how the natural chemical compounds react to our body's unique chemical make-up. Essential oils that work for one person may not work for another, but there is probably another oil that will work instead. That is why it is important to share our oiling experiences! In addition, understanding the basic constituents of essential oils can help you find an oil for your specific needs.
If you are interested in learning more about the chemistry of essential oils, I highly recommend the book The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple: God's Love Manifest in Molecules by David Stewart, Ph.D., D.N.M. |
Anne L. Rancilio
Distributor ID# 2887430 Disclaimer:
I am not a medical professional, and information contained on this site is intended for reference purposes only. No information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. You should consult a licensed medical professional if you suspect that you could have a medical condition. You should seek the advice of a health care professional before using alternative therapies, vitamins, or supplements as they may have adverse effects when used with certain medications, therapies, or pre-existing health conditions. Statements on this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Actual product descriptions and packaging information may be different than what is shown on this site. |