An essential oil is a non-oily substance, 100% concentrated, volatile extract obtained from the essences of aromatic plants, which are housed in tiny glands, found in various areas (producing organs) of the aromatic plant, among which are: flowers, leaves, seeds, roots, grass, wood etc.
An essence and an essential oil are two different substances by their nature and composition. An essence is a substance secreted by the plant in its producing organs. An essential oil, on the other hand, is the result of steam distillation which extracts the essence from the aromatic part.Essential oils are complex mixtures of various types of organic molecules.
An essential oil can contain around 100 different types of volatile molecules. Some of these have been classified into larger functional groups that have predictable characteristics. The main groups are monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, phenols, alcohols, ketones, esters, ethers, and oxides. Classifying essential oils into these chemical groups allows understanding of the basic properties and actions of individual oils.
Alcohols
Alcohols are one of the safest forms of essential oils. Alcohol used when discussing essential oils does not mean the same as drinking alcohol. Alcohol refers to the scientific structure of the molecule, in which one hydrogen and one oxygen atom have been added to a hydrocarbon skeleton.
Monoterpenols are the most common form of alcohols which tend to be toning, stimulating, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-infectious, and enervating. Alcohols are good, non-irritating tonics, and are excellent choices for children and those with sensitive skin. This large category of essential oils include: geranium, tea tree, bergamot, and lavender. The alcohol found in abundance in lavender is linalool; other common alcohols are geraniol and citronellol. Antibacterial / Bactericide: A substance that destroys bacteria. All essential oils have some Antibacterial properties. With America’s ‘fear’ of germs antibiotics (anti- against; biotic – life) have been over used and abused. If the body maintains homeostasis, or balance, exposure to bacteria, viruses and toxins will be eliminated as part of natural functions.
Unfortunately, with today’s stressful lifestyles, maintaining balance has become difficult. Therefore, taking extra precautions in a natural way is a good idea. Using the Essential Shield line of products from Nature’s Sunshine Products is the easiest way I know of to be proactive against the spread of bacteria – and it smells great!
Ketones
Ketones are organic compounds characterized by a carboxyl group (a carbon atom double bonded to an oxygen atom) with a hydrocarbon on both sides. Ketones are sometimes mucolytic and neurotoxic when isolated form other constituents. However, all recorded toxic effects come from laboratory testing on guinea pigs and rats. No documented cases exist where oils with a high concentration of ketones (such as mugwort, tansy, sage and wormwood have ever caused a toxic effect on a human being.
Also, large amounts of these oils would have to be consumed for them to result in a toxic neurological effect. Ketones stimulate cell regeneration, promote the formation of tissue, and liquefy mucous. They are helpful with conditions such as dry asthma, colds, flu, and dry cough and are largely found in oils used for the upper respiratory system such as hyssop, rosemary, and sage.
Esters
Esters are the compounds resulting from the reaction of an alcohol with an acid (known as esterification). Esters consist of a carboxyl group (a carbon atom double bonded to an oxygen atom) bound to a hydrocarbon group on one side and bound to an oxygen and a hydrocarbon group on the opposite side.
Esters are very common and are found in the mildest essential oils. Mostly free of toxicity and irritants, they tend to be the most calming, relaxing, and balancing of all the essential oil constituents They are also antifungal and antispasmodic. They have a balancing or regulatory effect, especially on the nervous system. Some examples are linalyl acetate, geranyl acetate (with strong antifungal properties) and bornyl acetate (effective on bronchial candida). Other esters include engenyl acetate, lavendulyl acetate and methyl acetate.
Esters are a major constituent in: Birch, bergamot, cardamon, roman chamomile (85%) clary sage, geranium, helichrysum, jasmine, lavandin, lavender, onycha, petitgrain, spruce, tsuga, valerian, wintergreen, ylang ylang.
Esters are a minor constituent in: Angelica, carrot, cassia, cedar leaf, celery seed, cistus, clove, coriander, cypress, dill, Eucalyptus citriadora *lemon eucalyptus), balsam fir, Douglas fir, silver fir, white fir, fleabane, juniper, Laurus nobilkis, lemon, lemongrass, mandarin, marjoram, melissa, myrtle, neroli, orange, palmarosa, rosemary (CT verbenon), sage lavender.
Oxides
An organic oxide typically refers to an organic molecule (one that contains carbon and hydrogen) that has been oxidized, meaning an oxygen atom has become bound between two carbon atoms. According to the American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, an oxide is “a binary compound of an element or a radical with oxygen.” Oxides often act as expectorants and are mildly stimulating.
Found as a major constituent in: Cardamon, German chamomile, Eucalyptus gobulus, Eucalyptus polybractea, Eucalyptus radiata, Laurus nobilis, Melaleuca Leucadendron (Cajeput), Melaleuca quinquenervia (Niaouli), myrtle, Ravintsara, rosemary (CT cineol).
Check out the monthly sale page
Click to join my NSP family and become a Nature’s Sunshine Products Preferred Customer and take 25% off your first order with free shipping on orders of $49 or more. 20% off future orders. Free Shipping on orders over $99
, 25% off and 2 free shipments a month when you become a consultant. purchases