It’s About Chemistry

I have been intrigued with essential oils since I was a teen. My love for aromatherapy has been a grounding component in my life and several years ago I decided to explore formal education and certification as an Aromatherapist Professional through the Aromahead Institute and what an educational journey it was. While I was thinking about blending pretty scents together, I awoke to a world of anatomy, physiology, and chemistry.

Never once did I expect to take a deep dive into the chemical world of Monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, Esters, Ketones, Monoterpenols, Sesquiterpenols, Oxides, Phenols, Aldehydes, Ethers, and their chemical constitutes.

One of my first case studies was making a fungal spray to support the client’s wellness goal- it took me longer to complete the product formulation write-up than it did to formulate and deliver the product. The selected aromatic plant oils and their therapeutic qualities for clinical application are listed below.

Boswellia carterii (Frankincense) rich in Monoterpenes (a & b-pinene, d-limonene, B-myrcene) is a base note, steam distilled from the resin/gum part of the plant, with emotional and energetic qualities encouraging focused attention and tranquility, emotional healing, with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant therapeutic properties. Frankincense is beneficial for immune, respiratory, musculoskeletal, skin, mood, and cognition support.  Frankincense was specifically selected for this client for its skin healing properties as well as its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and respiratory supportive properties. The aromatic spray also provides an opportunity for inhalation of the molecules to support his respiratory needs.

Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass) is steam distilled from the grass part of the plant and considered to be a top-middle note. Lemongrass is dominated by the Aldehydes chemical constitutes geranial and neral (known as citral). Citral is the main contributor to the antifungal properties of lemongrass.  Lemongrass was selected for the blend for its antifungal properties, added emotional uplifting benefits, and because it blends well with Frankincense, Geranium, and Helichrysum which I also elected to use.  Adding safety factors for skin irritation drop quantity was kept below the recommended 0.07% use level.

Melissa officinalis (Melissa) is a middle note, steam distillation of the leaves and flowers with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antidepressant properties.  Melissa is rich in Aldehydes especially citral (a combination of geranial and neral) which provides the healing properties we wanted for this spray.  Melissa also blends well with Rosewood, which I selected for its skin-healing properties, and blends well with Geranium and Helichrysum. Due to the potential for skin irritation drop use was kept below the recommended safety guidelines of 0.09%.

Pelargonium x asperum (Geranium) is a steam distillation of the leaves part of the plant and is considered to be a middle note. Geranium chemical families are predominately Monoterpenols and Esters, however the support of the sesquiterpenes chemical family blended with the Monterpenols and Esters is what gives Geranium the anti-fungal healing properties, and why this oil was selected for the blend. This oil also provides the client with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, and skin-healing therapeutic properties.    

Aniba rosaeodora (Rosewood) is a steam distillation of the wood plant part of the tree and is considered a middle note. Rosewood is dominated by Monoterpenols predominantly Linalool which provides analgesic and anti-inflammatory and skin healing properties. Rosewood is also known to have antifungal properties.  Rosewood was selected for this blend not only for its anti-fungal properties, or to provide the richness of skin healing support due to two potential skin-irritating oils in the blend but also as a tonic support for an overstressed anxious/depressed mind.

Helichrysum italicum (Helichrysum) is a steam distillation of the flower plant part and is considered to be a middle note. Helichrysum is high in Esters (predominately neryl acetate) and Sesquiterpenes. Helichrysum was selected for this blend because it rounds out the formulation beautifully. It brings analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, and skin and wound healing therapeutic properties which add richness to the blend. 

Although I still like to blend aromatic scents, I now blend for therapeutic value with evidence-based science (chemistry) guiding me.