Aromatherapy Chemistry

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Aromatherapy Chemistry

How do we get essential oils ? Back to Top
Essential oils are not actually oily most of them are very light liquids that do not dissolve in water but evaporate instantly in the air. The liquid is held in tiny sacs in the plant, to get the liquid before it evaporates can be very difficult, there are 4 ways to do this, distillation, expression, maceration, effleurage, gas extraction, solvent extraction. 

Essential oils are far from simple substances. In fact, we dont appreciate how chemically complex essential oils really are. Every essential oil contains an amazing array of carbohydrates and enzymes, proteins and fats, vitamins, minerals and glycosides. But the powerful potential of an essential oil is found in its delicate mosaic of aromatic molecules. Even a fairly simple essential oil may contain anywhere from 80 to 300 different chemical constituents

The aromatic molecules in an essential oil are what gives it its distinctive fragrance. And while fragrance itself can have profound effects upon our emotions, these aromatic molecules, because of their chemical make-up, have many other effects, as well.

Generally essential oils consist of chemical compounds which have hydrogen, carbon and oxygen as their building blocks. these can be subdivided into two main groups 1 hydrocarbons 2 oxygenated compounds.

Chemical Compounds 

• Terpenes~ limonene-antiviral, found in 90% of citrus oils, pinene-antiseptic found in pine, chamazulene and farnesol-anti inflammatory found in chamomile. Also camphene, cadinene, caryophyllene, cedrene, dipentene, phellandrene, terpinene, sabinene, myrcene.

• Esters~ probably the most found, including acetate-sedative found in lavender, geranyl acetate-fungicidal found in marjoram. Also bornyl acetate, eugenyl acetate, lavendulyl acetate.

• Aldehydes~ citral-antiseptic found in lemon. Also benzaldehyde, cinnamic, cuminic, perillaldehyde.

• Ketones~ some of the most common toxic constituents are ketones thujone found in penny royal mugwort (not used by aromatherapists) not all ketones are dangerous safe to use ones include jasmone and fenchone-ease congestion found in fennel. Also camphor, carvone, methone, methyl nonyl, pinocamphone.

• Phenols~ these havea strong bactericidal and stimulating effectbut can irritate the skin,thymol-found in tyme. Also carvacrol, mythal eugenol, methl chavicol, anethole, safrole, myristicin, apiol. 

• Oxides~ the most important which is eucalyptol expectorant found in eucalyptus. Also linalol, ascaridol, bisabolol, bisabolone

Almond Sweet Oil one of the most popular carrier oils. Cold pressed yields the highest quality.
Pale yellow in colour slightly viscous and oily in texture.
High in essential fatty acids. An excellent emollient is beneficial for dry skin. Helps to soothe inflammation.

★★★★★

Almomd Oil 100ml
Free to Mainland U.K Post

Total:£7.99

International Shipping Add Once
£6.99

Jojoba Carrier Oil Cold pressed Jojoba is a light golden coloured liquid wax..
Contains myristic acid which is an anti-inflammatory agent, thus may be beneficial in blends for muscle and joint.
Suitable for all skin types in particular dry scalp, Psoraisis, eczema, chapped skin.

Free to U.K Post Total:£14.99 

★★★★★

Jojoba Oil 100ml

Free to Mainland U.K Post

Total:£14.99

International Shipping Add Once
£6.99

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