Each essential oil has its own aroma and its unique chemical makeup.
This makeup contributes to the electrical charge of the essential oil, negatively charged essential oils and blends tend to be more relaxing, positively charged essential oils and blends tend to be more stimulating. The charge can be demonstrated by passing essential oil vapour between two electrically charged plates (Franchomme and Penoel)
Alcohols and esters are generally safe in use. Caution needs to be exercised with other functional groups like ketones.
Esters - calming, good for skin conditions
Aliphatic aldehydes - refreshing antiseptic antifungal
Ketones - cooling, decongestant, analgesic
Sesquiterpenes - balancing, soothing, digestion, warming
Lactones and coumarins - balancing, decongestant, photosensitive
Remainder - the unreported part of the oil
Oxides - expectorant, respiratory decongestant, diuretic
Acids - deodorant (small quantities)
Aromatic aldehydes - warming, antiseptic, antifungal
Monoterpenes - skin tonic, digestion, liver
Alcohols - antiviral, bactericidal, tonic but gentle
Phenols, phenolic ethers - stimulating, antiviral, aggressive
Once a good understanding of essential oil chemistry has been obtained student practicioners can combine essential oils in blends for therapeutic effect in the treatment of a variety of common ailments as clinical aromatherapists. This is not medicine. To be of use in medical treatments essential oils have to be used under medical supervision. Clinical aromatherapy is however of value in attempting to treat a wide variety of common ailments. Aromatherapy treatments will not work for everyone and should be avoided altogether by the 0.1% of us sensitive to essential oils. Sensitivity should always be checked for by a patch test of oil on the inner elbow skin before a treatment is attempted.
Acne, Anxiety, Athletes foot, Baby colic, Baby coughs and colds, Baby anxiety, Baby nappy rash, baby teething, Back pain, Blood pressure high, Blood pressure low, Breast abcess, Bursitis, Cellulite, Chickenpox, Common cold, Constipation, Cramp, Cystitis, Diarrhoea, Eczema, Emotional stress, Fluid retention, Foot care, Gastric flatulence, Gout, Haemorrhoids, Herpes simplex, Impetigo, Indigestion, Leg ulcers, Measles, Menopause, Mumps, Osteoarthritis, Periods (heavy, lack of, painful, pmt), post natal infections, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ringworm, Sex drive (overdrive, lack of), Sprains, Stretch marks, Thrush, Varicose Veins, Weight loss (Caddy 2007 The Essential Blending Guide).
Those wishing to research or revise essential oil properties and therapeutic uses will find this online manual useful as a study aid
http://www.essential-training.co.uk/productaromab.htm
Remember essential oil is not medicine. If you are ill see your doctor!
