AT 101 Module 1 Flashcards
How would you describe aromatherapy to someone who knew nothing about it?
Aromatherapy is the art and science of using naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote health of the body, mind and soul.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are volatile, non oily aromatic liquids occurring naturally in various parts of plants, herbs, flowers, fruits, woods and spices.
True or false - essential oils dissolve easily in water?
False
Name and briefly describe the four basic areas of aromatherapy
Medical / Clinical: practiced by doctors in France (medical) or practiced in a clinical setting involving direct supervision of the patient with diagnosable symptoms
Popular & Esoteric: Popular – feel good therapy using touch and smell
Esoteric – must understand the “healing art” of essential oils, standards of quality of essential oils and be well trained.
Holistic: aimed at treating the whole person – body, mind and soul
Scientific Study of Fragrance: study of the effects of fragrance on human psychology and behavior
What three distinct modes of action do essential oils have with regard to how they interrelate with the human body (the 3 P’s)
Pharmacological Effect: chemical changes that take place when an essential oil enters the bloodstream and brain, and reacts with hormones and enzymes,etc.
Physiological Effect: how essential oils effect systems of the body – sedate or stimulate
Psychological Effect: response to the smell of the essential oil with the limbic (memory / emotions) part of the brain
Who is known as the modern-day father of aromatherapy?
Rene Maurice Grattefosse – used lavender essential oil on burns to stop the spread of gangrenous sores
Incident –occurred in 1910
Studied for 50 years before writing his first aromatherapy book
The distinctive strength of holistic aromatherapy as a healing art is dependent upon what six principles? Briefly describe these principles.
Pharmacology of Essential Oils – whole essential oils (all constituents) must be used to optimize healing properties of each essential oils.
Holistic Principles – main difference between orthodox medicine and systems based on tradition healing is the philosophical understanding of health, disease, the healing process and the interactions of these factors.
Massage – profound psychological and physical impact – the act of soothing physical tension has a relaxing effect on psychological tension.
Therapist / Client Relationship – empathy of the therapist is important. The patient’s confidence in the therapist is important for wellbeing of patient and therapist’s success.
Realization of Complexity of Problem of Illness and Ill Health – the concept of health today has come to mean more than just lack of disease – it includes physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing.
Role of Olfaction – the effect that smell has a powerful effect on the central nervous system.
The study of how essential oils are absorbed and excreted is called?
Pharmacokinetics
What is the importance of the Latin binomial?
- Designates the exact species of the essential oils
- Essential oil may come from the same plant family but have a different chemical makeup
- Determines specific properties and contraindications of that particular essential oil
Essential oil components can be absorbed by what four routes? Explain each. Which routes are most commonly used?
Topical: via external skin using dermal application, massage, compress, mist or bath
Inhaled: directly or indirectly, with or without steam – diffusers, fans, inhaler
Internal: mouthwashes, gargles, douches, suppositories
Oral: using gel caps or diluted with honey, alcohol or dispersants
Explain the process of penetration and permeation in the topical application of essential oils.
Penetration – entry of substance into and through skin
Permeation – the subsequent absorption of the substance into the body
What factors (growing, harvest and distillation) affect the quality of essential oils?
- Age of Plant
- Altitude
- Climate
- Genetics
- Geography
- Length of Distillation
- Temperature distilled at
- # of times distilled
- Soil Type
- Time of harvest (time of day, year)
- Use of fertilizers and pesticides
Describe what is meant by Top, Middle and Base Notes.
Top notes: tend to be very aromatic, most often the essential oil you will initially smell in a blend
- evaporate quickly, are sharp, penetrating and either hot or cold, never warm
- remain in the body for 2 to 3 hours; most have a stimulating effect; however, some are sedating
Middle Notes: - “balancers” in a blend; warm and smooth with no sharp edges
- either sedating or stimulating
- remain in the body from 2 to 6 hours and usually form the bulk of the blend
Base Notes: - deepen the blend; smell weak or faint until applied (react and release their power)
- sedating action on the body
- act as fixative to stop lighter notes from dispersing too fast
- remain in the body for up to 72 hours-
Adaptogens: - adapt to what the body needs in terms of the pharmacological and physiological actions
Essential oil labels should carry the following information on the label.
Common Name Latin Binomial County of Origin Extraction Method If organic Pure or diluted Number of MLs in the bottle
What are the chemotypes for the two Basils covered in Module 1? What are the differences between the two in terms of safety?
Estragole CT and Linalool CT
What is the extraction process for Basil essential oil? What part of the plant is used to extract the essential oil?
Steam distillation of leaves and flowers
What are the three main chemical constituents and their properties in Basil Estragole CT essential oil?
Methyl chavicol (a phenol)
- antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of the intestines and genitourinary tract
- appears to block skeletal muscle contraction when applied topically
- anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties
Linalool I (a monoterpenol)
- sleep, reduction of anxiety and analgesic properties
- may have a spasmolytic (muscle relaxation) effect and pain reducing effect
- anti-inflammatory action
- shown to be effective at killing mites and ticks
Beta caryophyllene (a sesquiterpene)
- anti-inflammatory properties, found to reduce stomach cell damage from alcohol poisoning in rats when administered orally.
- believed it works better than standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory preparations as it does not damage the gastric mucosa
What are the three main chemical constituents and their properties in Basil Linalool CT essential oil?
Linalool ( rhymes with bowl) (a monoterpenol)
- well studied with regard to sleep, reduction of anxiety, and analgesic properties.
- studies have found linalool may have a spasmolytic (muscle relaxation) effect and pain reducing effect on anti-inflammatory action
- Linalool has been shown to be effective at killing mites and ticks.
Terpinen-4-ol — (terp i neen) (a monoterpenol) can oxidize fairly rapidly
- very anti-infectious and antifungal (it rivals commercial disinfectants but has the advantage of being mild on the skin and mucus membranes)
- found to be effective against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans (Carson and Riley 1995)
- the only constituent tested that was active against Psuedomonas aeruginosa, Budhiraja et al., (1999), because it activates monocytes, the white blood cells involved in the immune response to infection
Caryophyllene (keri oh fill ene)
In an abstract published in August 2014 in the Science Direct Journal, Volume 135, (3-Caryophyllene showed - - anti-depressant and anti-anxiety properties
- it appeared to be anti-compulsive when tested on laboratory animals
- inhibites the growth of myelogenous leukemia cells (Lampronti et a12006)
- is a weak skin allergen, however is non-toxic; non-mutagenic and antitumoral
What would you consider to be three main actions of both Basil essential oils? Describe them.
Digestive: Basil is a Carminative (settles the digestive system, expulsion of gas from the intestines, it Promotes digestion, Assists in cases of insufficient digestive enzymes, is a Intestinal antiseptic, eases gastric spasms, Gastritis, Ulcers, Hiccups and gout
Respiratory: Clears sinuses, Loss of sense of smell due to chronic nasal catarrh, rhinitis, Asthma, Bronchitis, Whooping Cough, Strengthens and stimulates the respiratory system.
Muscular/Skeletal: Antispasmodic action can help with muscular conditions first stimulates then lessens cerebro-spinal activity, Rheumatoid arthritis/Cools rheumatic pain, Analgesic —muscular aches and pains and is Anti-inflammatory
Another way to look at Basil…… For Basil Linalool CT highlight or circle the two main applications and therapeutic activities (two answers in each column are the correct answers).
APPLICATIONS THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY
Gastric upset Carmative
Muscular pain Analgesic
What is the Latin binomial for Bergamot essential oil?
Citrus bergamia
What is the extraction method for Bergamot essential oil? What part of the fruit is used?
Expression from the peel
For Bergamot essential oil, highlight or circle the two main applications and therapeutic activities
Arthritis Depressant
Depression Anti-Spasmodic
What are the main chemical constituents and their properties of Bergamot essential oil?
Limonene — (li-mon-een) Bergamot essential oil can contain up to 52% limonene. Limonene is a monoterpene, made up of two isoprene units. Limonene tends to have a drying effect on the skin and mucus membranes. Studies have shown that limonene has anti- cancer effects. Limonene increases the levels of liver enzymes involved in detoxifying carcinogens. The Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is a system which eliminates carcinogens. Limonene seems to promote the GST system in the liver and small bowel, thereby decreasing the damaging effects of carcinogens. Animal studies demonstrated that dietary limonene reduced mammary tumor growth.
Linalyl acetate — (lin-a-lull) Linalyl acetate is an ester and is one of the most valuable and characteristic constituents of bergamot essential oil. Generally essential oils high in linalyl acetate are anti-spasmodic and sedating. They are also thought to regulate the sympathetic nervous system and the neuro-endocrine system.
Linalool -Depending where the bergamot comes from it can have up to 20% linalool content. Linalool is a monoterpenol and has been well studied with regards to sleep, reduction of anxiety, and analgesic properties. Studies have found linalool may have a spasmolytic (muscle relaxation) effect and pain reducing effect on rats, as well as an anti-inflammatory action. Linalool has been shown to be effective at killing mites and ticks.
What CI’s (contraindications) are there with Bergamot essential oil?
Avoid UV rays for at least 12 hours after topical use of Bergamot. Avoid old or oxidized oils.
What would you consider to be three main actions of Bergamot essential oil? Describe them.
The Skin: Oily, acne prone skin, Eczema, Psoriasis, Boils, Cold sores, Insect repellent and insect bites, Varicose ulcers and Wounds and abscesses
Immune System: It is Anti-viral, Anti-toxic, may help with the Flu, Colds, Infectious diseases, Shingles and chicken pox
Genito Urinary Reproductive: may help with Cystitis, is Diuretic, Thrush, Uterine tonic, PMS, Menstrual cramping
What is the Latin binomial for Clary Sage essential oil?
Salvia sclarea
What is the extraction process for Clary Sage essential oil? What part of the herb is used in the extraction process?
Steam distillation of the leaves and flowers
What CI’s are there with Clary Sage essential oil?
Precautions: According to Franchomme and Penol (1990), Clary sage essential oil is estrogen-like due to its content of sclareol. However, Glary sage contains only 0.1 — 0.4% sclareol re: GC analysis and therefore there would be too little to have any estrogenic affect. According to Tisserand (2013) there are no contraindications.
What are the main chemical constituents and their properties of Clary Sage essential oil?
Linalyl acetate — Linalyl acetate is an ester and generally essential oils high in linalyl acetate are antispasmodic and sedating. They are also thought to regulate the sympathetic nervous system and the neuroendocrine system.
Linalool — Linalool is a monoterpenol and has been well studied with regards to sleep, reduction of anxiety, and analgesic properties. Studies have found linalool may have a spasmolytic (muscle relaxation) effect and pain reducing effect on rats, as well as an anti-inflammatory action. Linalool has been shown to be effective at killing mites and ticks.
Germacrene D— (germ-a-Green) Germacrene D is a sesquiterpene and has antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. It can also reduce inflammation caused by insect stings and bites and for histaminic reactions. It has been studied most thoroughly with regard to the fact that it activates a major olfactory receptor neuron on the antennae of the hekiothine moths
Definite Cholagogue
increases production and flow of bile
Define Febrifugea
a cooling essential oil which helps combat a fever
Define Carminative
settles the digestive system, expulsion of gas from the intestines
Define Galactagogue
increases the secretion of milk
Define Dysmenorrhea
painful periods
What would you consider to be three main actions of Clary Sage essential oil? Describe them.
Genito/Urinary/Reproductive -Estrogen like properties; Amenorrhoea; (loss of periods); Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods); Scanty or irregular menstruation; PMS; Menopause and peri-menopause; Balances uterine tissues; Emmenagogue; Eases labour pains.
Nervous Brain/Mind -Anti-depressant; Nerve tonic; Sedative; Euphoric; Headache; Migraine; Anxiety; Stress.
Skin -Oily, acne prone skin; Oily hair; Hair loss (scalp stimulant); Boils; Inflamed skin; Ulcers; Excessive perspiration.
