Chemical Constituents Flashcards
1
Q
Linalool
A
- monoterpenol
- well studied in regards to sleep, anxiety, and analgesic properties
- effective at killing mites and ticks
2
Q
Beta-caryophyllene
A
- sesquiterpene
- anti-inflammatory - believed to work better than NSAIDS as it doesn’t damage the mucosal lining of the stomach
- reduce stomach cell damage from alcohol poisoning in rats when administered orally
3
Q
Limonene
A
- monoterpene
- has a drying effect on the skin and mucous membranes
- studies have shown this to have anti-cancer effects by increasing liver enzyme Glutathione S-transferase involved in detoxifying carcinogens
4
Q
Linalyl acetate
A
- ester
- anti-spasmodic
- sedating
- regulate the sympathetic nervous system and neuro-endocrine system
5
Q
Germacrene D
A
- sesquiterpene
- anti-microbial and insecticidal properties
- reduce histamine response in insect bites and stings
- activates a major olfactory receptor neuron
6
Q
1,8 Cineole
A
- anti-viral
- antitussive
- bronchodilator
- mucolytic
- has a positive effect on respiratory function (colds to COPD)
- anti-inflammatory agent
- causes respiratory depression in children
7
Q
Alpha-pinene
A
- terpene
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-microbial
8
Q
Citronellal
A
- aldehyde
- calming
- sedative
- managing opportunistic fungal infections in those who are immunocompromised
- anti-infectious
- analgesic
- anti-spasmodic
9
Q
Citronellol
A
- monoterpenoid
- main source of lemony aroma
- effective analgesic - inhibits peripheral mediators as well as central inhibitory mechanisms that could be related to its strong antioxidant effect
- antimicrobial
- anti-viral
- sedative
10
Q
Citronellyl acetate
A
- ester
- analgesic
- anti-inflammatory
- balancing to the sympathetic nervous system
- sedative
11
Q
Estragol (Methyl Chavicol)
A
- phenol
- antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of the GI tract
- appears to block skeletal muscle contraction when applied topically
- anti-infectious
- anti-inflammatory
- analgesic properties
12
Q
Piperitone
A
- ketone
- effective in reducing mucosal secretions in both respiratory and urinary tract infections
- helpful in the healing of sores, scars, burns, and surgical wounds
- promising research into stopping herpes and HPV virus (chickenpox/shingles)
13
Q
A-phellandrene
A
- monoterpene
- tonic to the skin
- can cause irritation in the case of sensitive skin
- helps dry mucous
- has a warming effect on the skin which makes it helpful in inflammation
14
Q
Terpinen-4-ol
A
- strong antibacterial
- strong antifungal
- mild on the skin
- effective against e-coli, staphylococcus aureus, candida, and pseudamonas
- activates monocytes
15
Q
Beta- eudesmol
A
- sesquiterpene alkene alcohol
- considerable anti-platelet activity
- anti-hepatotoxic effects
16
Q
alpha- terpineol
A
- monoterpinol
- anti-infectious
- anti-fungal
- analgesic
- makes the site of the application feel cold
- slight local anesthetic
17
Q
Myrcene
A
- monoterpene
- mucus membrane tonic
- decongestant
- anti-oxidant
- anti-microbial
18
Q
beta-pinene
A
- stimulant
- anti-viral
- anti-tumour
- decongestant
- anti-bacterial
- hepatoprotective
19
Q
gamma-terpinene
A
- monoterpine
- strong anti-oxidant properties
- drying effect on skin and mucous membranes
20
Q
Beta-bisabolene
A
- sesquiterpene
- insect pheromone
- anti-inflammatory properties
21
Q
delta-3-carene
A
- alkene
- monoterpene
- not soluble in water, but is in carrier oils
- among the most volatile of the chemical constituents
- oxidize quickly
- can cause dose dependent irritation when inhaled
- risk of skin sensitivity when applied topically
- drying effect on skin and mucous membranes
22
Q
camphor
A
- ketone
- can produce convulsions and be toxic to the nervous system when injested
- effective on the respiratory system
- vasodilator by way of relaxing venous smooth muscles
- can alleviate hemorrhoidal bleeding and inflammation
23
Q
alpha-thujone
A
- terpenoid ketone
- has the potential to produce convulsions and be neurotoxic when administered orally
- dermal application is unlikely to yield these results, but buildup with repeated daily dosages due to the long half-life of the terpenoids in the body
- blocks neurotransmitter gamma-amino butyric acid, causing an over-excitation of neurons
- effective at reducing mucosal secretions in both respiratory and gentiourinary infections
- essential oils high in ketones prevent cheloid formation and over production of scar tissue in wound healing
- stops viruses that attack the nervous system such as herpes and shingles
24
Q
beta-thujone
A
- the exact chemical makeup of a-thujone
- carries the same properties of a-thujone
25
alpha-terpinene
- monoterpine
- anti-infectious
- antifungal
- analgesic
- a tightening effect on the skin, making it helpful for oily, acne prone skin
- there is currently research being done in the effectiveness of alpha-terpinene in cancer treatment
26
thymol
- phenol
- prevent most microorganisms from growing and can kill them
- can kill staphylococus aureus, and pseudomonas
- most useful in treatment of boils, acne, thrush, and vaginal thrush
- can be a skin irritant
27
para-cymene
- tends to evaporate quickly
- more prone to oxidization than many other constituents
- may be a slight skin irritant
- a respiratory and skin tonic
28
carvacrol
- bacteriostatic and bactericidal on salmonella, e-coli, -staph aureus
- strong anti-platelet aggregation activity
- significantly reduces plasma glucose concentrations
29
Phenols characteristics
- aromatic alcohol
- names end in -ol
- antibacterial
- antimicrobial
- a tonic and stimulant
- immune system boosting
- invigorating and warming
- circulatory stimulants
- vasodilators
- analgesic
- anti-inflammatory
30
Essential oils high in phenols
- thyme
- oregano
- summer and winter savory
- clove bud
- cinnamon
- fennel
these essential oils are mainly antiseptic and germicidal
overuse can produce toxicity
31
Safety considerations of phenols
- parsley oil is a phenol and is known to be an abortificant
- because of their heating actions, oils containing phenols should be used in small amounts
- there could be slight liver toxicity associated with all phenols, and would become evident if used in high doses for an extended period of time.
32
Alcohols characteristics
- end in -ol
- highly antiseptic, anti-fungal, diuretic, and antibiotic
- nervous system tonic
- a balancing effect on the hormonal system
- far less aggressive than phenols
33
Examples of phenols
- carvacrol
- chavicol
- cresol
- eugenol
- guaiacol
- isoeugenol
34
Safety considerations for alcohol
generally non-toxic and do not cause skin irritation
35
Monoterpene characteristics
- the most beneficial and safest of all essential oil constituents
- most are generally stimulating, but when linalool is present the opposite is true and a deep state of relaxation is induced
36
Which essential oils have linalool?
- lavender
- clary sage
- rosewood
- thyme
37
Safety considerations with monoterpenes
generally non-toxic and do not cause skin irritation
38
Sesquiterpene characteristics
- essential oils vetiver, cedarwood, basil, sandalwood, myrrh, and frankincense can increase levels of oxygen in the brain by up to 28% which could lead to heightened activity in the hypothalamus, which can have dramatic effects on not only learning emotions and attitudes; but also many physical processes such as immune function, hormonal balance, and energy levels
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-pyretic
- anti-viral
- inhibit the growth of bacteria
- soothing to inflamed tissue
- calm emotions and help with hormonal balance
- liver tonic
- tone muscles, nerves, and reduce congestion of veins and the lymphatic system
- bisabolol is one of the strongest sesquiterpene alcohols and may be found in chamomile oils
39
sesquiterpene safety considerations
generally nontoxic and do not cause skin irritation
40
aldehydes characteristics
- unstable and readily oxidize
- end in -hyde or -al
- calm the nervous system
- anti-inflammatory
- vasodilators and can lower blood pressure
- anti-fungal
- antimicrobial
41
safety considerations for aldehydes
- quite harsh and can cause major irritation to both the skin and mucous membranes
- very susceptible to oxidization
42
ketones characteristics
- valuable in respiratory infections as they are power expectorants
- analgesic properties
- help with scar and wound healing
- antimicrobial
- analgesic
- antispasmodic
- end in -one except for camphor
43
safety considerations for ketones
- thujone is one of the most toxic members of the ketone family. It can be an irritant and upsetting to the CNS and may be neurotoxic when taken internally. can cause convulsions when taken internally
- some oils that are high in ketones and should never be used are mugwort, tansy, wormwood and pennyroyal
44
Carboxylic Esters characteristics
- usually end in -yl or -ate
- usually have an intensely fruity aroma
- calming
- sedating
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-fungal
45
Which oils contain carboxylic esters?
- Roman chamomile
- geranium
- palmarosa
- jasmine
- ylang ylang
- bergamot
- clary sage
- lavender
46
safety considerations for carboxylic esters
generally no safety concerns, however the ester methyl salicylate (found in winter green) is considered toxic
47
Carboxylic Acid characteristics
- weak acids
- have a pungent odor
- have the suffix "acid"
- very reactive and readily form esters with alcohols
48
Lactones and Coumarins characteristics
- anti-inflammatory
- mucous moving/ expectorant
- end in -ide or -lactone
49
Safety considerations for lactones and coumarins
- some have neurotoxic effects
- can cause skin sensitivity
- significantly increased photosensitivity
50
Ethers characteristics
- can increase serotonin levels, and thus euphoria
- anti-spasmodic
- antibacterial
- anti-inflammatory
- most are gentle on the skin
- efficient in relaxing and rebalancing the nervous system
51
Safety considerations for ethers
- have a powerful effect on the body and should be used with great care especially if used in high doses or over a prolonged period of time
- can be a skin irritant (spice eo's)
- parsley apiole is known to be an abortificant
52
Oxides characteristics
- expectorant
- mildly stimulating
- have the suffix "oxide"
- cineol is the most important member of the oxide family and is an anesthetic, antiseptic, and expectorant
