Essential Oil Profiles

Question 1

Basil

Answer 1

Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum
Family: Lamiaceae
Main constituents: Alcohols (linalool, a-terpineol, eugenol, citronellol), monoterpenes (limonene), phenols (methyl chavicol)
Actions: Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cephalic, digestive, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, nervine, restorative, stomachic, sudorific.
Contraindications: Pregnancy, babies under one, sensitive skin types.

Question 2

Bergamot

Answer 2

Botanical name: Citrus bergamia
Family: Rutaceae
Main constituents: monoterpenes (limonene, a&b-pinene, y-terpinene, sabinene), esters (linalyl acetate), alcohols (linalool)
Actions: Analgesic, antidepressant, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, carminative, cicatrisant, deodorant, digestive, febrifuge, sedative, stomachic, tonic, vermifuge, vulnerary.
Contraindications: Phototoxic.

Question 3

German Chamomile

Answer 3

Botanical name: Matricaria recutita (chamomilla)
Family: Asteraceae (compositae)
Main constituents: Sesquiterpenes (chamazulene), sesquiterpenols (a-bisabolol), oxides (bisabolol oxide A&B, bisabolone oxide A)
Actions: Analgesic, antiallergenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, bactericidal, carminative, cholagogue, cicatrisant, emmenagogue, hepatic, sedative, stomachic, vulnerary.
Contraindications: Early pregnancy.

Question 4

Roman Chamomile

Answer 4

Botanical name: Anthemis nobilis (Chamaemelum nobile)
Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)
Main constituents: monoterpenes (a&b pinene, camphene, sabinene, myrcene, y-terpinene), oxides (1,8-cineole), sesquiterpenes (caryophyllene), esters (propyl angelate, butyl angelate)
Actions: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, bactericidal, carminative, cholagogue, digestive, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hepatic, sedative, stomachic, sudorific, vulnerary.
Contraindications: Early pregnancy, allergies to Asteraceae plants.

Question 5

Eucalyptus

Answer 5

Botanical name: Eucalyptus spp.
Family: Myrtaceae
Main constituents: oxides (1,8-cineol), monoterpenes (limonene), alcohols (terpinen-4-ol), ketones (camphor)
Actions: Analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-neuralgic, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, antiviral, astringent, balsamic, cicatrisant, decongestant, deodorant, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, rubefacient, vermifuge, vulnerary.
Contraindications: Caution with young children.

Question 6

Frankincense

Answer 6

Botanical name: Boswellia spp.
Family: Burseraceae
Main constituents: monoterpenes (a-pinene, camphene, limonene), esteres (octyl acetate)
Actions: Analgesic, antidepressant, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, expectorant, sedative, vulnerary.
Contraindications: Early pregnancy.

Question 7

Geranium

Answer 7

Botanical name: Pelargonium spp.
Family: Geraniaceae
Main constituents: aldehydes (citronellal, neral), monoterpenes (a-pinene, limonene), ketones (menthone), alcohols (linalool, geraniol)
Actions: Antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, cicatrisant, deodorant, diuretic, haemostatic, stimulant (adrenal cortex), styptic, tonic, vermifuge, vulnerary.
Contraindications: Early pregnancy.

Question 8

Lavender

Answer 8

Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia
Family: Lamiaceae
Main constituents: alcohols (linalool, terpinene-4-ol, lavandulol), esters (linalyl acetate, geranyl & lavandulyl acetate), oxides (1,8-cineole), monoterpenes (limonene, camphene)
Actions: Analgetic, anti-convulsive, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericidal, carminative, cholagogue, , cicatrisant, cordial, cytophylactic, decongestant, deodorant, emmenagogue, fungicide, hypotensive, nervine, restorative, sedative, sudorific, vulnerary.
Contraindications: Early pregnancy, low blood pressure.

Question 9

Lemon

Answer 9

Botanical name: Citrus limon
Family: Rutaceae
Main constituents: monoterpenes (d-limonene, a-terpinene, a&b-pinene, sabinene), alcohols (linalool, geraniol), coumarins, furocoumarins
Actions: Antidepressant, anti-fungal, anti-microbal, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, depurative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, haemostatic, hypotensive, immunostimulant, rubefacient, tonic.
Contraindications: Phototoxic.

Question 10

Lemongrass

Answer 10

Botanical name: Cymbopogon flexuosus
Family: Poaceae (Gramineae)
Main constituents: aldehydes (citral, citronellal), monoterpenes (limonene), alcohols (geraniol, citronellol, nerol)
Actions: Analgesic, antidepressant, anti-microbal, antiseptic, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, deodorant, febrifuge, fungicidal, galactagogue, insecticidal, nervine, sedative (nervous system), tonic.
Contraindications: Early pregnancy. Sensitive or damaged skin.

Question 11

Neroli

Answer 11

Botanical name: Citrus aurantium
Family: Rutaceae
Main constituents: monoterpenes (a&b-pinene, limonene), esters (linalyl acetate, neryl acetate)
Actions: Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrisant, cordial, deodorant, digestive, nervine.
Contraindications: None.

Question 12

Peppermint

Answer 12

Botanical name: Mentha piperita
Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Main constituents: alcohols (menthol 30-48%), ketons (menthone, isomenthone), monoterpenes (a&b-pinene, limonene), oxides (1,8-cineole), esters (methyl acetate)
Actions: Analgesic, antidepressant, anti-neuralgic, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, decongestant, digestive, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hepatic, nervine, stimulant (nervous system), stomachic, sudorific, vasoconstrictor, vermifuge.
Contraindications: Pregnancy, lactation, children under 6.

Question 13

Rose

Answer 13

Botanical name: Rosa damascena (or Rosa centifolia)
Family: Roseceae
Main constituents: monoterpenols (geraniol, citronellol, nerol, linalool, ethanol), esters (geranyl acetate, citronellyl acetate, neryl acetate), 300 or more other constituents
Actions: Antidepressant, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, choleretic, cicatrisant, depurative, emmenagogue, haemostatic, hepatic, laxative, sedative (nervous system), stomachic, tonic (heart, liver, stomach, uterus).
Contraindications: Early pregnancy.

Question 14

Rosemary

Answer 14

Botanical name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Main constituents: monoterpenes (a&b-pinene, camphene, limonene), alcohols (a&y-terpine-4-ol), oxides (1,8-cineole), ketones (camphor)
Actions: Analgesic, antidepressant, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific, tonic.
Contraindications: Epilepsy, children under 5, high blood pressure, neurotoxic, pregnancy.

Question 15

Sandalwood

Answer 15

Botanical name: Santalum album
Family: Santalaceae
Main constituents: sesquiterpenols (santalols, cis-nuciferol), esters (santalyl acetate), sesquiterpenes (santalene)
Actions: Antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, sedative, tonic.
Contraindications: None. If used for a long time may cause deep depression.

Question 16

Sweet Orange

Answer 16

Botanical name: Citrus sinensis or Citrus aurantium var. dulcis
Family: Rutaceae
Main constituents: monoterpenes (limonene)
Actions: Antidepressant, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, digestive, lymphatic stimulant, sedative, stomachic.
Contraindications: Phototoxic.

Question 17

Tea Tree

Answer 17

Botanical name: Melaleuca alternifolia
Family: Myrtaceae
Main constituents: monoterpenes (b-pinene, myrcene), sesquiterpenes (b-caryophyllene), alcohols (terpinen-4-ol, a-terpineol), oxides (1,4-cineol, 1,8-cineol)
Actions: Antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericide, cicatrisant, immunostimulant, insecticide, vulnerary.
Contraindications: Sensitive skin.

Question 18

Ylang Ylang

Answer 18

Botanical name: Cananga odorata
Family: Annonaceae
Main constituents: esters (linalyl acetate, geranyl acetate), mono/sesquiterpenes (a&b-pinene, cadinene), alcohols (linalool, geraniol), phenols (eugenol)
Actions: Antidepressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, hypotensive, nervine, sedative, tonic.
Contraindications: Sensitive or damaged skin, dermatitis. Excess may cause nausea and headaches.

Question 19

Black Pepper

Answer 19

Botanical name: Piper nigrum
Family: Piperacea
Main constituents: monoterpenes (a&b-pinene, sabinene, myrcene), sesquiterpenes (b-caryophyllene)
Actions: Analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, laxative, rubefacient, stomachic, tonic.
Contraindications: Hypertension, sensitive skin, open wounds.

Question 20

Clary Sage

Answer 20

Botanical name: Salvia sclarea
Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Main constituents: monoterpenols (linalool, terpinen-4-ol), esters (linalyle acetate), oxides (1,8-cineole), ketones (a&b-thujones)
Actions: Antibacterial, anti-convulsive, antidepressant, anti-fungal, antispasmodic, carminative, deodorant, digestive, emmenagogue, hypotensive, nervine, sedative, tonic, uterine.
Contraindications: Hypotension, pregnancy, severe depression, oestrogen producing cancer. Not recommended with alcohol or while taking iron supplements. Children under 1 year.

Question 21

Ginger

Answer 21

Botanical name: Zingiber officinale
Family: Zingiberaceae
Main constituents: monoterpenes (zingiberene, sesquiphellandrene), aldehydes (geranial), oxides (1.8 cineole)
Actions: Analgesic, carminative, expectorant, febrifuge, rubefacient, stimulant, stomachic, sudorific, tonic.
Contraindications: Early pregnancy. May cause sensitisation.

Question 22

Grapefruit

Answer 22

Botanical name: Citrus paradisi
Family: Rutaceae
Main constituents: monoterpenes (limonene), coumarins and furocoumarins
Actions: Antidepressant, antimicrobial, antiseptic, depurative, disinfectant, diuretic, hepatoprotective, stimulant.
Contraindications: Phototoxic. Caution with sensitive skin. Not for people on blood pressure medications or cyclosporin.

Question 23

Jasmine

Answer 23

Botanical name: Jasminum officinale (Jasminum grandiflorum)
Family: Oleaceae
Main constituents: esters (benzyl acetate), monoterpenols (linalool)
Actions: Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, parturient, sedative, uterine.
Contraindications: Pregnancy.

Question 24

Juniper Berry

Answer 24

Botanical name: Juniperus communis
Family: Cupressaceae
Main constituents: monoterpenes (a-pinene, sabinene), alcohols (linalool, terpinen-4-ol), ketones (camphor)
Actions: Anti-catarrhal, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, cicatrisant, decongestant, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, lymphatic decongestant, nervine, rubefacient, sedative, stomachic, sudorific, tonic (nervous system), vulnerary.
Contraindications: Pregnancy, kidney disease.

Question 25

Patchouli

Answer 25

Botanical name: Pogostemon cablin
Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Main constituents: sesquiterpenes (a&b-guaiene, a-patchoulene, a&b-caryophyllene), alcohols (patchouli alcohol, pogostol), ketones (patchoulenone)
Actions: Antidepressant, anti-phlogistic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, deodorant, diuretic, febrifuge, fungicide, insecticide, sedative.
Contraindications: None. Care with dosage - strong odour.

Question 26

Petitgrain

Answer 26

Botanical name: Citrus x aurantium
Family: Rutaceae
Main constituents: esters (linalyl acetate, geranyl acetate, neryl acetate), alcohols (linalool)
Actions: Antidepressant, antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, deodorant, digestive, sedative, stomachic.
Contraindications: None.

Question 27

Ravensara

Answer 27

Botanical name: Ravensara aromatic
Family: Lauraceae
Main constituents: oxides (1,8-cineole), monoterpenes (a&b-pinene, myrcene), alcohols (terpinen-4-ol, linalool), phenols (eugenol)
Actions: Analgesic, antiseptic, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antiviral, carminative, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, immunomodulant.
Contraindications: Pregnancy, young children, sensitive skin.

Question 28

Rosewood

Answer 28

Botanical name: Aniba rosaeodora
Family: Lauraceae
Main constituents: Monoterpenols (linalool 80-90%), oxides (linalool oxide, 1,8-cineole), monoterpenes (limonene, a&b-pinene)
Actions: Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericide, cephalic, deodorant, insecticide, sedative, stimulant.
Contraindications: Early pregnancy.

Question 29

Spearmint

Answer 29

Botanical name: Mentha spicata
Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Main constituents: ketons (carvone 65%), alcohols (menthol 0,05%), monoterpenes (a-pinene, limonene, myrcene), oxides (1,8-cineole), esters (3-octyl acetate)
Actions: Antidepressant, antiemetic, anti-fungal, antiseptic, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, hepatic, insecticide, restorative, stimulant.
Contraindications: Early pregnancy.

Question 30

Vetiver

Answer 30

Botanical name: Vetiveria zizanioides
Family: Poaceae (Gramineae)
Main constituents: alcohols (vetiverol), ketons (a&b-vetivone), esters (vetiverol acetate)
Actions: Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, insecticidal, mild rubefacient, sedative, tonic, vermifuge.
Contraindications: Early pregnancy.