Essential Oils Flashcards
Aromatherapy certification
What are the main benefits of EO inhalation?
Very quick absorption into the blood stream, direct effect on infection and congestion in the respiratory system, and direct effect on the Central Nervous System.
What are some of the subcortical structures which make up the limbic region of the brain?
Amygdala, septum, hippocampus and cingulate gyrus.
Signals from the olfactory membrane go to which parts of the brain?
Directly to the cortex and to the limbic system.
What are the three primary concerns for the skin with exposure to essential oils?
Irritation, sensitization and phototoxicity
How can skin irritation reactions be prevented?
Use oils high in phenols, aldehydes and monoterpenes in lower dilutions. Don’t used oxidized oils. Test new blends on small area of forearm first.
What is sensitization?
An allergic reaction of the immune system. Can develop over time and requires more than one exposure.
What are signs of sensitization?
Rash with inflammation, raised bumpy itchy skin, headache.
How can sensitization reactions be avoided?
Use oils high in aldehydes and lactones with caution, don’t use old oxidized oils on the skin, test first, avoid if sensitivity to aromas is already known.
What is phototoxicity?
Sunlight induced reaction to a photoactive substance.
Most common phototoxic agents.
Furocoumarins absorb UV light, store it and release it to the skin.
What are common signs of a photoxic reaction?
Up to 12-24 hours after exposure, exaggerated sunburn, reddening of the skin, permanent or temporary pigmentation changes.
What are some common phototoxic essential oils?
Bergamot, Lime, Bitter Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, Opopanax . . .
What citrus oils are not phototoxic?
Distilled lime and lemon, cold pressed sweet orange, mandarin, tangelo, tangerine.
What does gas chromatography do?
Separates volatile compounds in essential oils into individual components, and produces a linear graph of them.
What does mass spectrometry do?
Identifies the components in essential oils and their percentages. Also identifies adulterants. Akso identifies specific chemotypes.
What does 100% pure mean?
It’s only a marketing term. There are no regulations on labeling essential oils.
What is optical rotation?
The ability of an essential oil to rotate on a plane of polarized light either clockwise (d) or counter-clockwise (L), as measured by a polarimeter. This test reveals synthetic compounds.
What is specific gravity?
Grams per milliliter of an essential oil. Results outside the limit range may indicate adulteration.
What makes up the latin name of an EO?
Genus and species, and may include variety, chemotypes, hybrid or clone.
What is a variety of an essential oil?
Same genus and species, but the plant has distinguishing physical characteristics.
What are chemotypes?
ct (or cv) Chemically different essential oils produced from a single species of plant, due to genetic and environmental factors. May result from adaptations to local pests, diseases, soil, altitude, rainfall, etc.
What is a hybrid?
A cross between two plants. Cannot reproduce themselves. Designated “x”.
What is a clone?
Method of reproducing hybrids - take a cutting and grow the plant from the cutting.
Name Thyme chemotypes.
Thymol ct, carvacrol ct, linalol ct, thuyanol ct, and geraniol ct.
Name Rosemary chemotypes.
camphor ct, 1,8 cineole ct, verbenone ct.
Name Basil chemotypes.
linalol ct, methyl chavicol ct
Name Lavender species.
Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula latifolia
Name Eucalyptus species.
Globulus, Radiata, Citriodora, Smithii, Dives
