Module 3 Flashcards
What determines the therapeutic actions of an essential oil?
Essential oils are very complex and contain different (often hundreds) - of chemical constituents. These molecules alone, and synergistically together, have pharmacological effects, and therefore influence the function of cells and tissues. Together, these combined constituents determine the therapeutic actions of an essential oil.
What constitutes a “pure” essential oil?
A pure oil is one that has been produced from a specified botanical source and has not been modified in any way. Adulteration (altering) of an essential oil may change its unique therapeutic benefits as well as lead to increased risks of adverse reactions.
Explain the differences between “certified organic”, “organic”, and “wild crafted” essential oils.
All are derived from plants that are grown without use of herbicides or other chemicals, and distilled using careful and controlled standards, so as not to alter the oils’ chemical profile in any way. “Certified organic” means the grower has paid for and received authorization by a governing body to carry the ‘organic’ stamp, meaning that it’s farming practices, pest control, soil conditions, cleaning practises etc. all conform to the “organic standard”. “Organic” essential oils are oils that have been grown in the above similar manner, but the grower has not applied for and received the “organic certification”. “Wild crafted” refers to plants grown in the wild (natural habitat) – such as oregano, Sandalwood, and most conifer oils – which also have been grown and harvested naturally, without chemical intervention, but without ‘certification’’.
Explain the importance of proper storage of essential oils.
Oils need to be kept away from oxygen, heat, and sunlight, all of which can cause degradation and loss of quality, efficacy, and safety of the essential oil, particularly oils high in terpene content (e.g. pine or citrus). Oils need to be kept in airtight, dark-coloured glass bottles, and stored in a cool, dark place.
What causes oxidation? How does oxidation affect an essential oil?
Oxygen reacts with different constituents, in a chemical process referred to as “oxidation”, changing their chemical structure, and causing them to lose strength, therapeutic value, and even become toxic (e.g. causing the oil to become sensitizing to skin). Sandalwood, Rosewood, patchouli, and Rose, are the exception to the rule, and actually get better with age.
What is the most common form of essential oil extraction? How does it work?
The most common form of essential oil extraction in the industry is steam distillation. Steam is passed through solid plant material in a vat, causing volatile molecules to be released from the plant parts and carried up with the steam. The steam is secondarily passed through cooling tubes (called the “condenser”), and the resulting condensed liquid is collected in a receiver. The essential oil separates and ‘floats’ on top of the collected water condensate – referred to as the “hydrosol”, where it can be collected by pouring it off.
How far back can the roots of aromatherapy be traced
Back as far as approximately 2700 BC, beginning with the Egyptian culture. Here, they didn’t use true aromatherapy (by distillation), but they began the industry of perfumery by extracting therapeutic components from plant materials by “steeping” them in carrier oil, until the scents and therapeutic properties were transferred to the carrier oil. This was a process called ‘effleurage’.
Who wrote the book, “Aromatherapie: Les Huiles essentielles hormones vegetales”?
Rene-Maurice Gattefosse
Who invented the original cold cream ointment?
Galen
List and explain some common methods of adulteration of essential oils.
The most common methods of adulterating essential oils are:
1) dilution with vegetable carrier oils, alcohols and/or synthetic oils (which are cheaper).
2) blending with cheaper oils of the same plant family, but from another country. eg. Bourbon geranium (highest quality) with geranium from China (much less quality and cheaper).
3) mixing with cheaper oils of the same plant, but extracted from a different part of the plant eg. Clove bud with clove leaves, cinnamon bark with cinnamon leaf etc.
4) Dilution with cheaper oils of another similar plant species eg. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) with wild thyme (Thymus mastichina), Lavender with Lavandin etc
5) adulteration with cheaper essential oils of different plants or of a species with a similar name. E.g. East Indian sandalwood with so-called “west Indian sandalwood” (amyris); lemongrass with Litsea, Melissa with ‘Indian Melissa’ (Lemongrass) etc
6) Extending with isolated natural or semi-synthetic compounds. eg. Lemon with citral, peppermint with menthol, geranium with geraniol or citronellol etc
