Simply Ask Aromatherapy
Simply Ask Aromatherapy
Copyright 2005: Simply Ask Aromatherapy - All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2005: Simply Ask Aromatherapy - All Rights Reserved
Essential oils molecules are made up primarily of hydrocarbon chains normally joined together in ring-like chemical structures. Oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, and other carbon atoms attach at various points of the chain, to make up the different oils.
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The aromatic-ring structure of essential oils is much more complex than the simpler, linear carbon-hydrogen structure of fatty oils. Essential oils also contain sulphur and nitrogen atoms that fatty oils do not have.
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Because the chemistry of essential oils is very complex, essential oils are diverse in their effects. Different molecules in the same essential oil can exert different effects. In German chamomile, for example, the azulene has powerful anti-inflammatory compounds, the bisobolol has sedative and mood-balancing properties, and other molecules perform still different functions, such as speeding the regeneration of tissue.
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Additionally a single species of plant can have several different chemotypes based on its chemical composition.
A plant grown in one area might produce an essential oil with a completely different chemistry than the same species grown in another area.
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So whilst the general chemistry of the essential oils will provide clues as to its properties, each batch should be analyzed, using gas chromatography, for its own unique chemical composition. This can then be measured against standards which will differentiate between an organic therapeutic-grade essential oil and lower grade oils, possibly synthetic, with similar chemical makeup and fragrance.
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There are two widely recognized sets of standards available.
1. AFNOR (Association French Normalization Organization Regulation)
Developed in France by chemist Hervi Casabianca, Ph.D., and combined with research from other scientists and doctors who recognized that the constituents within an essential oil had to occur in certain percentages in order for the oil to be considered therapeutic. This set of standards contains the most data on essential oil composition.
2. ISO (International Standards Organization)
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Molecular Compounds found in Essential Oils
Essential oils molecules are made up primarily of hydrocarbon chains normally joined together in ring-like chemical structures. Oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, and other carbon atoms attach at various points of the chain, to make up the different oils.
​
The aromatic-ring structure of essential oils is much more complex than the simpler, linear carbon-hydrogen structure of fatty oils. Essential oils also contain sulphur and nitrogen atoms that fatty oils do not have.
​
Because the chemistry of essential oils is very complex, essential oils are diverse in their effects. Different molecules in the same essential oil can exert different effects. In German chamomile, for example, the azulene has powerful anti-inflammatory compounds, the bisobolol has sedative and mood-balancing properties, and other molecules perform still different functions, such as speeding the regeneration of tissue.
​
Additionally a single species of plant can have several different chemotypes based on its chemical composition.
A plant grown in one area might produce an essential oil with a completely different chemistry than the same species grown in another area.
​
So whilst the general chemistry of the essential oils will provide clues as to its properties, each batch should be analyzed, using gas chromatography, for its own unique chemical composition. This can then be measured against standards which will differentiate between an organic therapeutic-grade essential oil and lower grade oils, possibly synthetic, with similar chemical makeup and fragrance.
​
There are two widely recognized sets of standards available.
1. AFNOR (Association French Normalization Organization Regulation)
Developed in France by chemist Hervi Casabianca, Ph.D., and combined with research from other scientists and doctors who recognized that the constituents within an essential oil had to occur in certain percentages in order for the oil to be considered therapeutic. This set of standards contains the most data on essential oil composition.
2. ISO (International Standards Organization)
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Molecular Compounds found in Essential Oils
Chemistry of Essential Oils
Chemistry of Essential Oils