Essential oils stimulates the powerful sense of smell. It is known
that odors we smell have a significant impact on how we feel. In
dealing with patients who have lost the sense of smell, doctors
have found that a life without fragrance can lead to high incidence
of psychiatric problems such as anxiety and depression. We have
the capability to distinguish 10,000 different smells. It is believed
that smells enter through cilia (the fine hairs lining the nose)
to the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls our moods,
emotions, memory and learning.
Studies with brain wave frequency has shown that smelling lavender
increases alpha waves in the back of the head, which are associated
with relaxation. Fragrance of Jasmine increases beta waves in the
front of the head, which are associated with a more alert state.
Scientific studies have also shown that essential oils contain
chemical components that can exert specific effects on the mind
and body. Their chemistry is complex, but generally includes alcohols,
esters, ketones, aldehydes, and terpenes. The effect of these chemical
components are summarized in the accompanying table.
| Name of the
chemical component |
Properties of
the chemical component |
Essential oils
that contain the chemical |
| Aldehydes |
anti-inflammatory,calming,
sedative and anti-viral. |
Characteristic
lemon-like smell, such as lemon grass, lemon balm, citronella,
eucalyptus |
| Alcohols |
bactericidal
(kills bacteria), stimulant, energizing, vitalizing, antiviral,
diuretic. Our pancreas produce 32 kinds of alcohol for use in
human metabolism. |
Rose,
petitgrain, rosewood, peppermint, myrtle, tea tree, sandalwood,
patchouli, and ginger |
| Phenols |
strongly bactericidal,
tonic, stimulates immune system, invigorating, warming. Can
produce slight liver toxicity if taken high doses for extended
periods of time. Used in lip balms and cough drops. |
Clove,
cinnamon, thyme, oregano, savory, cumin. |
| Cetone
(Ketones) |
wound healing,
mucolytic (eases the secretion of mucous), stimulates new cell
growth. used as a nail polish. |
Camphor,
rosemary, sage, eucalyptus globulus and hyssop |
| Terpenes |
Very stimulating,
potential skin irritants, anti-viral properties. |
Lemon,
orange, bergamot, black pepper, pine oils, nut meg and angelica. |
| Sesquiterpenes |
anti-phlogistic
(moves fluids), anti-inflammatory, sedative, anti-viral, anti-carcinogenic,
bacteriostatic and immune stimulant |
Blue
chamomiles, immortelle, tansy, yarrow and tagetes. |
| Esters |
anti-fungal,
sedative, calming, spasmolytic, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory. |
Roman
chamomile, lavender, clary sage, petitgrain, bergamot. |
| Lactones
(part of ester group) |
anti-inflammatory,
mucolitic |
arnica,
elecampane |
| Ethers |
harmonizing to
the nervous system. antiseptic, stimulant, expectorant (increases
secretions), spasmolytic, and diuretic. |
Cinnamon,
clove, anise, basil, tarragon, parsley, and sassafras. |
Each essential oil contains as much as 100 chemical components,
which together exert a strong effect on the whole person. Depending
on which component is predominating in an oil, the oils act differently.
For example, some oils are relaxing, some soothes you down, some
relieves your pain, etc. Then there are oils such as lemon and lavender,
which adapt to what your body needs, and adapt to that situation.
(These are called "adaptogenic"). The mechanism in which
these essential oils act on us is not very well understood. What
is understood is that they affect our mind and emotions. They leave
no harmful residues. They enter into the body either by absorption
or inhalation.
A fragrance company in Japan conducted studies to determine the
effects of smell on people. They have pumped different fragrances
in an area where a number of keyboard entry operators were stationed
and monitored the number of mistakes made as a function of the smell
in the air. The results were as follows:
- When exposed to lavender oil fragrance (a relaxant), the keyboard
typing errors dropped 20 percent.
- When exposed to jasmine (an uplifting fragrance), the errors
dropped 33 percent.
- When exposed to lemon fragrance (a sharp, refreshing stimulant),
the mistakes fell by a whopping 54 percent!
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