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Cineole: One of the two most important Monoterpene Oxides, the
other is Ascaridole, Cineole is one of the most widely distributed constituents
amongst plants as an oxidised product of monoterpenes. Cineole is often also
called Eucalyptol, named so because it is the major component of Eucalyptus oil. Cineole
is a expectorant widely used in commercial cough lozenges. It has a reputation
as a skin irritant amongst many practitioners but recent tests have failed to
confirm this. Terpineol: A Monoterpenol that is a major
component of pine oils but also present in smaller quantities in other essential
oils.
Terpineol is antibacterial and antiviral, an immune system stimulant, a good
general tonic. In Essential Oils it is warming and uplifting. Limonene: Limonene has been studied for the anti-tumour effect
noticed in mice. Herbalists often prescribe herbs with this constituent as an
antioxidant and cancer or tumour inhibitor although there is evidence that these
properties are volatile and may be lost as a result of processing of the herb.
Limonene also has antiviral properties. Linanool: Linalool one of the terpene alcohols is widely
distributed in the plant kingdom. Linalool has strong effects on the nervous
system and is therefore widely used by aroma therapists and herbologists as a
sedative, spasmolytic and local anaesthetic. It is also used against many skin
complaints, mostly in the form of tea tree oil. Sabinene: No current data available Farnesol: A Sesquiterpenol. Found in rose
essential oil Farnesol is not irritant and bacteriostatic. Farnesol occurs in
star anise, cassia, musk seed, balsam, citronella as well as rose.
Farnesol is used in the perfume industry to sweeten floral perfumes.
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Sesquiterpenols: A Sesquiterpene with an
attached alcohol group. |
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