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Benzoic Acid: An aromatic acid (product of the shikimic acid
pathway). Geraniol: A terpene alcohol. Fragrant and regarded as highly
valued oil in aromatherapy and the perfume industry. Terpene alcohols are
antimicrobial but are a lot gentler on the skin than the phenols. 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. Eugenol: Anaesthetic, antimicrobal, disinfecting, stimulant,
aromatic and anticonvulsant. Eugenol is a Phenylpropanoid in the Phenols group.
Eugenol is widely distributed in the plant kingdom. Potentially irritant.
Sensitivity should be tested before using this substance or oil on the skin. Safrole: A Phenolic Ether is suspected to have carcinogenic
properties. The use of this oil has been restricted in many countries.
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Phenolic Ethers: Phenolic ethers on their own are irritant and
toxic Phenylpropane derivatives. Where Phenolic Ethers are present in essential
oils these oils must be used with care and extreme dilutions as even small
amounts of phenolic ethers are toxic. |
Cadinene: No current data available Benzyl Acetate: An Ester
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Esters: Mainly found in small amounts in flowers, Esters are
responsible for the characteristic fragrances of the flowers and volatile oils. Esters
are mostly sedative and antispasmodic and generally non-irritant and mild,
although some, like Methyl Salicylate, found in wintergreen, are more irritant. |
Pinene: Commonly found in Oil of Turpentine extracted from Pinus
specie trees, pinene (alpha-pinene and beta-pinene) is also widely distributed
in other plants. It is used for Rheumatism as a liniment but is best known by
Aromatherapists and a tonic of the mucus membranes of the respiratory system.
Pinene is also important for its pleasant fragrance and is believed to have
diuretic properties by many. | 
