Have you ever wondered why you instantly feel relaxed when entering a spa? It’s all expressed through aromatic compounds, which have therapeutic effects when inhaled or applied to the skin. Understanding the chemistry of essential oil constituents can provide a solid foundation for advancing their use. We use aromatherapy in many parts of our daily lives to enhance our experiences, soothe our moods, relax, relieve stress, and improve other aspects of our health. But is it life-changing, and is it needed in our daily lives? In this article, we will dive deep into the chemistry behind aromatherapy and whether applying it in our day-to-day lives is essential.
What is the role of chemistry in aromatherapy?
The primary use of chemistry in aromatherapy is extracting the essential oils themselves. Essential oils are mixtures of volatile substances, often fat-soluble and non-polar, and are generated by certain plant species. Every plant essential oil comprises various chemical components; in some cases, an essential oil might have over 100 distinct chemicals.
Essential oils are extracted from plants through steam or water distillation, solvent extraction, or expression. Distillation is a crucial process in organic chemistry. It separates mixtures of liquids with various boiling points. This process may be used for various tasks, such as distilling alcohol from fermentation broths and producing gasoline from crude oil.
Steam distillation method (essential oil extraction)
What chemicals in essential oils affect mood and relaxation?
Some chemicals in essential oils like linalool, limonene, and beta-myrcene are used and can have calming, uplifting, or stress-reducing effects when inhaled or applied to the skin, influencing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine in the brain.
In general, these chemicals are considered terpenes, natural compounds found in plants, like those from which essential oils are extracted. Think of them as tiny building blocks that give plants distinct smells and flavors. They're like the plant's own perfume or seasoning. In aromatherapy, terpenes play a significant role because they're responsible for many scents that can affect your mood and relaxation when you use essential oils.
Aromatherapy and the Brain
Some oils that are extracted may activate certain areas of your brain, like your limbic system, which plays a role in your emotions and memories. Aromas stimulate activity in your hypothalamus, which signals the brain to release feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin
Advantages and Disadvantages of Aromatherapy
Advantages:
-Boost mood.
-Improve job performance through reduced stress and increased attentiveness.
-Improve sleep.
-Kill bacteria, funguses and viruses.
-Reduce anxiety and pain.
Disadvantages:
- Certain oils are toxic, and ingesting them might be dangerous. Rarely, adverse effects from aromatherapy might include dermatitis, asthma, headaches, liver and nerve damage, and harm to an unborn child. Cinnamon and others are examples of strong oils in phenols that might irritate your skin.
Reference list
Cleveland Clinic. (2021). 11 Essential Oils: Their Benefits and How To Use Them. [online] Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/essential-oils-101-do-they-work-how-do-you-use-them [Accessed 25 Mar. 2022].
info.achs.edu. (n.d.). Chemistry for Aromatherapists: What You Need to Know | achs.edu. [online] Available at: https://info.achs.edu/blog/basics-of-essential-oil-chemistry#:~:text=The%20first%20role%20of%20chemistry [Accessed 12 May 2024].
Sadgrove, N.J., Padilla-González, G.F. and Phumthum, M. (2022). Fundamental Chemistry of Essential Oils and Volatile Organic Compounds, Methods of Analysis and Authentication. Plants, [online] 11(6), p.789. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11060789.
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