Functional Groups

Meaning - a group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a particular compound.

Functional groups of aromatic plant oils are -

Alcohols

Most beneficial, low toxicity pleasing odours-energising/stimulating, general tonic, balancing.

Monoterpenols(alcohol+monoterpene)

Strong antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties. Strong anti-infectious across wide range organisms-non toxic. General and nervous system tonic

Thyanol-Hepastimulant-Thyme

Menthol- Vasoconstrictor,Hepastimulany-Peppermint

Linalool (lavender,rosewood), a-terpinol (eucalyptus, cajeput), geraniol (geranium, palmarosa), terpinol-4(tea tree, Juniper,sweet marjoram), citronellol (citronella),

Sequiterpenols (alcohol+sequiterpene)

Lymphatic decongestant, Venous tonic

Globulol, Spathulenol, Ledol, b-farnesene (rose) are all Antiinflammatory

Viriflurol- Oestrogen like, antiinflammatory- Niaouli

Cedrol- phlebotonic (Venous tonic) –cedrol

Santalol- phlebotonic, Cardiotonic- Sandalwood

Nerolidol-Niaouli

Carotol-Hepatocellular regenerant- Carrot seed

b-bisabolene(also german Chamomile) ,zingiberene- both in Ginger antiimmflammatory

caryophyllene in Clove & black pepper effective against viruses

Diterpenol (alcohol+Diterpene)

Sclareol- Oestrogen like-Clary Sage

Phenols-Stimlating/Warming

Very potent, maybe neurotoxic, hepatoxic skin irritant, highly anti-infectious, immunostimulant

Eugenol-antispasmodic,analgesic-clovebud, cinnamon

Thymol- anti-infectious-Thyme, Ajowan

australol, carvacrol(oregano,thyme), chaviol, gaiacol, anethole(aniseed, fennel), esrtragol

Aldeyhydes- Calming/relaxing,sedative/hypnotic,cooling/soothing.

Can be Skin irritant- antifungal, disinfectant

Cinnamic Aldehyde-Cinnamon Bark

Benzaldehyde, citral(lemongrass, lemon), citronellal(eucalyptus citriodora, citronella),geranial, mrytenal, phellandral, a santalene

Ketones- Stimulating/ warming

Can be dangerous, convulsant properties - can be neurotoxic - not in pregnancy, wound healing, antiviral, mucolytic, nervous system stimulant, skeletal muscle relaxant.

Thujone-Sage,thuja,wormwood

Italidone- antihypercholesterol -Italian everlasting

Carvone- Cholagouge(bile stimulant)- Spearmint

Atlantone,camphor, cryptone, fenchone, isomethone, jasmine, methone, piperotne, pulegone, verbenone(frankinsense,rosemary), vetivone,camphor

Acids-Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial - acids are quite rare

Benzoic acid-antimicobial-Benzoin

Salycylic acid-forerunner to modern asprin Geranic Acid, Campholenic acid-juniper& hyssop

Esters-(alcohols & organic acids) antispasmodic, calming/relaxing, balancing/general tonic, cooling/soothing

sweet fruity aromas-strong effect on muscles. Balances nervous system, Anti-inflammatory, non toxic

-Isobutyl acetate-strong antispasmodic-Aroan, Chamomile

-Matricaria Methyl esters- Hormone like- Canadian fleabane

-Bornyl acetate- Spruce

Linalyl acetate(lavender, petigrain),geranyl acetate(geranium,palmarosa), citronellyl formate, geranyl tiglate,benzyl acetate (jasmine, ylang ylang)