Before going on with this post it is suggested to read the prior three beforehand. These post will give you some basic information regarding essential oils and carrier oils. If you have already read them or are well versed then continue on!
This post is part four in a set of seven and it will be going over essential oils by categorizing them by their chemical components. It is important to know the chemical families and what they do so we can make successful blends later on.
ISOPRENES, TERPENES, & TERPENOIDS
Every essential oil contains a community of different organic molecules called constituents. This variety of molecules is the very reason for the benefits of essential oils. EO's are organic molecules and contain a carbon base. In addition, they have a hydrogen and sometimes oxygen molecule attached. The isoprene, to the left, is the parent molecule to all essential oils. EO's build off of this molecular frame of five carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms, chemically notated as C5H8.
Most of the organic compounds found in essential oils have two to four isoprene units, notated as C10H16, C15H24, and C20H32. These three molecules are classified as Terpenes and they each do something different at a molecular level. The following table goes into more detail on each terpene molecule.
There is a second group that builds off of the Terpenes and they are called Terpenoids. The only difference is they have additional hydrogen and oxygen molecules known as functional groups. These functional groups give the molecule a different set of benefits. Here is another table that will go over the same information, but for Terpenoids.
Essential oils are so complex in that they contain a variety of constituents not just a single one. The amount of any type of constituent in an essential oil varies based on factors such as climate, nutrients, water, and even stress. Some companies test their oils and will state the main constituents because these molecules will have the most impact.
These are a few ways companies are identifying the make-up of an essential oil. Click here for an brief explanation on how these test work.
1.Gas Chromatography
2.Mass Spectrometry
3.High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Click here to head back to the library. Or head to the next post EOS V: Emotional Effects of Aromas, its less chemistry... but more biology. Read up as we discuss why people feel a shift in feelings with oils!
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