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| Essential Oil Constituents | • Elements of aldehydes have also been found in lavender and myrrh. Other aldehydes comprise benzaldehyde, cinnamic aldehyde, cuminic aldehyde, and perillaldehyde.
Ketones - are sometimes mucolytic and neuro-toxic when isolated from other constituents. Nevertheless, all recorded toxic effects come from laboratory testing on guinea pigs and rats.
There are no documented cases where oils with a high concentration of ketones (such as mugwort, tansy, sage, and wormwood) have ever caused a toxic effect on a human being.
Large amounts of these oils would have to be consumed for them to result in a toxic neurological effect. Ketones incite cell regeneration, promote the formation of tissue, and liquefy mucous. They are supportive with such conditions as dry asthma, colds, flu and dry cough and are largely found in oils used for the upper respiratory system, such as hyssop, Clary sage, and sage.
• Thujone is one of the most toxic members of the ketone family. This can be an irritant and upsetting to the central nervous system and may be neuro-toxic when taken internally as in the banned drink Absinthe.
Although this may be inhaled to relieve respiratory distress and may stimulate the immune system, it should only be administered by an educated and professional aromatherapist.
• Jasmone (found in jasmine) and fenchone (found in fennel) are both non-toxic.
• Other ketones include camphor, carvone, menthone, methyl nonyl ketone, and pinacamphone.
Alcohols - are commonly recognized for their antiseptic and anti-viral activities. Alcohols create an uplifting quality and are regarded as non-toxic.
• Terpene Alcohols stimulate the immune system, work as a diuretic and a general tonic, and are anti-bacterial as well.
- Linalol can help relieve discomfort. It can be found in rosewood and lavender.
- Citronellol may be found in rose, lemon, eucalyptus, geranium, and others.
- Geraniol may be found in geranium as well as palmarosa.
- Farnesol may be found in chamommile. This is also good for the mucous.
- Other terpene alcohols include borneol, menthol, nerol, terpineol, (which Dr. Gattefosse considered to be a decongestant), vetiverol, benzyl alcohol, and cedrol.
• Sesquiterpene Alcohols are anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-mycotic, and ulcer-protective (preventative).
- Bisabolol is one of the the strongest sesquiterpene alcohols. This may be found in chamomile oils where it also functions well as a fixative.
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