Essential oils - therapeutic properties

The general therapeutic properties attributed to each of the functional groups contained in essential oils is set out in Franchomme & Penoel 2001 p107-131. This is described and expanded by Price 2011 which helpfully is not only in english but also available on the Kindle so very accessible. Franchomme & Penoel associate certain properties with the esters, alcohols etc taking into account the electronegative/positive nature of the molecules coupled with their polar/apolar properties and this serves as a useful general guide. The oils have several effects reflecting the diversity of their constituents.

We certainly are understanding better how the body utilises essential oil constituents. the neutralisation of infection for example besides a direct effect on the germ may involve a direct chemical effect on the body tissues enabling them to preserve cellular chemical communications and integrity and so withstand microbial toxins and dampen inflammation. Because microbes affect a diverse range of body tissues from the gall bladder to the brain this preservative action against the chemical effects of microbes and their toxins consequently translates into a wide range of actions. 

Boswellia carterii (Frankincense) oil and Commiphora myrhha (Myrhh) oils - How and why?

For example - Wound healing with Myrrh and Frankincense in an Aloe Vera gel. "The next day I used a 3% blend of Myrrh and Frankincense in an Aloe Vera gel. I picked Myrrh for its anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, good for wound qualities, and Frankincense for its analgesic, cicatrizing, immuno-stimulant properties....the skin healed perfectly. Now you cannot even tell he had a gaping hole on the side of his neck, right by his carotid." Saloni Molhatra  www.purearomatherapy.com

Ian Brealey