Therapeutic and Pharmacological Applications of Essential Oils in Skin Care and Aromatherapy

Flashcards about therapeutic and pharmacological applications of essential oils in skin care and aromatherapy.

Who introduced the term 'aromatherapy'?

French druggist Rene Maurice Gattefosse in 1928

What are essential canvases uprooted from?

Flowers, roots, seeds, resins, bark, stems, leaves, stalks, and rinds of plants.

Which French scientist integrated essential canvases into his physical and psychotherapeutic treatments by 1946?

Valnet

Who are the two settlers of the ultramodern aromatherapy movement that applied exploration to beauty curatives and massage remedy?

Marguerite Maury and Robert Tisserand

What gives essential oils their remedial value?

Chemical properties

What does the term 'essential' refer to in essential oils?

The volatile sweet factors that embody the factory's substance, not its nutritive value.

What are essential oils fusions of?

Fused impregnated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, terpenes, and ethers.

How are essential canvases administered?

Small amounts through inhalation, massage, or other skin operations; sometimes internally.

What does aromatherapy aid in through the inhalation and external application of essential oils?

Relieving stress, restoring balance, and promoting rejuvenation and regeneration.

What do essential oils interact with in the body?

The olfactory nerves, linking the nose to the brain.

What therapeutic effects do essential oils have?

Antibacterial properties and may also exhibit antibiotic, antiviral, and other therapeutic effects.

Which ancient civilizations practiced aromatherapy around 6,000 years ago?

Egypt, China, and India.

What method did the Egyptians use to extract oils from aromatic plants?

Infusion

What is one of the main aspects of Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine?

Aromatic massage

Which fragrances did ancient Egyptians offer in their religious rituals?

Frankincense at dawn to the sun and myrrh to the moon.

Why were specific herbs used in Egyptian cooking?

Aid digestion, protect against infections, and boost the immune system.

What did Avicenna invent in the 11th century that significantly advanced the distillation of essential oils?

A coiled cooling pipe

What is the oldest known medical book in China that details over 300 plants?

Shen Nung's herbal text

How did Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, explore essential oils' effects?

Promoting daily aromatic baths and scented massages for health

What was the foremost medical reference in the Western world for 1,200 years?

Pedanius Dioscorides' herbal medicine book

Where did the Romans expand trade routes to enrich their collection of aromatic substances?

East India and Arabia

How did the Arabs' discovery of alcohol distillation revolutionize perfume production?

Eliminating the need for heavy oil bases in perfume production.

How were scented oils used during the Renaissance and Age of Exploration?

To perfume wigs and mask the foul odors of unsanitary streets and living conditions.

Which herbs were burned in French hospitals for fumigation, valued for their air-freshening and antiseptic properties?

Lavender and rosemary

When the conquistadors arrived in South America, what impressed the Spanish explorers?

The Aztecs' knowledge and use of plant-based remedies

Who grew and distilled lavender for its medicinal properties in the 12th century?

Abbess Hildegard of Germany

During which pandemic were herbal preparations, including aromatics, extensively used to combat the disease in the 14th century?

The Black Death pandemic

What marked the integration of essential oils into everyday medicinal practices in the 16th century?

Essential oils became available for purchase at apothecaries.

What did advances in separating the constituents of essential oils lead to in the 20th century?

The creation of synthetic chemicals and drugs.

Which French chemist played a pivotal role in advancing the understanding and application of essential oils in medicine during the early 20th century?

Rene-Maurice Gattefosse

What accident deepened Gattefosse's interest in the medicinal potential of essential oils?

Burned his arm and immersed it in lavender essential oil, which healed rapidly and left no scar.

Besides therapeutic purposes, what are other purposes of essential oils.

Cosmetic, fragrance, spiritual, and therapeutic.

What are aroma molecules?

Organic plant chemicals

What is the range of properties that aroma molecules possess.

Antibacterial and antiviral, anti-inflammatory, support for body systems, and emotional and mental effects.

What effects do essential oils have on the mind?

Enhance memory, increase alertness, aid in calming down, and facilitate better sleep.

Where are aroma molecules from essential oils interpreted?

Receptor cells in the nose.

Once aroma molecules are interpreted in the nose, where do these signals travel?

Olfactory bulb and then to parts of the brain such as the limbic system and hypothalamus.

When the brain receives signals from the olfactory bulb and limbic system, how does the brain respond?

Releasing neurochemicals like serotonin and endorphins, which communicate with the nervous system and other body systems.

In inhalation, aromatic plant extracts are sent to what system from the nasal cavity?

Olfactory system

In inhalation, aromatic plant extracts are sent to what parts of the brain?

Cerebral cortex, thalamus, and limbic system

What transmitters are prompted from inhalation of aromatic plant extracts through the olfactory system?

Serotonin and endorphins

How do you perform steam inhalation in aromatherapy?

Add 3-5 drops of essential oil to a bowl of boiled water, cover the head with a towel, and inhale the steam for 1-2 minutes.

Which type of nebulizers are recommended for diffusers and atomizers as they do not heat the oil, preserving its therapeutic properties?

Aromatic nebulizers

How do you perform aromatherapy massage?

Dilute essential oils in a carrier oil (e.g., grape seed, sweet almond, peach kernel) at a concentration of 1-5%.

How do you perform aromatic bath in aromatherapy?

Add essential oils (emulsified with bath salts, mineral salts, etc.) to a bath just before entering, ensuring baths do not exceed 20 minutes.

How can diluted essential oils be applied directly to the skin?

Using carrier oils like jojoba, grape seed, sweet almond, or apricot kernel oil.

What are the applications of essential oils in facial, skin, body, and hair care within cosmetic aromatherapy?

Toning, cleansing, drying, or moisturizing the skin and hair.

What benefits can direct inhalation or diffusion of essential oils provide in olfactory aromatherapy?

Calming, relaxing, or rejuvenating the mind and spirit.

What are the main constituents of Lavender essential oil?

Linalool, Linalyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, Beta-caryophyllene, Terpinen-4-ol, Camphor

What are the therapeutic effects of Lavender essential oil?

Sedative and calming actions; used to induce sleep, improve well-being, and reduce anxiety.

What are the skin care applications of Eucalyptus essential oil?

Burns, blisters, cuts, herpes, insect bites, insect repellent, lice, skin infections, wounds

What are the main constituents of Ylang-Ylang essential oil?

Linalool, Farnesol, Geraniol, Geranial, Benzyl acetate, Geranyl acetate, Eugenol, Methyl chavicol, Pinene, Beta-caryophyllene, Farnasene

What is Ylang-Ylang essential oil prized for?

Calms the mind and body, balances emotions, and supports cardiovascular health.

What are the main constituents of Geranium essential oil?

Geraniol, Geranic acid, Citronellol, Citronellyl formate, Linalool, Eugenol, Myrcenol, Terpineol, Citral, Menthone, Sabinene

What kind of emotional effects comes from Geranium essential oil

Balancing, calming effects on emotions; widely used in aromatherapy for emotional support

What are the pharmacological properties of peppermint essential oil?

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-infectious, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, digestive, expectorant, febrifuge, nervine, vasoconstrictor, decongestant, stimulant, stomachic

What are the main constituents of Lemon essential oil?

d-Limonene, l-limonene, Citral

What are some other (non-therapeutic) uses for Lemon essential oil?

Lightens freckles when applied topically

What properties, profile, and pharmacological actions does Tea Tree oil have?

Properties: Fresh, clean, musty aroma Pharmacological properties: Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, insecticidal, immune stimulant

What are the main constituents and profile for Tea Tree oil?

Details: Main Constituents: Terinen-4-ol, alpha-Terpineol, Cineole Aroma profile: Fresh, clean, musty aroma

What are the components for Roman Chamomile essential oil?

Properties/uses Details: Main Constituents -Esters of angelic acid, tiglic acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid; chamazulene, pinocarvone, pinene, bisabolol, farnesol, pinocarveol, cineole, azulene, beta-caryophyllene, camphene, myrcene

What are the properties of Almond Oil?

Nearly odorless, excellent lubrication, alleviates itching, irritation, inflammation, soothes dry skin.

What are the properties of Avocado Oil?

Rich, heavy, deep green color, loaded with vitamins A and F, excellent for dry and mature skin, aids in treating eczema and psoriasis.

What are the properties of Grapeseed Oil?

Light and odorless, easily absorbed, mildly astringent, tightens and tones skin, useful for acne, always solvent-extracted.

What are the properties of Jojoba Oil?

Similar to skin's natural oils, quickly absorbed, ideal for dry and mature skin, helps control acne, oily skin, scalp conditions, antioxidant.

How do essential oils reduce anxiety using carrier oils?

Carrier oils alone can significantly reduce anxiety levels compared to essential oils.

What is the composition of carrier oils, consisting of fatty acids?

Composed primarily of fatty acids, including saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. They also contain vitamins, sterols, and phytosterols.

How do essential oils act for their antimicrobial effects on microorganisms?

Essential oils disrupt microbial cell membranes, interfere with microbial enzyme systems, and affect metabolic pathways.

What are the broad classifications for the pharmacological actions of essential oils?

Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, sedative, and stimulant

Name a few of the most important essential oils (there are many, but name a few)

Tea Tree Oil, Oregano Oil, Lavender Oil, Chamomile Oil, Rosemary Oil, Clove Oil, Peppermint Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Frankincense Oil, Lemon Oil

How are essential oils absorbed?

Topical application allows transdermal absorption, while inhalation facilitates rapid entry into the bloodstream via the lungs.

What are the routes of absorption for essential oils?

The skin, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract.

Where do essential oils often accumulate in the body due to their lipophilic nature?

Fatty tissues

Which enzymes primarily metabolize essential oils in the liver?

Cytochrome P450 enzymes

How are metabolites of essential oils excreted?

Urine, feces, and exhaled air.

What is a disadvantage of essential oils?

Variable chemical makeup means inconsistent therapeutic effects