Medicinal and aromatic plants – industrial profiles

Chemical predictions versus actual effect on ileum
Whenever there was a considerable percentage of components in the 
10 min interval, this
would be associated with a small to large contraction of the ileal muscle (depending on the
actual percentage). Predictions of pharmacological activity could therefore be easily made based
on the chemical composition, with the exception of essential oils containing 1,8-cineole, for
example, 
Eucalyptus globulus
(Table 23.2). Lavender showed a very high proportion of the 
Table 23.2
Comparison of the actual effect of essential oils on guinea-pig
ileum and the predicted effects using chemical composition
and aromatherapists’ predictions
Actual effect
Chemical
Aromatherapists’
on tissue
prediction
prediction
a. Tea tree
R & s/R
s/R
s/r
b. Neroli
R
s/R
S/r
c. Camomile German
R
R
R
d. Frankincense
S
S
R
e. Camphor
S
S
S
f.   Black Pepper
S/r
S/r
S/r
g.  Rosemary
S/r
S/r
S
h.  Lemongrass
R
R
S/r
i.   Juniper
R
S
S
j.   
Lavender
R & s/R
R
R
k.  Bergamot
s/R
S/R
S/R
l.   Ylang Ylang
R
R
r
m. Sandalwood
R
R
r
n.  Vetivert
R
R
R
o. Petitgrain
S/r
R
S/R
p.  Rosewood
R
R
R
q.  Geranium Bourbon
R
R
R
r.   Eucalyptus globulus
R
S
S
s.  Clary Sage
S & S/r
R
r
t. Ginger
R
s/R
s/r
u.  Dillweed
S/r
s/R
r
v. Nutmeg
S
S
r
w. Manuka
R
R
R
x. Spikenard
R
R
r
y. Camomile Roman
S/R & s/R
S/R
R
z. Valerian
R
R
R

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248
Maria Lis-Balchin and Stephen Hart
non-stimulating components and therefore was stated to be relaxant according to the chemical
prediction.
Chemical predictions versus aromatherapists’ predictions of effect on patient
The chemical predictions were largely similar to both the actual observed effect on the smooth
muscle and also similar to the aromatherapists’ prediction on the ‘patient’. The latter effect was
either a relaxant effect or a stimulant effect on the ‘patient’; the stimulant effect could be directly
related to a contraction on the isolated muscle. The chemical prediction for lavender was 
confirmed by the actual effect and that of the aromatherapists’ predictions.