Medicinal and aromatic plants – industrial profiles

lavender
1: geranium 1
R/S
s/R
S/R
10. Frankincense 1: mandarin 2: scotch pine 1
S/R
S
S/R
11. Camomile roman 1: valerian 1: rose abs.1
R/S
s/R
R
12. Ylang ylang 1: marjoram 1: thyme red 1
R
s/R
R
13. Petitgrain 1: melissa 1: sage dalmatian1
s/r
R
R
14. Kanuka 1: 
lavender
1: frankincense 1
R
S/r
R
15. Manuka 1: 
lavender
1: frankincense 1
S
s/R
R
16. Fennel 1: orange 1: bergamot 1
S/r
S/R
S/R
17. Basil 1: bergamot 1: clary sage 1: jasmine 1
S
s/R
S/R
monoterpenes (largely limonene) from the citrus essential oils used in greater concentration than
lavender in the formulation. Paris by Kenzo, showed a similar over-preponderance of monoter-
penes due again to the limonene of its citrus components. These are obviously stimulating oils
and their predicted effect would be contractile on smooth muscle. Lavender perfume, with its
high concentration of relaxant components, would, however, be predicted to be relaxant on
smooth muscle. Its holistic effect would also be of a relaxant nature, unless the ‘patient’ had 
a great dislike for that particular odour … but that is an unpredictable psychological effect,
which could completely contradict the chemical findings.
Conclusion
The present results indicate that there is a very close correlation between the pharmacological
activity of essential oils on the isolated smooth ileal muscle of the guinea-pig and the predicted
effect on the human psyche by aromatherapists, as with the use of lavender (Table 23.4).
This ‘holistic’ effect would probably have originated from the direct effect of essential oils on
the CNS with the concomitant effect of the massage (and of course counselling and possible
placebo effect. The actual effect on the isolated smooth muscle is less complex and probably
involves various adrenoceptors, but there could also be a simple direct action of components on
the membrane with all monoterpenes initiating a rise in calcium levels which cause contraction
of the muscle.
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---

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