Formulating Essential Oil
Nasal Gels and Lip Balms
By Lisa M. Browder, RA, ICA, CR
Complementary Therapies Manager
Bonnie Schreck Memorial Complementary Therapies Program
Nathan Adelson Hospice
4141 Swenson St.
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 733-0320
lbrowder@nah.org
Fixed Oils
Grape Seed Oil
Smooth texture without being oily.
Sweet Almond Oil
Doesn’t absorb quickly. Skin softener.
Jojoba
Long shelf life. Anti-inflammatory.
Rosehip Seed Oil
Good for tissue regeneration. Too heavy for massage.
Coconut Oil
Stable. Stores easily. Tastes good.
Evening Primrose Oil
Contains GLA – important to every organ.
Aloe Vera
Binds moisture into the skin.
Shea Butter Oil
Tamanu Oil
Not suitable for massage. Strong analgesic and
anti-inflammatory. Sciatica, rheumatism, shingles.
Forms breathable, water-resistant film.
General characteristics of molecules
Functional Groups
Common
Constituents
Specific chemical constituents
that fit into functional groups
Functional
Groups
Common
Constituents
Terpenes
Monoterpenes
Sesquiterpenes
Names end in –ene
Top notes in perfumery. You smell them first but they burn off fast
Terpenes can be skin irritants, but not often
Mucolytic (drying effect)
Antiviral (Herpes virus)
Spasmolytic (good for muscle pain)
Possible anti-tumor agents
Lemon
Functional
Groups
Terpene Constituents
Common
Constituents
Limonene – stimulates circulation
Lemon
Rosemary
Pinene – excellent air disinfectants
Pine
Juniper
Pine
22-43%
26-70%
55-80%
15-34%
Functional
Groups
Esters
Names end in –lyl + acetate
Easily metabolized
“User friendly”
Watch for methyl salicylate content
Antifungal
Anti-inflammatory
Wintergreen
Antispasmodic
Calming to the Central Nervous System
Sedative
Analgesic
Thought to re-equilibrate the sympathetic nervous system
and the endocrine system
Common
Constituents
Functional
Groups
Common
Constituents
Ester Constituents
Linalyl acetate
Clary Sage
Lavender
Bergamot
50%
40%
25%
Methyl salicylate
Wintergreen
98%
(4ml in children results in respiratory failure and death
– Tisserand and Balacs 1995)
Functional
Groups
Common
Constituents
Aldehydes
Names end in –al or have “aldehyde” in the name
Most citrus oils fit here
Usually powerful aromas
Mucus membrane irritants
Unstable and oxidize easily, leading to dermal irritation and/or sensitization
Calming to Central Nervous System
Anti-infectious (management of opportunistic infections in the last
stages of AIDS)
Antiviral
Anti-inflammatory
Hypotensors
Vasodilators
Air antiseptics
Functional
Groups
Aldehyde Constituents
Geranial
Citronellal
Melissa
Lemongrass
May Chang
Citral
Common
Constituents
24%
58%
41%
Eucalyptus citriodora
May Chang
Citronella
90%
6%
14%
Lemongrass
Mucus membrane irritant
Be careful of use with patients who have glaucoma as it causes extra pressure
However – antiviral, insecticidal/larvacidal/repellent effects
Cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamon Bark
Mucus membrane and dermal irritant
Cinnamon Bark harvest
Functional
Groups
Alcohols
Common
Constituents
Names end in –ol
Middle notes in perfumery – scent stays the longest
Considered the most beneficial & safest of all
Caution: Although safest, anything used in excess can have consequences
Vasoconstrictive
Analgesic – cooling to application site
Sedative
Antispasmodic
Strong antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral
Peppermint
Functional
Groups
Alcohol Constituents
Geraniol
Palmarosa
Geranium
75%
20%
Menthol
Peppermint
45%
Linalol
Lavender
Rosewood
Tea Tree
37%
90%
Terpinen-4-ol
Tea Tree
Marjoram
Geranium
40%
25%
Common
Constituents
Functional
Groups
Common
Constituents
Phenols
Names end in –ol but there are only 4 common ones
They don’t evaporate easily
Strong smelling
Thyme
Most irritant of constituents to skin & mucus membranes
Contact dermatitis and sensitization dermatitis
Possible liver damage
Most stimulating to peripheral blood circulation so good for cold hands & feet
Anti-infectious – can kill Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Good for acute infections
Treats Candida albicans (Thrush)
Functional
Groups
Phenol Constituents
Common
Constituents
Thymol
Oregano 85%
Thyme 27%
Carvacrol
Oregano 4%
Chavicol
Bay
56%
Cinnamon
Eugenol
- Can deplete the liver of glutahione, a detoxifying molecule,
in the same way as paracetamol
Cinnamon Leaf
87%
What do you see in common
Clove
76%
with these essential oils?
Functional
Groups
Ketones
Names end in –one except for one: camphor
Many also contain oxides
Resistant to metabolism by the liver
Long half-life so be careful with long-term use
Neurotoxic effects from a select few
Reduce secretions
Wound healing properties – wounds, scars, burns and surgical wounds,
preventing cheloid formation and over-production of scar tissue
Antiviral – papilloma, herpes zoster
Anti-haematomal (specifically the italidone in Helichrysum)
Common
Constituents
Functional
Groups
Ketone Constituents
Italidone
Helichrysum
Menthone
Peppermint
8%
30%
Carvone
Camphor
Rosemary
15-30%
Spike Lavender 15%
Helichrysum/Everlasting/Immortelle
Common
Constituents
Spearmint
48%
Neurotoxic constituents:
Thujone
Mugwort, Wormwood
Pulegone
Pennyroyal
Camphor
Dalmatian Sage, Yarrow
Rosemary ct camphor
Functional
Groups
Common
Constituents
Oxides
Names end in –ole
Possibly strongest odorants
Respiratory irritation (mucus membranes)
Care should be taken with asthmatics
Expectorant effect by stimulating mucus glands
and cilia of the respiratory tract
Eucalyptus globulus
Functional
Groups
Oxide Constituent
Common
Constituents
1,8 cineole (Eucalyptol)
Eucalyptus globulus
Spike Lavender
Rosemary
Cardamom
Sage
Niaouli
70%
15%
15%
30%
15%
41%
Cardamom
Lip Balms & Nasal Gels
Rollerball container
Coconut Oil
Mango Butter
Lavender
Everlasting
1% dilution
¼ oz container
Aloe vera gel
Lavender
Everlasting
1% dilution
Aloe vera
Nasal inhaler
Perfume rollerball
What Else Could You Treat?
Lip Balm
* Digestive Tract
Nausea
Gas
Constipation
* Muscular aches & pains
* Oral Thrush
Nasal Gel
* Headaches
* Insomnia
* Anxiety
* Respiratory
* Depression
Resources
SKS Bottle -containers
Birch Hill Happenings - inhalers
Mountain Rose Herbs – fixed oils and butters
Essential Oil Companies:
Nature’s Gift
Florihana
Original Swiss Aromatics
Wyndmere Naturals
Books:
Aromadermatology – by Janetta Bensouilah and Philippa Buck
The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – by Salvatore Battaglia
Aromatherapy for Health Professionals – by Shirley Price and Len Price
The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils - by Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D.
Aromatherapy vs MRSA - by Maggie Tisserand
Liquid Sunshine - by Jan Kusmirek
The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils – E. Joy Bowles
Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child - by Valerie Ann Worwood
Organizations:
Nathan Adelson Hospice
“Bonnie’s Comfort”
Visitor Program
National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA)