Category Archives: Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Ayurvedic Essential Oils

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Camphene

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Camphene is a monoterpene that is bicyclic and exhibits a pungent aroma. It is soluble in general organic solvents and vaporizes at room temperature.  It is seen as a vital constituent in Citronella oil, Ginger oil, Camphor oil, Cypress oil, Neroli and Valerian. In the industry, this oil is produced by catalytic isomerization of alpha-pinene.

Commercially, Camphene is seen used as a food additive and in the production of fragrances. Camphene is similar to that of camphor and is a white crystalline solid which imparts a fragrance that is close to camphor. When heated, these crystals give out vapors that cause irritation to the eyes and throat. It is commonly used in the production of insecticides and man-made camphor.

Therapeutic Properties of Camphene:

The predominant remedial attributes of Camphene are as follows:

Antifungal properties of Camphene:

Camphor and camphene in the essential oil of Sage attributes to its antifungal properties. It works effectively in the treatment of fungal skin infections, dysentery, athlete’s foot and dermatitis. It is for the antifungal property displayed by camphene and camphor in Sage oil that it finds its use in skin care products.

Anti-biotic and Cytotoxic properties of Camphene:

The constituents like Camphene, Cineole and Eugenol seen in Tulsi oil is responsible for treating bacterial, fungal and viral infections that affect the respiratory system. It completely cures congestion, and has also been used in the treatment of severe respiratory disorders like bronchitis as well.  It has also been reported that the active ingredients present in Tulsi oils can be used to treat damage caused to the lung by smoking cancer and tuberculosis.

Camphene found in Holy Basil leaves and in Tulsi leaves can be used directly as a paste or as an oil extract on the skin to treat antifungal and antibacterial diseases. The extract can be used to keep away mosquitoes, and to create a cooling effect on the irritated parts of the skin.

Antioxidant properties of Camphene:

Camphene along with vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and helps repair damage caused by stress. They work together and exhibit a soothing effect on the nerves, thereby reducing blood pressure, inflammation, and eventually stress.

Analgesic properties of Camphene:

Constituents of Tulsi such as Eugenol, Camphene, Methyl-Chavicol, Carvacrol, and Cineol, have been understood to show sedative, anti-congestive, analgesic, and disinfectant properties. Tulsi and its essential oil can be used to treat sinus pressure, migraines, cough and cold, and even high blood pressure.

 Hyper-Lipidemia and Camphene:

Camphene was used in a study to treat the effects of hyperlipidemia and its reduction. The results proved that camphene was quite effective in treating hyperlipidemia and can be used in conditions associated with cardiovascular disease.

Antinociceptive properties of Camphene:

To study the antinociceptive and Redox Profile of the Monoterpenes (+)-Camphene, p-Cymene, and Geranyl Acetate an experiment was carried out. It was identified that the entire three constituents displayed anti-inflammation and analgesic properties, with p-cymene and geranyl acetate showing minimal therapeutic uses. It was decided that camphene had better opportunities in the pharmacological angle enabling it to find a place in the development of new therapeutic ideologies.

Reference Links:

  1. Camphene, a Plant-Derived Monoterpene, Reduces Plasma Cholesterol and Triglycerides in Hyperlipidemic Rats Independently of HMG-CoA Reductase Activity, published in PLOS journals
  2. Antinociceptive Activity and Redox Profile of the Monoterpenes (+)-Camphene, p-Cymene, and Geranyl Acetate in Experimental Models, published in Hindawi, International Scholarly Research.
  3. Comparative antifungal activities and biochemical effects of monoterpenes on plant pathogenic fungi by Damanhour University and Alexandria University, Egypt

1,8-Cineole

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Eucalyptol is a cyclic ether and a monoterpenoid. It is identified and ascribed the name eucalyptol in 1870 by F. S. Cloez. It is a natural organic compound that is a colorless liquid, also known by various names like 1,8-cineol, cajeputol, 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2,2,2]octane, 1,8-oxido-p-menthane,  1,8-epoxy-p-menthane,  eucalyptole , eucalyptol, and cineole.

The name eucalyptol was given to it based on the dominant portion of Eucalyptus globulus oil. The constituent Eucalyptol is seen in 90 percent of the essential oil in most species of Eucalyptus oil. It’s component is majorly constituted of 1,8 cineole syn eucalyptol and monoterpenes, and hence it gets its’ name Eucalyptol.

1,8-Cineole  is also found in Common Sage,  Bay leaves, Camphor laurel, Tea tree, Sweet basil, Wormwood, Mugwort, Rosemary, Cannabis sativa and other aromatic flora.

Therapeutic Properties of 1,8-Cineole:

1,8-Cineole finds itself serving multiple therapeutic purposes such as  analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, airborne antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, mucolytic, hypotensive, antispasmodic and it also increases the cerebral blood flow.

1,8-Cineole & Its Uses:

Flavoring and Fragrance:

A report in 1994 stated that the top cigarette companies used eucalyptol as an ingredient in about 599 additives in cigarettes, to improve the flavor. Cineole-based eucalyptus oil is used as a flavoring in various products, including beverages, confectionery, baked goods, and meat products, owing to its pleasant spicy aroma and taste. 1,8-Cineole is also used in flavorings, fragrances, and cosmetics.1 8-cineole

Remedial benefits of 1,8-Cineole:

In the areas of medicine, 1,8-Cineole is widely used as an ingredient in many popular brands of cough suppressant, mouthwashes, and as well as an inactive ingredient in body powder. It serves well in treating system related disorders as mentioned below.

Digestive system: 

A study conducted in 2010 with details from the Aromatherapy Journal of the NAHA states that Eucalyptol does play a crucial role against Candida and fungi. It is seen to restrict the filamentation in fungi, and is also effective on intestinal parasites that cause diarrhea.

It’s does exhibit anti-fungal activity on candida albicans.  When the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus were taken internally during an experiment with diabetic rats, Candia albicans and its proliferation were inhibited.

Musculoskeletal system: 

It can be used in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, muscular aches and pains, sprains and plantar fasciitis. Studies suggest that both analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, were projected by Eucalyptus globules and Eucalyptus citriodora.

Immune System:

The Aromatherapy Journal (2010) of the NAHA indicates, “Eucalyptus globules was able to instinctively put into action a cell-meditated immune response, making it actively function as a immuno-regulatory agents which can be used in infectious diseases, and in chemotherapy, as adjuvant in immuno-suppressive pathologies.”

Respiratory system: 

1,8-Cineole is indicated in several respiratory conditions right from sinusitis, asthma, acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. It is also preferred in the treatment of sore throat and infections such as laryngitis, for its antiseptic qualities.

It is also used to clear the head especially when used in a combination of Peppermint and Rosemary under conditions of nasal congestion, coughs, cold, flu and pertussis.

1, 8-cineole is seen to provide positive responses even under the conditions of severe respiratory illnesses such as lung function parameters during the treatment of COPD and the common cold.

Eucalyptus globules have been identified to create positive battling effects on bacterial strains which have been isolated from respiratory infections. It has been proved effective for its growth restraining activity against bacterial strains including Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pyogenes, H. parainfluenzae, S. pneumoniae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Staphylococcus aureus.

Skin: 

For the skin, 1,8-Cineole is used in the treatment of shingles, herpes simplex, measles, acne, chickenpox, ulcers, wounds, boils, burns, cuts. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy Journal concurs, “bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity was extensively displayed by 1,8 cineole”.

Insecticide and repellent

Eucalyptol is used as an insect repellent and as an insecticide. This oil is said to elevate territorial behavior and specifically attracts the male bees. This was done so these males would periodically leave their territories to forage for chemicals such as cineole, to attract and mate with females, to synthesize pheromones.

Reference Links:

  1. 1,8-Cineole by Wikipedia
  2. About Eucalyptus globulus and 1,8 cineole by The School for Aromatic Studies
  3. Eucalyptus globulus & 1, 8 cineole – Seasonal Self Care Issue by The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy Journal

alpha.-Thujene

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Thujene is a natural flavoring obtained from Eucalyptus. It is a natural organic compound classified as a monoterpene. It finds it place in the cosmetic industry as it attributes it’s fragrance to the essential oils that it’s seen in. It forms a major part of the constituents in essential oils of a variety of plants, and contributes a strong spicy flavor of certain herbs as seen in Summer savory.

The term thujene usually refers to α-thujene which is less commonly known and is chemically related double-bond isomer is known as β-thujene (or 2-thujene). Another double-bond isomer is known as sabinene. Thujene also goes under other names as well 3-Thujene, and Thujiene.

alpha.-Thujene & its Therapeutic Uses:

Antioxidant Activities:

A study carried out on the Artemisia species, an important medicinal plant proved the antioxidant capabilities of thujene. Not many reports on the biological activity and chemistry of the oil are available as the amount of quality oil generated is minimal in this genus. A study was performed where the chemical oils were derived from the stem and leaves of Artemisia aucheri and Artemisia sieberi that is found growing in Kashan rangelands of central Iran.

On analysis using the GC-MS technique, where 50 compounds isolated from 96.55% of the oil was from Artemisia sieberi, and 23 identified compounds were isolated from Artemisia aucheri.

The study was quite successful in extracting the highest amounts of α-thujene as its yield was quite higher than expected. Both the specimens extracted showed that α-thujene was in its highest concentrations, with the aucheri species showing as far as 74.42%. Results showed that antioxidant activities were seen during the research using β-carotene/linoleic acid assay.

Anti- Malarial (Anti-Viral):

A study conducted in Iran stated that Thujene also acts as an active anti- malarial agent as well. Using the essential oils of A. aucheri and A. sieberi from parts of central Iran the anti-malarial activity of the chemical constituent a-thujene was studied.

The specimen derived showed high concentration of α-thujene which was analyzed to have high flavor, and served as an anti-microbial and anti-malarial agent. This makes K-HP and K-HS an important constituent in the industry of medicine.

Anti-Bacterial:

The anti-bacterial effect by thujene was detected in a test conducted on Juniperus thurifera L. essential oils. According to the study the oil derived contained, Δ-amorphene, α-thujene, p-cymene, α-pinene, linalyl acetate, germacrene D-4-ol, α-phellandrene and 4-epi-abietal.

The constitutes were seen in larger quantities when derived from the female tree, rather than the male tree, resulting in the female tree extracts showing a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity towards both gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus clinical, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, and MRSA)  and gram negative bacteria (Serratia marcescens,  Escherichia coli clinical, Proteus permeri, Shigella sp, Meningo sp.).

Antimicrobial Activity:

During the testing the anti-microbial activity of thujene, the study read, the essential oils of three major Salvia species were derived and studied to identify the possibilities of having antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and also to understand its chemical compositions.

The partakers of the study were Salvia aucheri var. aucheri (endemic), Salvia aramiensis and Salvia pilifera (endemic). Of the extracts derived, alpha-thujene (36.1%), S. pilifera oil, and alpha-pinene (13.8%) were seen in their respective concentrations. The results of the experiment were that S. aramiensis showed a higher extent of antioxidant activity than those of the others. In terms of antimicrobial activity, the results proved most sensitive for Acinetobacter lwoffii and Candida albicans.

Herbicidal Activity:

A study on the ‘Chemical composition, antifungal and herbicidal effects of essential oil isolated from Chersodoma Argentina’ was conducted. During the study, hydrodistilled essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Chersodoma argentina Cabrera by the process of GC-MS was used.

On performing a NMR spectroscopy, the derived composition was found containing 80% of its content to be monoterpene hydrocarbons which included alpha-thujene, alpha-pinene and beta-pinene. Results obtained proved the herbicidal activity of a-thujene by revealing by reduced root growth of Solanum lycopersicon, Allium porrum, and Sorghum halepense in both assays.

Reference Links:

  1. Thujene by Wikipedia
  2. Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the essential oils of three Salvia species from Turkish flora by Suleyman Demirel University, Department of Horticulture, Turkey, published in PubMed
  3. Chemical composition, antifungal and herbicidal effects of essential oil isolated from Chersodoma Argentina by Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa), Argentina, published in PubMed