Foundations of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy

Glossary of Terms for Therapeutic Actions of Essential Oils

Throughout your studies of essential oils you will be learning some new terms (or perhaps familiar terms) in relation to the therapeutic actions of each essential oil.  The following dictionary covers the therapeutic actions associated with essential oils. It may be a good idea to print out the Glossary so you have as a quick reference.

PLEASE READ BEFORE HANDING IN YOUR CASE STUDIES

You are required to complete 5 Case studies for your Foundations of Aromatherapy certification. You can perform consultations with yourself, family members, friends, and/or existing clients. You will want to have at least 2 sessions:

1. To perform a full consultation and create product/s to give to your client to use. (*Sometimes you will need some time to make product so it is possible that you give your client their product a few days after the consultation. This is fine.)
2. To follow up and see how your client responded to the product/s you gave to him/her. (*Even if a client reports that they did not have time to use the product, this is important! Although we hope not all your case studies go this way. But it is still an important aspect of the consultation process.)

To complete this assignment you will need to print out the Consultation form. This is available either as a word doc or pdf file. Feel free to add questions or take questions out. This is just a general framework for questions you could explore with your client.

You will also find directions below on how to write up your case studies to be submitted to the school. Please note: we do not need your consultation form, just a synopsis of what is happening with the client, their general health, etc.

Be sure to follow the Case study documentation when writing up your case studies!

• Print out the Consultation Form  (word doc) OR
• Print out the Consultation Form (pdf file)
• Perform 5 case studies

Here is a guide to how you should set up your case studies for submission to school: Case Study – How to

BE SURE TO WRITE YOUR CASE STUDIES UP LIKE THE EXAMPLE INCLUDED IN PDF FILE!

Case Study Example

Client history and presenting problems:

Sam is a 42 year old, male office worker with some more recent back problems, specifically his mid to lower back. As he has gotten older, he tends to have back pain when he sleeps wrong in bed or completes strenuous activities while lifting or bending. Sam was completing chores around his house that included trimming back shrubs away from his house. His movements included bending over while cutting with shears, tightening his back muscles while trying to cut the thicker branches and bending over to pick up the fallen branches off the ground. Sam is now having a hard time walking, sitting or bending over due to the pain in his mid to lower back. He has taken some aspirin but it doesn’t seem to be helping.

Goal of treatment:

– Reduce back pain
– Reduce muscle inflammation

Care Plan: Muscle Ointment

It was recommended to Sam to apply the mixture of oils to the area of pain 2x’s a day- once in the morning and once at night.

Client’s Response:

Sam stated that he didn’t feel much different when the oil was massaged into his back, in the area that hurt. He stated that the oil was applied right before going to bed so he wasn’t aware of any changes in pain level before falling asleep.

Subsequent Treatment and follow up:

I followed up with Sam the next day and he stated that he did not use the oil in the morning before going to work, and that he planned on only using the oils at night before bed. Sam stated that his back did feel better, that there was still pain but it had decreased and he also noticed that his range of motion was getting better too.
Day 2 follow up: Sam was still only applying the oils at night, before bed and his back pain is almost gone. He has also noticed that he doesn’t wake up as stiff as he normally does, even when he isn’t injured.

Results:

The results of Sam using the oils were successful in reducing the pain and stiffness that Sam felt as a result of cutting his bushes. His back is feeling better and stated that he missed putting the oils on one night and woke up the next morning feeling an increased stiffness and a small increase in back pain.

Discussion:

My conclusion is that I would replicate the same care plan. I felt that this care plan was successful in helping Sam and obtained the goal of reducing Sam’s back pain.

Juniper

Juniperus communis L.

Watch: About Juniper Berry Essential Oil

BOTANICAL INFORMATION

Common names: Common juniper, dwarf juniper, juniper, malchangel
Scientific name: Juniperus communis L.
Botanical family: Cupressaceae
Conservation status: Least concern¹

Description: Common juniper is a spreading evergreen shrub or small tree in the Cupressaceae family. It thrives in a stunning range of habitats, and is the world’s most widespread conifer, native to both temperate Eurasia and North America.

Juniper is multi-stemmed and recumbent, with a generally depressed crown. The brown bark is fibrous and exfoliates in thin strips. The smaller branchlets are smooth, while the bark of the larger branchlets exfoliates in strips and plates. The leaves are green, with a tendency to appear silver. Seed cones manifest in two distinct sizes, and are globose-to-ovoid, maturing over the course of two years. Juniper berries are the female seed cones, which are bluish black, glaucous, and contain 2-3 seeds. It is not a true berry, but a seed cone with fleshy, merged scales that lend it a berry-like appearance.²

Ethnobotany: Juniper berries have been used in traditional medicine for their carminative, urinary antiseptic, diuretic, emmenagogue, sudorific, and digestive properties. The berries have been used to treat rheumatic and painful swellings, hemorrhoids, and tuberculosis in infants. The bark has been employed for respiratory maladies including asthma and cough, as well as venereal disease, arthritis, diabetes, and skin afflictions.³

Berries of J. communis have long been used as flavoring in food and spirits. The dried berries are crushed to release their flavor, then added to meat, soups, sauces, stews, stuffing, and pickles. The berries are famous as a flavoring in gin and beer. Juniper branches and berries have been burnt in temples to purify the air during sacred rituals. In modern times, the essential oil is extracted from the dried ripe berries.⁴

EXTRACTION INFORMATION

Country of origin: Balkans, France, Italy
Part of plant used: Berries
Extraction method: Distillation
Essential oil yield: 0.5 – 1.5%
Color of oil: Pale yellow

AROMATIC CHEMISTRY

Juniper berry essential oil contains over seventy-four unique components.

The core components include: ⍺-pinene (15.59-43.19%), β-myrcene (2.89-26.5%), limonene (2.9-10%), germacrene D (2.76-10.22%). Monoterpene content 39.11 to 78.38% and sesquiterpene content 17.45-38.5%.

Components include:
Monoterpenes: ⍺-thujene (0.7-1.49%), ⍺-pinene (15.59-56.8%), camphene (t-0.62%), sabinene (2.8-11.77%), β-pinene (1.65-5.9%), β-myrcene (2.89-26.5%), ⍺-phellandrene (0.09-0.82%), β -phellandrene (8.9%), limonene (2.9-10%), -terpinene (0.82-2.27%), ⍺-terpinolene (1.03-1.74%), delta-3-carene (3.7%)
Sesquiterpenes: β-elemene (1.77-3.48%), trans-caryophyllene (1.81-4.05%), y-elemene (1.43-6.4%), Germacrene D, (2.76-10.22%), β-cadinene (1.57-5.4%), and twenty-three other sesquiterpene components at less then 1%, often below 0.5%.
Esters (less then 1%): citronellyl acetate, myrtenil acetate, bornyl acetate
Monoterpenols: each at less then 1% – linalool, terpinen-4-ol, myrtenol, β-citronellol^7,8

SAFETY INFORMATION

• Avoid internal use if kidney inflammation or irritation is present.⁹
• Caution: Due to the monoterpene content, it is important that the essential oil be stored properly (e.g., in a dark container in the refrigerator or in a cold room away from sunlight and heat). Oxidized essential oils should not be used in body care products or formulations designed for dermal application. The essential oil can, however, be used for cleaning products.
• Average shelf life for monoterpene-rich essential oils, when stored correctly is 1-3 years.

THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

SYSTEM AFFINITIES

Circulatory, Musculoskeletal

BLENDING INFORMATION

Aroma description: Fresh, piney, fruity
Blending factor: 4
Note: Top note
Blends well with: Grapefruit, lemon, cypress, cedarwood, Eucalyptus globulus or
E. radiata, Spanish sage, rosemary ct. verbenone, clary sage, lavender, lemongrass, palmarosa, sweet marjoram, tea tree, ginger, carrot seed
Substitutions: Grapefruit, lemon, Eucalyptus globulus or E. radiata, Tea tree

CORE INDICATIONS

• Circulatory system: poor circulation (C+++)
• Digestive system: poor appetite, bloating, flatulence/gas, dyspepsia, lack of appetite (C+++, O++, I+++)
• Musculoskeletal system: muscular aches and pains, rheumatism, cellulite, joint pain and stiffness, strains and sprains, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, spasms, shin splints, edema (C+++)
• Respiratory system: colds or flu, respiratory congestion, bronchitis (C+++, I+++, D++)
• Skin: poor elimination, slow healing sores, acne, oily skin, eczema, herpes, oily scalp (C+++)
• Urinary system: urinary tract infections¹³ (O+++)
• Psyche/emotion: fluctuating energy levels, worry, cold, fear, trembling, emotionally frozen, feelings of being blocked, lack of motivation, energizing (I+++, D++, C++)
  ____________
• Ayurveda: Due to its affinity to the circulatory system, juniper would be indicated for an imbalance in vyana vata. May also be beneficial for imbalances of slesaka kapha.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Juniper is a powerful tonic of the body’s warming and stimulating yang energy, especially of the Kidney-yang. Juniper is useful to break through psychological stagnation and consolidate will-power.¹⁴
  ___________

RESEARCH

Research Notes

• Junipers therapeutic actions are due primarily to its volatile oil, which contains the constituent terpinen-4-ol. Diuretic actions stimulated by terpinen-4-ol are reportedly aquaretic, meaning that glomerular filtration rates increase, but electrolyte secretion does not.¹⁵ Avoid internal use if kidney inflammation or irritation is present.¹⁶

Animal studies

• The inhalation of juniper berry (Juniperus communis) essential oil (1% and 3%, daily, for 21 days) improves memory formation in rats.¹⁷

Laurel

Laurus nobilis L.

Watch: About Laurel Essential Oil with Jade Shutes

BOTANICAL INFORMATION

Common names: Bay Laurel, Laurel, Sweet Bay-Tree, True laurel, Roman laurel
Scientific name: Laurus nobilis L.
Botanical family: Lauraceae
Conservation status: Least concern¹

Description: Bay laurel is a broadleaf evergreen in the Lauraceae family native to the Mediterranean. It is a pyramidal, aromatic large shrub or tree that typically grows 10-30 feet tall, but can reach as high as 60 feet. The glossy dark green leaves are leathery and thick, elliptic to oval, and 2-4 inches long. Diminutive yellow-green flowers bloom in spring. If pollinated, the flowers are succeeded by single-seeded purple/black berries. Laurel thrives in rich, moist, well-drained in part shade to full sun.

In ancient Greece bay leaves were woven into wreaths that signified victory. The genus name is derived from the Latin for “laurel,” while the specific epithet nobilis means “notable” or “excellent”.²

Ethnobotany: Bay laurel has a long history of traditional use in food and medicine. The leaves, fresh and dried, were used to flavor soups and stews, and were an indispensable ingredient in certain spice mixes. L. nobilis has been used to treat many ailments, particularly those involving the digestive system. The leaves have been used as a remedy for upper respiratory tract maladies, including bronchitis and influenza, and have been used to ease arthritic aches and pains. Bay is thought to settle the stomach, tone the digestive tract, stimulate appetite, and increase gastric secretions.

The plant is highly resistant to pests and disease, and appears to confer these properties to neighboring plants. The highly aromatic leaves have been used as insect repellent, and the dried leaves stored with grain and beans to protect them from weevils. Bay laurel has also been as a strewing herb, valued for its aroma and antiseptic properties.³

EXTRACTION INFORMATION

Country of origin: Morocco, France, Croatia
Part of plant used: Leaves
Extraction method: Distillation
Essential oil yield: 0.5-3.5% for fresh leaves | 1.25-2.5% for dried leaves
Color of oil: Clear, pale yellow

AROMATIC CHEMISTRY

Over 81 unique components account for 98.74% of the whole essential oil. Core components include: 1,8 cineole (31.9-68.82%), sabinene (3.32-12.2%), trans-sabinene hydrate (10.2%).

Ethers (Oxides): 1,8 cineole (31.9-58.59%)
Monoterpenes: sabinene (3.32-12.2%), ⍺-pinene (3.39-5.8%), β-pinene (3.6%), -terpinene (1%),
Esters: trans-sabinene hydrate (10.2%), ⍺-terpinyl acetate (5.9-9.0%),
Monoterpenols: isopulegol (2.5%), linalool (3.8%), ⍺-terpineol (3.3-4.7%)
Phenylpropanoids: eugenol (1.6%) and other components at less then 1%.^4,5

SAFETY INFORMATION

• Caution for children: Avoid application of 1,8 cineole-rich essential oils to the face or near the nose of infants and children under age of 3 to 5. Do not instill 1,8 cineole-rich essential oils into the nose of infants or children under the age of 5.
• Dermal application caution: Use caution when applying Laurel essential oil to hypersensitive, diseased or damaged skin, or on the skin of children under 2 years of age.⁶

THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

SYSTEM AFFINITIES

Lymph and Immune, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal

BLENDING INFORMATION

Aroma description: sweet, fresh, slightly minty camphoraceous
Blending factor: 4-5
Note: Top to mid
Blends well with: Birch, cinnamon leaf, cypress, Eucalyptus globulus or E. radiata, grapefruit, juniper berry, hyssop, inula, lemon, lavender, lime, green myrtle, sweet marjoram, niaouli, peppermint, pine species, ravintsara, rosemary ct. cineole or ct. camphor or ct. verbenone, saro, wintergreen
Substitutions: Juniper berry, lemon, Eucalyptus radiata or E. globulus, niaouli

CORE INDICATIONS

Digestive system: gingivitis, mouth ulcers, excess gas, prevention of oral disease¹⁶ (C+++, Mouthwash++)

Lymph and Immune system: lymphatic congestion, edema (C+++, O+++)
*3-10 drops applied topically over lymph nodes effectively supports the lymphatic system in its task of eliminating metabolic waste.

Musculoskeletal system: strains, rheumatism, muscle or joint stiffness, excellent in combination with birch and peppermint in treating muscular aches and pains especially after physical exertion, fibromyalgia, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (C+++)

Nervous system: nervous tension, exhaustion, poor concentration, lack of memory, depression, nervous asthenia (C++, I+++, D+++, Fb+++)

Respiratory system: bronchitis, colds, flu or influenza, viral infections (O+++, RS+++, SI+++, I+++, D++)

Bay laurel is an expectorant, counteracts catarrh symptoms, and has a very broad antimicrobial spectrum. It is most effective when used topically. It can be used in acute stages of bronchitis or influenza.¹⁷

Skin: oily skin, acne, boils, slow-healing wounds, ulcers, pressure sores, fungal infections/mycoses (C+++)

Psyche/emotion: low self-esteem, self-doubt, lack of energy, inability to move forward (I+++, D+++, Fb+, Sp+)
______________

Ayurveda: Laurel has a strong affinity to the muscular skeletal system and could be considered cooling. It is indicated for imbalances with Kapha. Can also be used to enhance Ojas (Immunity).

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): In TCM, its principal actions are to circulate and regulate Qi-energy and to clear cold phlegm.¹⁸

________________

RESEARCH

Human Studies

• Inhalation of Laurus nobilis essential oil increased vigilance in a visual discrimination task.¹⁹

Animal Studies

• Laurus nobilis essential oil exhibits analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, the analgesic effect of laurel essential oil was found to be comparable to two analgesic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.²⁰
• Laurus nobilis essential oil exhibited significant wound healing activity. The essential oil used in this study was rich in 1,8 cineole (61.6%) and terpinyl acetate (13.8%).²¹

In vitro Studies

• Laurus nobilis essential oil exhibits antifungal and antibiofilm effects against Candida albicans.²²
• Laurus nobilis essential oil exhibits strong antibacterial activity.²³