Essential oils are widely used in modern life. They are used in the cosmetic industry to impart odor and production of various cosmetic properties, in the food industry - to improve the taste of foods. But most importantly their use - is the art of pharmacy, which uses a variety of specific properties of essential oils.

Essential oils and their chemical structure

Essential oils - is a multi-volatile aromatic substances of vegetable origin, belonging to different classes of chemical compounds.

Chemically, essential oils are mixtures of various organic compounds consisting primarily of certain types of fats, carbohydrates, terpenes (hydrocarbons derived primarily from coniferous trees and other plants) and their derivatives .. In the free or bound state essential oils contained in the cells of various organs of plants (roots, leaves, stems, flowers and fruits). Their amount in the plant material ranges from 0 001 to 20%, based on dry substance. There are more than 2,500 species of Essential Oils.

Essential oils usually are oily liquids of different colors. Some of them at room temperature, have a dense texture. General properties of essential oils Essential oils and conception: can help the roses?   a characteristic odor, burning taste, good solubility in organic solvents and the ability of flavored water.

The action of essential oils on the human body

Most essential oils have antimicrobial and relieves spasm (contraction) of smooth muscle (it is in the area of ​​internal organs and blood vessels) properties. Many essential oils have anti-inflammatory action. Furthermore, they have a positive effect on overall metabolism Improves metabolism and losing weight without dieting   in humans, inhibit or enhance the activity of the central nervous system to affect the cardiovascular system. Selected essential oils stimulate or depress the respiratory system, has expectorant action.

Poisonous (properties) of the majority of essential oils, particularly if their inhalation (inhalation) and the external application is low. However, some essential oils are quite toxic when administered into having hemolytic action (glue red blood cells - red blood cells, causing anemia or anemia).

Excreted oils excreted through the kidneys, thus increasing the urine output (diuresis) as well as through the lungs, than is associated with their direct and local antiseptic expectorant effect.

Essential oils are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry in the manufacture of dosage forms to improve their taste, smell, texture and other properties. The most widely used following therapeutic drugs containing essential oils: tinctures, extracts and arnica oil, valerian, anise, mint Mint and its useful properties: aromatic freshness   peppermint, St. John's wort, eucalyptus, chamomile, and so on.

The essential oil of valerian

The essential oil of valerian contained mainly in plant roots. The structure is part of its esters, biologically active substances, isovaleric acid, which gives the oil a characteristic odor, and terpenes (hydrocarbons produced them conifers and certain other plants).

Preparations of valerian have a calming effect on the nervous system. Valerian is an antagonist of a convulsive poison brucine, and also removes the excitement caused by caffeine. Valerian enhances the inhibitory processes in the central nervous system, eliminates the phenomenon of neurosis Neurosis - reaction to the nervous shock   (disease developing on the background of stress), to some extent regulates hormones (acting on the hypothalamus - a brain region that regulates the secretion of hormones in the body) relieves spasms of smooth muscles of internal organs and blood vessels.

Essential oil of chamomile

Essential oil of chamomile has a blue color, caused by the content of chamazulene and distinctive smell (the presence of hydrocarbons in it farnezenov). In addition, it contains other chemicals.

Essential oil of chamomile has a disinfectant and anti-inflammatory properties. And contained in the plant gives it a more volatile and antispasmodic effect (relieves spasms of smooth muscles of internal organs and blood vessels).

Medicinal preparations on the basis of chamomile taken by mouth to relieve cramps and pain associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, biliary tract, and painful menstruation, as a sedative for nervous system diseases (neurosis, epilepsy), as an expectorant for bronchitis and so on.

Topical infusion of chamomile rinse the throat and mouth in various inflammatory diseases, washed sores, boils and burns. In the form of irrigation, such extracts are used in the treatment of inflammatory gynecological diseases.

Essential oils have remarkable properties, many of which are not yet fully understood.

Galina Romanenko

Fruit flavor of vanilla plants is often associated with the smell of oriental fragrances. Vanilla is most often used as a spice in cooking, while it is one of the most expensive spices in the world because of the complex process of its receipt. Vanilla essential oil has a deep, sensual scent, can ignite the passion, warm, relax, soothe, give confidence. In cosmetology oil of vanilla acquires the properties of the true healing balm that can smooth out fine wrinkles, reduce inflammation and irritation. Traditional medicine recommends the use of vanilla oil to normalize the process of digestion, treatment of many diseases and the regulation of the menstrual cycle.

Vanilla: pods of passion and love

Natural Vanilla - fruit-boxes exotic vanilla orchid vine family. In the vegetable world, all orchids are considered to be the color of love and occupy in the hierarchy of the botanical kingdom of the highest stage of development. The warm scent of vanilla in ancient Mexico made a cult plant, worshiped and adored. Only in this country vanilla flowers are pollinated naturally, in all other areas of distribution plants, this process is organized person.

The Latin generic name of the plant comes from the Spanish word «vainilla», which means "silicle." Vanilla essential oil obtained by extraction from the fruit of the plant with ethanol. This is called an extract resinoids. To produce one liter of oil must be thirty - forty kilograms of vanilla pod, which is why pure vanilla essential oil is quite expensive.

Vanilla oil in cosmetics

In cosmetology, vanilla oil is used to improve the elasticity and skin tone, relieve irritation and rashes. For this purpose, the base product - cream, lotion, tonic, add five drops of oil to five grams of "vehicle" means. When applied to the skin of pure vanilla oil for a couple of minutes there is a light caressing chill.

Pleasant relaxing bath with the addition of five to seven drops of vanilla oil to help relieve tension in the body, enhance sex appeal Sexual attraction - chemistry for two . Explanation of such phenomenal properties of the oil as an aphrodisiac Aphrodisiacs - cause desire where necessary   due to its chemical formula, similar in composition to human pheromones. To enhance sensuality and inner freedom gained two or three drops of vanilla oil is placed in aromamedalony and wear them on the body.

Vanilla oil in folk medicine

The vanilla aromatherapy oils used for diabetes, insomnia, depression, nervousness, stress, flatulence, when scarce and irregular menstruation, stomach ulcers, impotence Impotence - a female perspective on the problem , Frigidity Frigidity pathology or liberation? , Anemia, rheumatism. Method of application for all of these ailments can be massage with vanilla oil, bath, adding to the oil burner, tonic for the body. For the treatment of internal diseases illustrates the application of one drop of oil on a piece of sponge cake twice daily.

The use of vanilla oil helps a person with a strong influence of alcohol, you just need to add one or two drops on a sugar cube and bring to the suffering, light aroma lamp, pour a few drops in a bowl of water and place it near the patient's bed. Feature vanilla aroma that it is the best antidote to alcohol, causes a persistent aversion to receive alcohol.

During monthly vanilla oil helps women cope with premenstrual syndrome, to remove pain. A few drops of oil in the crook of the elbow or behind auricles will help not just nice to smell but also to cope with irritation and self-doubt in the critical days.

On a note

Vanilla oil is not recommended for pregnant women and children. It is safe, non-toxic, but an overdose can cause nausea and skin rashes. Contraindication can be idiosyncrasy and the sweet smell of vanilla.

Vanilla fragrance evokes a feeling of tranquility, protection, peace and harmony, helping to cope with uncontrolled outbursts of anger, banishing insomnia.

Jeanne Pyatirikova