Part 1: The Basics of Essential Oil Chemistry
PART 1: THE BASICS OF
ESSENTIAL OIL CHEMISTRY
Everything is chemistry. Every cell, organ, and tissue in the body
performs its function using enzymes, receptors, and other proteins,
which work together to break down, build up, and rearrange the
chemical bonds in biological molecules. Essential oils also operate
under the principles of chemistry. The unique chemical makeup of
each essential oil is what gives them the ability to affect the body’s
systems. Molecules in essential oils can selectively support the
function of subcellular structures that run the processes that keep
us alive.
By understanding the fundamentals of oil chemistry, you can begin
to classify oils by their chemical properties. This will help you learn
which oils might have applications in different daily life contexts and
how they work. This portion of the Oil Chemistry Handbook will give
you the intellectual tools you need in order to understand how to use
essential oils effectively and how to share them with others.
In Part 1, generalizations are made based on chemistry to help de-
velop a conceptual framework for grouping and categorizing oils.
Because this framework is so compact and simple, there will, of
course, be exceptions. Before using any of the oils mentioned in this
section, be sure to refer to Part 2 of this book for the suggested uses
and skin sensitivity associated with each specific oil.
This reference is designed for a general audience with basic knowl-
edge of chemistry. The content in Part 1 provides background in-
formation on essential oils and the basics of general and organic
chemistry before delving into essential oil chemistry. The chemical
structure of essential oil molecules, the functional groups, and their
uses are then outlined in detail.
Read through this section carefully; it will provide you with the back-
ground knowledge necessary to understand the detailed chemical
information on essential oils and their constituents contained in Parts
2 and 3.
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