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Essential OilsAMANDA SPENCER, APRN, NP-C

Disclosures

� I have a financial relationship with an essential oil company

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Objectives

� Understand quality standards for essential oils

� Understand basic essential oil safety

� Identify 1-3 common uses of top oils

� Understand basic chemistry/mechanism of action for chemical

constituents

� Identify 1-3 oil/drug interactions or precautions

Quality Standards for Essential Oils

� All oils are not created equal

� Sourcing matters

� In-House and 3rd Party Testing

� GC/MS

� One of the most common tests used to identify chemical constituents

� Every batch testing versus “routine testing”

� Transparency

� Can be “faked’ through highly sophisticated adulteration

� Proteomic Profiling – “EO Fingerprint”

� Effect on signaling pathways

� Cannot be “faked”

� Synergy Important

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Sourcing

� Native/Indiginous versus greenhouse

� Latitude/Altitude Differences

� Manuka in New Zealand (North, East Cape, Southern… different chemical makeup just miles apart)

� Cannot fully replicate nature

� Time of year/time of day (Jasmine blossoms at night)

� Methods

� Steam distilled – most common

� Cold pressed from rind – citrus

� Absolutes – oil chemically extracted from plant (Jasmine)

� Ethical considerations

� Sustainability

Essential Oil Testing

� GC/MS – Gas chromatography/Mass spectrometry

� Example of “pass” Grapefruit essential oil

� 95% limonene

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Essential Oil Testing

� GC/MS

� Example of a “fail” for a sample of lavender sold in retail stores

Essential Oil Testing

� GC/MS

� Proteomic Profiling

� Newer

� Involves systematic separation, identification, and characterization of proteins in a biologic sample

� Test the effect an EO has on expression of proteins

� Increasing or decreasing signaling pathways

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Essential Oil Safety

� Do not put oils in eyes, ears, or nose

� Neat application versus diluting with carrier oil

� Top carrier oils (fractionated coconut oil, almond oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil)

� Reduced risk of skin reactions

� Dilute out with carrier oil if a skin reaction occurs

� Recommended for “hot oils” or when using oils on children, sensitive skin, elderly, pregnant women

� Citrus oils contain furocoumarins

� Photosensitivity, avoid direct sunlight for 12-72 hours depending on the citrus oil

� Follow instructions on bottle regarding topical or internal use

� Internal use: dosing is usually 1-2 drops at a time

� Keep out of reach of children…just like you would medication

Most Commonly Used Oils

� Single oils versus blends

� Lemon

� Lavender

� Peppermint

� Melaleuca/Tea Tree

� Eucalyptus

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Lemon

� Cold pressed from rind

� Commonly used for

� Cleansing (antimicrobial, antiseptic)

� Uplifting mood

� Allergies

� Nausea

Lemon Chemistry

� Main Constituents

� d-limonene

� Monoterpene (alkene)

� Antioxidant activity, antiviral

� alpha-pinenes & beta-pinenes

� Monoterpenes (alkene)

� Antiseptic, expectorant, anti-

inflammatory (inhibits COX-2,

thus inhibiting PGE2)alpha-pinene

beta-pinene

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Lavender

� Steam Distilled

� Commonly used for

� Calming/Anxiety

� Sleep

� Pain

� Allergies

� Skin irritations (minor burns, bites, abrasions, rash)

Lavender Chemistry

� Main Constituents

� Linalool

� Monoterpene Alcohol: antibacterial, antiviral, increase

blood circulation, high resistance to oxidation, which can

help cells revert to normal function and activity; anti-

spasmodic, sedative, and anti-fungal

� alpha-terpineol

� Monoterpene Alcohol; inhibit histamine production,

decrease production of inflammation mediators

� Linalyl acetate

� Monoterpene Ester: found in mildest oils, calming,

relaxing, balancing; anti-fungal, anti-spasmodic; anti-

hypertensive (stroke prevention), recovery from cell

damage from toxins

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Peppermint

� Steam distilled

� Commonly used for

� Alertness/Energy

� Fever/Hot Flashes

� Muscle Tension

� Headaches

� GI Discomfort

Peppermint Chemistry

� Main Constituents

� Menthol

� Monoterpene Alcohol: antibacterial, antiviral, increase

blood circulation, high resistance to oxidation, which

can help cells revert to normal function and activity;

anti-spasmodic, sedative, and anti-fungal

� Menthone

� Ketone: stimulate cell regeneration, promote tissue

formation, liquefy mucous, support upper respiratory

system

� alpha and beta-pinenes

� Monoterpenes (alkene): Antiseptic, expectorant, anti-

inflammatory (inhibits COX-2, thus inhibiting PGE2)

Menthol

Menthone

alpha-pinene

beta-pinene

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Melaleuca/Tea Tree

� Steam distilled

� Commonly used for

� Viruses

� Bacteria

� Fungi

� Wounds

� Acne

Melaleuca/Tea Tree Chemistry

� Main Constituents

� alpha-terpinenes & gamma-terpinenes

� monoterpene alkenes (antibacterial,

antifungal)

� terpinen-4-ol

� Monoterpene alcohol (antiviral, antibacterial,

antifungal)

alpha terpinene gamma terpinene

terpinen-4-ol

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Eucalyptus

� Steam Distilled

� Commonly used for

� Congestion/Cough

� Viruses/Infections

� Respiratory Support

� Cleaning Disinfectant

Eucalpytus Chemistry

� Main Constitiuents

� eucalyptol (1,8-cineole)

� Monoterpene ether: expectorant,

mucolytic, anti-inflammatory (especially

in airways), inhibitor of leukotrienes and

PGE2

� alpha-terpineol

� Monoterpene alcohol: antibacterial,

antiviral, increase blood circulation, high

resistance to oxidation which can help

cells revert to normal function and

activity; inhibit histamine production,

decrease production of inflammation

mediators

eucalyptol (1,8-cineole)

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Oil-Drug Interactions

� Some EOs and/or their metabolites may be metabolized in the CYP450

pathway. Patients should continue to monitor their blood pressure and

heart rate if they are on medications affecting these. Check drug levels if

on a narrow-therapeutic index medication.

� Grapefruit EO does not have the same metabolic concerns as grapefruit

juice or grapefruit

� Wintergreen and Birch EOs can have a “blood thinning” effect due to high

levels of methyl salicylate. This is most profound with internal use, which is

unsafe with these two oils. Topical use has less of an effect and diffusing

has essentially no effect on coagulation.

Precautions for EO use

� There is abundant research supporting safety of EOs when used

appropriately

� Internal use of EOs is somewhat controversial but many have been given

GRAS status by the FDA. When in doubt, check the labeling.

� Be mindful of safety information (diluting, citrus oils and photosensitivity,

etc)

� Understanding the chemical components of an EO can help understand

how it works in the body

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More information

� Aromatic Plant Research Center (APRC)

� Tisserand Institute

� Modern Essentials textbook

� The Essential Life textbook

� MAD Oilers Guide to Essential Oils and Drug Interactions: Over 700

Prescription and Over the Counter Medication Interactions

References

� Aromatic Plant Research Center. (2018). GC/MS report on grapefruit. https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/qualityreports.sourcetoyou.com/2018/01/1801811+Grapefruit.pdf

� Ashour, H. (2008). Antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities of volatile oils and extracts from stems, leaves, and flowers of eucalyptus sideroxylon and eucalpytus torquata. Cancer Biology and Therapy

� Bagg, J., Jackson, M., Patrina, M., Ramage, G. (2006). Susceptibility to melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil of yeasts isolated from the mouths of patients with advanced cancer. Oral Oncology

� Bassett, I., Panowetz, D., Barnetson, R., (1990). A comparison study of tea tree oil versus benzyoylperoxide in the treatment of acne. Medical Journal of Austrailia

� Borhani, A., Motazedian, S., Rezali, R., Mohammadi, F., Pourmokhatari, M., Khodaei, S., Vossoughi, M., Miri, R. (2010). Cutaneous application of menthol 10% solution as an abortive treatment of migraine without aura; a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, crostover study. International Journal of Clinical Practice

� Crop & Food Research Broadsheet. (2002). Essential oil production from manuka and kanuka. Crop & Food Research Broadsheet. 116

� Cuaron, J., Dulal, S., Song, Y., Singh, A., Montelongo, C., Yu, W., Nagarajan, V., Jayaswal, R., Wilkinson, B., Gustafson, J. (2013). Tea tree oil-induced transcriptional alterations in Staphylococcus aureas. Phytotherapy Research

� Dhifi, W., Bellili, S., Jazi, S., Bahloul, N., Mnif, W. (2016). Essential oils’ chemical characterization and investigation of some biological activities: A critical review. medicines 3(25). DOI 10.3390

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References cont

� Ferrara, L., Naviglio, D., Armone Carusa A. (2012). Cytological aspects of the effects of a nasal spray consisting of standardized extract of citrus lemon and essential oils in allergic rhinopathy. ISRN Pharmaceutics

� Frerot, E., & Decorzant, E. (2004). Quantification of total furocoumarins in citrisu oils by HPLC coupled with UV, fluorescence, and mass detection. Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry 52 (23) 6879-6886. DOI: 10.1021/jf040164p

� Grassman, J., Schneider, D., Weiser, D., Elstner, EF. (2001). Antioxidant effects of lemon oil and its components of copper induced oxidation of low density lipoprotein. Arzneimittel-Forschung

� Goal, N., Kim, H., Lao, RP. (2005). Chronobiology International

� Hartman, D., Coetzee, JC. (2002). Two US practitioners’ experience of using essential oils for wound care. Journal of Wound Care

� Hsieh, Y., Kwon, S., Lee, H., Seol, G. (2018). Linalyl acetate prevents hypertension-related ischemic injury. PLOS one. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198082

� Ilmberger, J., Hueberger, E., Mahrhofer, C., Dessovic, H., Kowarik, D., Bauchbauer, G. (2001). The influence of essential oils on human attention and alertness. Chemical Senses

� Inouye, S., Yamaguchi, H., Takizawa, T. (2001). Screening of the antibacterial effects of a variety of essential oils on respiratory tract pathogens, using a modified dilution assay method. Infection and Chemotherapy: Official Journal of the Japan Society of Chemotherapy

� Iandara, V., Hudson D., deWett, P., Innes, P., Rode, H., (2000). Cooling the burn wound: evaluation of different modalities. Burns: Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries

� Juergens, U., Stober, M., Schmidt-Schilling, L., Kleuver, T., Vetter, H. (1998). Anti-inflammatory effects of eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) in bronchial asthma: inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism in human blood monocytes ex vivo. European Journal of Medical Research 3: 407-412

References cont.

� Khanna, R., McDonald, J., Levesque, B. (2014). Peppermint oil for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome; a systematic reviewand meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology

� Kim, MJ., Nam, ES., Paik, SI. (2005). The effects of aromatherapy on pain, depression, and life-satisfaction of arthritis patients. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi

� Pappas, R. (2017). GC/MS report on lavender. https://remedygrove.com/traditional/Essential-Oil-Safety-Chemist-Uncovers-Adulterated-EOs-Sold-as-Pure-at-WalMart

� Sadlon, A., Lamson, D., (2010). Immune-modifying and antimicrobial effects of eucalyptus oil and simple inhalation devices. Alternative Medicine Review: A Journal of Clinical Therapeutics

� Shin, Y., Hsieh, Y., Kwon, S., Lee, H., Seol, G. (1985). Linalyl acetate restores endothelial dysfunction and hemodynamic alterations in diabetic rats exposed to chronic immobilization stress. Journal of Applied Physiology. 1;124(5):1274-1283. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01018.2017

� Ueno-Ilo, T., Shibakura, M., Yokota, K., Aoe, M., Hyoda, T., Shinohata, R., Kanehiro, A., Tanimoto, M., Kataoka, M. (2014). Lavender essential oil inhalation suppresses allergic airway inflammation and mucous cell hyperplasia in a murine model of asthma. Life Sciences

� Xu, J., Shao, X., Wei, Y., Xu, F., & Wang, H. (2017). iTRAQ proteomic analysis reveals that metabolic pathways involving energy metabolism are affected by tea tree oil in Botrytis cinerea. Frontiers in Microbiology 8(1989). doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01989

� Yavari Kia, P., Safajou, F., Shahnazi, M., Nazemiyeh, H. (2014). The effect of lemon inhalation aromatherapy on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: A double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

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