Medicinal and aromatic plants – industrial profiles

Effect of mixtures of essential oils
Mixtures of two or more essential oils also showed the same trend, some of which are shown in
Table 23.3. This proves that contractions of smooth muscle are largely as a result of a high
monoterpene concentration, regardless of the actual monoterpene component. Lavender added
to other components caused a swing towards the chemical readjustment towards a greater 
concentration of relaxant components and therefore it was predicted to be a relaxant mixture.
As before, the correlation broke down if 1,8-cineole was involved, for example, in mixtures
with rosemary or 
E. globulus
. There is no easy explanation for this discrepancy. It is also of interest
that if 
E. globulus
, containing 95% of 1,8-cineole is presented to the smooth muscle preparation
it will cause a relaxation, whereas if 1,8-cineole alone is presented it causes a contraction.
Studies on well-known commercial perfumes were only effected on their chemical composi-
tion. There seemed to be a very positive correlation between the chemical distribution and the
product’s intention, as determined by the publicity information. Thus, the lavender-containing
eau de colognes, were refreshing and stimulating only because there was a predominance of
Table 23.3
The predicted effect on guinea-pig ileum based on
the percentage of components at different RT intervals
RT
10
11–15
16–20
21–30
30
Effect
1
—
85
2
—
7
R
2
41
5
49
—
—
S/R
3
85
1
—
6
—
S
4
78
22
1
14
—
S/r
5
86
2
2
1
—
S
6
44
45
—
5
—
S/R
7
37
47
8
4
—
S/R
8
4
90
—
2
—
R
9
9
56
12
15
—
s/R
10
—
—
—
58
37
R
11
98
—
—
—
—
S
12
99
—
—
—
—
S
13
—
—
—
71
19
R
14
22
69
—
—
—
S/R
15
10
26
4
41
6
s/R
16
10
39
36
9
—
s/R
17
78
9
3
5
—
S

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Chemical profiles of lavender oils and pharmacology
249
Table 23.4
Comparison of the predicted effect of essential oil blends on clients/
patients by aromatherapists and by the chemical composition with their
actual effect on guinea-pig ileum
Blend
Effects predicted
Actual
Aroma-
Chemical
effect
therapist
prediction
1. Orange 2: nutmeg 1: dill 1
S
S
s/R
2. Lemongrass 1: juniper 1: rosemary 2
S
S
R
3. Frankincense 1: rose abs. 1: clary sage2
R/S
R/S
s/R
4. Eucalyptus glob.1: black pepper 1: ginger1
S
S
s/R
5. Ginger 1: tea tree 1: rosemary 2
S
S/R
S/R
6. Frankincense 2: ylang ylang 1: geranium 1
R/S
S/R
R
7. Frankincense 1: geranium 1: bergamot 2
S/R
S/R
S/R
9. Camomile roman 1: