Formulating Essential Oil Nasal Gels and Lip Balms By Lisa M. Browder, RA, ICA, CR Complementary Therapies Manager Bonnie Schreck Memorial Complementary Therapies Program Nathan Adelson Hospice 4141 Swenson St. Las Vegas, NV (702)

Fixed Oils Grape Seed Oil Sweet Almond Oil Jojoba Rosehip Seed Oil Smooth texture without being oily. Long shelf life. Anti-inflammatory. Doesn’t absorb quickly. Skin softener. Good for tissue regeneration. Too heavy for massage.

Shea Butter Oil Tamanu Oil Aloe Vera Coconut Oil Evening Primrose Oil Contains GLA – important to every organ. Stable. Stores easily. Tastes good. Not suitable for massage. Strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Sciatica, rheumatism, shingles. Binds moisture into the skin. Forms breathable, water-resistant film.

Functional Groups Common Constituents General characteristics of molecules Specific chemical constituents that fit into functional groups

Terpenes SesquiterpenesMonoterpenes Terpenes can be skin irritants, but not often Mucolytic (drying effect) Antiviral (Herpes virus) Spasmolytic (good for muscle pain) Possible anti-tumor agents Names end in –ene Top notes in perfumery. You smell them first but they burn off fast Functional Groups Common Constituents Lemon

Terpene Constituents Functional Groups Common Constituents Limonene – stimulates circulation Lemon55-80% Rosemary 15-34% Pinene – excellent air disinfectants Pine22-43% Juniper26-70% Pine

Esters Functional Groups Common Constituents Names end in –lyl + acetate Easily metabolized “User friendly” Watch for methyl salicylate content Antifungal Anti-inflammatory Antispasmodic Calming to the Central Nervous System Sedative Analgesic Thought to re-equilibrate the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system Wintergreen

Ester Constituents Functional Groups Common Constituents Linalyl acetate Methyl salicylate Clary Sage50% Lavender40% Bergamot25% Wintergreen98% (4ml in children results in respiratory failure and death – Tisserand and Balacs 1995)

Aldehydes Functional Groups Common Constituents Names end in –al or have “aldehyde” in the name Most citrus oils fit here Usually powerful aromas Mucus membrane irritants Unstable and oxidize easily, leading to dermal irritation and/or sensitization Calming to Central Nervous System Anti-infectious (management of opportunistic infections in the last stages of AIDS) Antiviral Anti-inflammatory Hypotensors Vasodilators Air antiseptics Eucalyptus citriodora

Aldehyde Constituents Functional Groups Common Constituents GeranialCitronellal Citral Melissa24% Lemongrass58% May Chang41% Eucalyptus citriodora90% May Chang6% Citronella14% Mucus membrane irritant Be careful of use with patients who have glaucoma as it causes extra pressure However – antiviral, insecticidal/larvacidal/repellent effects Cinnamaldehyde Lemongrass Cinnamon Bark Mucus membrane and dermal irritant Cinnamon Bark harvest

Alcohols Functional Groups Common Constituents Names end in –ol Middle notes in perfumery – scent stays the longest Considered the most beneficial & safest of all Caution: Although safest, anything used in excess can have consequences Vasoconstrictive Analgesic – cooling to application site Sedative Antispasmodic Strong antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral Peppermint

Alcohol Constituents Functional Groups Common Constituents Geraniol Menthol Linalol Terpinen-4-ol Palmarosa75% Geranium20% Peppermint45% Lavender37% Rosewood90% Tea Tree40% Marjoram25% Tea Tree Geranium

Phenols Functional Groups Common Constituents Names end in –ol but there are only 4 common ones They don’t evaporate easily Strong smelling Most irritant of constituents to skin & mucus membranes Contact dermatitis and sensitization dermatitis Possible liver damage Most stimulating to peripheral blood circulation so good for cold hands & feet Anti-infectious – can kill Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Good for acute infections Treats Candida albicans (Thrush) Thyme

Phenol Constituents Functional Groups Common Constituents Thymol Carvacrol Chavicol Eugenol Oregano85% Thyme27% Oregano4% Bay56% Cinnamon Leaf87% Clove76% - Can deplete the liver of glutahione, a detoxifying molecule, in the same way as paracetamol What do you see in common with these essential oils? What do you see in common with these essential oils? Cinnamon

Ketones Functional Groups Common Constituents Names end in –one except for one: camphor Many also contain oxides Resistant to metabolism by the liver Long half-life so be careful with long-term use Neurotoxic effects from a select few Reduce secretions Wound healing properties – wounds, scars, burns and surgical wounds, preventing cheloid formation and over-production of scar tissue Antiviral – papilloma, herpes zoster Anti-haematomal (specifically the italidone in Helichrysum)

Ketone Constituents Functional Groups Common Constituents Neurotoxic constituents: Thujone Mugwort, Wormwood Pulegone Pennyroyal Camphor Dalmatian Sage, Yarrow Rosemary ct camphor ItalidoneMenthone Camphor Carvone Helichrysum 8% Spearmint 48% Peppermint 30% Rosemary 15-30% Spike Lavender 15% Helichrysum/Everlasting/Immortelle

Oxides Functional Groups Common Constituents Names end in –ole Possibly strongest odorants Respiratory irritation (mucus membranes) Care should be taken with asthmatics Expectorant effect by stimulating mucus glands and cilia of the respiratory tract Eucalyptus globulus

Oxide Constituent Functional Groups Common Constituents 1,8 cineole (Eucalyptol) Eucalyptus globulus70% Spike Lavender15% Rosemary15% Cardamom30% Sage15% Niaouli41% Cardamom

Lip Balms & Nasal Gels Rollerball container Coconut Oil Mango Butter Lavender Everlasting 1% dilution ¼ oz container Aloe vera gel Lavender Everlasting 1% dilution Aloe vera Nasal inhaler Perfume rollerball

What Else Could You Treat? Lip Balm Nasal Gel * Digestive Tract Nausea Gas Constipation * Muscular aches & pains * Oral Thrush * Headaches * Insomnia * Anxiety * Respiratory * Depression

Resources SKS Bottle -containers Birch Hill Happenings - inhalers Mountain Rose Herbs – fixed oils and butters Essential Oil Companies: Nature’s Gift Florihana Original Swiss Aromatics Wyndmere Naturals Books: Aromadermatology – by Janetta Bensouilah and Philippa Buck The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – by Salvatore Battaglia Aromatherapy for Health Professionals – by Shirley Price and Len Price The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils - by Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D. Aromatherapy vs MRSA - by Maggie Tisserand Liquid Sunshine - by Jan Kusmirek The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils – E. Joy Bowles Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child - by Valerie Ann Worwood Organizations: Nathan Adelson Hospice “Bonnie’s Comfort” Visitor Program National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA)