Transcript Essential Oil (Uses)

University of Jordan
Faculty of Pharmacy
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Regular and Irregular Monoterpenes
A. Regular Monoterpenes:
Found as components of volatile oils used in
flavoring and perfumery. May be :
a- hydrocarbons (e.g., α-pinene, tricyclene).
b- alcohols:
1. acyclic (e.g., geraniol, linalool, citronellol).
2. monocyclic (e.g. menthol, α-terpineol, terpinen-4-ol).
3. or bicyclic (e.g., borneol, fenchol).
c- aldehydes: most often acyclic (e.g. geranial.
neral. citronellal)
d- ketones:
1. acyclic (e.g., tagetone).
2. monocyclic (e.g., menthone, isomenthone,
carvone, pulegone),
3. or bicyclic (e.g., camphor, fenchone,
thujones)
e- esters:
1. acyclic (e.g., linalyl acetate or propionate,
citronellyl acetate),
2. mono-cyclic (e.g., menthyl or α-erpinyl
acetate),
3. or bicyclic (e.g., isobornyl acetate).
f- ethers: e.g., 1,8-cineole (also known as
eucalyptol), dill ether: cyclic, tetrahydrofuran. di- or tetrahydropyran ethers,
some of which play a major role in fruit
flavors (linalol oxide, rose oxides);
g- peroxides: ascaridol
h- phenols: thymol, carvacrol.
The Phenylpropene Volatile Oils
• Anethole is the main constituent of Star Anise oil (80-90%) (Illicium verum),
Fennal oil (80%) (Foeniculum vulgare) and Aniseed oil (90%) (Pimpinella
anisum).
• Used as a carminative, antiseptic, antispasmodic, and expectorant.
• In addition, it has been used to promote lactation in nursing mothers and to
treat bronchitis, indigestion and head lice.
• Anise Oil is obtained from the dried fruits of star anise (Illicum verum) a
tree indigenous to south western China or from anise, the dried fruit of
Pimpinella anisum an annual plant cultivated chiefly in Spain, southern
Russia and Bulgaria
• Today oil of anise is used as an ingredient in cough medicine, lozenges and
alcoholic drinks
• Anethole is derived from cinnamic acid, which undergoes a reduction
sequence to produce the corresponding alcohols and aldehydes.
- Elimination of –NH2 from the phenylalanine side chain gives rise to
cinnamic acid. This can then be reduced to form cinnamaldehyde, which
is the principle ingredient (up to 75%) of cinnamon oil derived from
cinnamon bark. The plant drug is used as a flavouring agent and is also
a mild astringent.
- The oil has carminative properties and is also germicidal. Cinnamon
leaf, contains only small amounts of cinnamaldehyde. However it
contains large quantities of eugenol.
- Eugenol is also the principal constituent of clove oil (Syzygium
aromaticum) which is used as a dental anaesthetic. Is a good antiseptic
and analgesic.
• Salicylic acid, Methyl salicyclate, and acetylsalicylic
acid (aspirin) are benzoic acid compounds derived
from cinnamic acid.
• Salicylic acid is produced by the hydroxylation of
cinnamic acid followed by loss of carbon atoms from
the its side chain.
• Methyl salicyclate is derived from salicin
• Salicin is responsible for the NSAID properties of
willow bark.
• Methyl salicyclate is major component of oil of
wintergreen which is used as a rub to relieve muscular
aches and pains.
Chirality
•
Most isoprenoids are chiral and occur in two
enantiomeric forms.
•
The higher isoprenoids (di-, tri-) occur exclusively as a
single optically pure enantiomer, the natural enantiomer.
•
With lower isoprenoids, in particular the monoterpenoids,
the situation is more complicated. They may occur:
1. As racemic compounds.
2. As a single optically pure enantiomer.
3. As both enantiomers, depending on the source.
4. As partially optically pure enantiomers.
N.B. Within a single species the optical purity may vary;
even within a single plant this can happen!
Examples
•
Menthol occurs naturally as (-)-enantiomer (commercial
menthol is often synthetic dl-mixture).
•
Limonene occurs as (+)-enantiomers (lemon, orange), (-)enantiomer (peppermint) and racemic mixture (turpentine oil);
the same goes for camphor.
•
Carvone occurs as (+)-enantiomers (spearmint), (-)-enantiomer
(caraway seeds).
•
α-Pinene occurs as (+)- and (-)-enantiomers (North America vs.
Europe), with variable optical purity.
N.B. Readily available optically pure terpenes (carvone, camphor,
thujone, etc.) are attractive starting materials for more complex
natural products and as chiral auxiliaries in asymmetric
synthesis.
Preparation of Volatile Oils
1. Steam Distillation
• Steam distillation is the most common method of
extracting essential oils.
•
Many distillers favor this method for most oils, and
considers none of the newer methods to produce
better quality oils.
•
Steam distillation is done in a still. Fresh, or
sometimes dried, botanical material is placed in the
plant chamber of the still, and pressurized steam is
generated in a separate chamber and circulated
through the plant material.
Preparation of Volatile Oils
• The heat of the steam forces the tiny intercellular
pockets that hold the essential oils to open and
release them.
• The temperature of the steam must be high
enough to open the pouches, yet not so high
that it destroys the plants or fractures or burns
the essential oils.
Preparation of Volatile Oils
• As they are released, the tiny droplets of
essential oil evaporate and, together with the
steam molecules, travel through a tube into the
still's condensation chamber.
• As the steam cools, it condenses into
water. The essential oil forms a film on the
surface of the water.
• To separate the essential oil from the water, the
film is then decanted or skimmed off the top.
Preparation of Volatile Oils
• The remaining water, a byproduct of distillation,
is called floral water, distillate, or hydrosol.
• Hydrosol retains many of the therapeutic
properties of the plant, making it valuable in skin
care for facial mists and toners.
• In certain situations, floral water may be
preferable to pure essential oil, such as when
treating a sensitive individual or a child, or when
a more diluted treatment is required.
Preparation of Volatile Oils
2. Cold Pressing
• Another method of extracting essential oils is cold
pressed expression, or scarification.
• It is used to obtain citrus fruit oils such as bergamot,
grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin, orange, and
tangerine oils.
• In this process, fruit rolls over a trough with sharp
projections that penetrate the peel. This pierces the
tiny pouches containing the essential oil.
• Then the whole fruit is pressed to squeeze the juice
from the pulp and to release the essential oil from
the pouches.
• The essential oil rises to the surface of the juice and
is separated from the juice by centrifugation.
Preparation of Volatile Oils
3. Enfleurage
• Some flowers, such as jasmine or tuberose, have
such low contents of essential oil or are so delicate
that heating them would destroy the blossoms
before releasing the essential oils.
• In such cases, an expensive and lengthy process
called enfleurage is sometimes used to remove the
essential oils.
• Flower petals are placed on trays of odorless
vegetable or animal fat, which will absorb the
flowers' essential oils.
Preparation of Volatile Oils
• Every day or every few hours, after the fat (or
oil) has absorbed as much of the essential oil
as possible, the depleted petals are removed
and replaced with fresh ones.
• This procedure continues until the fat or oil
becomes saturated with the essential oil.
• Adding alcohol to this enfleurage mixture
separates the essential oil from the fatty
substance.
• Afterwards, the alcohol evaporates and only
the essential oil remains.
Preparation of Volatile Oils
4. Solvent Extraction
•
Another method of extraction used on delicate plants is
solvent extraction, which yields a higher amount of essential
oil at a lower cost.
•
In this process, a chemical solvent such as hexane is used to
saturate the plant material and pull out the aromatic
compounds. This renders a substance called a concrete.
•
The concrete can then be dissolved in alcohol to remove the
solvent. When the alcohol evaporates, an absolute remains.
•
Although more cost-efficient than enfleurage, solvent
extraction has disadvantages.
1.
2.
Residues of the solvent may remain in the absolute and can cause
side effects.
While absolutes or concretes may be fine for fragrances or perfumes,
they are not especially desirable for skin care applications.
Preparation of Volatile Oils
• Some trees, such as benzoin, frankincense, and
myrrh, exude aromatic 'tears', or sap that is too
thick to use easily in aromatherapy.
• In these cases, a resin or essential oil can be
extracted from the tears with alcohol or a solvent
such as hexane.
• This renders a resin or an essential oil that is
easier to use. However, only those oils or resin
extracted with alcohol should be used for
aromatherapy purposes.
Preparation of Volatile Oils
• Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction
uses carbon dioxide under extremely high
pressure to extract essential oils.
• Plants are placed in a stainless steel tank
and, as carbon dioxide is injected into the
tank, pressure inside the tank builds.
• Under high pressure, the carbon dioxide
turns into a liquid and acts as a solvent to
extract the essential oils from the plants.
• When the pressure is decreased, the
carbon dioxide returns to a gaseous state,
leaving no residues behind.
How To Test Essential Oil Purity
• This simple test will tell you if your essential oils
are pure, or have base (e.g., fixed) oils added.
Difficulty: Easy
• Time Required: 10 - 15 min.
• Here's How:
• 1. Place 1-2 drops of the essential oil on tissue.
• 2. Place the tissue in an open air area.
• 3. Eventually the oil should completely
evaporate leaving no oily residue.
Plants Containing Volatile oils
Volatile Oil containing terpenoid compounds
Oil
Plant
Constituents
uses
Camphor
Cinnamomum camphora
(Lauraceae)
Camphor, cineole, safrole
Saops
Caraway
Carum carvi
(Umbelliferae)
Carvone, limonene
Carminative, flavour
Cardamom
Elettaria cardamomum
Zingiberaceae
α-Terpinyl acetate, cineole
Carminative, flavour
Citronella
Cymbopogon wineterianus
Graminae
+- citronellal,
geraniol,citronellol
Insect repellent
Coriander
Coriandrum sativum
Umbelliferae
+- linalool, α- pinene, γterpinene
Carminative, flavour
Dill
Anethum graveolens
Umbelliferae
+- carvone
Carminative, flavour
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus globus
Myrtaceae
Cineole, α- pinene
Antiseptic, flavour
Juniper
Juniperus communis
Cupressaceae
α- pinene, limonene
borneol, myrcene
Diuretic
Antiseptic
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Labiatae
Linalool, linalyl acetate
Perfumery
Peppermint
Mentha piperita
Labiatae
Menthol, menthone
Menthyl acetate
Carminative, flavour
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis
Labiatae
Cineole, camphor,
α- pinene
Perfumary
Sage
Salvia officinalis
Labiatae
Thujone, camphor
Cineole, β-caryophylline
Flavouring,
aromatherapy
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Labiatae
Thymol, carvacrol
Antiseptic,
flavouring
peppermint
• The most versatile essential oil for use,
peppermint should be stocked in
everyone's medicine cabinet.
• It cools the body, helps reduce fever,
opens narrowed breathing passages,
stimulates healthy bile flow from the
liver, stops colonic spasms and relieves
headaches, eases indigestion, and
keeps the breath fresh.
• Used topically: it cools the skin, relieves
itching, helps with headaches, reduces
inflammation and can relieve pain.
• Inhaled, it improves concentration and
memory, helps clear stuffed sinuses, and
provides a natural energetic lift.
Thyme (‫)الزعتر‬
• Oil properties
- Thyme oil has a rather sweet yet strongly
herbal smell.
- It is reddish-brown to amber in color for
the red thyme and pale yellow for the
white Thyme.
- It is medium to watery in viscosity.
Thyme
• Extraction
- Thyme oil is extracted from the fresh or partly
dried flowering tops and leaves of the plant by
water or steam distillation and the yield is 0.71.0%.
- Red Thyme oil is the crude distillate and White
thyme oil is produced by further re-distillation or
rectification.
• Chemical composition
- The main chemical components are: Linlool,
Carvacrol, Thymol, Borneol, Caryophyllene and
Terpinene.
Thyme
• Precautions
- Thyme oil is a very potent oil and should not be
used during pregnancy or in cases of high blood
pressure.
• Uses
- Thyme oil strengthens the nerves, aids memory
and concentration, can help with the feeling of
exhaustion and combats depression.
- It fortifies the lungs and helps with colds, coughs,
asthma, laryngitis, sinusitis, catarrh, whooping
cough, sore throats and tonsillitis.
Thyme
- Thyme oil is beneficial to the immune system; it
can help fight colds, flu, infectious diseases and
chills.
- Thyme oil can help in cases of poor circulation,
as well as for arthritis, rheumatism, gout,
muscular aches and pains, sprains and sport
injuries.
- It is also helpful for cellulite, anorexia, obesity
and edema and could also be useful in cases of
scanty periods, leucorrhea, and to speed up
birth and to expel afterbirth.
Thyme
• As for skin care Thyme oil can help with
acne, abscesses, bruises, burns, cuts,
dermatitis, eczema, lice, insect bites,
scabies, oily skin and gum infections.
• As a urinary antiseptic, Thyme oil could be
helpful for cystitis and urethritis.
Lavender (‫)الخزامى‬
• Recognized worldwide for its fresh and
heady fragrance, the lavender plant
(Lavandula angustifolia), a flowering
evergreen shrub native to the
Mediterranean region, also has a long
history in herbal healing.
Lavender
• Essential Oil (Uses):
- Lavender oil is a classic for calming anxieties
and fears.
- It is also known for helping to combat
headaches, insomnia, stress and nervous
tension.
- Highly valuable for its healing effects on the skin,
it can be used to soothe skin rashes and
irritations and to reduce the excess sebum
production that occurs in acne.
- It helps to reduce inflammation that occurs due
to insect bites, bee stings and other toxic bites.
- For burns or sunburns: it is especially good
when combined with peppermint oil and diluted
before applied to the burned areas.
- Used on the scalp with rosemary, cedar oils, and
some times thyme to help re-grow hair and slow
hair loss (alopecia areata).
- One of the most versatile essential oils, it has
even demonstrated anticonvulsant effects when
inhaled.
- Many use this oil effectively in combination with
anticancer programs due to its powerful
antioxidant effects.
Lemon oil
• is one of the most versatile oils available.
• When diffused (sprayed), it has the effect of
purifying the air, removing odors and uplifting
the spirits.
• When applied topically, it is absorbed into the
skin and has a wide range of uses including:
- The ability to stop bleeding, kill infection,
activate white blood cell and red blood cell
production.
- Strengthening the immune system and fighting
anemia.
- Stimulates the healthy flow of bile from the liver
and is a powerful addition to a liver flush routine.
• British aromatherapists use it as an
antiseptic to purify hospital air.
• Because of its very high content of vitamin
C and flavonoids, it is ideal for those who
have poor circulation and who are trying to
rebuild the blood vessels.
• It is also one of the highest sources of
limonene - a highly anti-inflammatory
substance.
Oregano (‫)الزعتر البري‬
• Oregano oil is considered by aromatherapists to
be one of the most powerful anti infective natural
substances available. It has shown broad
spectrum activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi,
parasites and Candida yeast organisms.
• Most oregano oil preparations are diluted with
olive oil. This oil is pure and undiluted.
• Oregano oil is on the FDA's "GRAS" list
(Generally Regarded As Safe); therefore it can
be taken internally.
• It is ideal to use in anti-Candida healing
programs. Probably one of the best oils around
for healing infections without antibiotics.
tea tree oil
•
•
•
•
Melaleuca alternifolia
Another must for the medicine cabinet.
This is an especially good essential oil for
assisting the body in fighting off infections.
Researches show this oil to be highly
antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and to
have antiparasitic effects.
Diluted with pure olive oil, this oil is the best
essential oil available for itching (due to
rashes, bug bites, skin diseases, athlete's
foot, heat rash, skin infections or poison ivy).
tea tree oil
• Used diluted, it can immediately relieve
burning and itching sensations of a vaginal
yeast infection.
• It is ideal for use in rashes, since its effect
is immediately cooling as well as soothing.
• One of the most exciting new discoveries
about tea tree oil is its ability to prevent
radiation burns for those undergoing
radiation therapy for cancer.
Rosemary (‫ حصالبان‬، ‫)اكليل الجبل‬
• A silvery evergreen shrub that originated
in the Mediterranean region and is now
grown worldwide.
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is
known both as a culinary and healing
herb.
• Many of the current uses of this aromatic
plant have been handed down from
ancient times.
Rosemary
• Uses:
• Memory aid: The herb's enduring reputation as a
memory aid may in part be due to:
- Its high concentrations of health-promoting
antioxidants. These compounds help to protect the
brain and other parts of the body against unstable
oxygen molecules, called free radicals, which can
damage cells in the body.
- Rosemary may also sharpen memory by helping to
prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitter
acetylcholine.
Rosemary
• Topical uses:
- Rosemary oil, which is steam-distilled from the
plant’s pale blue flowers, may help soothe muscle
sprains, strains, and arthritic joints.
- The oil contains camphor, a skin irritant that can
increase blood circulation to the skin when
applied topically.
- The aromatic oil is frequently added to hair
preparations: one recent trial found that rosemary
oil, when combined with thyme, cedarwood, and
lavender oils in a neutral carrier oil (jojoba) may
help to lessen a type of hair loss called alopecia
areata.
Rosemary
• Internal uses: Rosemary oil is one of the
essential oils recently made available in
capsule form for internal use.
- Herbalists often suggest capsules containing
rosemary oil along with the essential oils of
oregano and thyme for the treatment of yeast
(Candida) overgrowth in the intestines.
- This blend is used in part because of
rosemary's apparent antibacterial and
antifungal properties.
Essential Oils and Hair Care
• Healthy, natural hair care is basically a very
simple undertaking. Here are some tips of
how essential oils can help:
- Basil: Oily hair … promotes growth
- Chamomile: Fine to normal hair … gives golden
highlights
- Clary sage: All types of hair … dandruff treatment
- Lavender: Normal hair … Scalp treatment for
itchiness, dandruff, and even lice
- Lemon: Oily hair … Gives golden highlights;
treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and
underactive sebaceous glands
- Myrrh: Dry hair … Treatment for dry scalp,
dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands
- Patchouli: Oily hair … Dandruff treatment
- Peppermint: Dry hair … Promotes hair growth
- Rose: Fine hair … Soothes scalp
- Rosemary: Oily hair … Dandruff treatment;
promotes hair growth
- Tea tree: Oily hair … Treatment for dry scalp,
dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands
Melissa (Lemon Balm)
(‫)المليسة‬
Melissa (Lemon Balm)
(‫)المليسة‬
• Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) has the
ability to heal wounds, relax nerves and
ease indigestion, relieve menstrual
cramps, fight cold sores (herpes simplex)
and shingles, soothe minor wounds &
insect stings, help prevent sleeplessness,
and even repel mosquitoes.
• This is a safe herb for children, and it
tastes very good.
Salvia (Sage, ‫)الميرميه‬
• Salvia consists of the dried leaves of Salvia
officinalis, Linn. (Labiatae): a perennial plant
indigenous to Southern Europe, and largely
cultivated in gardens.
• The drug is official in the USP.
• The leaves are greyish-green, petiolate, elliptical
or ovate-oblong, 3 to 7 centimetres long.
• The leaves’ odor is aromatic; taste is bitter and
somewhat astringent.
Sage
• Constituents:
- The volatile oil is the chief constituent of
salvia that froms 1-3%.
- The oil is yellow or greenish-yellow
(specific gravity, 0.910-0.930) with a
penetrating odour.
- The oil contains α-pinene, 1,8-cineole,
borneol, α- and β-thujones, and esters.
Sage
• Actions and Uses:
- Salvia has carminative properties, and has
been used in dyspepsia, but is mostly
employed as a condiment.
- The volatile oil is said to be a violent
epileptiform convulsant, resembling the
essential oils of absinthium and nutmeg.
- The leaves may be administered in
powder or as an infusion (1 in 20).
Coriander (‫)الكزبرة‬
- The main constituents of coriander oil are
linalool (70-80%), geranyl acetate (2-3%),
geraniol (1.6-2.6%), α-pinene (2-3%), and
camphor (5-6%).
- Linalool is the major component of the
hydrodistillate of the dried ripe seeds of
Coriandrum sativum L. purchased from the
market in Addis Ababa.
Cannabis sativa
Cannabis
- Cannabis is a genus of flowering plant that
includes one or more species.
- It is also known as hemp, although this term
usually refers to Cannabis cultivated for nondrug use.
- As a drug it usually comes in the form of
dried flowers (marijuana), resin (hashish), or
various extracts collectively referred to as
hash oil.
- Properties and Uses of Cannabis (drug).???
Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, Δ9-THC, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol
Cannabis
- Its pharmacological actions are the result of its binding to the
cannabinoid receptor CB1, located in the brain.
- The presence of these specialized receptors in the brain implied
to researchers that endogenous cannabinoids were manufactured
by the body, so the search began for a substance normally
manufactured in the brain that binds to these receptors, the socalled natural ligand or agonist, leading to the eventual
discovery of anandamide and some related compounds.
- This story resembles the discovery of the endogenous opiates
(endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphin), after the realization
that morphine and other opiates bound to specific receptors in
the brain.
- Effects include relaxation, euphoria, altered space-time
perception, alteration of visual, auditory, and olfactory senses,
disorientation, fatigue, and appetite stimulation.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon foliage
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Division:
Magnoliophyta
Class:
Magnoliopsida
Order:
Laurales
Family:
Lauraceae
Genus:
Cinnamomum
Species:
C. zeylanicum
Its flavour is due to an aromatic oil which it contains
to the extent of from 0.5 to 1%. This essential oil is
prepared by roughly pounding the bark, macerating it
in sea-water, and then quickly distilling the whole. It
is of a golden-yellow colour, with the characteristic
odour of cinnamon and a very hot aromatic taste. The
pungent taste and scent come from cinnamic aldehyde
or cinnamaldehyde and, by the absorption of oxygen
as it ages, it darkens in colour and develops resinous
compounds. Chemical components of the essential oil
include eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, betacaryophyllene, linalool and methyl chavicol.
Uses
Cinnamon bark is widely used as a spice. It is
principally employed in cookery as a condiment and
flavouring material, being largely used in the
preparation of some kinds of desserts, chocolate and
spicy candies and liqueurs. In the Middle East, it is
often used in savory dishes of chicken and lamb. In
America, cinnamon and sugar are often used to flavor
cereals and fruits, especially apples. It can also be
used in pickling. In medicine it acts like other volatile
oils and once had a reputation as a "cure" for colds. It
has also been used to treat diarrhea and other
problems of the digestive system
Studies by the United States Department of
Agriculture have found that using half a teaspoon of
cinnamon a day significantly reduces blood sugar in
diabetics, especially in Type-2 diabetics, and
improves cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and
triglyceride levels. The effects, which can even be
produced by soaking cinnamon in tea, also benefit
non-diabetics who have blood sugar problems. There
is also much anecdotal evidence that consumption of
cinnamon has a strong effect in lowering blood
pressure, making it potentially useful to those
suffering from hypertension.
clove
Dried cloves
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Division:
Magnoliophyta
Class:
Magnoliopsida
Order:
Myrtales
Family:
Myrtaceae
Genus:
Syzygium
Species:
S. aromaticum
Cloves are the aromatic dried flower buds of a tree (Syzygium
aromaticum, sometimes included in the genus Eugenia) in the
family Myrtaceae. It is native to Indonesia and used as a spice in
virtually all the world's cuisine
Active compounds and actions:
- Essential oil of clove has anesthetic and
antimicrobial qualities, and is sometimes used to
eliminate bad breath or to ameliorate the pain of
a bad tooth.
- It, or its main component eugenol, is used by
dentists to anesthetize the gum before injecting
Novocaine or similar anesthetics, and is the
characteristic odor of a dentist's office
Turpentine Oil
- Turpentine is a fluid obtained by the complex distillation from
resin obtained by trees, mainly the various species of pine
(Pinus).
- It is composed of terpenes, mainly the monoterpenes α-pinene
and β-pinene.
- Alternative names are wood turpentine, spirit of turpentine, oil
of turpentine and gum turpentine.
- It is also known colloquially as just "turps", although this more
often refers to turpentine substitute (or mineral turpentine).
- Boiling in large tubs takes place at 155 degrees Celsius to
obtain turpentine oil.
Juniper Essential Oil
Family: Cupressaceae (cypress).
Plant Origin: Utah.
Extraction Method: Steam distilled from berries
and twigs.
Chemical Constituents: Monoterpenes: α-pinene
(34-46%), sabinene (9-28%), myrcene (6-8%);
Sesquiterpenes; Terpene alcohols; Aldehydes;
Ketones: camphor, pinocamphone.
Action: Antiseptic, astringent, digestive stimulant,
purifying, and detoxifying. Juniper increases circulation
through kidneys and promotes excretion of uric acid and
toxins.
Traditional Uses: Bundles of juniper berries were hung
over doorways to ward off witches during medieval times.
It has been used for centuries as a diuretic. Until recently,
French hospital wards burned sprigs of juniper and
rosemary to protect from infection.
Indications: It may help in acne, dermatitis, eczema,
depression, fatigue, liver problems, sore muscles,
rheumatism, ulcers, urinary infections, fluid retention, and
wounds.
Botanical
Name:
Allium sativum L.
Family:
Liliaceae
Vernacular
Name:
Garlic, Nech Shenkurt (Amharic)
General:
Allium sativum L. is widely cultivated in the Middle East
and Egypt since ancient times and is now grown in all parts
of the world. Used to treat a wide range of skin and
stomach problems and is an important ingredient in the
preparation of food, particularly stew. It is also used as
preservative for storage of dried food.
Reported
effects:
Antihypertensive,
Antimicrobial,
Antihypercholesterolemic, Antiinflammatory, etc..
• The main constituents of Allium sativum are sulphur
containing compounds: alliin and its enzymatic products
allicin (diallyl thiosulphinate), allylpropyl disulphide,
diallyl disulphide, diallyl trisulphide, ajoene and
vinyldithiines (secondary products of alliin produced nonenzaymatically from allicin); S-allylmercaptocysteine
(ASSC) and S-methylmercaptocysteine (MSSC);
terpenes include citral, geraniol, linalool, α- and βphellandrene.
• Allyl disulfide (33%) and allyl trisulfide (57.8%) are
found to be the dominant components of Allium sativum
oil.
Structure of Major Compounds:
GARLIC
‫الثوم‬
• This product is the second best-selling
product in World pharmacies, to a total of
$10.1 million dollars in 1998.
• The most prominent indication for garlic
preparations is to help treat
hyperlipidemia and
hypercholesterolemia. It is also used to a
lesser extent to treat hypertension and as
an antimicrobial.
• This botanical is generally considered
safe when used for dietary purposes,
• but when taken in higher doses the
potential for adverse effects becomes
possible.
• Garlic (Allium sativum) is considered to
be contraindicated during pregnancy and
lactation.
• In vitro and animal studies, it has shown
uterine-stimulating effects.
• The odour of garlic has been noticed in
the milk of lactating mothers and has
been associated with colic in their
children.
• One paper also suggests that this
botanical be avoided after tissue
transplants, due to its reported ability to
enhance natural killer cell function, a
major mechanism responsible for tissue
rejection.
• There have been reports of allergic
reactions to garlic preparations.
• Since garlic contains active thiol groups, it
should be avoided by individuals who
suffer from attacks of pemphigus, a rare
auto-immune disease.
• The most noted drug interaction with garlic
involves its ability to enhance the
effectiveness of anticoagulants.
• There are case reports detailing excessive
post-operative bleeding in patients who
revealed a large, chronic garlic intake.
• It is also possible that garlic may
potentiate the anticoagulant effects of
warfarin and ASA.
• One reference believes that garlic may
interfere with existing diabetic
management. This may be due to its
hypoglycemic effect, which has been
documented in animal studies.
• Regular dietary consumption of garlic
appears to be relatively safe.
• Those patients currently taking
anticoagulant medicines should be
cautioned about taking larger amounts of
garlic preparations.
B. Irregular Monoterpenes
• Derived in a similar way to the regular monoterpenes by
coupling of one IPP and one DMAPP molecule.
• This coupling occurs via a mechanism which results in a
discontinuous structure.
• The most important compounds in this category are the
pyrethrins.
• These are important insecticides obtained from
Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium (Asteraceae).
• The flowers are mainly cultivated in Kenya, and also in
Australia and Equador.
• The flowers can contain up to 2% of pyrethrins. The major
components being pyrethrin I and II and Cinerin I and II.
A large range of synthetic analogues have now been produced.
Permethrin is one notable example. It is more stable in light and air, has
insecticide activity around 1000 times that of pyrethrin-I and with very
low toxicity.
Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium
Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium
• Family: Compositae (Asteraceae)
• Pyrethrum, Tanacetum cinerariifolium, Pyrethrum
cinerariifolium.
• A perennial temperate plant with small white, daisy-like
flowers from which natural insecticides, the pyrethrins,
are derived.
• Insecticide; Repellent. The dried flower buds are the
source of the insecticide 'Pyrethrum‘ herb. The highest
pyrethrin content is from the flowers when they are in
full bloom (1.22%) and lowest in the preceding period
(0.71%). This insecticide also kills many beneficial
insects, though it is relatively harmless to mammals.
Synthetic
analogues
(tetramethrin,
permethrin,
cypermethrin).
C. Monoterpenes: The Iridoids
• This groups of monoterpenes is produced from folding of the
geraniol structure to produce an iridoid moiety.
• The most notable example is valerian: valerian root is the dried
underground portions of Valeriana officinalis L. (Valerianaceae)
• The plant smells like cat urine.
• In the 13th century the legendary Pied Piper of Hamelin used a
fragrance of Valerian to lure rats out of the little village
• Plants are freshly harvested and then dried at low temperatures
to minimise degradation of active constituents.
• The herb has mild sedative properties and are widely used to
relieve nervous tension, anxiety and insomnia
• The active constituents are a range of compounds the most
important being the epoxy-iridoid-esters called the valepotriates,
the most important of which is valtrate (up to 2%)
• There is also a volatile oil content (up to 1%) and two
sesquiterpenes: valerenic acid and valeranone.
Valeriana officinalis
VALERIAN
‫الناردين‬
• This herbal is best known for its ability to help
with sleeping difficulties. There is a small
amount of clinical data regarding its efficacy,
drug interactions and contraindications. It is
thought that valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
promotes sleep and relaxation via increased
GABA secretion and inhibition of its reuptake.5
Most of the information on its safety is
extrapolated from in vitro and animal findings.
• Animal studies have shown increased sleeping
times when valerian was given with
pentobarbital and thipoental.
• It is also believed that this botanical may
enhance the effects of other CNS depressants
and alcohol. Due to possible teratogenic
effects, seen in animal studies, it is considered
to be contraindicated in pregnancy until more is
known.
• The German Commission E monograph for
valerian lists no contraindication or drug
interactions.