Chemistry of Essential Oils

There are 3 classes of essential oil compounds that are the most active in essential oils: Monoterpenes, Sesquiterpenes and Phenols. With inspiration from Dr. David Stewart's description of the compounds, I use the analogy of the cycle of a woman's life to portray the character of the molecules.

Phenols as Maiden Liberators

Phenols are full of energy and work to clean out the receptor sites, purging it of unwelcome guests. They are always looking for and destroying (or ushering out) the invaders that imbalance the microbiome; and material, emotional and spiritual toxins that cause discord in the body. Phenols are strong, brazen and aggressive.

Monoterpenes as Loving Mothers

Monoterpenes are imbued with qualities like a mother. Monoterpenes are supportive and and ensures that the healing objectives are not forgotten. They don't mind if they don't receive credit for the healing, and are content to stay behind the scenes to coordinate a harmonious and resonant environment.

Sesquiterpenes as the Wise Elder

Sesquiterpenes are wise and responsible and will always see a job until the end. They will do what no one else wants to do, like emptying the trash, clearing flawed files and and cleaning out unneeded cellular information.They watch over other more aggressive molecules to make sure the work in the body is productive and not destructive. They work in service for the greater good with humility.

Sesquiterpenes increase oxygen levels in the limbic system of the brain when inhaled which allows emotional baggage to be released from cellular memory. Emotions have been found to be passed on from generation to generation in the encoding of the DNA.

In summary, when we receive essential oil molecules by inhalation, orally or through the skin, the following happens when the specific odorant receptor sites receive the correct key to unlock the action potential. First, phenols clean receptor sites. Second, sesquiterpenes delete bad info from cellular memory. Third, monoterpenes restore or awaken the correct information in the DNA.