Essential Oil Classifications

Every essential oil has one main chemical component. This main chemical component determines the overall qualities (properties and best uses) of that essential oil. These main chemical components are grouped into several major classifications recognized by aromatherapy professionals and every essential oil on the market should fall into one of these categories.

Keep in mind that each essential oil also has several other chemical components that will enhance the performance of an oil in an application or blend. In fact, every essential oil cannot solely be analyzed in this way because of the number of chemical components in each oil.  However, the purpose of this web page is to inform you of the main classifications, so that you may better understand the nature of essential oils. This information should also help guide you to selecting the essential oils that are right for you and your specific needs.

Please note that this is not a complete body of work. Additional research may be needed and should be performed prior to using any essential oils.

The Main Classifications of Essential Oils:

Esters | Ethers | Alcohols | Aldehydes | Monoterpenes | Oxides | Phenols | Sesquiterpenes | Terpenes

Esters :

Esters are generally balancing and soothing essential oils that can be calming and relaxing. These oils promote healing to the skin and calming to the mind. In general - esters smell sweet and commonly come from flower oils.

Ethers :

Ethers are known to be anti-infectious, soothing, anti-spasmodic, balancing, sedative and calming.

Alcohols:

Alcohols are typically found to be very stimulating, energizing and uplifting oils. Alcohols are thought to be anti-septic, anti-viral, vitalizing, hypotensive, antibacterial, toning and hypnotic. Most often, alcohols are herbaceous, soft, or woody scents.

Aldehydes:

Aldehydes are anti-infectious, calming and anti-inflammatory to skin, soothing and relaxing to the body and uplifting to the mind. Typically found in citrus oils.

Monoterpenes:

(sub classification of Terpenes) Commonly found in many essential oils - this component is generally stimulating and warming.  Common in hyssop, frankincense, geranium oil, juniper oil, thyme, rosewood, and neroli as well as others. Examples of monoterpenes are: geraniol, limonene and terpineol.

Oxides:

Oxides are most commonly used for their antiseptic, decongestant and respiratory clearing abilities. Oxides include 1,8 cineole (eucalyptol) and usually have fresh, sharp, and medicinal aromas.  Eucalyptus oil, Rosemary, and Helichrysum oilare a few examples.

Phenols:

Phenols are powerfully anti-spasmodic, anti-infectious, and antimicrobial. They are usually responsible for the very strong herbal aromas in essential oils.  Phenols have stimulating and strengthening properties. They are stimulating to the body and increase oxygen in the blood, thus increasing circulation. These oils can be irritating to the skin and should be used highly diluted.

Sesquiterpenes:

Sesquiterpenes (sub classification of Terpenes) are generally anti-spasmodic and can be calming and relaxing oils. Sesquiterpenes can be anti-inflammatory, such as in chamomile and are typically very soothing on the emotional center. Essential oils such as cedarwood oil, sandalwood oil and vetiver oilare high in sesquiterpenes and can be very balancing and soothing to the emotions as well as being balancing and anti-inflammatory to the body.

Terpenes:

Terpenes are primarily anti-infectious, stimulating to the body, decongestant to blood vessels and provide an overall tonic effect to the body (restoratiing tonicity in muscles and/or tissue). Many terpenes are anti-septic and anti-inflammatory as well as anti-viral.

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