Formulating Essential Oil Nasal Gels and Lip BalmsFormulating Essential Oil Nasal Gels and Lip Balms

By Lisa M. Browder, RA, ICA, CRComplementary Therapies Manager

Bonnie Schreck Memorial Complementary Therapies ProgramNathan Adelson Hospice

4141 Swenson St.Las Vegas, NV 89119

(702) 733-0320lbrowder@nah.org

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 OilTamanu 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.

General characteristics of molecules

Specific chemical constituentsthat fit into functional groups

TerpenesTerpenes

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 –eneTop notes in perfumery. You smell them first but they burn off fast

Lemon

Terpene ConstituentsTerpene Constituents

Limonene – stimulates circulation

Lemon 55-80%Rosemary 15-34%

Pinene – excellent air disinfectants

Pine 22-43%Juniper 26-70%

Pine

EstersEsters

Names end in –lyl + acetateEasily metabolized“User friendly”

Watch for methyl salicylate content

AntifungalAnti-inflammatoryAntispasmodicCalming to the Central Nervous SystemSedativeAnalgesicThought to re-equilibrate the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system

Wintergreen

Ester ConstituentsEster Constituents

Linalyl acetate

Methyl salicylate

Clary Sage 50%Lavender 40%Bergamot 25%

Wintergreen 98%

(4ml in children results in respiratory failure and death – Tisserand and Balacs 1995)

AldehydesAldehydes

Names end in –al or have “aldehyde” in the nameMost citrus oils fit hereUsually powerful aromas

Mucus membrane irritantsUnstable and oxidize easily, leading to dermal irritation and/or sensitization

Calming to Central Nervous SystemAnti-infectious (management of opportunistic infections in the last

stages of AIDS)AntiviralAnti-inflammatoryHypotensorsVasodilatorsAir antiseptics

Euca

lyptu

s citr

iodo

ra

Aldehyde ConstituentsAldehyde Constituents

Geranial Citronellal

Citral

Melissa 24%Lemongrass 58%May Chang 41%

Eucalyptus citriodora 90%May Chang 6%Citronella 14%

Mucus membrane irritantBe careful of use with patients who have glaucoma as it causes extra pressureHowever – antiviral, insecticidal/larvacidal/repellent effects

Cinnamaldehyde

Lemongrass

Cinnamon Bark

Mucus membrane and dermal irritant

Cinnamon Bark harvest

AlcoholsAlcohols

Names end in –olMiddle notes in perfumery – scent stays the longestConsidered the most beneficial & safest of all

Caution: Although safest, anything used in excess can have consequences

VasoconstrictiveAnalgesic – cooling to application siteSedativeAntispasmodicStrong antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral

Peppermint

Alcohol ConstituentsAlcohol Constituents

Geraniol

Menthol

Linalol

Terpinen-4-ol

Palmarosa 75%Geranium 20%

Peppermint 45%

Lavender 37%Rosewood 90%

Tea Tree 40%Marjoram 25%

Tea Tree

Geranium

PhenolsPhenolsNames end in –ol but there are only 4 common onesThey don’t evaporate easilyStrong smelling

Most irritant of constituents to skin & mucus membranesContact dermatitis and sensitization dermatitisPossible liver damage

Most stimulating to peripheral blood circulation so good for cold hands & feetAnti-infectious – can kill Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosaGood for acute infectionsTreats Candida albicans (Thrush)

Thyme

Phenol ConstituentsPhenol Constituents

Thymol

Carvacrol

Chavicol

Eugenol

Oregano 85%Thyme 27%

Oregano 4%

Bay 56%

Cinnamon Leaf 87%Clove 76%

- 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

KetonesKetones

Names end in –one except for one: camphorMany also contain oxides

Resistant to metabolism by the liverLong half-life so be careful with long-term useNeurotoxic effects from a select few

Reduce secretionsWound healing properties – wounds, scars, burns and surgical wounds, preventing cheloid formation and over-production of scar tissueAntiviral – papilloma, herpes zosterAnti-haematomal (specifically the italidone in Helichrysum)

Ketone ConstituentsKetone Constituents

Neurotoxic constituents:Thujone

Mugwort, WormwoodPulegone

PennyroyalCamphor

Dalmatian Sage, YarrowRosemary ct camphor

Italidone Menthone

Camphor Carvone

Helichrysum 8%

Spearmint 48%

Peppermint 30%

Rosemary 15-30%Spike Lavender 15%

Helichrysum/Everlasting/Immortelle

OxidesOxides

Names end in –olePossibly 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 ConstituentOxide Constituent

1,8 cineole (Eucalyptol)

Eucalyptus globulus 70%Spike Lavender 15%Rosemary 15%Cardamom 30%Sage 15%Niaouli 41%

Cardamom

Lip Balms & Nasal Gels

Rollerball containerCoconut OilMango ButterLavenderEverlasting1% dilution

¼ oz containerAloe vera gelLavenderEverlasting1% dilution

Aloe vera

Nasal inhalerPerfume 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

ResourcesResourcesSKS Bottle -containersBirch Hill Happenings - inhalersMountain Rose Herbs – fixed oils and buttersEssential Oil Companies:

Nature’s GiftFlorihanaOriginal Swiss AromaticsWyndmere 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)