of complete oil of ylang ylang is a long and complicated process, details of which can be found in chapter 5.
Special Properties and Effects Best quality ylang ylang is an extremely soothing, balancing and calming oil, no doubt due to its high alcohol content (around 50 per cent linalool – this high linalool content is not present in the poorer grades of oil). It is therefore useful in cases of hypertension and tachycardia (rapid heart beat), extreme anxiety, frustration (including sexual) and overwork.
Apiaceae (or Umbelliferae)
Physically, the flower heads of this family resemble umbrellas (which is why I like the name Umbelliferae!) It can be difficult to distinguish one plant in this family from another if you are not a botanist; most of their multi-flowered heads, in shades of off-white or yellow, are similar.
This particular family is regarded as hazardous, many of the oils it produces containing ketones or phenolic ethers, though the evidence is not conclusive regarding ketones – not all are hazardous.
Family Properties and Effects The Apiaceae family seed oils are extremely balancing to the digestive system (hence their use in aperitifs). Many are also uterine stimulants and may be abortive in action if misused.
Caution Some contain phenols or ketones and need to be used with care, especially on pregnant women and babies. There is divided opinion regarding the toxicity of carvone (see chapter 3) and until the position is clarified, it may be best to treat all with care (most Apiaceae are best passed on to the public through aromatherapists).
Anethum graveolens – seed (dill) 1.3–1.5%
Dill flowers are not off-white, but bright yellow, the fields presenting an attractive sight.
Special Properties and Effects Dill seed oil is in babies’ gripe water. It helps the flow of bile, thus aiding digestion, and is useful for catarrhal conditions like bronchitis.
Caution It is believed to be neurotoxic because of its high ketone content (mostly dextro-carvone – yet this can be very low in some dill oils); however, it is also believed that not all carvone molecules are hazardous18 (see carvone in chapter 3).
Angelica archangelica – seed/roots (angelica) 0.03 0.04%
Although the whole plant is therapeutic, the roots appear to be the part traditionally most used to promote good health. An essential oil it taken from the seeds and both an absolute and an essential oil are produced from the roots. The root oil (most utilized in aromatherapy) contains coumarins, including bergapten (see chapter 3 and chapter 6).
Special Properties and Effects Angelica’s main attribute is its effectiveness against insomnia and nervous exhaustion. It is also a neuro-digestive tonic.
Caution Because of the coumarin content in both root and seed oils, do not use before ultraviolet exposure.
Carum carvi – seed (caraway) 3–5%
Production of caraway seed oil is increasing, especially in Holland. Here, apart from being exported, the oil is sprayed onto stored potatoes, to prevent them from sprouting. Caraway oil contains the ketone dextro-carvone (up to 50 per cent).
Special Properties and Effects Its anticatarrhal properties indicate caraway as an excellent oil for the respiratory system and it is one of the best oils for combating vertigo.
Caution Very few authors consider caraway to be hazardous, even though it contains carvone (see chapter 3). Caraway contains only a trace of the phenolic ether, anethole.
Coriandrum sativum – leaves/seed (coriander) 0.8–1%
Coriander seed oil seems to be one umbellifer which has no known contra-indications against its use, possibly because it has a significant alcohol content (60–80 per cent including linalool – sometimes referred to as coriandrol). The leaf oil (not much used) has an equally significant content of aldehydes.
Special Properties and Effects Coriander seed oil is antiinflammatory, relieving rheumatism and arthritis; its antibacterial properties are useful against colds and flu. It is an effective stimulant to the nervous system.
Daucus carota – seed (carrot) 1.5%
The carrot plant grows wild in abundance in France, those with orange roots and those with yellowish-white roots (also used to feed cattle) being cultivated for essential oil. Carrot is possibly the prettiest umbellifer, having earned itself the title of ‘Queen Anne’s lace’. As the seed begins to form, the head of the plant changes completely, ‘fluffing’ out and curving inwards – resembling its other common name, ‘Bird’s Nest’.
Like coriander, carrot oil is high in alcohols (40–60 per cent, mostly carotol). It contains a small amount of asarone (a phenolic ether) but no ketones.
See chapter 8 for fixed oil of carrot.
FIGURE 4.1: The early flowering stage of carrot
Special Properties and Effects Carrot seed oil is tonic and stimulant to both liver and kidneys. Hormonal in action, it helps the pituitary gland to regulate the production of thyroxine and the release of ova. It does not appear to be contra-indicated in pregnancy (perhaps because of its high alcohol content and hormonal action). It is effective on skin complaints such as eczema or a blotchy complexion (as in acne rosacea).
Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce – seed (sweet fennel) 3–5%
The wild fennel plant and a cultivated sub-species (capillaceum) are plants which have been used medicinally for centuries,19 but these produce bitter fennel essential oil, not used in aromatherapy. Sweet fennel exists only as a cultivated plant and yields quite a powerful oil, containing a small percentage of the ketone, fenchone, and about 50 per cent of a phenolic ether (trans-anethole). This form of anethole is 15 times less toxic than cis-anethole (see phenols in chapter 3).
Special Properties and Effects Excellent for the promotion of milk flow in breastfeeding mothers (see chapter 11), it acts as a slight analgesic on muscles. It is helpful for menstrual irregularities and the menopause, due to its hormonal-type action.
Caution Sweet fennel oil
