**6.1 Absorption through the skin**

Volatile oil components are lipid soluble, so they have the ability to penetrate the membranes of the skin before being captured by the micro-circulation and drained into the systemic circulation, reaching all target organs [42, 43]. An example of this are the inflammatory disorders which are associated with pain, redness, and swelling, leading to loss of vital functions. Tea tree oil has been shown to increase monocytic differentiation in vitro and reduce inflammation, therefore assisting the healing of chronic wounds [44].

*Aromatherapy as Complementary Medicine DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92021*

### **6.2 Inhalation**

Volatile oils enter the body through the respiratory system. Due to their volatile ability, they can be inhaled easily through the upper respiratory tract and enter the lungs, by which it can be spread to the blood stream. In general, the respiratory tract is considered to be the most easiest way of entry, followed by the dermal pathway [45]. Inhalation of essential oils has given rise to olfactory aromatherapy, where simple inhalation has resulted in enhanced emotional wellness, calmness, relaxation, or rejuvenation of the human body. The release of stress is welded with pleasurable scents which unlock odor memories. Essential oils are complemented to medical treatment and can never be taken as a replacement for it [46–48].

#### **6.3 Ingestion**

Oral ingestion of essential oils needs to be done carefully due to the possible toxicity of some oils. Ingested volatile oil compounds and/or their metabolites may then be absorbed and delivered to the rest of the body and then distributed to different organs. Once volatile oil are entered in to the body, they create their therapeutic effect through physiological functions (**Table 3**). For example, *Roman chamomile* is extensively used to relieve pain from physical conditions, menstrual cramps, and tension with its application on the lower abdomen [49–52].

**6.1 Absorption through the skin**

*Different classes of volatile oil.*

**Figure 1.**

**112**

healing of chronic wounds [44].

Volatile oil components are lipid soluble, so they have the ability to penetrate the membranes of the skin before being captured by the micro-circulation and drained into the systemic circulation, reaching all target organs [42, 43]. An example of this are the inflammatory disorders which are associated with pain, redness, and swelling, leading to loss of vital functions. Tea tree oil has been shown to increase monocytic differentiation in vitro and reduce inflammation, therefore assisting the

*Essential Oils - Bioactive Compounds, New Perspectives and Applications*


**7. Conclusion**

**Table 3.**

**Author details**

Center, Giza, Egypt

**115**

Amira Ahmed Kamal El-din El-Anssary

provided the original work is properly cited.

\*Address all correspondence to: amiraelanssary@yahoo.com

and can help in the treatment of many diseases.

**No. Name Active**

*Aromatherapy as Complementary Medicine DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92021*

12. Lemon essential oil (*Citrus limonum*) (L.) Osbeck

*Therapeutic properties of some essential oils.*

There is a significant and growing interest to find safe and effective methods of treatment. Aromatherapy is one of the most usable methods across the world. It has gained popularity due to its safety, easy accessibility, and effective effects. From previous data we can notice that essential oils have a lot of pharmacological effects

**compounds**

**Ref. Biological activities Ref.**

Tonic nervous system Antimicrobial and antiviral

[97–99]

Decongestant Radioprotective

immunity

Limonene [95, 96] Strengthen natural

Pharmacognosy Department, Pharmaceutical Science Division, National Research

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,


**Table 3.**

**No. Name Active**

1. Chamomile essential oil (*Matricaria chamomilla* L.)

2. Anise essential oil (*Pimpinella*

(*Myristica fragrans* Houtt.)

4. Cedar essential oil (*Cedrus libani* (A. Rich.))

5. Garlic essential oil (*Allium sativum* L.)

6. Clove essential oil (*Syzygium aromaticus* L.)

7. Cinnamon essential oil (*Cinnamomum cassia*

8. Eucalyptus essential oil *(Eucalyptus globulus* Labill.)

9. Peppermint essential oil *(Mentha piperita* L.*)*

10. Lavender essential oil

11. Tea tree essential oil

**114**

*(Lavandula officinalis* Chaix)

(*Melaleuca alternifolia* Cheel)

(Blume))

*anisum* L.)

3. Nutmeg essential oil

**compounds**

*Essential Oils - Bioactive Compounds, New Perspectives and Applications*

Bisabolol and chamazulene

Sabinene, 4-terpineol, myristicin

Eugenol, eugenyl acetate

Menthol and menthone

Linalool and linalyl acetate **Ref. Biological activities Ref.**

2-Emmenagogue Stomachic Carminative Diuretic

Pesticidal activity General tonic Antioxidant

Lymphotonic Powerful diuretic Regenerative blood Astringent Scalp tonic Antifungal

the cardiovascular

Antimicrobial Antifungal Aphrodisiac

Antiviral Antifungal

[83, 84] Tonic and stimulant Decongestant Anesthetic and analgesic Antipruritic Expectorant

[87, 88] Antispasmodic Sedative Relaxing Analgesic and antiinflammatory

> Antiviral Antiasthenic Neurotonic

Expectorant and mucolytic Antimicrobial and antiviral

system Hypoglycemic Regulates blood pressure Antimicrobial

[71, 72] Antiviral

Cinnamaldehyde [75, 76] Powerful antibacterial

1,8-Cineole [79, 80] Anticatarrhal

Terpinene-1-ol-4 [91] Antimicrobial

[61] Antimicrobial

[55–57]

[59, 60]

[62, 63]

[65, 66]

[67, 69, 70]

[73, 74]

[77, 78]

[81, 82]

[85, 86]

[89, 90]

[92–94]

[53, 54] Anti-inflammatory Anti-allergic Anti-pruritic Decongestive Antispasmodic

Anethole [58] Antispasmodic

Limonene [64] Larvicidal

Diallyl disulfide [67, 68] Protects and maintains

*Therapeutic properties of some essential oils.*
