Ending in -AL
Aldehydes are volatile and soluble in water
There are two types of aldehydes: aromatic and terpene ones
(1) AROMATIC ALDEHYDES – antibacterial
Therapeutic properties:
- Antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobe, antiparasitic and antifungal (very efficient against all bacteria, numerous viruses, candida, all parasites)
- They are also known for their heating property, their general tonic action (by stimulating the sympathic nervous system) and their ability to soothe inflammations.
- Stimulating the immune system
Aldehydes also have repellent properties against insects and spiders.
Usage: to use only in difficult cases and when other essential oils have failed.
Dangers and contraindications:
Dermo-caustic (irritating for the skin and mucus) : do not apply pure (dilute to 5% in a vegetable oil if applied to the skin)
Prohibited for pregnant women and children under the age of 5.
Examples of aromatic aldehydes Benzaldehyde, Cinnamaldehyde, Cuminaldehyde
Some EO containing aromatic aldehydes: Ceylon cinnamon – wild cumin
(2) TERPENE ALDEHYDES – anti-inflammatory
Therapeutic properties:
- Major local anti-inflammatory – by neutralising free radicals and their indirect action through general soothing effect. If applied to the skin, they give local heat and give relief from inflammation.
- Soothing to the nervous system and sedative (the lemony scent is a natural olfactive soother).
- Spasmolytic, they relax the entire muscle and neuro-vegetative systems.
- Digestive properties: they stimulate exocrine secretions and the entire hepatic activity, thus assisting detoxication.
- Antibacterial properties (Average efficacity in comparison to alcohols and ME phenols)
Usage:
Aldehydes may reduce local immune reactions. These effects are used to fight against localised cellulite by stimulating blood flow and through vasodilatation
To obtain a sedative effect it is important to dilute these oils at 50% in vegetable oil. If applied pure it could have the opposite effect.
They are used in rheumatic conditions, joint aches and sinew pain as well as in all conditions affecting the nervous system.
Dangers and contraindications:
No toxicity except overdosing
Irritating to the skin (except if combined with limonene). Less dermo-caustic than aromatic aldehydes.
Dilution in a vegetable oil from 20 to 50%. Dilution at 10% for children.
Particularities: Inversion of their effects depending on dosage: stimulating in low doses then soothing.
Examples of terpene aldehydes: Citrals: geranials, nerals Anisial, Citronnelal, Iridodial, Myrtenal, Phellandral:
Some EO containing terpene aldehydes: Java citronella – Lemon Eucalyptus – Geranium rosat – Lemongrass – Lemon Litsee – common myrtle – Lemon verbena (lippia citriodora)