Coumarins are found most often in the form of traces in EO. They remain however very efficient.
Physical action: Blood liquefying
Psychological action: relaxes while also stimulating a love of life and communication
Therapeutic properties:
- Anticoagulant, antispasmodic and hypotensive
- Appeasing
- Sedative of the nervous system
- Liver stimulating
Dangers and counter-indications: photo-sensitive (cutaneous and oral application). They are in bold print below. Do not sit in the sun after use. It is preferable to use them at night. The danger of sunburn or brown skin stains is real. Hypnotic effect if used in large doses.
Toxicity: Furo-coumarins remain for a long time in your organism, it can be several days if large doses have been taken. Pyranno-coumarins are toxic for the liver. (Khella)
Examples of coumarins: Angelicin, Auraptene, Meranzine, Ostruthine, Osthole, Bergapten, Bergaptol, Coumarin, Limettin, Pimpinellin, Phellopterine, Psoralene, Umbelliprenine, Visnadine
Some EO containing coumarins: Cinnamon – Tarragon – Liveche – Melissa officinalis – Lemon Verbena