Chemistry Oil macerations being more complex than essential oils contain flavonoids and glucosides. Flavonoids and glucosides are soluble in fat just like essential oils but they are too heavy to be distilled. Flavonoids give the plant its color especially the color yellow which means flavus in Latin. Dyes are often flavonoids. They are also very powerful antioxidants and metal chelators. Glucosides can be powerful healers and pain killers. Flavoniods are polyphenolic compounds possessing 15 carbon atoms, two benzene rings joined by a linear three carbon chain. The chemical structure of flavonoids are based on a C15 skeleton with a chromane ring bearing a second aromatic ring B in position 2,3, or 4. Flavonoids are a major part of flowering plants as flavonoids create the color of the flower or flower pigments. Flavoniods are not restricted to the flower and can be found through out the plant. Flavoniods are antioxidants. Antioxidants naturally occur to protect the body from harmful free radicals. Free radicals are thought to promote aging and disease. Flavoniods are often the major component of an herb’s ability to heal. The herb produces flavoniods to protect themselves from parasites, bacteria, and heal cell injury. There are more than 4,000 flavonoids documented. Certain flavoniods in fruits and vegetables have much greater antioxidant activity than vitamin C and E. Antioxidants help to heal and protect the body from exposure to radiation, sun, toxic chemicals, cigarettes, and air pollution. When the body breaks down fat in the body, free radicals are often produced. Flavoniods help the body defend against these free radicals. Flavonoids are strong antioxidants. Some flavonoids are called bioflavonoids. They can also be called vitamin P. Bioflavonids strengthen the capillary walls and increase the body’s ability to make use of vitamin C. Some times you will see flavonoids grouped with glycosides or a sub group of glycosides. Flavoniods are also known as antispasmodics and diuretics plus they can stimulate the circulation and heart. Flavonoids are thought to lower blood pressure. Essential oils have long been noted for their ability to soothe and reduce stress lowering blood pressure. An oil maceration with added essential oils could prove to be quite desirable for massage especially with urban populations dealing with the cities’ pollution and high stress. One only has to stop a minute and consider the benefits for the work out enthusiast to help relieve their tired aching body. Glycosides have sugar as a part of their chemical structure. Glycosides are molecules containing a carbohydrate (sugar) and a noncarbohydrate residue. The carbohydrate residue is attached by an acetal linkage at carbon atom 1 and is called an aglycone. The aglycone is the noncarbohydrate part of the glycoside. The sugar or carbohydrate part is called a glycone. When the sugar is glucose, the molecule is called a glucoside. Glycosides are powerful healing compounds and they are grouped in many subgroups. One of these groups is called a cardioactive group because of plants like foxglove, lily of the valley, and squill that produce a glycoside called digitoxin. This plant chemical was found to help heart disease. It had the ability to increase the force and power of the heartbeat without increasing the amount of oxygen needed by the heart muscle. Digitoxin can increase the efficiency of the heart and the same time steady excess heartbeats without strain to the heart. Digitoxin was synthesized into digitalis. There are also other powerful glycosides like prussic acid found in bitter almond oil. Prussic or hydrocyanic acid has been used in cough medicines and tonics. Prussic acid is also thought of as a poison and in high doses can kill. Bitter almond oil usually has this removed but still has powerful components in it and it is usually not recommended for aromatherapy use. Glycosides if taken internally tend to act as laxatives. Rhubarb and senna have laxative effects and it is thought that the glycosides in them cause this. Glycosides can have many different healing properties. Another glycoside, salicin, is found in willow bark. It was shown to relieve fever and pain in the body. Salicin was synthesized into aspirin. This is a product used daily by many to promote a healthy heart and circulation. Some glycosides are very powerful and must be used with caution while others seem to be safe enough to use daily. Therefore if the maceration contains glycosides, they need to be identified as to their safety. |
