There’s something in nature that speaks without words. Synthetic chemical compounds seem the same as natural chemicals, but they’re different when it comes to laboratory results.

It should be easy to duplicate the chemicals in lavender in the laboratory, and researchers have achieved that goal, but the synthetic chemicals don’t always act the same when it comes to treating burns or other heath issues.

So what’s the deal? Chemists know that lavender oil is made up of borneol, terpineol, linalool, lavandulol, and geraniol, plus other hydrocarbon molecules. Hydrocarbon molecules are classified as alcohols, terpenes, esters, aldehydes, phenols, and ketones, plus other weird and funny sounding names, but when they are duplicated in a laboratory something is missing. That something may be the building block of all life, which is hard to duplicate because it changes in every form of consciousness and speaks without words.

What scientist do know about the chemical compounds in lavender is the fact that the primary chemical components in the oil are: linalool (51%), linalyl acetate (35%), and limonene, 1,8 cineole, cis-and trans-ocimene, camphor, lavendulyl acetate, terpinen-4-ol, caryophyllene, and 3-octonone, which make up the other 14 %.

That’s a pretty impressive group of natural stuff, but how it does what it does when the oil is applied or inhaled is anyone’s guess, but scientists doe have theories about its qualities. Some of those theories explain why the oil is such a potent and sweet smelling mixture and other theories explain how the chemicals work inside the body, but those theories still need a little work.

 

Modern Research Is Revealing New Things About Lavender Oil

 

Research shows that the active components in this natural chemical brew are linalool and linalyl acetate and they can be somewhat cytotoxic to human skin cells, which means they can impact cancer cells. Researchers are finding that out in laboratory tests on mice, but research is needed.

What scientist know for sure is lavender oil has an emotional impact when it is inhaled and when it is massaged into the chest and other areas of the body. The oil is capable of relieving congestion as well as muscle aches and pains.

But lavender oil chemicals also act as a natural insect repellant. Mosquitoes don’t like it and other insects find it annoying when it’s in perfumes and lotions. The lavender oil chemicals compounds also do an excellent job as antiseptic and antibacterial assistants as well as antiviral and anti-inflammatory aides.

The terpene compounds do have a stimulating effect on mucus membrane so the chemicals act as decongestants as well. The aldehydes have anti-fungal properties as well as disinfectant and sedative properties, but the uplifting therapeutic properties of aldehydes are also realized in the fragrance of the oil.

When all the chemicals are analyzed, lavender oil has more positive components than negative, and that’s what makes this oil such a popular aromatherapy treatment. The funny thing is the ancient Greeks and Romans knew the secrets of lavender without ever knowing about linalool or linalyl acetate.