No two oils are alike in their affect on the body. Some constituents, such as aldehydes , are anti-infectious, sedative and calming to the nervous system. They are found predominantly in lavender and chamomile oils. Eugenol is antiseptic and stimulating and is found in cinnamon and clove oil. Ketones , found in lavender, hyssop and patchouly oil, stimulate cell regeneration, liquefy mucous and are helpful with dry asthma, colds and the flu.
Phenols are antiseptic and kill bacteria and viruses and are found in oregano and thyme oil.
Sesquiterpenes , which are predominant in frankincense and sandalwood, are anti-inflammatory and work as liver and gland stimulants. They were found in 1994 to go beyond the brain blood barrier, increasing oxygen around the pineal and pituitary glands. Imagine how long the list would be if we were able to list all the constituents and just a few of their major activities. Because of the incredible complexity and hundreds of different chemical constituents within one single oil, it becomes very clear that the value of essential oils is equally as immense. In 1985, Dr. Jean C. Lapraz said he couldn't find bacteria or viruses that could live in the presence of the essential oils of cinnamon or oregano.