ETHNICAL AROMATHERAPY

By Ana-Elena Sastrias, Natural Aromatherapy Teacher

Botanical Diversity in the study of Ethnical or Regional Essential Oils

Ethnical Aromatherapy invites us to look beyond the essential oil itself and return to its true origin.
An essential oil is not simply a fragrant extract — it is a complex and concentrated expression of a plant, shaped by its land, its climate, and its botanical identity. Obtained through distillation or cold pressing, each essential oil carries not only its chemical composition, but also the imprint of its country of origin and its genotype. Understanding this diversity is fundamental to both the art and the science of aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is both an Art and a Science that involves healing oneself with the use of Essential Oils. 
Ancient civilizations, including Egyptians and Greeks, used aromatic plants and oils for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. 
When talking about Aromatherapy, we usually refer to Lavender, Rosemary, 
Rose Geranium, Basil, Chamomile (German and Roman), Jasmine, Rose, Clove, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Mint, Peppermint, Cedarwood,  Eucalyptus, Juniper (Juniper berry), Cypress, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Vetiver, Star Anise, Ginger, Carrot Seed, Orange Sweet, Bergamot, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Mandarin, etc. 
Each Essential Oil has specific properties depending on the Region of Extraction and the type of soil and Genotype.

It is important to know that there are different varieties of plants and each of those varieties of plants provide an Essential Oil with a different scent profile and may provide a different therapeutic use. 

Carl von Linné, in the 18th century, dedicated his scientific work to making a general classification of plants and animals. He described each classification by three names:
Family, Genus and Species. Usually, these three names will be given Latin names, as a universal language. In his book Species Plantarum , Linné defined a binomial nomenclature, using two names): 
1. Gender Name 
2. Species Name 
This binomial term classification continues to be used up to date. Gender in ˆLatinized” capital letter. Species in “Latinized” lower case letter. The Species name is often based on characteristics of the plant by their shape, properties, country of origin, smell, color, number of flowers, time of growth or flowering. 
For instance: 

Eucalyptus has 3 species:
Eucalyptus radiata (Peppermint like gum scent, NSW, QLD, VIC, 
TAS, Australia)
Eucalyptus citriodora (Lemon like gum scent, Queensland, Australia), Eucalyptus globulus (Woody camphoraceous like gum scent, Tasmania, Australia). 
Each of these 3 different species of Eucalyptus will have a different aroma profile and therapeutic use. Eucalyptus radiata is used to treat congestion in the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, pharynx), while Eucalyptus globulus is used to treat congestion and infection in the lower respiratory tract (lungs, bronchi, trachea, bronchioles). Eucalyptus citriodora has been used as an insect repellent, also it is decongestant in the upper respiratory tract, use in pain relief as an anti-spasmodic treating arthritis, muscle pain; and it is an antiseptic used for treating wounds and cuts. 

The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) and the International Code of Nomenclature of Cultivated Plants (ICNCP) have 114 classified existing botanical families, including: 

• 40 prominent botanical families of medicinal plants 
• 20 prominent botanical families of perfume plants 
• 12 prominent botanical families of essential oil plants 

Aromatherapy is based on the 12 prominent botanical families of essential oil plants. 
These families’ names are in Latin: 

• Abietaceae (Conifers, Resins)
• Apiaceae (Angelica, Coriander, Fennel)
• Asteraceae (Chamomile, Daisy, Helichrysum, Tarragon)
• Cupressaceae (Cypress, Juniper); Ericaceae (Wintergreen, Lemon)
• Geraniaceae (Geranium, Pelargonium)
• Lamiaceae (Lavender, Mint, Marjoram) 
• Lauraceae (Cinnamon, Laurel, Ravintsara)
• Myrtaceae (Myrtle, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus)
• Poaceae (Grasses like Vetiver or Cymbopogon) 
• Rutaceae (fruits, citrus like Lemon, bigarade petitgrain, sweet orange)
• Zingiberaceae (Roots like Turmeric, Ginger and Cardamom). 

Essential Oils used for Aromatherapy must be “pure essential oils” and high quality. 
This means that it is a genuine botanical source and contains no fillers, additives or other impurities or adulterations. 

The Chemotype or Chemical Race  is like an ID card of a plant.
The “chemotype” makes it possible to distinguish two or more essential oils of different chemical compositions produced from plants of the same species. For instance: 

Exotic Basil

Holy Basil

Basil Chemotypes: 

• Exotic Basil : Ocimum basilicum L. - Extracted from flowering top - Contains Chavicol methyl ether, linalool - Used as a tonic for the central nervous system, revitalizing and anti-stress, powerful antispasmodic, digestive tonic.
• Holy Basil : Ocimum basilicum L. - Extracted from Leaf - Contains metyl-eugenol, beta-caryophyllene - Used as a stimulant of the nervous and physical system, anti-infectious, used in acne treatment, or antioxidant.

A Chemotype is defined, either from the country or region of origin, or from the part of the plant being extracted. 

German Chamomile

Roman Chamomile

Chamomile Chemotypes: 

• German Chamomile - Matricaria recutita L. - Extracted from Flower - Contains farnesene, chamazulene, bisabolol oxide - Used as a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antipruritic, or antispasmodic. Restricted internal use. 
• Roman Chamomile - Chamaemelum nobile L. - Extracted from Flower -Contains isobutylene angelate, isoamyl angelate - Used as a sedative of the central nervous system, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipruritic, or anti-allergic. ​

Cedarwood

For Cedarwood, there are four Chemotypes: 

• Atlas Cedarwood
• Virginian Cedarwood
• Himalayan Cedarwood, 
• Texas Cedarwood.

The most used are the Atlas and Virginian. 
Both have lymph-tonic and draining properties, significant lipolytic skin regeneration and scalp tonic. Beware, these varieties have abortive and neurotoxic properties in the long term. 
Each country grows local, ethnical aromatic plants, and this is important to know  regarding diversity and the use of essential oils sourced locally. ​

Indian Sandalwood

Sandalwood: Currently, Australia is growing two varieties of Sandalwood: Deadwood Sandalwood and Northern Sandalwood. Both Australian Sandalwoods have a very distinctive aromatic profile and also, they have a different aromatic profile from the Indian Sandalwood. 
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This allows perfumers to get out of their habits and experiment with new varieties of the same species. 
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In Yucatán, México, there are aromatic plants that come from the same species of Marjoram or  Oregano and Basil: 

Spanish Hill Oregano

Lippia graveolens Kunth: (Spanish Hill Oregano) it is grown in Texas, USA, and Mexico, Central America.  This Mexican Oregano is used as an antiseptic, antipyretic, analgesic, abortive, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, diabetes and menstrual problems. The essential oil extracted from this plant has carvacrol, and timol mostly. It has been used as a Flavor component, in Perfumery, Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals and Liquor.

Ocimun campechianum Mill: (Hill’s Basil) it is grown in USA down to South America. It is used in traditional medicine to treat intestinal inflammation, ulcers, gastritis, dysentery, vomit, and stomachache. The Essential Oil from this plant is extracted from its leaves. It contains eugenol, beta-elemene, beta-caryophyllene, eucalyptol, metil-E-cinnamate and carvona. ​

India Lavender Tree

Bursera linanoe: (Indian Lavender Tree) is native to Mexico, and it is cultivated in India for the extraction of the essential oils from the wood and berries. This tree species produces a combination of Lemon and Jasmine scent. This Indian Lavender Tree is a different species compared to Lavandula shrub. This species contains linalyl acetate and is used as a substitute to Bergamot. In Guerrero, Mexico, there is an Artcraft production of decorated wooden boxes called “Cajitas y Cofres de Olinalá” made from the Linaloe wood of this Indian Lavender Tree. 

REFERENCES: 
1. Plantas Aromáticas de Yucatán - Calvo Irabién, Luz Ma.
2. Natural Aromatherapy IPF Certification Course - Sastrias, Ana Elena 
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