Читать книгу Aromatherapy Workbook - Shirley Price - Страница 54

The name Abietaceae is becoming more familiar, though Pinaceae is frequently used. Whichever name is employed, this family, together with the Cupressaceae, belongs to the conifer class.

This is quite a large family, though not many essential oils from its members are in common use.

Family Properties and Effects Essential oils obtained from the Abietaceae family are highly antiseptic and effective on respiratory disorders involving catarrh.

Cedrus atlantica – wood (cedarwood) 3–5%

See chapter 5 for details on C. atlantica and other plants bearing the common name of cedarwood.

Special Properties and Effects A healing and regenerative oil, Cedrus atlantica is a good lymph tonic and is indicated for cellulite. It is useful in cases of oily skin and scalp and has all the family properties too.

Caution Although the bulk of the oil is composed of terpenes and alcohols, it should be treated with respect, containing as it does around 20 per cent of the ketone atlantone. There seems to be some conflict as to whether or not it is an abortive oil, two authors of well-researched books saying it is and two authors of safety data manuals not mentioning it with respect to toxicity. I suggest it is left alone at the commencement of pregnancy until the baby begins to move (see chapter 5 and chapter 11).

Pinus sylvestris – needles (pine) 0.1–0.5%

This is the species recommended by Valnet; other species of pine are in chapter 5.

Special Properties and Effects Of the pines, Pinus sylvestris has the most comprehensive list of health attributes and is the strongest air antiseptic. It is vaporized in the burns units of some hospitals and has been found to help prevent infection after severe burns. It is an effective expectorant¹⁶ and its antiseptic action is beneficial for almost all respiratory disorders.