Botanical Families
To get started in essential oil chemistry and really begin to understand it I find that it’s important to know the botanical families and which oils belong to which family. This helps us get an understanding of the oils, see which oils share similar properties and also start to understand their Latin names a little more as well. Once we start to understand all of this we can begin to formulate blends that compliment each other, work well together and provide the best based on where they come from and what they are made of.
Botanical Families:
Annonacaea: Flowering plants, trees and shrubs, contains 2,300-2,500 different species and 130 genera. The only essential oil in this group is Ylang Ylang. Plants in this group are rich in flavonoids and alkaloids; these are found to be antibacterial. Excellent for skin disorders, intestinal worms and inflammation of they eye.
Essential oils in this family: Cananga oforata (Ylang ylang)
Asteracca: Asteraceae or Aster plant family has over 233,000 species, 1,620 genera and 12 sub families. Composed of herbaceous species, shrubs, vines and trees. This species consists of plants such as Arnica, Chamomile, Calendula and Echinacea. These plants are extremely rich in alkaloids with medicinal properties that include antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. They are soothing to the skin and digestive system.
Essential oils in this family: Helichrysum angustifolium, or italicum (Helichrysum), Matricaria recutita (German Chamomile), Ormenis mixta (Moroccan Chamomile). Chamamelum nobile (Roman Chamomile), Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Burseracaea: Known as the touchwood or incense tree family, it has 17-18 genera and 450 species of flowering plants. Characterized by secretions of non-irritating resins from the bark. Plants from this group are highly effective with congestion, useful with bronchitis and good to use for healing wounds.
Essential oils in this family: Boswellia carterrii (Frankincense), Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh)
Cistacaea: Consists of 170-200 species and 8 genera. Uses for this family include use for stress, infection, high blood pressure and anxiety.
Essential oils in this family: Citrus landaniferus (Rock rose)
Cupressaccae: Cypress of conifer family, contains 27-30 genera and 7 subfamilies. Qualities include astringent, stress, insomnia and nervous tension.
Essential oils in this family: Cupressus sempervirens (Cypress), Juniperus communis (Juniper Berry), Juniperus virginiana (Virginia Cedarwood)
Geraniaceae: Family of geraniums. There are 800 species, 7-10 genera. The properties of this group include hormonal regulation and support for the adrenal cortex.
Essential oils in this family: Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium)
Gramineae: Made up of grains, grasses and cereals. The fifth largest group of plants, totaling around 100,000 species. Benefits include relief for aches, pains, acne and circulation.
Essential oils in this family: Cymbopogon nardus (Citronella), Cymbogon citratus (Lemongrass), Cymbopogon martini (Palmarosa), Vetiveria zizanoides (Vetiver)
Labiteae (Lamiaceae): Contains 5,600 species and 224 genera. Properties include antiseptic, antispasmodic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory. Good for respiratory and digestion tracts as well as muscular aches, pains and hormonal imbalances.
Essential oils in this family: Ocimum basilicum (Basil), Salvia sclarea (Clary Sage), Hyssopus officinalis (Hyssop), Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender), Lavandual latifolia (Spike Lavender), Origanum marjorana (Marjoram), Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm), Thymus mastichina (Spanish Marjoram), Origanum vulgare (Oregano), Pogostemon cablin (Patchouli), Mentha x piperita (Peppermint), Salvia lavendulaefolia (Spanish sage), Salvia officinalis (sage), Satureja montana (Savory), Thymus citriodorus (Lemon Thyme), Thymus vulgaris or Thymys linalool (Red Thyme), Thymus zygis (Spanish or white Thyme), Thymus serpyllum (Wild Thyme)
Lauraceae: A flowering group of shrubs spit into 45 genera and 2,000 species. Plants in this group contain the chemical compound Cinnamic Aldehyde-a skin irritant. Uses include; anti fungal, bactericidal, cell regenerating, tonic, stimulant and antiviral properties.
Essential oils in this family: Laurus nobilis (Bay Laurel), Cinnamomum cassia (Cassia), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Cinnamon bark), Litsea cubeba (May Chang), Ravensara aromatica (Ravensara), Cinnamomum camphora (Ravinstara) Aniba rosaeodora (Rosewood)
Myristicacae: Made up of flowery, woody shrubs. Properties include; antifungal, bactericidal, antiviral, stimulant and tonic. Stimulating to the brain and warming to the joints.
Essential oils in this family: Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg)
Myrtaecea: Usually flowery and woody with evergreen leaves and flower parts typically formed in fours and fives. Includes 5,650 species and 130-150 genera. Properties include; antiseptic, stimulant, tonic to the respiratory system and bactericidal.
Essential oils in this family: Melaleuca leucadendron (Cajeput), Eugenia caryophyllata (Clove bud), Eucalyptus smithii/staigeriana (Eucalyptus), Mryus communis (Myrtle), Melaleuca viridiflora (Nialouli), Melalueca alternifolia (Tea tree)
Oleaceae: Shrub family with 600 species and 24 genera. This family is made up of twine climbers with woody stems from shrubs, trees or vines. Properties include antiviral, anti infectious and libido enhancing.
Essential oils in this family: Jasminum gradiflorum (Jasmine)
Pinaceae: Made up of trees and shrubs. Properties include; rubefacient, diuretic and irritant. Useful for bladder, kidney or rheumatic infections as well as for diseases affecting the mucous membranes and/or respiratory complaints.
Essential oils in this family: Abies balsamea (American silver fir), Cedrus atlantica (Atlantic cederwood), Picea Mariana (Black spruce), Cedrus deodora (Himalayan Cedarwood), Pinus pinaster (Maritime Pine), Pinus sylestris (Scotch Pine), Abies siberica (Siberian Fir), Pinus palustris (Turpentine Pine), Abies alba (White Fir)
Piperaceae: Flowering pepper family, it has 3,650 species and 5 genera. Properties include; insecticidal, antispasmodic to the digestive tract, warming to the joints, overall tonic to the body.
Essential oils in this family: Piper nigrum (Black Pepper)
Rutaceae: 1,650 species and 161 genera. Best recognized as the citrus fruits. These oils tend to be phototoxic. Properties include; digestive and beneficial to the skin, antiseptic, antispasmodic, tonic, stimulating/emotionally uplifting, good for nervousness, insomnia and irritability.
Essential oils in this family; 1000 species. Properties include; soothing skin irritations, treatment for skin irruptions, soothing to the intestinal tract and bactericidal.
Essential oils in this family: Citrus bergamia (Bergamot), Citrus aurantium var. amara (Bitter orange), Citrus x paradisi (Grapefruit), Citrus reticulate (Mandarin), Citrus aurantium var. amara (Neroli), Citrus aurantium var. amara (Petigrain)
Umbelliferae: The plants in this group are aromatic plants with hollow stems. Properties include; regulation of estrogen, good for the digestive system, tonic for the lymphatic system, hepatic and liver cleansing and good for upset stomach, flatulence, spasms, menstrual cramps/irregular periods.
Essential oils in this family: Artemisia dracunculus (Tarragon), Pimpinella anisum (Aniseed), Petroselinum sativum (Parsley), Angelica archangelica (Angelica), Carum carvil (Caraway seed) Daucus carota (Carrot), Apium graveolens (Celery), Anthriscus cerefolium (Chervil), Cuminum cyminum (Cumin), Anethum graveolens (Dill), Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)
Zingiberaceae: Ginger family, 15,000 species with 32 genera. Properties include warming to the joints, tonic to the energy system and excellent for the digestive system.
Essential oils in this family: Elettaria caradamomum (Cardamom), Curcuma longa (Tumeric), Zingiber officinale (Ginger)
Please note that this is not a complete list, this is just the main information about what I learned and as it pertains to essential oils specifically. You can find complete lists online here or here.
Resources used: Rebecca Park Totilo (Aromahut level 1 textbook), other resources to consult for organic chemistry Essential oils safety by Tisserand and Young, Organic Chemistry by organic chemistry by John Mcmurry and Plant families a guide for gardeners and botanists by Batyon and Maughan. 