The central nervous system is protected by a barrier or more accurately, a filter.  This filter allows only molecules of a certain size to pass through and prohibits the passage of larger molecules.  The size of the molecules allowed to cross through into the central nervous system appears to be very small, less than 800-1000 atomic mass units (amu).  Lipid or fat solubility appears to be another factor which accounts for the ability of certain molecules to make it across this barrier.

Essential oils are comprised of very small molecules which are fat soluble.  This basic chemical fact makes them aromatic as well.  In order to be detected as an scent, a molecule has to be able to become airborne, enter our nose, and be detected by the brain as a specific aroma.  

Being small and fat soluble also allows them to pass very quickly into the central nervous system, bringing their unique healing and ability to address disease to the entire body.

These tiny structured molecules are very concentrated in essential oils.  Dr. David Stewart in an article entitled The Blood-Brain Barrier and Essential Oils states: “One drop (of essential oil) contains approximately 40 million-trillion molecules.”  With approximately 100 trillion cells in each of us, that allows one drop of essential oil to provide every cell with about 40,000 molecules worth of healing!

A little about the chemistry of what these molecules are made of:

Phenylpropanoids: A phenylpropanoid is a compound of carbon-ring molecules with just one isoprene unit.  They create an unfriendly atmosphere for viruses and bacteria.  They also clean the receptor sites on the cells.  Without these receptor sites working well, the cells cannot communicate with each other and the body systems decay, resulting in sickness.

According to Dr. Steward, oils high in phenylpropanoids include clove (90%), cassia ((80%), cinnamon (73%), oregano (60%), anise (50%), and peppermint (25%).

Monoterpenes: A monoterpene is comprised of two isoprene units.  Scientists estimate that there are over 2,000 varieties of monoterpenes.  The most important function of a monoterpene in the body is to help reprogram the miswritten information in the cellular memory.  Dr. Steward states, “With improper coding in the DNA, cells malfunction and diseases result, including lethal ones such as cancer.”

Oils which offer a high monoterpene count include galbanum (80%), angelica (73%), hyssop (70%) and frankincense (40%).

Sesquiterpenes: Sesquiterpenes are compounds with three isoprene units.  There are estimated to be over 10.000 kinds of sesquiterpenes contained in essential oils.  These specialized molecules deliver oxygen to the cells.  They can also help reprogram the DNA codes which have been miswritten for whatever reason.  Dr. Stewart writes, “Sesquiterpenes are thought to be especially effective in fighting cancer because the root problem with a cancer cell is that it contains misinformation and sesquiterpenes can erase that garbled information.”

Oils high in sesquiterpenes include cedarwood (98%), vetiver (97%), spikenard (93%), sandalwood (90%), black pepper (74%), patchouli (71%), myrrh (62%) and ginger (59%).

It is the combination of using oils that contain all three of these molecules which can deliver a mighty, three-way punch.  First, the monoterpenes clean the cell’s receptor sites.  This allows things like hormones and neurotransmitters to work more appropriately. Second, you right the wrong information by working on the cellular memory stored in the DNA.  And thirdly, you go back to the cells and reprogram them with the correct information to function properly, bringing each cell and subsequently the whole body back to a more balanced state of health.