One of our best known chemical families, monoterpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons with 10 carbon atoms and at least one double bond. The amount of hydrogen atoms in a monoterpene varies depending on the number of double bonds the structure contains.

Monoterpenes are known to be some of the most volatile compounds. Due to their small molecular size, they have excellent volatility and often contribute to the top note of the essential oil’s aroma as well as to your essential oil blend.

Many monoterpenes oxidise readily and may be irritating or sensitising to the skin and mucous membranes.

Typically, many essential oils that are high in monoterpenes are chosen for their tonifying, decongestant, analgesic and rubefacient properties. For example, their decongestant activity has been known to be used for respiratory congestion and oedema.

Common monoterpene compounds include: limonene, alpha-pinene and camphene.

Examples of Monoterpene rich essential oils include:

Sweet orange –94% limonene

Scotch pine – 45% a-pinene & 32% b-pinene

Rosemary ct verbenone – 10% camphene

Black Spruce – 17.9% camphene

MONOTERPENE RICH ESSENTIAL OILS

KUNZEA | Kunzea ambigua

Kunzea is an Australian essential oil noted for its germ-busting abilities. We love it in blends that help support minor aches and pains, to help calm and give lung support for healthy breathing and it is brilliant to dab on that unexpected insect bite.

The antispasmodic function of Kunzea tends to be the main reason I reach for it when blending especially when working with sports injuries.

Kunzea has a fresh, camphoraceous aroma! Try combining with Sandalwood for longer lasting support in bruising and painful situations. This wonderful oil helps support healthy skin. Kunzea is also said to encourage healthy upper respiratory function and help to discharge excess phlegm and mucus from the lungs and upper airways.

Emotionally, this oil builds confidence and strength. It uplifts our mood and has the potential to help releases deep emotional pain. Try adding a drop of peppermint with kunzea to help with an aching head.

Kunzea essential oil has 37.5% a-pinene

WHITE SPRUCE | Picea glauca

White spruce contains 63% monoterpenes of which 10.17% is camphene. It is known for the following therapeutic properties:

analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, decongestant, expectorant and mucolytic. It is said to easerespiratory ailments and helpthe respiratory tract, breaking up mucus, clearing blocked sinuses and easing congestion. It can also be used to reduce pain and be beneficial for muscle and joint issues such as rheumatism and arthritis. It may even be beneficial for congested skin. Emotionally, white spruce relaxes and restores. This essential oil is uplifting and calming, especially during stressful times.

This oil is empowering, ravishingly revitalizing, and grounding.

Just a note: due to the presence of camphor in this oil, we recommend avoiding its use with pregnant women, children and people suffering with epilepsy.

YARROW | Achillea millefolium

Deep blue in colour, Yarrow is a skin savior. Yarrow is my go-to essential oil for damaged or severely irritated skin as well as when treating inflamed muscles. I have a long list of therapeutic properties for this oil - ranging from cooling, helping to reduce swelling and muscle spasms to relieving towards hot flashes.

Yarrow is also known for the following qualities, analgesic, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, decongestant, digestive aid, diuretic and of course: skin healing. It has been used to help reduce allergies as well as to reduce the pain of headaches, nerve pain and menstrual pain. Emotionally, yarrow is said help relieve emotional trauma and is often used to help release repressed anger and productively deal with rage.

There is up to 23.7% Sabinene in yarrow essential oil. Yarrow can contain up to 50% monoterpenes.

ELEMI | Canarium luzonicum

Elemi Oil-a relative of Frankincense and Myrrh-has been cherished for centuries for its ability to rejuvenate and restore healthy skin. This oil is steam distilled from the resin of the elemi tree, which is native to the Philippines.

It has a pleasant, tangy-sweet aroma with musky undertones. In addition to supporting young-looking skin, Elemi Oil has wonderful aromatherapy applications and is known to be grounding and balancing, thus making it useful oil for meditation. Elemi Oil can also help soothe overexerted muscles after exercising or a long, stressful day. Elemi oil can be used to reduce mucus, and healthy respiratory concerns. It is effective for chest infections. This oil also can be used for reducing scars, and support healthy tissue regrowth. This oil assists in fighting germs, and may inhibit the growth of viruses.

d-limonene is at 48% in Elemi.

POST WORKOUT RUB BLEND | MONOTERPENES

a-PINENE

a-pinene is typically used for one or a combination of its therapeutic properties, namely: anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, antiviral, rubefacient and decongestant. It is a monoterpene that is in many essential oils especially the conifers such as the pines, firs, spruces, larches, junipers and cypress but also found in many other oils such as rosemary and cajeput.

CAMPHENE

Camphene is a common monoterpene found typically above 10% in many essential oils including white fir, black spruce, hemlock and Engelman spruce. There is 10.17% camphene in white spruce. Camphene is noted for its antioxidant and mucolytic properties.

d-LIMONENE

d-limonene is a monoterpene that is widely found in essential oils. Typically found as a main component in all the expressed citrus oils, d-limonene is also found in oils such as elemi, spearmint and caraway, limonene common known for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties. This component is particularly useful when needing to relieve respiratory congestion as well as for digestive discomfort.

SABINENE

Sabinene is known to be antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,antimicrobial, antiviral, expectorant and a good airborne antiseptic.It may also be useful for reducing swelling.

Sabinene is present in over 20% in black pepper, juniper, nutmeg, yarrow and plai to name a few essential oils. It is also present in bay laurel, ravintsara and saro. Being a constituent of the black pepper, sabinene is said to be the reason behind the hotness and spicy element of this oil.

It is said to be the component in carrot seed essential oil, which contributes to the green, earthy, carrot top flavor of the oil.

JET LAG PULSE BLEND | MONOTERPENES

MONOTERPENE RICH ESSENTIAL OILS

​POST WORKOUT RUB BLEND | MONOTERPENES

JET LAG PULSE BLEND | MONOTERPENES

POST WORKOUT RUB BLEND | MONOTERPENES