Family: Lauraceae
Extraction: distillation
Properties: antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal
Main active constituents: geraniol, linalool, terpeneol (alcohols), 1,8-cineole (ketone), eugenol (phenol), phellandrene, pinene (terpenes)

History and Tradition:
In herbal history this was the plant in which the victor’s crown of laurels was made - laurus ‘praise’, nobilis ‘noble’ and dedicated to Apollo, Greek god of music, light and healing. As such, many superstitions arose around the powers of bay. Apart from its symbolic and mythological significance, bay has been used for centuries for its medicinal, antiseptic properties. Whether to soothe coughs or calm the restless spirit; bay leaves were strewn on the floors of monasteries and hospitals and burned in a room once sickness had passed to remove traces of infectious microbes from the air. Bay was introduced to Britain from the Mediterranean in the 17th century together with its reputation ‘Neither witch nor devil, thunder nor lightning, will hurt a man in the place where a bay-tree is.’ Nicolas Culpeper, botanist 1616-1654.

Research and Studies:
Laurus nobilis was found to exhibit strong antibacterial activity against Salmonella, E-Coli, Listeria and Staphylococcus (Dadalioglu, 2004). In a 2006 laboratory study essential oils of Laurus nobilis was found to have antifungal effects (Soylu, 2006).

References:
Dadalioglu, I., Evrendile, G.A., 2004
Soylu, E.M. et al., 2006

Family: Styracaceae
Extraction: solvent extraction
Properties: anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, deodorising
Main active constituents: benzoic, cinnamic (acids), benzoic aldehyde, vanillin (aldehydes), benzyl benzoate (ester)

History and Tradition: 
Benzoin is a tropical tree native to Sumatra in Indonesia where the scented gum has been used for many hundreds of years in medicinal and cosmetic recipes. In ancient civilisations, benzoin was believed to drive away evil spirits and was often used in fumigations. Often referred to as the main ingredient of “Friar’s Balsam” it was used on skin to obtain brilliance and to treat cracked or inflamed skin. Traditionally, benzoin was used as an aid to respiratory problems and was much treasured for its rejuvenating, anti-stress properties. The name “benzoin” is probably derived from Arabic “Luban Jawi” or “Javan Frankincense”, which confirms benzoin has been increasingly traded for its valued properties since the Middle Ages, if not longer. Benzoin resin dissolved in alcohol is most often used in first aid for small injuries as it acts as an antiseptic and local anesthetic, whilst promoting healing.

Research and Studies: 
A study to analyse antioxidant activities of 25 commonly used essential oils has shown benzoin to contain +90.64% of DPPH free radical scavenging activity (Huang, 2011).

References: 
Haung, C.C. et al., 2011
Ref. CHIU-CHING HUANG, HSIAO-FEN WANG,
CHIA-HUI CHEN, YA-JU CHEN, and KUANG-HWAY YIH, A study of four antioxidant activities and major chemical component analyses of twenty-five commonly used essential oils, Department of Applied Cosmetology, Hungkuang University, Taiwan

Family: Rutaceae
Extraction: expression
Properties: antiseptic, antibacterial, antidepressant, deodorising
Main active constituents: linalool, nerol, terpeneol (alcohols), limonene (terpenes), linalyl acetate (ester), bergaptene (lactone), dipentene

History and Tradition:
The botanical and geographical origin of bergamot is still uncertain; it may be native of the Calabria region (Italy) or Antilles, Greece or the Canary Islands from where Christopher Columbus imported it. The name bergamot could also be derived from Berga, a Spanish city that later transported the trees to Calabria (Italy) where more than 90% of the world's bergamot production comes from. Italian folklore details its primary uses for fever, skin and respiratory infections as well as an aid for healing minor wounds.

Research and Studies:
The chemical composition of bergamot essential oils has been widely investigated due to its bioactive molecules and health benefits. A 2007 study found bergamot to have both antibacterial and antifungal activity against Campylobacter, E-Coli, Listeria and Staphylococcus (Karaca, 2007). Scientific studies looking at alleviating symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and chronic pain are supported both physiologically and psychologically (Bagetta., 2010).

References:
Bagetta, G. et al, 2010
Karaca M., Özbek H., Him A., Tütüncü M., Akkan H. A., Kaplanoğlu V. (2007). Investigation of anti-inflammatory activity of bergamot oil. Eur. J. Gen. Med. 4 176–179.
Citrus bergamia essential oil: from basic research to clinical application (2015)

Family: Lauraceae
Extraction: distillation
Properties: antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal
Main active constituents: geraniol, linalool, terpeneol (alcohols), 1,8-cineole (ketone), eugenol (phenol), phellandrene, pinene (terpenes)

History and Tradition:
In herbal history this was the plant in which the victor’s crown of laurels was made - laurus ‘praise’, nobilis ‘noble’ and dedicated to Apollo, Greek god of music, light and healing. As such, many superstitions arose around the powers of bay. Apart from its symbolic and mythological significance, bay has been used for centuries for its medicinal, antiseptic properties. Whether to soothe coughs or calm the restless spirit; bay leaves were strewn on the floors of monasteries and hospitals and burned in a room once sickness had passed to remove traces of infectious microbes from the air. Bay was introduced to Britain from the Mediterranean in the 17th century together with its reputation ‘Neither witch nor devil, thunder nor lightning, will hurt a man in the place where a bay-tree is.’ Nicolas Culpeper, botanist 1616-1654.

Research and Studies:
Laurus nobilis was found to exhibit strong antibacterial activity against Salmonella, E-Coli, Listeria and Staphylococcus (Dadalioglu, 2004). In a 2006 laboratory study essential oils of Laurus nobilis was found to have antifungal effects (Soylu, 2006).

References:
Dadalioglu, I., Evrendile, G.A., 2004
Soylu, E.M. et al., 2006

Family: Styracaceae
Extraction: solvent extraction
Properties: anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, deodorising
Main active constituents: benzoic, cinnamic (acids), benzoic aldehyde, vanillin (aldehydes), benzyl benzoate (ester)

History and Tradition: 
Benzoin is a tropical tree native to Sumatra in Indonesia where the scented gum has been used for many hundreds of years in medicinal and cosmetic recipes. In ancient civilisations, benzoin was believed to drive away evil spirits and was often used in fumigations. Often referred to as the main ingredient of “Friar’s Balsam” it was used on skin to obtain brilliance and to treat cracked or inflamed skin. Traditionally, benzoin was used as an aid to respiratory problems and was much treasured for its rejuvenating, anti-stress properties. The name “benzoin” is probably derived from Arabic “Luban Jawi” or “Javan Frankincense”, which confirms benzoin has been increasingly traded for its valued properties since the Middle Ages, if not longer. Benzoin resin dissolved in alcohol is most often used in first aid for small injuries as it acts as an antiseptic and local anesthetic, whilst promoting healing.

Research and Studies: 
A study to analyse antioxidant activities of 25 commonly used essential oils has shown benzoin to contain +90.64% of DPPH free radical scavenging activity (Huang, 2011).

References: 
Haung, C.C. et al., 2011
Ref. CHIU-CHING HUANG, HSIAO-FEN WANG,
CHIA-HUI CHEN, YA-JU CHEN, and KUANG-HWAY YIH, A study of four antioxidant activities and major chemical component analyses of twenty-five commonly used essential oils, Department of Applied Cosmetology, Hungkuang University, Taiwan

Family: Rutaceae
Extraction: expression
Properties: antiseptic, antibacterial, antidepressant, deodorising
Main active constituents: linalool, nerol, terpeneol (alcohols), limonene (terpenes), linalyl acetate (ester), bergaptene (lactone), dipentene

History and Tradition:
The botanical and geographical origin of bergamot is still uncertain; it may be native of the Calabria region (Italy) or Antilles, Greece or the Canary Islands from where Christopher Columbus imported it. The name bergamot could also be derived from Berga, a Spanish city that later transported the trees to Calabria (Italy) where more than 90% of the world's bergamot production comes from. Italian folklore details its primary uses for fever, skin and respiratory infections as well as an aid for healing minor wounds.

Research and Studies:
The chemical composition of bergamot essential oils has been widely investigated due to its bioactive molecules and health benefits. A 2007 study found bergamot to have both antibacterial and antifungal activity against Campylobacter, E-Coli, Listeria and Staphylococcus (Karaca, 2007). Scientific studies looking at alleviating symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and chronic pain are supported both physiologically and psychologically (Bagetta., 2010).

References:
Bagetta, G. et al, 2010
Karaca M., Özbek H., Him A., Tütüncü M., Akkan H. A., Kaplanoğlu V. (2007). Investigation of anti-inflammatory activity of bergamot oil. Eur. J. Gen. Med. 4 176–179.
Citrus bergamia essential oil: from basic research to clinical application (2015)