A Study on the Classification of Essential Oils Based on the Physicochemical Properties of Chemical Constituents: Focused on Relative Density, Molecular Weight, Solubility, Flash Point

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide a method for classifying essential oils based on the physicochemical properties and the composition ratios of essential oils components as a basic study for selecting essential oils that are suitable for individual body constitution and symptoms of disease. Twenty nine essential oils, of the main essential oils used in aromatherapy, with complete data values of 4 physicochemical properties (molecular weight, solubility, flash point, and relative density) were selected to conduct a cluster analysis. As a result, 29 essential oils were classified into 4 clusters. Cluster 1 was found to have the highest molecular weight, solubility and flash point and the second highest density compared to other clusters. Cluster 2 was found to be higher than average in terms of molecular weight, solubility, flash point with the highest density. Cluster 3 showed higher molecular weight and flash point than the average, whereas solubility and density are lower than the average. Cluster 4 showed the lowest molecular weight, solubility, flash point, and density. It was found that the results of the classification based on the physicochemical properties of chemical constituents were not fully consistent with the results of the existing classification methods of essential oil. Through the result of this study, further study regarding the classification is required to be conducted in the future and will become a basic research that could help to select individual customized essential oils with the new perspective of essential oil classification using the physicochemical properties. I. 서 론 건강하고 행복하게 장수하는 것은 대부분 현대인의 꿈일 것 이다. 가급적 질병이 없이 살아가는 것도 중요하지만 질병에 걸리지 않고 질병을 치료한 후에 빠르게 회복하여 건강한 상태 를 유지하는 것 또한 중요하다. 질병 치료와 회복은 전문적인 의료 및 간호 서비스를 통하고 질병 예방은 식습관 개선, 운동 등을 통한 건강관리를 통하는 것이 일반적이다. 아로마테라피는 에센셜 오일의 치유적인 효능을 이용한 비 약물적이며 비침습적인 중재방법으로 질병 예방, 치유, 회복의 전 단계에 걸쳐서 광범위하게 쓰이고 있는 보완대체요법의 일 종이다(Heo et al., 2018). 개인의 병증 및 체질에 따라서 적합한 음식과 건강관리법이 다양하듯이 에센셜 오일의 효능 또한 개 인의 체질에 따라서 다르게 나타난다(Heo et al.