132 Report of Schimmel § Co. April/ October 1917. 



likewise in an irritation, combined with disinfecting and deodorizing power; at the 

 same time the cough is alleviated. Anselmino thinks, the root of the burnet-saxifrage '), 

 used as a popular remedy against cough and hoarseness, may. owe its efficacity tp 

 its content of essential oil. 



If essential oils get into the stomach (peppermint lozenges, aromatic liqueurs), 

 the irritation caused by them is noticed as a sensation of heat or slight burning, a 

 further consequence being an acceleration of the digestion and of the discharge of 

 the stomach (aperitif). 



The best-known action of essential oils on the intestines is that of removing flatu- 

 lence, caraway, fennel and anise being specially used for the purpose. Anselmino 

 explains this action by the irritation of the intestines hastening their discharge. 



It has not been stated with certainty in what form the oils absorbed by the body 

 are eliminated. They often appear in the urine as unknown compounds, but also 

 unaltered. On their way through the kidneys, they irritate these too, inciting them to 

 increased activity; they act as diuretics and may, in larger quantities, cause inflammation 

 of the kidneys. In any case, it is necessary to watch the kidneys carefully in all 

 treatments with essential oils. 



Well-known diuretics are juniper berries (gin), lovage and angelica, furthermore 

 parsley (apiole), the anethol-containing seeds of anise and fennel, and sassafras wood 

 (safrole). Asarone, occurring in the oils of Asarum europwum, calamus and matico, 

 is likewise supposed to be a diuretic. 



Sandalwood and copaiba oils too act as diuretics. Their antigonorrhceal action, 

 which matico oil has as well, will, however, be due to the fact that they make the urine 

 antiseptic, thus preventing the gonococci from growing. 



Whether essential oils are examined in order to determine if those which have 

 in common one peculiar component have the same properties, or, the other way round, 

 if such as are used with the same aim have on the whole the same, or at least a 

 similar, composition, the scanty result will be somewhat disappointing. 



The antigonorrhceal remedies, e.g., (excepting perhaps matico oil) contain cadinene 

 as a common component, it is true, but it is surely not the effective one in sandalwood 

 oil, with its about 90 per cent, of santalol, and most likely not the only effective one 

 in the oils of copaiba and cubebs. It would be very natural to try cadinene, which 

 can comparatively easily be obtained in a pure state, as a remedy against gonorrhoea. 



The modern medical books indicate the following spheres of use for essential oils: — 



For improving taste and smell: oils of bitter almonds, orange flowers, orange peels, 

 bergamot, lemon, lavender, melissa, rose, peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, fennel, 

 aniseed and sassafras. 



For embrocations: oils of arnica 2 ), calamus, mace, rue, juniper, savin, rosemary, 

 thyme, wild thyme, mustard, amber, sweet birch and gaultheria (wintergreen). 



Against toothache: oils of cloves, cajuput, cinnamon, amber, chamomile and Roman 

 chamomile. 



To aid digestion: oils of wormwood, chamomile, Roman chamomile, dill, caraway, 

 coriander, aniseed, fennel, calamus, cloves, cinnamon, cajuput, peppermint, spearmint 

 and sage. 



To remove flatulence: oils of chamomile, Roman chamomile, aniseed, star- anise, 

 caraway, fennel, mace, calamus and juniper. 



x ) We know next to nothing about the properties and constitution of the oil of the burnet-saxifrage roots. 

 2 ) Arnica flowers contain about 0.55 percent, of oil. 



