Do you know…… Scientific system of nomenclature is a system of unique name, used by scientists to identify an organism and plant based on their common traits and their origin. It consists of Genus (a generic epithet ), followed by species (a specific epithet). Unlike common names, these scientific names are important, because they allow people, scientists, researchers throughout the world to communicate ambiguously about animals and plants and usually come from Latin or Greek. For example, the scientific name of, narrow leaf firethorn is Pyracantha (Greek for fire) angustifolia (Latin for narrow leaves).
Swedish botanist, Carl Linne (Linnaeus, 1707-1778), devised Binomial System (two name naming system) of precise identification of plants called Taxonomy, which is used internationally. The Binomial name consists of a Genus, which is always written first and capitalized and followed by a species which is in lower case and the entire name is italicized. Here are the levels of highest to lowest classification as follows:
Kingdom
Division
Class
Order
Suborder
Family
Genus
Species
In Aromatherapy, which is the science and art of using natural, volatile essence of different parts of plants, called Essential Oils, extracted usually by Steam Distillation. Each Essential Oil possess different chemical component giving it different therapeutic properties that is utilized to harmonize our physical and mental well-being. There still, remains much to be discovered through research and experience. Since, Essential Oils are derived from the plant kingdom, it’s important to identify them by their scientific names for their proper therapeutic properties. In Aromatherapy, generally Family, Genus, and Species is used, eg;
Lavender (true English or French Lavender) – Lavandula angustifolia
Variety (var), is used for subdivision of species for the variant of horticultural origin or importance, eg; Bitter orange
Citrus aurantium var amara
Chemotype (ct), is visually identical plants from a single species, but produce essential oils with different chemical components giving it different therapeutic properties, eg; Thyme
Thymus vulgaris ct. linalol
Thymus vulgaris ct. thymol
Some more examples of Scientific names of Essential Oils:
Lavender (true English or French Lavender) – Lavandula angustifolia
Lavender, Spike – Lavendula latifolia
Lavandin – Lavendula x intermedia (hybrid between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia)
Tea Tree– Melaleuca alternifolia
Rosalina– Melaleuca ericifolia
Cajeput – Melaleuca leucendendra
Melaleuca Quinquenervia (Niaouli) – Melaleuca quinguenervia
Neroli (Bitter Orange, orange blossom) – Citrus aurantium
Sweet Orange (Orange peel) – Citrus sinensis
Orange leaf (Petitgrain) – Citrus aurantium
Tangerine rind – Citrus reticulata
Thymus vulgaris ct. linalol
Thymus vulgaris ct. thymol
Thymus vulgaris ct. geraniol
Essential Oils are very potent, concentrated extract, therefore it’s important to gain full understanding of these oils for their best effective use as a complimentary, holistic Aromatherapy with conventional medicine.
Om Healing………..Uma
(Founder of AromaWellness)
visit aromawellness.net, to order
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