Linalyl acetate is an ester found in bergamot, clary sage, lavender, and petitgrain.
Esters are formed from the combination of acids and alcohols.
Links to Plants Containing Linalyl acetate
Research
The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.
PAIN REDUCTION / ANAESTHETIC
- Essential oil of bergamot has anti-nociceptive and anti-allodynic effects that could be used to treat chronic pain. Linalool and linalyl acetate are key constituents. From: Rombolà, L., Amantea, D., Russo, R., Adornetto, A., Berliocchi, L., Tridico, L., … & Morrone, L. A. (2016). Rational Basis for the Use of Bergamot Essential Oil in Complementary Medicine to Treat Chronic Pain. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry, 16(9), 721-728.
- Essential oil of L. angustifolia, linalyl acetate and linalol had a local anaesthetic effect in rats. From: Ghelardini, C., Galeotti, N., Salvatore, G., & Mazzanti, G. (1999). Local anaesthetic activity of the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia. Planta medica, 65(08), 700-703.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
- Linalool and linalyl acetate were anti-inflammatory in rats. From: Peana, A. T., D’Aquila, P. S., Panin, F., Serra, G., Pippia, P., & Moretti, M. D. L. (2002). Anti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oils. Phytomedicine, 9(8), 721-726.
ANTI-CANCER
- Citrus bergamia and a combined action of its monoterpenes limonene and linalyl acetate aided in cancer cell death induced by cytotoxicity. From: Russo, R., Ciociaro, A., Berliocchi, L., Cassiano, M. G. V., Rombolà, L., Ragusa, S., … & Corasaniti, M. T. (2013). Implication of limonene and linalyl acetate in cytotoxicity induced by bergamot essential oil in human neuroblastoma cells. Fitoterapia, 89, 48-57. Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2013.05.014
ANTIMICROBIAL / ANTIFUNGAL / ANTIBACTERIAL
- Citrus aurantium (bergamot), C. limon (lemon), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile), Mentha piperita (peppermint), M. spicata (spearmint), Ocimum basilicum (basil), Origanum vulgare(oregano), Thymus vulgaris (thyme), and Salvia officinalis (sage) along with their constituents were tested against human pathogenic bacteria. The highest and broadest activity was shown by O. vulgare oil and carvacrol had the highest antibacterial activity among the tested constituents. Other significant constituents included: camphor, 1,8-cineole, linalool, linalyl acetate, limonene, menthol, a-pinene, b-pinene, and thymol. From: Soković, M., Glamočlija, J., Marin, P. D., Brkić, D., & van Griensven, L. J. (2010). Antibacterial effects of the essential oils of commonly consumed medicinal herbs using an in vitro model. Molecules, 15(11), 7532-7546. Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules15117532
- Linalyl acetate and linalool of Salvia sclarea was antifungal in vitro against three soil-borne pathogens. From: Pitarokili, D., Couladis, M., Petsikos-Panayotarou, N., & Tzakou, O. (2002). Composition and antifungal activity on soil-borne pathogens of the essential oil of Salvia sclarea from Greece. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 50(23), 6688-6691.
ANXIOLITIC
- Linalyl acetate works synergistically with linalool as an inhaled anti-anxiety treatment. From: Takahashi, M., Satou, T., Ohashi, M., Hayashi, S., Sadamoto, K., & Koike, K. (2011). Interspecies comparison of chemical composition and anxiolytic-like effects of lavender oils upon inhalation. Natural product communications, 6(11), 1769-1774.
- In a small study with 13 pregnant women in their 28th week of pregnancy, anxiety and anger were reduced, and parasympathetic measurements increased after 5 minutes of aromatherapy inhalation (compared to the control group). Participants chose from three essential oils high in linalool and linalyl acetate: lavender, petitgrain, or bergamot. From: Igarashi, T. (2013). Physical and psychologic effects of aromatherapy inhalation on pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(10), 805-810.
By: Kathy Sadowski
Updated: 6/18/19
