After a Pharmacy degree in 1993 at the University of Montpellier, I graduated a Ph.D. in Pharmacognosy in 1998, at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (French Ministry of Higher Education and Research grant). Then, I have been recruited at the University of Bourgogne as associate professor in Pharmacognosy in 1999, and full professor in 2009. I have been at the head of the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy since 2018. The main topics of my research are phytochemistry, chemistry of natural compounds, glycosides, chromatography, structural analysis, 2D-NMR, structure/activity relationships. I am a member of the Center for Taste and Feeding Behavior (CSGA), CNRS, INRAE, Agro Institute, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France.

Essential oils : Chemical composition and therapeutic uses

The essential oils are highly valued by the public and are used in family medication, as cosmetics or hygiene products. However, they contain molecules known for their therapeutic or toxic activity depending on the dose. In this talk, the importance of the quality of these oils, depending on the raw material, their chemical composition, mostly mono- and sesquiterpenes, the notion of chemotaxonomy, and their extraction, will be discussed. When all these aspects of aromatherapy are taken into account, then, the therapeutic or cosmetic uses of these natural products can be done safely. Some examples of pharmaceutical and hospital aromatic protocols will be presented, using essential oils and the corresponding hydrolates too.