Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol used in a wide variety of cosmetic formulations as a fragrance component, preservative, solvent, and viscosity-decreasing agent. FDA agency approved benzyl alcohol for the treatment of head lice. The drug acts on head lice by inhibiting them from closing their respiratory spiracles, allowing the vehicle to obstruct the spiracles and causing the lice to asphyxiate.

Sclareol isolated from Salvia officinalis is widely used as a fragrance material. Sclareol is known to exert various biological activities. Sclareol possesses high lipophilicity, that precluded the evaluation of its anticancer effect in vivo. To overcome high toxicity and high lipophilicity of clareol, it was incorporated in liposomes. It demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity against human leukemic cell lines, but no cytotoxicity towards normal cells at concentration as high as 100 uM. Thus, sclareol possesses chemotherapeutic potential for the treatment of colorectal and other types of human cancer. Also was found, that sclareol-containing cream improved wrinkles in a clinical trial. It alleviates facial wrinkle formation via an antiphotoaging mechanism and may be an effective candidate ingredient. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of sclareol might be related to a decrease of inflammatory cytokines and an increase of antioxidant enzyme activity.

Geraniol is a dietary monoterpene alcohol that is found in the essential oils of aromatic plants. To date, experimental evidence supports the therapeutic or preventive effects of geraniol on different types of cancer, such as breast, lung, colon, prostate, pancreatic, and hepatic cancer, and has revealed the mechanistic basis for its pharmacological actions. In addition, geraniol sensitizes tumor cells to commonly used chemotherapy agents. Geraniol controls a variety of signaling molecules and pathways that represent tumor hallmarks; these actions of geraniol constrain the ability of tumor cells to acquire adaptive resistance against anticancer drugs. It has been shown that geraniol inhibits HMG-CoA reductase in most types of tumor cells, which raises the possibility that the reduced prenylation of small G-proteins, such as Ras or RhoA, accounts for the antitumor effects of geraniol. In addition to its use in various commercial products, including cosmetics and fine fragrances, geraniol exerts a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-ulcer and neuroprotective activities. Geraniol is classified into the generally recognized-as-safe (GRAS) category by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States.

Cinnamaldehyde is one of the active compounds found in cinnamon. It was reported that cinnamaldehyde has anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatiry activity. Cinnamon is a common prescription compound in traditional Chinese medicine and it is used as a dietary supplement all over the world. Cinnamon dietary supplement Cinnamonforce (min. 35% cinnamaldehyde) was tested in phase II clinical trials and demonstrated therapeutic activity in patients with type 2 diabetes. The mechanism of cinnamaldehyde possibly involves the activation of PPAR gamma/delta receptors. Cinnamaldehyde is partially metabolized into cinnamic acid in the stomach and small intestine, and is almost completely metabolized into cinnamic acid in the liver. Cinnamic acid is believed to be the active metabolite, which is responsible for anti-diabetic properties of cinnamaldehyde.

Eugenol is sometimes called clove oil because it is the active element in cloves. It causes the aromatic smell typical of cloves and because of this property is often found in perfumes. Eugenol’s properties make it a good local antiseptic and analgesic. It is used in dentist offices to make zinc-oxide eugenol paste for temporary fillings. Eugenol also demonstrates antifungal and antimicrobial activity, showing efficacy against Candida albicans biofilms, Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli. Eugenol is further described to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and to scavenge ROS, thus demonstrating prooxidant and antioxidant effects. Also, Eugenol is used as a pesticide.

Anethole is a flavoring agent in foods and beverages; in perfumery, particularly for soap and dentifrices. The more abundant isomer, and the one preferred for use, is the trans- or E isomer. It is distinctly sweet, measuring 13 times sweeter than sugar. Anethole has potent antimicrobial properties, against bacteria, yeast, and fungi. Anethole also has nematicidal activity and is a promising insecticide. Several essential oils consisting mostly of anethole have insecticidal action. Anethole has estrogenic activity. It is slightly toxic and may act as an irritant in large quantities.

Vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde), a pleasant smelling organic aromatic compound, is widely used as a flavoring additive in food, beverage, cosmetic and drug industries. It is reported to cross the blood brain barrier and also displayed antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. Vanillin is a natural substance widely found in many plant species and often used in beverages, foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. Antioxidant and anticancer potential have been described for this compound. Vanillin has been classified as a bioantimutagen and is able to inhibit mutagenesis induced by chemical and physical mutagens in various cell systems. Vanillin, a selective agonist of TRPV1, has been shown to attenuate i.c.v. STZ and AlCl3+d-galactose induced experimental Alzheime's disease (AD).

Coumarin itself was first isolated from the tonka bean Coumarouna odorata. Coumarin and its derivatives are alpha-benzopyrones. Coumarin is metabolized in humans to 7-hydroxycoumarin. Coumarin is a secondary phytochemical with hepatotoxic and carcinogenic properties. For the carcinogenic effect, a genotoxic mechanism was considered possible. Coumarins have a significant effect on physiological, bacteriostatic and anti-tumor activity. Coumarins have potent edema protective function and thus involved in the treatment of lymphedema, elephantiasis and other high protein edema conditions. Coumarin has appetite-suppressing properties.