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An essential oil, is a concentrated, hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aromatic compounds extracted from plants. It may be produced by distillation, expression, or solvent extraction. Essential oils are used in perfumery, aromatherapy, cosmetics, incense, medicine, household cleaning products, and for flavoring food and drink. They are valuable commodities in the fragrance and food industries. In chemistry, hydrophobic or lipophilic species, or hydrophobes, tend to be electrically neutral and nonpolar, and thus prefer other neutral and nonpolar solvents or molecular environments. ...
Distillation is a means of separating liquids through differences in their boiling points. ...
Expression may refer to: (in the vernacular) the act or particular way of expressing something (including an emotion through a facial expression or configuration) (in mathematics) a mathematical expression (in computing) a programming language expression (in computing) a vector graphics software Microsoft Expression (in genetics) the effect produced by a...
In chemistry, liquid-liquid extraction is a useful method to separate components (compounds) of a mixture. ...
For the book Perfume by Patrick Süskind, see Perfume (book). ...
Aromatherapy, commonly associated with complementary and alternative medicine, is the use of essential oils and other aromatic compounds from plants to affect someones mood or health. ...
Cosmetic refers to beauty or appearance. ...
Incense is a preparation of aromatic plant matter, often with the addition of essential oils extracted from plant or animal sources, intended to release fragrant smoke for religious, therapeutic, or simply aesthetic purposes as it smolders. ...
Medicine on the Web NLM (National Library of Medicine, contains resources for patients and healthcare professionals) Virtual Hospital (digital health sciences library by the University of Iowa) Online Medical Dictionary Collection of links to free medical resources Categories: Medicine | Health ...
Flavouring (or flavoring) is a product which is added to food in order to change or augment its taste. ...
Essential oil is also known as volatile oil and ethereal oil. It may also be referred to as "oil of" the raw plant material from which it was extracted. For example, oil of clove.
Production Prior to the discovery of distillation, essential oils were extracted by pressing, and this is still the case in cultures such as Egypt. Traditional Egyptian practice involves pressing the flower and then burying it in unglazed ceramic vessels in the desert for a period of months to drive out water. The Lotus oil retaining its scent after 3000 years in alabaster vessels in Tutankhamun's tomb was pressed in this manner. Strathisla whisky distillery in Keith, Scotland Distillation is a means of separating liquids through differences in their boiling points. ...
Genera Barclaya Wall. ...
Alabaster (sometimes called satin spar) is a name applied to varieties of two distinct minerals: gypsum (a hydrous sulfate of calcium) and the calcite (a carbonate of calcium). ...
Tutankhamuns funeral mask. ...
Today, most common essential oils, such as lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, are distilled. Raw plant material, consisting of the (flowers, leaves, wood, bark, roots, seeds, or peel, is put in an alembic over water, and the volatile compounds are vaporized. The vapor flows into a cooling tank, and as the steam condenses, the essential oil, which is lighter than water, floats on top. The water is referred to as a hydrosol, or plant water essence. Popular hydrosols are rose water, lavender water, and orange blossom water. Most oils are distilled in a single process. One exception is ylang-ylang, which takes 22 hours to complete distillation. It is fractionally distilled, producing several grades. Wildflowers A flower is the reproductive organ of those plants classified as angiosperms (flowering plants; Division Magnoliophyta). ...
In the armed forces, leave is permission to be away from ones unit for a period of time. ...
A tree trunk as found at the Veluwe, The Netherlands Wood is an organic material found as the primary content of the stems of woody plants, especially trees, but also shrubs. ...
BARK (Bin r Automatisk Rel Kalkylator) was completed in February 1950 at a cost of 400. ...
Primary and secondary roots in a cotton plant In vascular plants, the root is that organ of a plant body that typically lies below the surface of the soil (compare with stem). ...
A seed is the ripened ovule of gymnosperm or angiosperm plants. ...
Peel has more than one possible meaning: Peel is a synonym for skin, especially with fruits. ...
An alembic is an alchemical still consisting of two retorts connected by a tube. ...
Water (from the Old English word wæter; c. ...
Binomial nomenclature Cananga odorata Ylang-ylang is the flower of the cananga tree. ...
Fractional distillation is the separation of a mixture of compounds by their boiling point, by heating to high enough temperatures. ...
Citrus peel oils are usually expressed mechanically, or cold-pressed. These oils are usually by-products of the citrus industry, and thus are much cheaper to produce than distilled oils. A by-product is a secondary or incidental product deriving from a manufacturing process or chemical reaction, and is not the primary product or service being produced. ...
Some flowers contain very little oil, or are too delicate to be distilled, and thus a solvent such as hexane can be used to extract a concrete, or mixture of essential oil and other soluble plant material. The solvent is removed by distillation for re-use. Then alcohol is used to extract the essential oil from the concrete. Since the waxy covering of a jasmine petal is not alcohol soluble, it separates. The alcohol is removed by a second distillation, leaving behind the absolute. Hence, some essential oils such as jasmine and rose are called absolutes. A solvent is a liquid that dissolves a solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution. ...
Hexane is an alkane hydrocarbon with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)4CH3. ...
In supercritical fluid extraction, high pressure carbon dioxide gas is used as a solvent. This avoids the concern of petrochemical residues in the extracted product. Enfleurage is a process that uses odorless fats that are solid at room temperature to capture the fragrant compounds exuded by plants. ...
Carbon dioxide is an atmospheric gas composed of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. ...
A petrochemical is any chemical derived from fossil fuel. ...
Perfumery Many essential oils are used in perfumery. The most well-known essential oil in perfumery is Rose, or Rose absolute. Most production is harvested in Bulgaria and Morocco. Recently, China has begun cultivating Rose oil as well. It takes many pounds of rose petals to distill one ounce of essential oil. To mitigate the cost, Rose oil is often diluted with Geranium essential oil, at varying ratios of up to one drop of Rose to ten drops of Geranium. This is referred to as extending the Rose fragrance. Since Rose and Geranium are complementary, the extending process does not dilute the Rose fragrance dramatically. Species About 100, see text A rose is a flowering shrub of the genus Rosa and the flower of this shrub. ...
This article is about gathering crops. ...
Officially the pound is the name for at least three different units of mass: The pound (avoirdupois). ...
A petal is one member or part of the corolla of a flower. ...
This page refers to concentration in the chemical sense. ...
Geranium can be: The genus Geranium of flowering plants, usually called the cranesbills Any of the garden plants called geraniums, which are members of the related genus Pelargonium. ...
A ratio is seperated by colon (:). It is a set of numbers. ...
Aromatherapy Aromatherapy is a form of herbal medicine, in which healing effects are ascribed to the aromatic compounds in essential oils and other plant extracts. Many common essential oils have medicinal properties that have been applied in folk medicine since ancient times and are still widely used today. For example, most essential oils have antiseptic properties, though some are stronger than others. In addition, many have an uplifting effect on the mind, though different essential oils have different properties. Aromatherapy, commonly associated with complementary and alternative medicine, is the use of essential oils and other aromatic compounds from plants to affect someones mood or health. ...
The term Herbalism refers to folk and traditional medicinal practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. ...
Folk medicine is the collection of procedures traditionally used for treatment of illness and injury, aid to childbirth, and maintenance of wellness. ...
Pure, undiluted essential oils suitable for aromatherapy are termed therapeutic grade. Since essential oils are so potent, many can irritate the skin unless diluted with a carrier oil. Sweet almond oil, olive oil, hazelnut, and rosehip seed are examples of carrier oils. A home test to determine whether an oil is therapeutic grade is to place a drop on a coffee filter. Since the oil is a volatile substance, the oil will dissipate without leaving an oily residue on the paper. Aromatherapy, commonly associated with complementary and alternative medicine, is the use of essential oils and other aromatic compounds from plants to affect someones mood or health. ...
Therapeutic grade is not a sole determination of quality. For example, Indian Sandalwood is considered more desirable than Australian Sandalwood, based upon the aroma; and is twice as costly, as Indian Sandalwood is endangered. The growing trend toward organic and wild harvested essential oils also affects the price and the quality.
Popular oils - Basil is used in perfumery for its clear, sweet and mildly spicy aroma. In aromatherapy, it is used for sharpening concentration, its uplifting effect on depression, and to relieve headaches and migraines. Basil is an emmenagogue and should be avoided in pregnancy.
- Bergamot is one of the most popular oils in perfumery. It is an excellent insect repellent and may be helpful for both the urinary tract and for the digestive tract. It is useful for skin conditions linked to stress, such as cold sores and chicken pox, especially when combined with eucalyptus oil. Bergamot is a flavoring agent in Earl Grey tea.
- Black Pepper has a sharp and spicy aroma. Common uses include stimulating the circulation and for muscular aches and pains. Skin application is useful for bruises, since it stimulates the circulation.
- Citronella oil, obtained from a relative of lemongrass, is used as an insect repellant and in perfumery..
- Tea tree, eucalyptus, sandalwood oil, and many other essential oils have topical (external) antimicrobial (i.e. antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, or antiparasitic) activity and are used as antiseptics and disinfectants.
- Clove oil is a topical analgesic, especially useful in dentistry. It is also used an antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, and antiemetic.
- Lavender oil is used as an antiseptic and for a number of other folk medicinal uses.
- Yarrow oil is used to reduce joint inflammation and relieve cold and influenza symptoms.
Binomial name Ocimum basilicum L. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) of the Family Lamiaceae is also known as Albahaca, St. ...
A concentrate is a form of substance which has had the majority of its base component, or solvent, removed. ...
The word depression can mean: A decrease of functional activity in behavior patterns The everyday term for a sad mood, see depression (mood) The medical condition clinical depression, which includes decreased interest in pleasurable activities A sunken or depressed geological formation, see depression (geology) An economic depression, is a more...
A headache (medically known as cephalalgia) is a condition of mild to severe pain in the head; sometimes upper back or neck pain may also be interpreted as a headache. ...
Emmenagogues are herbs which stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus. ...
A pregnant woman Pregnancy is the process by which a mammalian female carries a live offspring from conception until it develops to the point where the offspring is capable of living outside the womb. ...
Bergamot can refer to: Bergamot orange Bergamot (herb) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...
Classes & Orders Subclass: Apterygota Orders Archaeognatha (Bristletails) Thysanura (Silverfish) Monura - extinct Subclass: Pterygota Orders Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Diaphanopteroidea - extinct Palaeodictyoptera - extinct Megasecoptera - extinct Archodonata - extinct Infraclass: Neoptera Orders Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Dermaptera (earwigs) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (walking sticks) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera...
The Herpes simplex virus infection (common names: herpes, cold sores) is a common, contagious, incurable, and in some cases sexually transmitted disease caused by a double-stranded DNA virus. ...
Chicken pox, also spelled chickenpox, is a common childhood disease caused by the varicella_zoster virus (VZV), also known as human herpes virus 3 (HHV_3), one of the eight herpesviruses known to affect humans. ...
The title Earl Grey was created in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1806 for General Sir Charles Grey. ...
Citronella oil is one of the important essential oils obtained from different species of Cymbopogon. ...
Species Over 50: see text Lemon Grass Lemon grass or lemongrass is a perennial herb used in Asian (particularly Thai, Khmer and Vietnamese) and Caribbean cooking. ...
Tea tree oil is a yellow- or green-tinged essential oil with a fresh camphoraceous odour. ...
Species About 600, see text Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of trees (rarely shrubs), the members of which dominate the tree flora of Australia. ...
The branches of a young sandalwood tree found in Hawaii Sandalwood is the wood of trees of the genus Santalum. ...
In medicine, a topical medication is applied to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes such as the vagina, nasopharynx, or the eye. ...
An antibiotic is a drug that kills or slows the growth of bacteria. ...
An antiseptic is a substance that kills or prevents the growth of bacteria on the external surfaces of the body. ...
Something antifungal kills or inhibits the growth of fungus. ...
Antiviral drugs are a class of medication used specifically for treating viral infections. ...
A parasite is an organism that lives in or on the living tissue of a host organism at the expense of that host. ...
An antiseptic is a substance that kills or prevents the growth and reproduction of various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses on the external surfaces of the body. ...
Disinfection The destruction of pathogenic and other kinds of microorganisms by physical or chemical means Disinfectants are chemical substances used to kill viruses and microbes (germs), such as bacteria and fungi. ...
Binomial name Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merrill & Perry Cloves are the aromatic dried flower buds of a tree (Syzygium aromaticum, sometimes included in the genus Eugenia) in the family Myrtaceae. ...
An analgesic (colloquially known as painkiller) is any member of the diverse group of drugs used to relieve pain. ...
X-rays can reveal if a person has cavities Dentistry is the practical application of knowledge of dental science (the science of placement, arrangement, function of teeth and their supporting bones and soft tissues) to human beings. ...
An antispasmodic is a drug that suppresses smooth muscle contraction, especially in tubular organs. ...
A carminative, also known as carminativum ( plural: carminativa), is a medicinal drug with antispasmodic activity that is used against cramps of the digestive tract in combination with flatulence. ...
An antiemetic is a drug that is effective against vomiting and nausea. ...
Lavender oil is an essential oil obtained by distillation from the flower spikes of certain species of lavender. ...
Yarrow essential oil is a volatile oil including a chemical called proazulenes. ...
This article is about a joint in zootomical anatomy. ...
Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation and may be referred to as the innate cascade. ...
Negatively stained flu virions. ...
Dangers The smoke from burning essential oils may contain potential carcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Essential oils are naturally high in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The use of essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy without consulting with a licensed professional, as some can be abortifacients. In pathology, a carcinogen is any substance or agent that promotes cancer. ...
An aromatic hydrocarbon (abbreviated as AH), or arene is a hydrocarbon, the molecular structure of which incorporates one or more planar sets of six carbon atoms that are connected by delocalised electrons numbering the same as if they consisted of alternating single and double covalent bonds. ...
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemical compounds that have high enough vapour pressures under normal conditions to significantly vaporize and enter the atmosphere. ...
An abortifacient is a substance that induces abortion. ...
Essential oils should generally not be applied directly to the skin due to their rapid absorption rate. Instead, essential oil should be applied with a carrier oil, such as olive, hazelnut, or any other "soft" oil. The ratio of essential oil disbursed in a carrier oil depends on its purpose. Some essential oils, like bergamot, are photosensitizers, increasing the skin's reaction to sunlight and making it more likely to burn. Bergamot can refer to: Bergamot orange Bergamot (herb) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...
Industrial users of essential oils should consult the material safety data sheets to determine the hazards and handling requirements of particular oils. A material safety data sheet or MSDS is a form containing data regarding the properties of a particular substance. ...
There is some concern about pesticide residues in essential oil, particularly for therapeutic use. For this reason, many practitioners of aromatherapy choose to buy organically produced oils. An airplane spreading pesticide. ...
Utilizing both traditional and scientific knowledge, organic agriculture is a system that relies on ecosystem management rather than external agricultural inputs. ...
While some advocate the ingestion of essential oils for therapeutic purposes, this is generally not advisable.
Raw Materials Allspice, also called Jamaica pepper, Myrtle pepper, Pimento, or Newspice, is a spice which is the dried unripe fruit of the Pimenta dioica plant. ...
Binomial name Prunus dulcis (Mill. ...
Binomial name Pimpinella anisum L. Anise (stressed on the first syllable, rhyming with Janice), or more rarely anÃs (stressed on the second syllable, as a niece) (Pimpinella anisum) is an herb in the family Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae) whose seed-like fruit (also called aniseed) is used in sweet baking...
Binomial name Apium graveolens Linnaeus Inside of celery stalk Celery (Apium graveolens L.) is a vegetable, more specifically a biennial plant belonging to the order Umbelliferae (Apiales). ...
Binomial name Ocimum basilicum L. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) of the Family Lamiaceae is also known as Albahaca, St. ...
Trinomial name Citrus aurantium subsp. ...
Camphor, also known as 1,7,7-trimethyl-bicyclo(2,2,1)heptan-2-one, d-camphor, d-(+)-camphor, (+)-2-bornanone, d-2-bornanone, 1,7,7-Trimethylnorcamphor, 2-Camphanone, 2-camphonone, Bornan-2-one, or Caladryl has the chemical formula C10H16O. Camphor is a white transparent waxy crystalline solid...
Species Cedrus deodara Cedrus libani var. ...
Chamomile flowers The name Chamomile or Camomile is ambiguous and can refer to several distinct species. ...
Binomial name Cinnamomum aromaticum Nees Cassia (Cinnamomum aromaticum, synonym ) is an evergreen tree native to southern China and Indochina, a close relative to the Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and Camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) trees. ...
Species Over 50: see text Lemon Grass Lemon grass or lemongrass is a perennial herb used in Asian (particularly Thai, Khmer and Vietnamese) and Caribbean cooking. ...
Binomial name Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, synonym ) is a small evergreen tree 10-15 m tall, belonging to the family Lauraceae, and a spice obtained from the inner bark of this species. ...
Binomial name Salvia sclarea L. ref. ...
Binomial name Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merrill & Perry Cloves are the aromatic dried flower buds of a tree (Syzygium aromaticum, sometimes included in the genus Eugenia) in the family Myrtaceae. ...
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is a plant and a spice with a distinctive aroma, popular in Mexican, North African, and Indian cuisine. ...
Species About 600, see text Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of trees (rarely shrubs), the members of which dominate the tree flora of Australia. ...
Frankincense is an aromatic resin obtained from the tree Boswellia thurifera or . ...
Geranium can be: The genus Geranium of flowering plants, usually called the cranesbills Any of the garden plants called geraniums, which are members of the related genus Pelargonium. ...
Binomial name Zingiber officinale Roscoe Ginger root is used extensively as a spice in many if not most cuisines of the world. ...
Binomial name Citrus × paradisi Macfad. ...
Species Hyssopus ambiguus (Trautv. ...
Species About 200 species, including: Jasminum angulare Jasminum azoricum Jasminum beesianum Jasminum dichotomum - Gold Coast Jasmine Jasminum floridum Jasminum fluminense - African Jasmine Jasminum fruticans Jasminum humile - Yellow Jasmine Jasminum mesnyi - Primrose Jasmine Jasminum multiflorum - Star Jasmine Jasminum nitidum - Shining Jasmine Jasminum nudiflorum - Winter Jasmine Jasminum officinale - Common Jasmine Jasminum parkeri...
Species 50-55 species; see text. ...
Species About 25-30, including: Lavandula angustifolia Lavandula canariensis Lavandula dentata Lavandula lanata Lavandula latifolia Lavandula multifida Lavandula pinnata Lavandula stoechas Lavandula viridis The lavenders Lavandula are a genus of about 25-30 species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native from the Mediterranean region south to tropical...
Binomial name Citrus × limon (L.) Burm. ...
Species Over 50: see text Lemon Grass Lemon grass or lemongrass is a perennial herb used in Asian (particularly Thai, Khmer and Vietnamese) and Caribbean cooking. ...
Binomial name Origanum majorana L. Marjoram (Origanum majorana, Lamiaceae) is a cold-sensitive perennial herb or undershrub with sweet pine and citrus flavors. ...
The plant genus Melaleuca is part of the Myrtle family (Myrtaceae) and presently contains about 170 species. ...
Myrrh is a red-brown resinous material, the dried sap of the Commiphora myrrha tree, indigenous to Somalia. ...
Nutmeg Oil is a volatile oil containing borneol and eugenol. ...
Orange refers to a citrus tree (Citrus sinensis) and the fruits of this tree. ...
Binomial name Origanum vulgare L. Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a spicy, Mediterranean, perennial herb, particularly common in Greek and Italian cuisines. ...
Binomial name Pogostemon cablin Patchouli is both a plant and an essential oil derived from the leaves of that plant. ...
Peppermint (larger leaves) and Corsican mint plants Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is a sterile hybrid mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint, with a high menthol content, often used in tea and confectionery. ...
Species About 115. ...
Species About 100, see text A rose is a flowering shrub of the genus Rosa and the flower of this shrub. ...
Binomial name Rosmarinus officinalis L. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant evergreen needle-like leaves that are used in cooking. ...
For the village of this name, see Rosewood, Florida. ...
Binomial name Salvia officinalis L. Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is a small evergreen subshrub, with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers. ...
The branches of a young sandalwood tree found in Hawaii Sandalwood is the wood of trees of the genus Santalum. ...
Binomial name Mentha spicata Spearmint (Mentha spicata, syn ), the mint variety most commonly used in cooking, yields an aromatic and carminative oil, referred to as oil of spearmint. Many people use the name scotch spearmint for gingermint (Mentha x gracilis, syn ), a hybrid of spearmint and wild mint (Mentha arvensis). ...
Binomial name Citrus reticulata Blanco The Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) is an orange-colored citrus fruit, a type of mandarin orange. ...
A tea tree any plant of the genus Leptospermum (family Myrtaceae). ...
Species About 350 species, including: Thymus adamovicii Thymus bracteosus Thymus broussonetii Thymus caespititius Thymus camphoratus Thymus capitatus Thymus capitellatus Thymus carnosus Thymus cephalotus Thymus cherlerioides Thymus ciliatus Thymus cilicicus Thymus cimicinus Thymus comosus Thymus comptus Thymus doerfleri Thymus glabrescens Thymus herba-barona Thymus hirsutus Thymus hyemalis Thymus integer Thymus lanuginosus...
Wintergreen was originally a term referring to a plant that continues photosynthesis (i. ...
Binomial nomenclature Cananga odorata Ylang-ylang is the flower of the cananga tree. ...
References Sellar, Wanda. The Directory of Essential Oils Essex: The C.W.Daniel Company, Ltd. Reprint, 2001. ISBN 0 85207 346 1
See also Enfleurage is a process that uses odorless fats that are solid at room temperature to capture the fragrant compounds exuded by plants. ...
Fragrance oils, also known as aroma oils, aromatic oils, and flavor oils, are blended synthetic aroma compounds or natural essential oils that are diluted with a carrier like propylene glycol, vegetable oil, or mineral oil. ...
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