Essential Oils
SMALL-SCALE PRODUCTION OF ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils are the volatile oils distilled from aromatic plant materials. The odour and flavour of these oils is usually dependent upon these oxygenated compounds. Many oils are terpenoids, a few oils are benzene derivatives. Table 1 shows the important constituents of the more common essential oils.
Name
Part of plant used Leaf
Botanical name
Important constituents
Uses
Lemongrass and citronella Eucalyptus
Cymbopogon spp
Citral Citronella Terpenes Cineale Citronella Terpenes Eugenol Eugenol Terpenes Linalol Sanatols Myristicin Benzaldehyde Linalol Terpenes
Perfumery Disinfectant
Leaf
Eucalyptus globulus Eucalyptus citriodora Eucalyptus dives Cinnamomum zeylanicum Eugenia caryophyllus Pinus spp
Cinnamon leaf Clove Turpentine Lavender Sandalwood Nutmeg Almond Coriander Ginger Turmeric
Leaf Bud
Used to make artificial vanilla Dentistry flavouring Paints Perfumery Perfumery
Flower Wood Nut Nut Seed Root/ tuber Root/ tuber
Lavendula intermedia Santalum album Myristica fragrans Prunis communis Coriandrum sativum
Table 1: Essential oils
Essential Oils
Intermediate Technology Development Group
Essential oils can be divided into two broad categories: • • Large volume oils which are usually distilled from leafy material, eg lemon grass, citronella and cinnamon leaves. Small volume oils which are usually distilled from fruits, seed, buds and, to a lesser extent, flowers, e.g. cloves, nutmeg and coriander.
Harvesting
Correct harvesting is very important. The essential oil content varies considerably during the development of the plant. If the plant is harvested at the wrong time, the oil yield can be severely reduced. The oil is usually contained in oil glands, veins or hairs which are often very fragile. Handling will break these structures and release the oils. This is the reason a strong smell is given off when these plants are handled, so these plants have to be
Essential oils are the volatile oils distilled from aromatic plant materials. The odour and flavour of these oils is usually dependent upon these oxygenated compounds. Many oils are terpenoids, a few oils are benzene derivatives. Table 1 shows the important constituents of the more common essential oils.
Name
Part of plant used Leaf
Botanical name
Important constituents
Uses
Lemongrass and citronella Eucalyptus
Cymbopogon spp
Citral Citronella Terpenes Cineale Citronella Terpenes Eugenol Eugenol Terpenes Linalol Sanatols Myristicin Benzaldehyde Linalol Terpenes
Perfumery Disinfectant
Leaf
Eucalyptus globulus Eucalyptus citriodora Eucalyptus dives Cinnamomum zeylanicum Eugenia caryophyllus Pinus spp
Cinnamon leaf Clove Turpentine Lavender Sandalwood Nutmeg Almond Coriander Ginger Turmeric
Leaf Bud
Used to make artificial vanilla Dentistry flavouring Paints Perfumery Perfumery
Flower Wood Nut Nut Seed Root/ tuber Root/ tuber
Lavendula intermedia Santalum album Myristica fragrans Prunis communis Coriandrum sativum
Table 1: Essential oils
Essential Oils
Intermediate Technology Development Group
Essential oils can be divided into two broad categories: • • Large volume oils which are usually distilled from leafy material, eg lemon grass, citronella and cinnamon leaves. Small volume oils which are usually distilled from fruits, seed, buds and, to a lesser extent, flowers, e.g. cloves, nutmeg and coriander.
Harvesting
Correct harvesting is very important. The essential oil content varies considerably during the development of the plant. If the plant is harvested at the wrong time, the oil yield can be severely reduced. The oil is usually contained in oil glands, veins or hairs which are often very fragile. Handling will break these structures and release the oils. This is the reason a strong smell is given off when these plants are handled, so these plants have to be