1. Phenylpropane-rich Volatile Oils
Some examples:
Cinnamon oil
Anise oil
Fennel oil
Clove oil
Nutmeg oil
Peru balsam
Tolu balsam

2. Cinnamon oil
Obtained from the dried bark of Cinnamonum zeylanicum, Lauraceae by steam distillation ;
[Cinnamomum aromaticum (Chinese cinnamon)]
Cinnamaledhyde is main constituent (65-75%)
Flavouring agent
Carminative
C.I. 1st trimester (uterine stimulant)

3. Anise Oil (Anisi aetheroleum)
V.O. from anise fruits (Anisi fructus) Pimpinella anisum L., Apiaceae 1-3% v.o. or star anise Illicium verum, Magnoliaceae 2.5-5% v.o.
Egypt, Greece, South America & Europe
15°C (fresh oil)
Anethole 80-90%
Occurs with its isomer with estragole →
Flavouring agent (indigestion)
Expectorant in cough mixtures
Dianethole (polymerization product [light & O2]) estrogenic properties

4. Bastard Star Anise
Dried ripe fruit of Illicium religiosum = I. anisatum
Myristicin, methyleugenol in small amounts
V.O. leads to convulsions (sesquiterpenes-induced)

5. Fruits of Foeniculum vulgare, Apiaceae
2-6% v.o
50-60% anethole
20% fenchone (bicyclic monoterpene) distinction odour from anise oil
Flavouring agent
Carminative

6. Syzygium aromaticum (Eugenia caryophyllata) Myrtaceae
Dried flower buds “Clove oil” Eugenol 85-95% Dental practice as disinfectant, analgesic & anti-inflammatory The only V.O sold in pharmacy as OTC product for toothache C/I: anticoagulant
Collected when bud changing from green to pink

7. Myristica fragrans, Myristicaceae
Dried, ripe seed kernel
Indonesia, Malaysia & Sri Lanka v.o., terpenes
Hallucinogenic if taken in large quantity 15gm
[Prison opium]:reddening of skin, palpitations, decreased salivation
Terpenoid and C6-C3 V.O.(Pinenes, Limonene, Terpinenes)
Amphetamine

8. Monoterpene-rich volatile oils
Some examples:
Peppermint oil
Lavender oil
Lemon oil
Camphor
Thyme oil
Turpentine oil
Rosemary oil

9. Terpenoid Components of V.O
Monoterpenes & sesquiterpenes
Monopterpenes:
Most monoterpene-rich v.o are flavouring agents
Some as rubefacients, sedatives & bitters, insecticides
Monoterpenes classified by degree of oxidation (hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, phenols & oxides)

10. Turpentine Oil Oleoresin from Pinus palustris USA,
P. pinaster France, Pinaceae
wounding tree
Solid resin after distillation is known as colophony (70%)
Grading depending on Pinus spp
Vol. oils: 15-30%; Alpha & Beta-pinenes are major constituents
Only rectified turpentine oil is used internally (diuretic, expectorant, anthelmintic)
Externally as rubefacient in liniments for rheumatic pain
Irritation of the skin causes increased blood circulation through skin giving a feeling of warmth & eases rheumatic pain

11. Camphor
Obtained from the distilled oil of Cinnamomum camphora (Lauraceae)
Characteristic odor, pungent aromatic taste
Natural camphor is optically active, while synthetic camphor is a racemate; prepared from pinene
Used externally as rubefacient; internally as mild antiseptic and carminative (low doses)
SE: respiratory stimulant

12. Volatile oil of Peppermint
Fresh leaves of Mentha piperita (Lamiaceae)steam distillation
Menthol 50% (pleasant taste)
Menthofuran (disagreeable odour & taste) young and/or wet leaves
Cooling effect (mouth wash & tooth paste)
Carminative
Menthylacetate

13. Spearmint Mentha spicata (Lamiaceae)
Fresh leaves 1-2 % VO
Mainly (-)Carvone %
(-) Limonene 2-25%
Aromatherapy
Carminative
Flavouring
Chewing gum industry!

14. Thymus vulgaris (Medicinal thyme) Origanum vulgare (Oregano; زعتر)
Thymol Carvacrol
p-cymene
Thymol and its isomer carvacrol are bactericidal, antispasmodic, antifungal
Thymol: colorless crystals/white crystalline powder; microsublimed

15. Eucalyptus Oil
Steam distillation of Eucalyptus globulus, E. polybractea leaves (Myrtaceae)
70-85% Euclyptol=cineole
Australia, Europe & Southern USA
V.O. 0ºC ppt Eucalyptol
Liquid Solid
(Room Temp) (< 0ºC)
Lozenges and inhalants to ease discomfort associated with colds
Oil induces irritation of mucous membrane
Eucalyptol is not irritant to mucous membrane

16. Matricaria chamomilla =Chamomilla recutica flower head German chamomile (Asteraceae); Chamazulenes Anthemis nobilis Roman chamomile; Nobilin sesquiterpene volatile oils; antispasmodic, antiphlogistic, carminative, diuretic, diaphoretic

17. Chamomile VO
Other sesquiterpenes representing 10-25% of VO