Volatile Oils in Medicinal and Commercial Use

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering the vocabulary and definitions related to volatile oils, their properties, methods of extraction, and medicinal uses.

Volatile Oils

Ethereal oils or essential oils that evaporate when exposed to air at ordinary temperatures.

Lamiaceae

A family of plants known for specialized secretory structures, such as glandular hairs.

Apiaceae

A plant family where volatile oils are found in oil tubes known as Vittae.

Hydrocarbon Volatile Oils

The commonest compounds in essential oils that end in -ene.

Alcohol Volatile Oils

Oils with the hydroxyl group (OH) bonded to a C10 skeleton, ending in -ol.

Aldehyde Volatile Oils

Highly reactive compounds with names that end in -al.

Ketone Volatile Oils

Produced by the oxidation of alcohols and end in -one.

Phenol Volatile Oils

Powerful and irritating oils found in only a few species.

Oxide Volatile Oils

Include cineole, found in eucalyptus and other oils.

Ester Volatile Oils

Formed from a reaction of a terpenic alcohol with acetic acid.

Carminative

A substance used to relieve gas and bloating.

Saponification

The process of turning oils into soap with alkalies.

Oxidation

A chemical reaction that can cause volatile oils to resinify.

Distillation

A process used to extract volatile oils from plant materials.

Steam Distillation

The simplest and most common method for extracting volatile oils.

Water Distillation

Involves immersing plant materials in water and boiling them.

Destructive Distillation

Involves decomposing material without air to extract oils.

Enfleurage

An ancient extraction method using cold fats for flower essences.

Solvent Extraction

Used for delicate flowers like Rose and Jasmine to preserve oils.

Supercritical Fluid Extraction

A newer method using high-pressure carbon dioxide as a solvent.

Ayurveda

An Indian traditional system of medicine employing volatile oils.

Aromatherapy

The use of essential oils for therapeutic effects.

Phenolic Ether

Oils that occur in plants like anise and fennel.

Pomades

Products of enfleurage for obtaining aromatic materials.

Resinoids

Extracted from natural resinous materials using non-aqueous solvents.

Concretes

Prepared from fresh materials with a combination of wax and essential oil.

Absolutes

Highly concentrated liquids obtained through alcoholic extraction.

Refractive Index

A unique measurement indicating how oil bends light.

Translucent Spot Test

A test indicating the presence of volatile oil via grease spots on paper.

Sudan III Test

A test that uses a dye to indicate presence of volatile oils in sample.

KOH Method

A test for eugenol presence using a potassium hydroxide solution.

Thymol

A compound found in Thyme that has antiseptic properties.

Geraniol

An acyclic alcohol present in oils like rose and geranium.

Cinnamaldehyde

An aldehyde found in cinnamon oil.

Citronellal

An aldehyde derivative of citronellol, found in essential oils.

Eugenol

A phenol found in clove and myrcia oils.

Linalool

An alcohol compound known for its fragrant properties.

Camphor

A ketone used topically for its antipruritic effects.

Sassafras Oil

Contains safrole, a compound with tonic properties.

Lavender Oil

An ester derived oil known for its calming fragrance.

Rose Oil

A fragrant oil known for its uses in perfumes and aromatherapy.

Peppermint Oil

An alcohol volatile oil known for its flavoring and carminative properties.

Turpentine

A hydrocarbon oil commonly used in medicinal applications.

Coriander Oil

An oil derived from the fruit of Coriandrum sativum, used for flavor.

Lemon Peel Oil

Contains limonene and is used for flavor and carminative effects.

Fennel Oil

A phenolic ether oil useful for flavor and digestion.

Cold Pressing

Expression refers to physical processes used for extracting citrus oils.

Saffrole

A phenolic ether known for its tonic properties.

Tincture Alkana Test

A test that identifies volatile oils using alkana dye.

FeCl3 Test

A test for the presence of phenolic content in oils.

Ruthenium Red Test

A test for the presence of volatile oils that turns wine red.

Maceration

A method similar to enfleurage, using heated fixed oil.

Herba Buena

A marshmint known for its volatile oils used in medicinal preparations.

Damong Maria

Wormwood used for its medicinal ketone properties.

Sulasi

Holy Basil known for its volatile oil constituents.

Damong Mabaho

A plant known for its ketone oils used in traditional medicine.

Oregano

A culinary herb with phenolic volatile oils.

Sweet Basil

A variety known for its important phenolic ether oils.

Citrus Oils

Extracted from fruits, typically containing aldehydes.

Bawang

Garlic known for its potent phenolic compounds.

Kalamansi

A citrus fruit known for its aromatic oils.

Ilanga-ilang

Dwarf tree producing ester volatile oils used in perfumery.