Drugs Containing Volatile Oils

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to volatile oils, extraction methods, and their applications in medicine and perfumery.

Volatile Oils

Odorous volatile principles of plant and animal sources that evaporate when exposed to air at ordinary temperature.

Fixed Oils

Oils composed mainly of glyceryl esters of fatty acids that cannot be distilled without decomposition.

Extraction by Distillation

A method of obtaining volatile oils using techniques such as water distillation, steam distillation, and destructive distillation.

Sponge Process

A method of extraction where fruit peel is pressed against a sponge to release oils.

Ecuelle Process

A mechanical method to rupture fruit rinds and collect oils using sharp projections.

Effleurage

A technique using non-volatile solvents like lard or olive oil to extract floral oils.

Maceration

A method involving heating non-volatile solvents to extract oils by soaking flowers.

Ester Volatile Oils

Volatile oils that are esters and are used for flavoring and medicinal purposes.

Phenols

Compounds with a phenolic structure found in essential oils such as clove and thymol.

Terpenoids

Natural products whose structure may be divided into isoprene units and can include various subclasses.

Limonene

The most widely distributed monocyclic terpene, occurring in citrus and mint oils.

Camphor

A solid monoterpene ketone obtained from Cinnamomum camphora, used for antiseptic and counterirritant purposes.

Eucalyptus Oil

Oil obtained from Eucalyptus globulus, containing eucalyptol (Cineole) used medicinally as an antiseptic.

Gaultheria Oil

Oil from Gaultheria procumbens, containing methyl salicylate, used as an antiseptic and antirheumatic.

Ambergris

A pathologic product formed in the stomach of sperm whales, used in perfumery.

Balsam

Natural resinous mixtures containing high proportions of aromatic acids.