Content

S. No. Title/ Heading Page no.

1 Volatile oils Introduction 4-7
2 Occurrence & Distribution 8
3 Therapeutic uses of volatile oils 9
4 Physical properties of volatile oils 10
5 Classification of Terpenes 11-14
6 Chemical properties of volatile oils 15-16
7 Biosynthesis of volatile oil 17-18
8 Extraction methods of volatile oils 19-33
9 Constituents of volatile oils 34-43

2
 Content
Contd…

S. No. Title/ Heading Page no.

10 Lemon peel 44-47
11 Coriander 48-51
12 Eucalyptus oil 52-55
13 Peppermint oil 56-59
14 Cinnamon 60-63
15 Dill 64-67
16 Clove 68-72
17 Ajowan 73-76
18 Chenopodium oil 77-80

3
 Introduction
• Volatile oils are the complex mixture of hydrocarbon terpenes, mono &
sesquiterpenes and polyterpenes and their oxygenated derivatives.

• They are extracted from various parts of the medicinal plants and have
medicinally active constituents responsible for therapeutic activities.

• They get evaporated on exposure to air and responsible for the odour or
essence of the plant, hence also called essential oil or aromatics.

• Chemically, volatile oils mostly comprise of phenolic compounds (e.g.

Menthol).

• Some contain volatile alkaloids (e.g. Valerotropes) and some are found
linked with resins & gums.

4
 Introduction
Contd…
• Most of the fragrance component of plant are volatile and isolated by steam
distillation is called as essential oil.

• Due to their pleasant smelling nature the mono and sesquiterpenoids are of
considerable commercial importance particularly in perfumery.

5
Introduction
Contd…

6
Introduction
Contd…

7
 Occurrence & Distribution
Occurrence of Volatile oils:
The volatile oils are distributed in different parts of the plants as shown in
the table.
S. No. Plant part Distribution
1 Leaves Mint (mīniti)
2 Bark Cinnamon (k’erefa)
3 Fruits Coriander (Dimbelal), Fennel
(Ensilal), Caraway
4 Flower bud Clove (k’irinifudi)
5 Lysogenous and schizogenous Plants belonging to the family
cavities Rutaceae
6 Glandular hairs Plants belonging to the family
Labiatae
8
 Therapeutic Uses of Volatile Oil
• Volatile oils are used as carminatives e.g. cinnamon (k’erefa).
• They have antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal activities, e.g. eucalyptus
oil.
• They are used in the treatment of cough and asthma, e.g. clove oil.
• They have analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions.
• They are used in aroma therapy.
• They are used as diuretics, e.g. juniper oil.

9
 Physical Properties of Volatile Oil
• Volatile oils are colorless liquids.
• They are lighter than water.
• They possess distinct odor.
• They are optically active in nature.
• They are insoluble in water and soluble in organic solvents.
• They can be extracted from entire plant or any part of the plant.
• Volatile oil should be stored in tightly closed amber colored bottles in a
cool, dry place as they become darker in color, especially when exposed to
air and direct sunlight.

10
 Classification of terpenoids
• Most natural terpenoids hydrocarbon have the general formula (C5H8)n.
• They can be classified on the basis of value of ‘n’ i.e., isoprene unit or
number of carbon atoms present in the structure.

Terpene Class No. of isoprene unit Molecular

(Value of ‘n’) formula
Hemiterpene or isoprene 1 C 5 H8
Monoterpenes 2 C10H16
Sesquiterpenes 3 C15 H24
Diterpenes 4 C20H32
Sesterterpenes 5 C25H40
Triterpenes 6 C30H48
Tetraterpenes 8 C40H64
Polyterpenes n [C5H8]n
11
12
 Classification of terpenoids
Contd…
Each class can be further subdivided into
subclasses according to the number of rings present
in the structure:
i. Acyclic Terpenoids: They contain open
structure e.g., citral
ii. Monocyclic Terpenoids: They contain one ring
in the structure e.g., menthol
iii. Bicyclic Terpenoids: They contain two rings in
the structure. E.g., camphor
iv. Tricyclic Terpenoids: They contain three rings
in the structure. E.g., abietic acid
v. Tetracyclic Terpenoids: contain four rings in the
structure. E.g., gibberellic acid

13
 Chemical properties
 Terpenoids are the hydrocarbones of plant origin of the general formula
(C5H8)n as well as their oxygenated, hydrogenated & dehydrogenated
derivatives.

 Terpenoids are regarded as derivatives of polymers of isoprene, (i.e.C5H8O)

 They consist of a complex mixture of terpenes or sesquiterpenes, alcohols,

aldehydes, ketone, acid & esters.

 They are unsaturated compounds

14
 On thermal decomposition, terpenoid gives isoprene as one of the product

 Terpenoids are modified terpenes

 Sometimes terpenoids are added to proteins, e.g., to enhance their

attachment to the cell membrane.

15
 Biosynthesis of Volatile Oil
• In aromatic plants species, biosynthesis of essential oils occurs through two
complex natural biochemical pathways involving different enzymatic
reactions.

• Isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and its isomer dimethylallyl

pyrophosphate (DMAPP) are the universal precursors of essential oil
biosynthesis and are produced by the cytosolic enzymatic MVA (mevalonic
acid) pathway or enzymatic 1-deoxy-D-xylolose-5-phosphate (DXP)
pathway.

• Essential oils are final terpenoid products and are formed by a huge group
of enzymes known as terpene synthases (TPS).

• Essential oils are important secondary metabolites of plants and have been
used in ethnobotanical medicines.

16
17
 Extraction of volatile oils
Volatile oils or essential oils are extracted by various
method:
1. Expression
2. Steam distillation
3. Extraction by use of volatile solvents
4. Enzymatic hydrolysis
5. Adsorption in purified fat

18
 Extraction of volatile oils
Contd…

1. Expression:
• It is not in use but possess only historical importance.
• Plant material is cut into small pieces then crushed and
screened to get juice.
• The juice is centrifuged at high speed.
• Inferior quality of oil is obtained by distillation.
• Example: Citrus fruits oil and grass oil

19
Extraction of volatile oils
Contd…

20
 Extraction of volatile oils
Contd…

2. Hydro/Steam Distillation:

• On heating, water boils and evaporates as steam which helps in bringing-

out the essential oil from plant tissue in the form of vapours.
• The mixture of oil vapours and steam condense inside the condenser,
convert into liquid form and get collected in a receiver (florentine flask).
• On cooling, both water and oil layer get separated.
• The essential oil layer collected in a vessel having suitable dehydrating
agent like anhydrous sodium sulphate.
• Laboratory scale extraction of volatile is done by Clevenger apparatus
(Hydro distillation).

21
Extraction of volatile oils
Contd…

22
Extraction of volatile oils
Contd…

23
24
 Extraction of volatile oils
Contd…
Demerits of steam distillation:

• Essential oil undergoes decomposition

• Some constituent of essential oil eg. Ester which are responsible for the
odor and fragrance of the oil may undergo decomposition resulting in a
perfume of inferior quality.

25
 Extraction of volatile oils
Contd…
3. Extraction by volatile solvent:

• Delicate flowers such as rose, jasmine and orange blossom are oftentimes
extracted as absolutes to yield a higher percentage of oil without using the
heat that can damage the petals during steam distillation.

• Like essential oils, absolutes come from volatile, aromatic fluids extracted
from plants.

• “Absolutes differ from essential oils in that they contain a higher density of
colorants, waxes and other constituents from the plant, making the aroma
highly concentrated and more true to nature”.

26
 Extraction of volatile oils
Contd…
• They are solvent extracted, and since a trace amount of solvent may be
present they are not used for therapeutic purposes, but instead, for natural
perfumery.

• In addition, they usually contain a small percentage of alcohol remaining

from the second phase of the extraction process (typically up to 2 or 3
percent).

• The multi-step process includes first extracting the aromatic oil from the
plant material with a solvent such as hexane.

27
 Extraction of volatile oils
Contd…
• After the hexane is removed what is left behind is a waxy substance called
a concrete.

• The aromatic oils are then extracted from the concrete with ethyl alcohol,
and after the ethyl alcohol is removed, the remaining substance is an
absolute – an oil with an aroma close to the plant from which it came.

28
29
 Extraction of volatile oils
Contd…
4. Enzymatic Hydrolysis method:

Certain plant materials require maceration in warm water before they

release their essential oils, as their volatile components are glycosidically
bound.

For example, leaves of wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) contain the

precursor gaultherin and the enzyme primeverosidase; when the leaves are
macerated in warm water, the enzyme acts on the gaultherin and liberates
free methyl salicylate and primeverose.

Other similar examples include brown mustard (sinigrin), bitter almonds

(amygdalin) and garlic (alliin).

30
 Extraction of volatile oils
Contd…
5. Adsorption in purified fat:

Enfleurage:
• Fat is taken in glass plate warmed to about 50ºC.
• Surface is covered with petals and kept for 24 hours.
• Replace the petals until the fat is saturated with essential oil .
• The petals are removed and the fat is digested with ethyl alcohol.
• Fat is soluble in ethyl alcohol.

31
 Extraction of volatile oils
Contd…
• Fat in essential oil during digestion can be removed by cooling to 20⁰C
where the fat separates out.

• It can be distilled under reduced pressure to remove solvent.

• Recently the fat has been replaced by coconut charcoal due to its greater
stability and higher adsorption.

• Charcoal after enfleurage with petals subjected to steam distillation. It is

the Superior Method.

32
Extraction of volatile oils
Contd…

33
 Constituents of Volatile Oil
1. Hydrocarbons:
Terpene Structure Biological Source

Pinene Juniperus communise and Pinus

species

Camphene Juniperus communise and Pinus

species

Limonene Citrus lemon and other Citrus

fruits

Myrcene Thymus serpyllum (Thyme

plant)
34
 Constituents of Volatile Oil
Contd…
2. Alcohols:

Terpene Structure Biological Source

Linalool Coriandrum sativum

(Dimbellal)

Gerainol Rosa abyssinica and other

species
Cymbopogon flexuosus and
other species

Citronellol Rosa abyssinica and other

species
Cymbopogon nordus and other
species
35
 Constituents of Volatile Oil
Contd…
3. Aldehydes:

Terpene Structure Biological Source

Citral Citrus lemon and other Citrus

fruits
Cymbopogon nordus and other
species

Citronellal Eucalyptus cihiodoro and other

species
Cymbopogon nordus and other
species

36
 Constituents of Volatile Oil
Contd…
4. Ketones:

Terpene Structure Biological Source

Mentha spicata and other

mentha species
Carum carve (Caraway)
Carvone
Anethum graveolens (Dill)

Salvia officinolis (Sage)

Thujone

37
 Constituents of Volatile Oil
Contd…
5. Esters:

Terpene Structure Biological Source

Mentha piperita and other

mentha species

Menthyl acetate

Rosmarinus officinalis
(Rosemary)

Bornyl acetate

38
 Constituents of Volatile Oil
Contd…
6. Phenols:

Terpene Structure Biological Source

Syzygium aromaticum (Clove)

Cinnamomum verum
(Cinnamon)
Eugenol

Thymus vulgaris (Thymol)

Trachyspermum ammi (Ajowan)

Thymol

39
 Constituents of Volatile Oil
Contd…
7. Phenolic ethers:

Terpene Structure Biological Source

Pimpinella anisum (Anise)

Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)
Anethol

Eucalyptus globulus
(Eucalyptus)

Cineol

40
 Constituents of Volatile Oil
Contd…
8. Peroxides:

Terpene Structure Biological Source

Chenopodium ambrosioides var.

anthelmintica (Chenopodium)
Ascaridole

41
 Constituents of Volatile Oil
Contd…
8. Sulfur containing compound:

Terpene Structure Biological Source

Brassica nigra (Black mustard)

Sinigrin
(Glucosinolate)

42
 Constituents of Volatile Oil
Contd…
8. Nitrogen containing compound:

Terpene Structure Biological Source

Prunus amygdalus (Almond)

Amygdalin

43
 Lemon peel

Common Names:
English: Lemon
Amheric: Lomi

Botanical name: Citrus limon

Biological Source:
Lemon oil is obtained from fresh ripe fruit peel of
Citrus lemon belonging to the family Rutaceae.
It is a volatile oil obtained by cold expression
method.

44
 Lemon peel
Contd…
Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Citrus
Species: C. Limon

Organoleptic Properties:
Color: Pale greenish yellow
Odor: Strong and aromatic
Taste: Aromatic and bitter
Solubility: Soluble in alcohol and insoluble in water

45
 Lemon peel
Contd…

Chemical Constituents:
Lemon peel contains volatile oil (2.5%), vitamin C, hesperidin and other
flavone glycosides, mucilage, pectin and calcium oxalate.
The important constituents of the volatile oil are limonene (90%), citronellal,
geranyl acetate, α-pinene, camphene, linalool, terpineol, methyl
heptenone, octyl and nonyl aldehydes, γ-terpinene, β-pinene, neral, and
geranial.

46
 Lemon peel
Contd…

Uses:
Lemon oil is used as carminative and stimulant.

It is used as flavoring agent in syrups and suspensions as well as in perfume

industry.

It has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties.

It is used as diuretic.

It is helpful for rheumatism and arthritis.

The Juice of the fresh fruit is used as a source of citric acid and Vitamin C
concentrates.

47
 Coriander

Common Names:
English: Coriander
Amheric: Dimbilaala
Botanical Name: Coriandrum sativum
Biological Source:
The drug consists of dried ripe fruits of
Coriandrum sativum Linn. belonging to
family Apiaceae.

48
 Coriander
Contd…

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Coriandrum
Species: C. Sativum
Organoleptic Properties:
Color: Yellowish brown to brown
Odor: Aromatic
Taste: Spicy and characteristic
Size: Fruits are 2 to 4 mm in diameter and 4 to 30
mm in length
Shape: Sub-globular cremocarpous fruits
Note: Each mericarp has five wavy primary ridges alternating with
four straight prominent secondary ridges
49
 Coriander
Contd…

Chemical Constituents:
Coriander consist of about 1% of volatile oil the chief volatile components are
D-(+)-linalool (coriandrol), along with other constituents like, borneol, p-
cymene, camphor, geraniol, limonene, and alpha-pinenes.
The fruits also contain fatty oil and hydroxycoumarins.
The fatty oils include acids of petroselic acid, oleic acid, linolenic acid,
whereas the hydroxycoumarins include the umbelliferone and scopoletine.

50
 Coriander
Contd…

Uses:
• Coriander fruits are used as aromatic, carminative, stimulant,
antispasmodic, flavouring agent.

• It is also used as refrigerant, tonic, and appetizer, diuretic, aphrodisiac, and

stomachic.

• Coriander can be applied externally for rheumatism and painful joints.

Important Formulations: Cystone (Himalaya Drug Company)

Substitutes: Exhausted coriander

51
 Eucalyptus oil

Common name:
English: Fever tree, Blue gum tree
Amharic: Nech bahir Zaf

Botanical name: Eucalyptus globulus

Biological Source: Eucalyptus oil is the
essential oil obtained by the distillation of fresh
leaves of Eucalyptus globulus and other species
like E. polybractea, E. viminalis, and E. smithii,
belonging to family Myrtaceae.

52
 Eucalyptus oil
Contd…

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Eucalyptus
Species: E. globulus

Description:
Color: Colorless or straw colored fluid
Odor: Characteristic
Taste: Characteristic
Solubility: soluble in equal amount of alcohol

53
 Eucalyptus oil
Contd…

Chemical Constituents:
Eucalyptus oil contains volatile oil of which 70 to 85% is 1,8-cineole also
known as eucalyptol.
The other constituents present are p-cymene, α-pinene; small quantity of
sesquiterpenes like ledol, aromadendrene; aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols.
It also has polyphenolic acids like ferulic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid;
flavonoids such as eucalyptin, hyperoside and rutin.

54
 Eucalyptus oil
Contd…

Uses:
The oil is used as stimulant, antiseptic, flavoring agent, aromatic, deodorant,
expectorant, antimicrobial, febrifuge, diuretic, and antispasmodic.
It is also used in the treatment of lung diseases, sore throat, cold, as a vapour
bath for asthma and various respiratory ailments and in bronchitis.

Marketed Preparation:
It is one of the ingredients of the preparations known as Cold Balm, Muscle
and Joint Rub.

55
 Mint (Peppermint) Oil

Common name:
English: Peppermint, Brandy mint
Amheric: Nanna

Botanical Name: Mentha piperita

Biological source:
It is the oil obtained by the distillation of Mentha
piperita herb, belonging to family Lamiaceae
(Labiatae).

56
 Mint (Peppermint) Oil
Contd…

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Mentha
Species: M. piperita

Description:
Color: Colorless, yellowish or greenish liquid
Odor: Characteristic and penetrating
Taste: First hot and aromatic afterwards converted to cold sensation in
mouth

57
 Mint (Peppermint) Oil
Contd…

Chemical constituents:
The chief constituent of Peppermint oil is Menthol, along with other
constituents like menthyl acetate, isovalerate, menthone, cineol, inactive
pinene, limonene, and other less important bodies.

Menthol separates on cooling it to a low temperature (–22°C).

The flavouring properties of the oil are due to both the ester and alcoholic
constituents.
Medicinal value is attributed only due to the alcoholic components.

58
 Mint (Peppermint) Oil
Contd…

Uses:
It is stimulant, stomachic, carminative, inflatulence, and colic; in some
dyspepsia, sudden pains, for cramp in the abdomen and also in cholera and
diarrhoea.
Peppermint is good to aid in raising internal heat and inducing perspiration.
It is also used in cases of hysteria and nervous disorders.

Adulterants:
Camphor oil
Cedarwood oil
Oil of African Copaiba
Rectified spirit
Rosemary oil
Turpentine oil
59
 Cinnamon

Common Names:
English: Cortex cinnamoni, Ceylon cinnamon,
Saigon cinnamon, Chinese cassia
Amharic: Karafa or Qarafa

Botanical name: Cinnamomum aromaticum,

Cinnamomum Laurus,
Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Biological source:
Cinnamon is the dried inner bark of the coppiced
shoots of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees.,
belonging to family Lauraceae.

60
 Cinnamon
Contd…

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Laurales
Family: Lauraceae
Genus: Cinnamomum
Species: C. zeylanicum

Description:
Color: Outer surface has yellowish brown color; inner surface is
darker than the outer
Odor: Fragrant aromatic and characteristic
Taste: Aromatic and sweet
Shape: Quill shape

61
 Cinnamon
Contd…

Chemical Constituents:
Cinnamon contains about 10% of volatile oil, tannin, mucilage, calcium
oxalate and sugar.
Volatile oil contains 50 to 65% cinnamic aldehyde, along with 5 to 10%
eugenol, terpene hydrocarbons and small quantities of ketones and alcohols.

62
 Cinnamon
Contd…

Uses:
It is used as an aromatic, carminative, flavouring agent, analgesic, antiseptic,
antirheumatic, antispasmodic, demulcent, digestive, expectorant, stomachic,
diaphoretic, antibacterial, antifungal, etc.
It stops vomiting, relieves flatulence and and as astringents for diarrhoea and
haemorrhage of the womb.
It is also used in the treatment of bronchitis, colds, nausea, congestion, and
liver problems.

63
 Dill
Common names:
English: Fructus anethi, Anethum, European dill
Amharic: Enselale

Botanical name: Anethum graveolens

Biological source:
Dill consists of the dried ripe fruits of Anethum
graveolens Linn., belonging to family
Umbelliferae.

64
 Dill
Contd…

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Anethum
Species: A. graveolens

Description:
Color: Yellowish or slightly brown
Odor: Pleasant aromatic
Taste: Aromatic and characteristic
Shape: Oval, compressed, winged

65
 Dill
Contd…

Chemical Constituents:
The fruit yields about 3.5% of the essential oil, about 20% of fixed oil and
protein.
The essential oil is an aromatic liquid consisting of a mixture of paraffin
hydrocarbon and 40 to 60% of d-carvone along with D-limonene and other
terpenes.

66
 Dill
Contd…
Uses:
Dill fruit and oil of Dill possess stimulant, aromatic,
carminative, and stomachic, with considerable medicinal
value.
Oil of Dill is used in mixtures, preparation of Dill Water is
used in the flatulence of infants and also as a vehicle for
children’s medicine.
Oil of Dill is employed for perfuming soaps.

Marketed Products:
It is one of the ingredients of the preparations known as
Woodward’s Gripe water.

Woodward's Gripe Water contains oil of Dill herb and Sodium

Bicarbonate and brings rapid relief of wind and gripe. Dill Seed
Oil warms and relaxes the tummy, breaking down trapped air
bubbles. Sodium Bicarbonate neutralizes acid in the baby's
tummy. 67
 Clove

Common Names:
English: Clove buds, Clove flowers
Amharic: Qerenefud, k’irinifudi

Botanical name: Eugenia caryophyllus

Synonym: Syzygium aromaticum

Biological Source:
Clove consists of the dried flower buds of
Eugenia caryophyllus Thumb., belonging to
family Myrtaceae.

68
 Clove
Contd…

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Syzygium
Species: S. aromaticum

Description:
Color: Reddish-brown
Odor: Strong spicy and aromatic
Tatse: Pungent and aromatic
Shape: Sub-cylindrical with upper
crown and a hypanthium

69
 Clove
Contd…

Chemical Constituents:
Clove contains 14–21% of volatile oil.
The other constituents present are the eugenol, acetyl eugenol, gallotannic
acid, and two crystalline principles; α- and β- caryophyllenes, methyl furfural,
gum, resin, and fibre.
Clove oil has 60–90% eugenol, which is the cause of its anesthetic and
antiseptic properties.

70
 Clove
Contd…

Chemical tests:
To a thick section through hypanthium of clove add 50% potassium hydroxide
solution; it produces needle-shaped crystals of potassium eugenate.

A drop of clove oil is dissolved in 5 ml alcohol and a drop of ferric chloride

solution is added; due to the phenolic OH group of eugenol, a blue colour is
seen.

71
 Clove
Contd…

Uses:
Clove is used as an antiseptic, stimulant, carminative, aromatic, and as a
flavouring agent.
It is also used as antiemetic.
Dentists use clove oil as an oral anesthetic and to disinfect the root canals.
Clove kills intestinal parasites and exhibits broad antimicrobial properties
against fungi and bacteria and so it is used in the treatment of diarrhea,
intestinal worms, and other digestive ailments.
Clove oil can stop toothache.
A few drops of the oil in water will stop vomiting, eating cloves is said to be
aphrodisiac.
Clove is also a stimulating expectorant in bronchial problems.
Eugenol is also used as local anaesthetic in small doses.

72
 Ajowan

Common Names:
English: Ethiopian cumin seeds
Amharic: Carom, Ajwain or Ajowan

Botanical Name: Trachyspermum ammi

Biological Source:
Ajowan is the dried ripe seeds of
Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague,
belonging to family Apiaceae.

73
 Ajowan
Contd…

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Trachyspermum
Species: T. Ammi

Description:
Color: Dirty yellow to yellowish brown
Odor: Agreeable
Taste: Aromatic and warming
Shape: Cremocarps

74
 Ajowan
Contd…

Chemical Constituents:
Ajowan contains an essential oil (2–3.5%), protein (17.1%), and fat (21.8%).
Ajowan oil is a colourless or brownish yellow liquid possessing a
characteristic odour of thymol and a sharp taste.
The principal constituents of the oil are phenol, mainly thymol (35–60%),
carvacrol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene, α-, and β-pinenes and dipentene.

75
 Ajowan
Contd…

Uses:
Ajowan is widely used as a spice in curries; in pickles, certain types of
biscuits, confectionery, and in beverages.
It is valued for its antispasmodic, stimulant, tonic, and carminative properties.
It is given in flatulence, atonic dyspepsia, diarrhoea, and cholera.
Ajowan is also effective in relaxed sore throat and in bronchitis, and often
constitutes an ingredient of cough mixture.
The oil is useful as an expectorant in emphysema, bronchial pneumonia and
some other respiratory ailments.

76
 Chenopodium Oil

Common Names:
English: Herba sancti mariae, Jesuit’s tea,
Mexican tea
Amharic: sīnopodīyemi zeyiti

Botanical Name: Chenopodium ambrosioides

Biological Source:
Chenopodium oil is the volatile oil obtained by
the distillation from the fresh aerial parts of
Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn, belonging to
family Chenopodiaceae.

77
 Chenopodium Oil
Contd…

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Chenopodium
Species: C. ambrosioides

Description:
Color: Colorless or yellowish
Odor: Camphoraceous
Taste: Pungent and bitter

78
 Chenopodium Oil
Contd…

Chemical Constituents:
Ascaridole, a terpene peroxide, to the high percentage of 60 to 70%, an
unstable substance is present in the oil.
It also contains p-cymene, α-perpinene, probably dihydro-p-cymene, and
possibly sylvestrene.
Betzine, choline, glycol, and safrol have also been reported.

79
 Chenopodium Oil
Contd…

Uses:
Chenopodium oil is used as anthelmintic especially in tapeworm, round
worms, and hook worms.
It is also used as active purgative, in the treatment of malaria, hysteria, and
other nervous diseases.
It is employed in veterinary practice in a worm mixture for dogs, in
combination with oil of turpentine, oil of aniseed, castor oil, and olive oil.

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