Essential oil

Essential oils are composed of hydrophobic volatile organic compounds, usually in liquid form, obtained from plant material. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetheroleum, or simply as the oil of the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove. An essential oil is essential in the sense that the oil contains the fragrance or essence of the plant.

The term "essential" used here does not indicate that it is nutritionally required in the diet, as with essential amino acid or essential fatty acid.

Back to Scents & Chemistry →

Source: Wikipedia · Image: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

ODORTEST

Measure the air — olfactometry, odour-unit maths, emission rates, and the dilution calculators every odor assessment needs.

Get new guides by emailOccasional emails. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

InformationAbout Contact Privacy Policy Terms of Service Disclaimer Affiliate Disclosure Cookie Policy

Every entry, image, and fact is drawn from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, used under public-domain and Creative Commons licenses. No content is AI-generated.