Economic Botany Collections

Samples from the essential oil collection

Essential Oils

Essential oils are the oils found in plants that give them their characteristic odours. They can be found in many different parts of the plant and can be extracted by compression, by distillation with steam, by dissolving out the oils (extraction) or absorbing them, and by pressure and maceration. The oils are widely used in perfumes, flavourings and medicines. From left to right, the samples are:

ZINGIBERACEAE Curcuma longa. This turmeric oil sample was given to the Pharmaceutical Society by Heinrich Haensel. EBC 76474

RUTACEAE Citrus bergamia. This bergamot oil was part of the large donation to the Society from Schimmel and Co. The label reads - Principal constituents are Limonene, Linalool, Acetate of Linalool and Bergaptene. The green peel of the fruit is used to make the oil. EBC 76495

COMPOSITAE Conyza canadensis. This is erigeron oil. EBC 76697

LEGUMINOSAE-CAESALPINIOIDEAE Copaifera sp. This sample of copaiba oil came to the Society from Stafford Allen and Sons. EBC 76532

RUTACEAE Citrus limonum. This sample of lemon oil came from Arthur A. Basset. EBC 76487

MYRTACEAE Corymbia citriodora. This citron scented gum oil was donated to the Society by the Sydney Technological Museum in Australia. EBC 76625

BURSERACEAE Balsamodendrum myrrha. This myrrh oil sample also came from Schimmel and Co. EBC 76470

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