volatile oil is one of the Secondary metabolites obtained from crude drug. Aromatherapy is one of the important therapies to give calmness, relaxation to the body, soul and mind where the volatile oil or aromatic oil has got much importance due to their pleasant fragrance. They are having different medicinal value and also they find their use in manufacturing cosmetics. #aroma #aromaticoil #crudedrug

1. Prepared by:
Ms. Pranita Sunar
Asst. Professor
Mata Gujri College of
Pharmacy

2. The odorous, volatile principle of plant and animal
source are known as volatile oils. As they evaporate
when exposed to air at ordinary temperatures, they
are also called as ethereal oils.
They represent essence or active constituent of plant or
animal, hence they are also known as Essential oils.
They are present in any part of plant or entire plant.
Volatile oils are chemically derived from terpenes and
their oxygenated compounds.

3. Properties of Volatile Oils
 They are soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, acteone
etc. and insoluble in water.
 They are usually lighter than water.
 Posses characteristic odours and have high refractive
index.
 Are secreted in special structures such as
Schizogenous and lysigenous glands, trichomes etc.
And commonly found in Labitae(tulsi),
Rutaceae(orange lemon), Piperaceae(blackpepper),
Zingiberaceae(cardamom) Umbelliferae(coriander,
fennel) etc.

4. Types of volatile oils
 Alcohol volatile oils - example: peppermint, coriander,
orange flowers.
 Aldehyde ,, ,, - example: lemon peel, lemon
grass
 Ester – example: lavender,
 Hydrocarbon – example: turpentine, black pepper
 Ketone – example: camphor, musk
 Oxide – example: eucalyptus
 Phenolic ether- example: fennel, nutmeg
 Phenol – example: clove, thyme

5. Extraction methods of volatile oils
 Hydro-distillation: the fresh material is subjected to
hydro distillation in case of leaf drugs. It comprises of
water distillation or steam distillation for extraction of
volatile oil from herbal drugs.
 Enfleurage: fresh flower petals are mechanically
spread on layer of fatty material, allowed to imbibing
and the exhausted petals are replaced by fresh
materials. This process is continued till the fatty layer is
saturated with volatile principles which are then
extracted with lipid solvent. This method is used for
extraction of delicate perfumes.

6. Ecuelle: In this method, the oil cells are ruptured
mechanically using pointed projections by twisting raw
material over them in clockwise direction either
mechanically or manually. This method is used for
extraction of citrus oils.
Chemical tests for volatile oils
 When alcoholic solution of Sudan III is added to the
thin section of drug, it gives red color that indicates the
presence of volatile oil.
 When a drop of tincture alkane is added to the thin
section of drug, it gives red color that indicates the
presence of volatile oils.

7. Uses of volatile oil
 Volatile oils are used as flavoring and perfuming agents
in pharmaceutical formulation, foods, beverages and
cosmetics.
 They are also used as medicinal agent such as
carminative, anthelmintics, antiseptic, local
anaesthetics, sedative, insect repellant etc,.