This document provides information about volatile oils. It begins by defining volatile oils as odorous and volatile products produced by plants. Volatile oils are composed of terpenes and their derivatives and are found in secretory tissues of plants. They can be extracted through various methods including water, steam, solvent extraction and expression. Common sources of volatile oils include leaves, flowers, bark and seeds. Tests can identify volatile oils in plants using reagents like Sudan III. Volatile oils have many pharmaceutical applications as fragrances, flavors and medicines due to their antimicrobial and other therapeutic properties.