Essential Oils

Featured Essential Oil

This sample specification of an essential oil will give an idea of the glossary used in the industry. Note: the term "Essential Oil" refers to the highly concentrated, volatile, aromatic essences of plants obtained by water/steam distillation (or expression in the case of citrus oils). Frequently used (incorrectly) to apply to "concretes" and "absolutes" that are obtained by solvent extraction.

Lavender Oil

Family:
Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

The latin botanical family name of the plant source.

Synonyms:
TRUE LAVENDER; LAVENDER OIL 40/42%; LAVANDULA AUGUSTIFOLIA OIL; LAVENDER OIL;

Other names, botanical, chemical nomenclature or trade names that the material may be known as.

Sources:
France, UK, Bulgaria, China

Main countries of origin

Method of production:
Lavender Oil is steam distilled from the freshly cut flowering tops and stalks of Lavandula Officinalis, a wild growing or cultivated herb.

The method of production

Appearence:
Colorless to light straw liquid

The appearence of the material ("straw" is a light brown colour). Colour may change for a number of reasons. Some materials get darker, and others lighter with age.

Odor Description:
Almost fruity sweet topnote, Fresh herbaceous, Lavender, Herbal, Floral, Sweet, overall cool but can have slightly notes, a pleasant, balsamic woody backnote

The odour of the material

Perfumery Uses:
Fougeres, Mens Types, Modifier in Eau de Cologne, New Mown Hay; Herbal; Tobacco notes; Amber;

Commonly used in these these perfume type but not limited to these.

Flavour Uses:
Peach, toothpaste, cachous

Used in these Flavours. But be very careful there are many qualities of materials and you must check with the manufacturer if this is really a "Flavour grade"

Aromatherapy uses:
As aid to restful sleep, (particularly fresh flowers packed into pillow) used dilute in water as skin tonic in water, stomach soother.

Ideas on the use in aromatherapy. Note do not use internally without proper consultation with a qualified medical practitioner and ensuring that the oil is pharamaceutical or flavour grade

Blends Well With:
Pine Oils; Cognac; Clary Sage; Hedione; Thyme Oil; Chamomile Oil; Citrus oils particularly Bergamot;

These are notes this material seems to blend well with and worth trying out. But don't limit your imagination to only these.

Analytical:
38/40%

The % quoted in Lavender Oil refers to the ester content calculated as Linalyl Acetate. In other materials it may refer to the percent of active named component.

Specific Gravity:
0.87500 - 0.88800 @ 25.00 C

Water is 1.00 so less than 1.00 will float on water and more than 1 will sink. We can also calculate how many grams 1 cc will weigh. ie. 1 cc of Lavender Oil weighs about 0.88 grams. In the perfumery business we buy by wieght so 1 gram of Lavender Oil will be 1/0.88 = 1.14 ccs. this means that for every 1 Kilogram (1,000 grams) we get 1,140 ccs. Important for checking how many bottles you can fill.

Refractive Index:
1.45900 - 1.46900 @ 20.00 C

This is the measurement of the way that light is bent by liquids. Stand a pencil in a glass of water and note how the pencil appears to be bent as it goes into the water. This helps to check if the oil is pure but is not not foolproof.

CAS.#:
8000-28-0

Chemical Abstract Series Number helps to identify the exact material referred to. You can find the books of abstracts in a scientific library. There are hundreds of volumes.

FEMA.#:
2622

Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association gives a reference number to materials that are Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS). BUT you must check that the grade you are getting is flavour grade if you are making flavours.

MP:
Melting Point: N/A

The temperature the material melts at.

BP:
Boiling Point: N/A

The temperature the material boils at.

FP:
Flash Point: 70 C

This indicates the temperature that the material will "flash" when a flame is present. Below about 57 usually requires shipments to be marked "Dangerous Goods". Ethanol (FP -18 C), Orange Oil and Rosemary Oil fall into this category.

Soluble in:
95% Ethanol, DPG, DEP, White Oil(Cloudy);

The oils will mix with these common solvents. The percentage of Ethanol indicates how much water is present (in this case 5%). But check yourself everytime as other materials in the mixture will affect the solubility. Solubility in White Oil will indicate its suitability for candle making in this case it will be OK for normal scented candles but no good for transparent gel candles as it forms a cloudy mixture (this can be helped though with other materials in the perfume)

Insoluble in:
Water

Does not mix with water

NAFTA H.#:
3301.23.0000

This is the harmonised code (almost standard world-wide) for the Customs and Excise department. It enables them to quickly establish the import duty and any restrictions on importing the material.