ESSENTIAL OILS
SMALL-SCALE PRODUCTION
Essential oils are steam volatile oils distilled from plant materials and represent the typical
flavour and aroma of a particular plant. They are found in flowers, leaves, roots, seeds and barks
and find use principally in perfumery and flavourings. The essential oil content of plant material
is low, typically 1 to 3% of the plant weight. They are thus low-volume, very high value
products. This makes them attractive crops for remote smallholders where high transport costs
prevent the transport of lower value cash crops.
Essential oils contain a complex mix of components and it is this mix that gives the “note” that
experts recognise. Table 1 shows the important constituents of some common essential oils.
Name
Lemongrass
and
Citronella
Eucalyptus
Part of
plant
used
Leaf
Leaf
Cinnamon
leaf
Clove
Leaf
Bud
Turpentine
Lavender
Flower
Sandalwood
Nutmeg
Almond
Coriander
Wood
Nut
Nut
Seed
Botanical
Name
Important
Constituents
Uses
Cymbopogon spp
Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus citriodora
Eucalyptus dives
Cinnamomum
zeylanicum
Eugenia caryophyllus
Citral
Citronella
Terpenes
Cineale
Citronella
Terpenes
Eugenol
Eugenol
Pinus spp
Lavendula
intermedia
Santalum album
Myristica fragrans
Prunis communis
Coriandrum sativum
Terpenes
Linalol
Sanatols
Myristicin
Benzaldehyde
Linalol
Terpenes
Perfumery
Disinfectant
Used to make
artificial vanilla
Dentistry
Flavouring
Paints
Perfumery
Perfumery
Table 1 - Essential oils
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