Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University

Santosh, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh

Department of pharmacy
ASSIGNMENt No - 1
Course code: PHAR-2201
Course title: Pharmacognosy III
Assignment Name: Volatile Oil and related compounds.

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Sayema Arefin
Lecturer
Department of Pharmacy
Mawlana Bhashani Science
and Technology University
Submit Date: 23/08/2020
Sabbir Ahmed
Department: Pharmacy
Student ID: PHA-19021
Session: 2018-19
Year: 2nd Semester: 2nd

Date of Submission: 18/03/2021

A. Terpenes and sesquiterpenes:

TURPENTINE OIL
Synonyms:
Oleum terbinthae, rectified oil of turpentine.

Family: Pinaceae.

Biologycal Source:
Turpentine oil is the volatile oil obtained by the distillation of oleoresin from Pinus
longifolia Roxb and various species of Pinus.

Geographical Source:
Pinus longifolia is cultivated in India and Pakistan, the other species are cultivated
in the United States, France, Europe, and Russia.

Chemical Constituents:

• α- and β- pinene
• camphene
• limonene

Uses:

• Used as counterirritant
• Used as Rubefacient
• Used in swelling
• Used in neuralgia
• Used as mild antiseptic
• Used as an expectorant in chronic bronchitis
 • Used as diuretic
• Used urinary antiseptic
• Used in the preparation of disinfectants, insecticides, paints, varnishes, and
pine oil.

JUNIPER
Synonyms:
Juniper absolute, Juniper berry.
Family: Cupressaceae

Biological source:
The juniper tree's name is derived from the latin word juniperus. In Latin, juniper is
combination of the word junio, which means young, and parere, to produce, hence
youth producing, or evergreen. Juniper essential oil is extracted from juniper
communis.
Geographical source:
Depending on taxonomic viewpoint, between 50 and 67 species of junipers are
widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from the Arctic, south to
tropical Africa, from ziarat, pakistan Italy, Yugoslauia.

Chemical constituents:

• a-pinene
• camphene
 • b-pinene
• sabinene
• myrcene
• a-phellandrene
• a-terpinene, y-terpinene
• 1,4-cineole, b-phellandrene
• p-cymene, terpinen-4-ol
• bornyl acetate, cayophyllene and trace amounts of limonene
• camphor, linalool, linalyl acetate, borneol and nerol.

Uses:

• It can help calm the nerves

• It relieves anxiety
• nervous tension and mental exhaustion
• It is helpful when the prostate gland is enlarged and is used to help with
the inability to pass urine, in cases of cystitis and kidney stones.
• It is also helpful for cellulite and fluid retention.
• It generally helps with the digestive system, particularly in cases of
obesity, over-indulgence of food and premenstrual bloating.
• For the liver, it has a tonic effect and helps regulate the menstrual cycle
and eases painful period pains.
• It assists with the elimination of uric acid and therefore relieves pain in
cases of gout, rheumatism and arthritis.
• Apart from this, juniper oil is also very effective for acne, eczema, oily skin,
weeping eczema, psoriasis and dandruff.
B. Alcohols:
CORIANDER

Synonyms:
Fructus coriandri, Coriander fruits, Cilantro, Chinese parsley.

Family: Umbelliferae.

Biological Source:
Coriander consists of dried ripe fruits of Coriandrum sativum Linn.

Geographical Sources:
Cultivated in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia, Hungary, in Africa
and India. In India it is cultivated in Maharashtra, U.P., Rajasthan, Jammu, and
Kashmir. It is also found in an antiwild state in the east of England.

Chemical Constituents:

• 1% of volatile oil
• D-(+)-linalool (coriandrol)
• Borneol
• P-cymene
• Camphor
• Geraniol
• Limonene
• Alpha-pinenes
• Fatty oil and hydroxycoumarins
• Petroselic acid, oleic acid, linolenic acid
Uses:

• Used as Aromatic
• Used as Carminative
• Used as Stimulant
• Used as Alterative
• Used as Antispasmodic
• Used as Diaphoretic
• Used as Flavoring agent
• Used as refrigerant
• Used as Tonic
• Used as Appetizer
• Used as Diuretic
• Used as Aphrodisiac
• Used as Stomachic
• Can be applied externally for rheumatism and painful joints
• Used for the treatment of sore-throat, indigestion, vomiting, flatulence, and
other intestinal dis-orders.
 SANDALWOOD OIL

Synonyms:
Chandan oil, sandal oil, yellow sandalwood oil, liginum.

Family: Santalaceae.

Biological Source:
Sandalwood oil is obtained by distillation of sandalwood, Santalum album Linn.

Geographical Source:
Sandal is a small to medium-sized, evergreen semiparasitic tree found in the dry
regions of peninsular India from Vindhya Mountains southwards, especially in
Mysore and Tamil Nadu. It has also been introduced in Rajasthan, parts of U.P.,
M.P., and Orissa.

Chemical Constituents

• Santalol
• α-santalol
• β-santalol
• Hydrocarbons santene
• Nor-tricycloekasantalene
• α-, and β- santalenes.
Uses:

• Used in perfumery creations

• In soaps
• Face creams
• Toilet powders
• A chemo-protective action on liver carcinogenesis in mice has been
demonstrated.

ROSE
Synonym:
Attar of roses, attar, atar, athar, ottar.
Family: Rosaceae.
Biological source:
Rose oil is obtained from the petals of difference Rosa species especially Rosa
centifolia L. and Rosa damascena Mill.

Chemical constituents:
• Citronellol
• Geraniol
• Nerol
• Linalool
• phenyl ethyl alcohol
• farnesol, stearoptene
• α-pinene, β-pinene
• α-terpinene, limonene
• p-cymene, camphene
• β-caryophyllene, neral, citronellyl acetate
• geranyl acetate, neryl acetate, eugenol, methyl eugenol, rose oxide, α-
damascenone, β-damascenone
• benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, rhodinyl acetate and phenyl ethyl formate.
Uses:
• Relief from menstrual discomfort
• Decreases anxiety and stress
• Antibacterial
• antifungal properties
• Stimulates sex drive
• Eases depressive symptoms.

C. Ester:
PEPPERMINT

Synonym: Brandy Mint.

Family: Labiatae.

Biologycal Source:
It is the oil obtained by the distillation of Mentha piperita.

Geographical Source:
It is mainly found in Europe, United States, and also in damp places of England.

Chemical Constituents:

• Menthyl acetate
• Isovalerate
• Menthone
• Cineol
• Inactive pinene
• Limonene
Uses:

• It is stimulant
• Stomachic
• Carminative
• Inflatulence and colic
• In some dyspepsia
• Sudden pains
• For cramp in the abdomen
• In cholera and diarrhoea.
• Oil of peppermint allays sickness and nausea, as infants cordial.
• Peppermint is good to aid in raising internal heat and inducing perspiration.
• It is also used in cases of hysteria and nervous disorders.
 LAVENDER
Synonym:
Oil of levender, lilac-coloured, lilac-purple.

Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

Biological source:
lavender oil is extracted from Lavandula angustifolia (also known as Lavandula.
officinalis, spica and vera). It is also known as garden, common or English lavender.
Chemical constituents:

• A-pinene
• Limonene
• 1,8-cineole
• Cis-ocimene
• Trans-ocimene
• 3-octanone, camphor
• Linalool, linalyl acetate
• Caryophyllene
• Terpinen-4-ol and lavendulyl acetate.

Uses:

• Lavender oil has a soothing and calming effect on the nerves, relieving
tension, depression, panic, hysteria and nervous exhaustion in general
and is effective for headaches, migraines and insomnia.
• It is also very beneficial for problems such as bronchitis, asthma, colds,
laryngitis, halitosis, throat infections and whooping cough and helps the
digestive system deal with colic, nausea, vomiting and flatulence.
• Lavender oil relieves pain when used for rheumatism, arthritis, lumbago
and muscular aches and pains, especially those associated with sport.
• On the skin, lavender oil tones and revitalizes and it is useful for all types
of skin problems such as abscesses, acne, oily skin, boils, burns, sunburn,
wounds, psoriasis, lice, insect bites, stings and also acts as an insect
repellent.
• Lavender oil is one of the few essentials oils that can be used neat on the
skin, and this is especially useful when treating a minor burn wound.
 ROSEMARY OIL
Synonyms:
Rubefacient, Rosmarinus officinalis

Family: Lamiaceae.

Biological Source:
Oil of Rosemary is distilled from the flowering tops of leafy twigs of Rosmarinus
officinalis.

Geographical Source:
The plant is native to southern Europe and the oil is produced principally in Spain
and North Africa.

Chemical Constituents:

• 1–2% of volatile oil

• 0.8–6% of esters
• 8–20% of alcohols
• 1,8-cineole
• Borneol
• Camphor
• Bornyl acetate
• Monoterpene hydrocarbons
• Triterpene alcohols α- and β-amyrins
• Rosmarinic acid
• Rofficerone caffeic acid
• Chlorogenic acid
• Α-hydroxydihydrocaffeic acid
• Glycosides of luteolin and diosmetin
• Carnosolic acid
• Carnosol
• Rosmanol
• Epirosmanol
• Isorosmanol
Uses:

• Used in the perfumery industry

• It is a component of soap liniment and is frequently used in aromatherapy
• Used for gastrointestinal disturbances
• Used to enhance urinary and digestive elimination function
• As a choleretic or cholagogue
• Topically, it is applied to clear nasal passages, for colds
• As a mouthwash and for rheumatic ailments
• Used in food technology as antioxidants and preservatives.
D. Aldehydes:
CINNAMON BARK

Synonyms:
Cortex cinnamoni, Ceylon cinnamon, Saigon cinnamon, Chinese
cassia, Cinnamomum aromaticum, Cinnamomum laurus.

Family: Lauraceae.

Biological Source:
Cinnamon is the dried inner bark of the coppiced shoots of Cinnamomum
zeylanicum Nees.

Geographical Sources:
Cinnamomum zeylanicum is widely cultivated in Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, West
Indies, Brazil, Mauritius, Jamaica, and India.

Chemical Constituents:

• 10% of volatile oil

• Tannin
• Mucilage
• Calcium oxalate
• Sugar
• 50-65% cinnamic aldehyde
• 5-10% eugenol
• Terpene hydrocarbons
• Small quantities of ketones and alcohols
Uses:

• Used as an alterative
• Used as Aromatic
• Used as Carminative
• Used as Flavoring agent
• Used as Analgesic
• Used as Antiseptic
• Used as Antirheumatic
• Used as Antispasmodic
• Used as Demulcent
• Used as Digestive
• Used as Expectorant
• Used as Stomachic
• Used as Diaphoretic
• Used as Antibacterial
• Used as Antifungal
• It stops vomiting, relieves flatulence
• As astringents for diarrhoea and haemorrhage of the womb
• Used in the treatment of bronchitis, colds, palpitations, nausea, congestion,
and liver problems.
 LEMON PEEL

Synonym: Fructus Limonis.

Family: Rutaceae.

Biological Source:
Lemon peel is obtained from the fresh ripe fruit of Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.
(C medico var. limon Linn.)

Geographical Source:
It is cultivated in California. West Indies, Italy, Spain, Sicily, Portugal, Florida,
California, Jamaica, and Australia; grown all over India, particularly in home gardens
and small-sized orchards.

Chemical Constituents:
• Volatile oil (2.5%)
• Vitamin c
• Hesperidin
• Flavone glycosides
• Mucilage, Pectin
• Calcium oxalate
• Limonene (90%) citronellal
• Geranyl acetate
• Α-pinene
• Camphene
• Linalool
• Terpineol
Uses:

• Used as a flavouring agent

• Perfumery
• Stomachic
• Carminative

LEMON GRASS

Synonyms:
East India lemongrass, Malabar, or Cochin Lemongrass.
Family: Poaceae.
Biological Source:
Lemongrass oil is obtained from Cymbopogon flexuosus Stapf. (syn. Andropogon
nardus var. flexuosus Hack.). It contains not less than 75% of aldehydes calculated
as citral. Geographical SourceLemongrass is indigenous to India and is found in Tin-
nevelli, Travancore, and Cochin. Two principal varieties of Lemongrass are
recognized as the red-stemmed variety, the true C. flexuosus, which is a source of
East Indian Lemongrass oil and the white-stemmed variety which is designated
as C. flexuosus var. albescens. The oil from the latter is low in aldehyde content and
is slightly soluble in 70% alcohol.
Chemical Constituents:
• Methyl heptanone
• Decyl aldehyde, geraniol
 • Linalool, limonene, dipentene
• Citronellal, triacontane, triacontanol
• Intermedeol, isointermedeol
• α - and β-pinene, car-3-ene,
• Myrcene, ocimene
• β-phellandrene, α-terpinene, p-cymene, terpi-nolene, methyl heptenone,
geranyl acetate, β-caryophyllene, β-selinene
• β-, γ- and δ-elemenes, α- and β-bisabolene
• α-curcumene, γ- and δ-cadinene, methyl eugenol, elemol, β -caryophyllene
oxide, eugenol, β-eudesmol
• Elemicin, farnesol, juniper-camphor, geraniol, anisaldehyde, terpinen-4-
ol, α - and β-terpineol, and borneol.

Uses:
• Used in perfumery, soaps, and cosmetics
• As a mosquito repellent
• Lonones obtained from citral are required for synthetic violet perfumes.
E. Ketones:
SPEARMINT

Synonyms:
Spearmint, Garden mint, Mackerel mint, Our lady’s mint, Green mint, Sage of
Bethlehem.
Family: Labiatae.
Biological Source:
Pudina consists of dried leaves and flowering tops of Mentha spicata Linn.
Geographical Source:
It is originally a native of the Mediterranean region and was later introduced into
Britain.
Chemical Constituents:
• 0.5% volatile oil containing carvone
• limonene, phellandrene
• dihydrocarveol acetate
• esters of acetic, butyric, and caproic or caprylic acids. The drug also contains
resin and tannins.

Uses:
• Used as spice
• Flavouring agent, carminative, digestive, spasmolytic, stimulant
• As a diuretic
 • Pudina is chiefly used for culinary purposes
• Sweetened infusion is an excellent remedy for infantile trouble and also a
pleasant beverage in fevers, inflammatory diseases, etc.

CARAWAY

Synonyms:
Caraway fruits, Fructus carvi, Carum, Caraway Seed.

Family: Umbelliferae.

Biological Source:
Caraway consists of the dried ripe fruits of Carum carvi Linn.

Geographical Source:
It is cultivated widely in northern and central parts of Europe, Turkey in Asia, India,
and North Africa. It is also available in Canada, the United States, Morocco,
Germany, Russia, Norway, and Sweden.

Chemical Constituents:

• 4–7% volatile oil which consists of about 60% carvone

• Dihydrocarvone, carveol
• Carvacrol, and terpene limonene
• Carvene
• Oxygenated oil carvol.
Uses:

• Both fruit and oil possess aromatic, stimulant, flavouring agent and
carminative.
• It is recommended in dyspepsia
• Used as a tonic
• Used as stomachic
• Used for flatulent indigestion
• Used as a excellent vehicle for children’s medicine
• Used as a spice.

DILL

Synonyms:
Fructus anethi, Anethum, European dill.

Family: Umbelliferae.

Biological Source:
Dill consists of the dried ripe fruits of Anethum graveolens Linn.

Geographical Source:
It is native of the Mediterranean region and Southern Russia. Also grown in Italy,
Spain and Portugal.

Chemical Constituents:
 • 3.5% of the essential oil
• About 20% of fixed oil and protein

• Paraffin hydrocarbon and 40 to 60% of d-carvone

• D-limonene
• Other terpenes.

Uses:

• Dill fruit and oil of Dill possess stimulant, aromatic, carminative, and
stomachic, with considerable medicinal value
• Oil of Dill is used in mixtures, preparation of Dill Water is used in the
flatulence of infants and also as a vehicle for children’s medicine
• Oil of Dill is employed for perfuming soaps.
 CAMPHOR

Synonyms:
Gum Camphor, Japan Camphor.

Family: Lauraceae.

Biological Source:
Camphor is a solid ketone, obtained from the volatile oil of Cinnamomum
camphora (L.) Nees et Eber. Synthetic camphor, which is optically inactive, is
prepared from turpentine and would probably have completely replaced the
natural product.

Geographical Source:
The plant is a big tree native to Eastern Asia, It is found widely in Mediterranean
region, Sri Lanka, Egypt, South Africa, Java, Sumatra, Brazil, Jamaica, Florida,
Formosa, Japan, South China, India, and California. In India, the tree is planted in
gardens up to 1,300 m height in the North-west Himalayas. It is successfully
cultivated at Dehradun, Saharanpur, Calcutta, Nilgiris, and Mysore.

Chemical Constituents:

• Camphor, cineole
• Pinene, camphene
• Phellandrene, limonene
• Diterpenes
Uses:

• Used externally as a rubefacient, counterirritant

• Internally as a stimulant, carminative and antiseptic
• It is a topical antipruritic and anti-infective
• Used as 1–3% in skin medicaments and in cosmetic
• It is also used to manufacture some plastics, celluloid, in lacquers, var-nishes,
explosives, pyrotechnics, as moth repellent, and in embalming fluids.

F. Phenols:
CLOVE

Synonyms:
Clove buds, Clove flowers.

Family: Myrtaceae.

Biological Source:
Clove consists of the dried flower buds of Eugenia caryophyllus Thumb.

Geographical Source:
Clove tree is a native of Indonesia. It is cultivated mainly in Islands of Zanzibar,
Pemba, Brazil, Amboiana, and Sumatra. It is also found in Madagascar, Penang,
Mauritius, West Indies, India, and Ceylon.

Chemical Constituents

• 14–21% of volatile oil

• Eugenol, acetyl eugenol
• Gallotannic acid
• Two crystalline principles
• Α- and β- caryophyllenes
 • Methyl furfural, gum, resin, and fiber

Uses:

• Used as an antiseptic, stimulant, carminative, aromatic, and as a flavouring

agent.
• It is also used as anodyne, antiemetic
• Dentists use clove oil as an oral anesthetic and to disinfect the root canals.
• Clove kills intestinal parasites and exhibits broad antimicrobial properties
against fungi and bacteria and so it is used in the treatment of diarrhea,
intestinal worms, and other digestive ailments
• Clove oil can stop toothache.
• A few drops of the oil in water will stop vomiting, eating cloves is said to be
aphrodisiac.
• Eugenol is also used as local anaesthetic in small doses. The oil stimulates
peristalsis
• It is a strong germicide, also a stimulating expectorant in bronchial problems.
• The infusion and clove water are good vehicles for alkalies and aromatics.
 THYME
Synonyms:
Bay leaf, cayenne pepper, borage, bouquet garni.

Family: Lamiaceae.

Biological source:
Thyme, (Thymus vulgaris), pungent herb of the mint known for the aroma and
flavour of its dried leaves and flowering tops.

Chemical constituents:
• 20-54% thymol
• P-cymene
• Myrcene
• Borneol
• Linalool
• Thymol (55.3%)
• P-cymene (11.2%)
• Carvacrol (8.7%
• B-caryophyllene (4.2%).

Uses:
• Thyme is taken by mouth for bronchitis, whooping cough, sore throat, colic,
arthritis, upset stomach, stomach pain (gastritis), diarrhea, bedwetting, a
movement disorder in children (dyspraxia), intestinal gas bronchitis,
whooping cough, sore throat, colic, arthritis, upset stomach, stomach pain
(gastritis), diarrhea, bedwetting, a movement disorder in children
(dyspraxia), intestinal gas (flatulence), parasitic worm infections, and skin
disorders.
• Thyme contains chemicals that might help bacterial and fungal infections,
and minor irritations.
 • Thyme is an herb. The flowers, leaves, and oil are used as medicine. Thyme
is sometimes used in combination with other herbs.
• Thyme is used for swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lung
(bronchitis), cough, patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), stomach problems,
and many other conditions.
• It can also be used to add flavor and depth to marinades, soups and stocks,
cocktail elements, and teas.

CINNAMON LEAF
Synonyms:
Ceylon cinnamon, Saigon cinnamon.

Family: Lauraceae.

Biological source:
Cinnamon leaves are medium in size and are elongated, slender, oval to
lanceolate in shape, and tapers to a point. Cinnamon leaves are often dried and
have a lighter taste and aroma compared to cinnamon bark when used in teas or
cooking.

Chemical constituents:
Cinnamon leaf oil contains high concentrations of eugenol (Ceylon type 80-88%;
Seychelles type 87 96%); it also contains many of the major constituents present
in cinnamon bark oil (e.g., cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate, eugenol acetate,
and benzaldehyde) as well as other minor compounds.

Uses:
They are used to flavor stews, pilafs, and curries, and dried Cinnamon leaves can
often be substituted for bay leaves in many recipes.
G. Ether:
FENNEL

Synonyms:
Fructus foeniculli, Fennel fruit, Fenkel, Florence fennel, Sweet fennel, Wild fennel,
Large fennel.

Family: Umbelliferae.

Biological Source:
Fennel consists of the dried ripe fruits of Foeniculum vulgare Miller.

Geographical Source:
Fennel is indigenous to Mediterranean countries and Asia; it is largely cultivated in
France, Saxony, Japan, Galicia, Russia, India, and Persia.

Chemical Constituents:
• 4 to 5% of volatile oil
• 50 to 60% of anethole
• a phenolic ester
• 18 to 22% of fenchone
• a ketone
• β-pinene
• anisic acid
• phellandrene
• anisic aldehyde
• 20% fixed oil and 20% proteins.
Uses:

• Fennel is used as stomachic, aromatic, diuretic, carminative, diaphoretic, as

a digestive, pectoral, and flavouring agent.
• Anethole may have estrogen-like activity and inhibit spasms in smooth
muscles.
• Fennel can increase production of bile, used in the treatment of infant colic,
to promote menstrua-tion in women, can increase lactation, act as
antipyretic, antimicrobial and antiinflammatory.

NUTMEG

Synonyms:
Semen myristicae, Myristica, Nux moschata, Myristica aromata.

Family: Myristicaceae.

Biological Source:
Nutmeg is the kernel of the dried ripe seed of Myristica fragrans Houtten.

Geographical Source:
A native of Molucca islands in Indonesia. It is also cultivated in West Indies, Banda
Islands, Archipelago, Malayan, Sumatra, and in Guiana.

Chemical Constituents:

• 5 to 15% volatile oil

• Lignin
• Stearin
• Starch
• Gum
• Colouring matter
 • 0.08% of an acid substance
• Clemicine
• Myristicin
• Geraniol
• Borneol
• Pinene
• Camphene
• Dipentene
• Eugenol, safrol
• P-cymene and isoeugenol in small quantity.

Uses:

• Nutmeg is aromatic, carminative, flavouring agent.

• Both nutmeg and mace are used for flatulence, in allay nausea and vomiting.
• Graded nutmeg along with lard is used in ointment for piles.
• It has narcotic action.
• It irritates and produces anesthetics action, since it irritates intestine and
uterus it can cause abortion.
• Oil of Nutmeg is used to conceal the taste of various drugs and as a local
stimulant to the gastrointestinal tract.
 EUCALYPTUS OIL

Synonyms:
Eucalyptus, Stringy Bark Tree, Blue gum, Blue Gum Tree.

Family: Myrtaceae.

Biological Source:
Eucalyptus oil is the essential oil obtained by the distillation of fresh leaves
of Eucalyptus globulus and other species like E. polybractea, E. viminalis, and E.
smithii.

Geographical Source:
It is mainly found in Australia, Tasmania, United States, Spain, Portugal, Brazil,
North and South Africa, India, France, and Southern Europe.

Chemical Constituents:

Eucalyptus oil contains volatile oil of which 70 to 85% is 1,8-cineole also known as
eucalyptol. The other constituents present are p-cymene, α-pinene; small quantity
of sesquiterpenes like ledol, aromadendrene; aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols. It
also has polyphenolic acids like ferulic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid; flavonoids such
as eucalyptin, hyperoside and rutin.

Uses:

The oil is used as stimulant, antiseptic, flavouring agent, aromatic, deodorant,

expectorant, antimicrobial, febrifuge, diuretic, and antispasmodic. It is also used in
the treatment of lung diseases, sore throat, cold, as a vapour bath for asthma and
various respiratory ailments and in bronchitis.

ANISE

Synonyms:
Anise, Anise fruits, Aniseed, Sweet cumin, Star anise, Chinese anise.

Family: Umbelliferae.

Biological Source:
Anise consists of dried ripe fruits of Pimpinella anisum Linn.

Geographical Source:
Anise is native of Egypt, Greece, Crete, and Asia Minor and at present is cultivated
in European countries like Spain, North Africa, Italy, Malta, Russia, Germany,
Bulgaria, and Mexico.

Chemical Constituents:

Anise fruit consist of 2.5 to 3.5% of a fragrant, syrupy, volatile oil. The chief aromatic
component of the essential oil is trans-anethole, present to about 90% along with
estragole, anisic acid, anisaldehyde, anise ketone, β-caryophylline, linalool;
polymers of anethole, dianethole, and photoanet-hole. It consists of coumarins
(umbelliferone, scopoletin), flavonoid glycosides (rutin, isovitexin and quercetin),
and phenylpropanoids. Other constituents of the fruit are lipids, fatty acids, sterols,
proteins, and carbohydrates.
Uses:

Anise is used as expectorant, carminative, aromatic, antimicrobial, and

antispasmodic. It can enhance the memory, increases lactation, it is used in the
treatment of bronchitis, asthma, relieves menopausal discomforts, in whooping
cough, externally in scabies, flatulent colic of infants, overcomes nausea, and as a
digestive.

CAJUNUTS
Synonyms:
Cashew-nut, macadamia, Palm-oil, Groundnut, Cocoa, Manioc, and Cacao.

Family: Anacardiaceae.

Biological source:
The cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale L.) is a medium-sized tropical tree
usually cultivated for its fruit (cashew nut) and pseudofruit (cashew apple).

Chemical constituents:
Its composition varies depending on how it is processed. Cold, solvent-
extracted CNSL is mostly composed of
• Anacardic acids (70%)
• Cardol (18%)
• Cardanol (5%).
Uses:
• Its nut, also known as cashew, is commonly eaten as food.
• People also use the nut to make medicine.
• Cajunut is used for diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, stomach and
intestinal (gastrointestinal) ailments, skin problems, and other conditions,
but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
• The fat present in Caju nuts are responsible for growth of good
cholesterol and reduction of the bad cholesterol.
• Caju gives a lot of energy and also keeps us satiated for a long time.
• Interestingly, oil extracted from Cajunuts is amazingly beneficial for skin.
• It is also used in many tikkas and kebabs.

H. Peroxides:

CHENOPODIUM OIL

Synonyms:
Herba sancti mariae, Jesuit’s tea, Mexican tea.

Family: Chenopodiaceae.

Biological Source:
Chenopodium oil is the volatile oil obtained by the distilla-tion from the fresh aerial
parts of Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn.

Geographical Source:
It is indigenous to Mexico and South America. It is also cultivated in New England,
Europe, Missouri, Austria, and in eastern United States.

Chemical Constituents:

Ascaridole, a terpene peroxide, to the high percentage of 60 to 70%, an unstable

substance is present in the oil. It also contains p-cymene, α-perpinene, probably
dihydro-p-cymene, and possibly sylvestrene. Betzine, choline, glycol, and safrol
have also been reported.
Uses:

• Used as anthelmintic especially in tapeworm, round worms, and hook

worms.
• It is also used as active purgative, in the treatment of malaria, hysteria, and
other nervous diseases.
• It is employed in veterinary practice in a worm mixture for dogs, in
combination with oil of turpentine, oil of aniseed, castor oil, and olive oil.
I. Others:

WINTERGREEN
Synonyms:
Betula oil, Sweet Birch oil, Gaultheria oil.

Family: Ericaceae.

Biological source:
obtained by distillation from the leaves the Gaultheria procumbenshinn.

Chemical constituents:
• The oil contains more than of methyl salicylate, formed by the hydrolysis of a
glycoside gaultherin in presence of water by the naturally occurring enzyme
gaultherase.
• Additionally, the oil also contains an ester that splits into enanthic alcohol and
an acid.

Uses:
• Used as a counter irritant.
• Treatment of rheumatism.
• Used as very effective vermicide against hook worms.
• Oil is employed as flavouring agent for candies and also in perfumery.
 BITTER ALMOND
Synonyms: Amygdala amara.

Family: Rosaceae.

Biological source:
Bitter almond comprises of the dried ripe kernels of Prunus amygdalus Batsch.

Chemical constituents:
• Fixed oil (40-50 percent)
• Protein (20 percent)
• Enzyme emulsin
• Bitter glycoside amygdalin (1-3 percent)
• Volatile oil (0.5 percent)
• 80 percent benzaldehyde and 2-6 percent hydrocyanic acid.

Uses:
• The fixed oil of bitter almond finds its use as demulscent in skin-lotion.
• Bitter almonds are employed as sedative due to HCN content.
• It is also employed in the preparation of amygdalin and bitter almond
water.

CARDAMOM

Synonyms:
Cardamom fruit, Cardamom seed, Cardamomi semina, Malabar cardamums,
Capalaga, Gujatatti elachi, Ilachi, Ailum.

Family: Zingiberaceae.
Biological Source:
Cardamom consists of the dried ripe seeds of Elettaria car-damomum Maton.

Geographical Source:
It is cultivated in South India and Ceylon. Like Mysore, Kerala, etc.

Chemical Constituents:

The seeds contain 3 to 6% of volatile oil along with fixed oil, salts of potassium, a
colouring principle, nitrogenous mucilage, an acrid resin, starch, ligneous fibre, and
ash. The active constituent of the volatile oil is cineole. Other aromatic compounds
present are terpinyl acetate, terpineol, borneol, terpinene, etc. The oil is colourless
when fresh, but becomes thicker, more yellow and less aromatic on storage. It is
soluble in alcohol and readily in four volumes of 70% alcohol, producing a clear
solution. Its specific gravity at 25°C is 0.924 to 0.927.

Uses:

Cardamom is used as an aromatic, carminative, stimulant, stomachic, expectorant,

diaphoretic, digestive, appetizer, and flavouring agent. It is used in the treatment
of respiratory disorders like asthma, bronchitis, cough, nausea, vomiting,
indigestion, headache, diarrhea, colds, for flatulence, also used as a spice in
cooking.
 BLACK PEPPER
Scientific name: Piper nigrum

Synonyms: Kalimirch, Golmirch.

Biological source:
Black pepper consists of the dried, fully developed unripe fruits of Piper nigrum L.

Family: Piperaceae

Chemical Constituents:
Black Pepper contains the alkaloids piperine, chavicine, piperidine and piperetine.
The characteristic aromatic odour of Pepper is due to the presence of a colourless
volatile oil (1-2.6%) in the cells of pericarp which contains phellandrene,
caryophyllene, piperonal. dihydrocarveol, caryophyllene oxide, cryptone, a-and B-
pinenes, epoxydihydro-caryophyllene, phenylacetic acid and citronellol.
Starch is the predominant constituent of pepper.

Uses:

• Used for its characteristic delicate penetrating aroma and pungent, biting
taste.
• It is employed as an aromatic stimulant in cholera, weakness following
fevers, vertigo, oma, etc.
• It is used as a stomachic in dyspepsia and flatulence, as an antiperiodic in
malarial fever and as an alterative in paraplegia and arthritic diseases.
• Externally it is valued for its rubefacient properties and as a local
application for relaxed sore throat, piles and some skin diseases.