Volatile Oils Containing Alcohols
| Home | | Pharmacognosy |Chapter: Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry : Drugs Containing Volatile Oils
Alcohols found in volatile oils are classified as: (1) acyclic alcohols, (2) monocyclic alcohols, and (3) dicyclic alcohols. Methyl, ethyl, isobutyl, isoamyl, hexyl, and the higher aliphatic alcohols occur in volatile oils. They are soluble in water, hence, they are washed away in the process of steam distillation.
VOLATILE OILS CONTAINING ALCOHOLS
Alcohols found in volatile oils are classified as: (1)
acyclic alcohols, (2) monocyclic alcohols, and (3) dicyclic alcohols. Methyl,
ethyl, isobutyl, isoamyl, hexyl, and the higher aliphatic alcohols occur in
volatile oils. They are soluble in water, hence, they are washed away in the
process of steam distillation. Many natural oils contain acyclic alcohols,
geraniol, linalool, and citronellol. The important monocyclic alcohols are
menthol (from Peppermint) and α-terpineol; borneol is a dicyclic
terpene alcohol from Borneo camphor, Sesquiterpene
alcohols include zingiberol santalols and artemisin.
The important alcohol volatile oil containing drugs are
Peppermint, Cardamom oil, Coriander oil, Rose oil, Orange flower oil, Juniper
oil, and Pine oil.
