Definition: Oils which evaporate readily. The volatile oils occur in aromatic plants, to which they give odor and other characteristics. Most volatile oils consist of a mixture of two or more TERPENES or of a mixture of an eleoptene (the more volatile constituent of a volatile oil) with a stearopten (the more solid constituent). The synonym essential oils refers to the essence of a plant, as its perfume or scent, and not to its indispensability.
D25-26 qualif; coord IM with source of oil (IM or NIM); AROMATHERAPY (use of essential oils to treat dis in alternative med) is also available
See AlsoAromatherapy ExamplesTea Tree Oil; Turpentine
Other names Oils, Essential; Volatile Oils; Essential Oils