The term "volatile oil" refers to a type of essential oil that is extracted from plants and contains aromatic compounds. The spelling of this word can be explained through the use of the IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "vo-" is pronounced as /ˈvɒlətaɪl/, while the second syllable, "-tile" is pronounced as /ɔɪl/. Together, this results in the pronunciation of "volatile oil" as /ˈvɒlətɪl ɔɪl/. This term is commonly used in the field of aromatherapy and herbalism.
Volatile oil, also known as essential oil or ethereal oil, is a complex mixture of organic compounds that is derived from various plant sources. It is called "volatile" due to its high volatility, evaporating easily at room temperature. This oil is typically extracted from plants through procedures like distillation or cold-pressing.
Volatile oils are characterized by their strong aroma and are often used commercially for their fragrance and flavor properties. They contain various chemical constituents such as terpenes, esters, phenols, and aldehydes, which give them their distinct and characteristic odor and flavor profiles.
These oils are commonly utilized in various industries, including perfumery, cosmetics, food and beverage, and traditional medicine. In perfumery, volatile oils are used as base notes, heart notes, or top notes to create different scents and fragrances. In cosmetics, they are employed for their skin-soothing, moisturizing, and anti-aging properties. In the food industry, volatile oils are used as natural flavorings and additives to enhance the taste and aroma of products. Moreover, they have historically been utilized in traditional medicine for their potential therapeutic benefits, such as in aromatherapy and herbal remedies.
Despite their numerous applications, volatile oils should be handled with care due to their potency and potential toxicity if used improperly.
Oleum volatile.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "volatile oil" can be broken down into two parts: "volatile" and "oil".
1. "Volatile" originates from the Latin word "volatilis", which means "flying" or "evaporating". derived from the verb "volare", meaning "to fly". In the context of chemistry, "volatile" refers to substances that easily vaporize or evaporate at low temperatures.
2. "Oil" comes from the Old English word "ġeōl", which evolved into "oil" in Middle English. It can be traced back to the Latin word "oleum", meaning "olive oil". The Latin term was derived from the Greek word "elaion", also referring to olive oil.
When combined, "volatile oil" refers to a type of oil that possesses the property of volatility, meaning it can readily evaporate or vaporize at relatively low temperatures.