COSTMARY

Chemical Properties

Suffrutescent plant similar to tansy; grows more than 1 m (39 in.) high. The plant is covered by hairs, has a fibrous, spindle-shaped root, alternate green leaves and small, yellow flowers. The plant grows wild or can be cultivated; it is widespread throughout southern Europe. It has a pleasant, clary sage, tansy or mint-like odor.

Physical properties

Obtained in approximately 0.6% yields by steam distillation of the whole fresh plant; the light yellow oil distills between 207 and 283°C.

Essential oil composition

In the oils of costmary, 78 volatile compounds have been identified, of which 58 (19 tentatively, 39 positively) have not been reported in this plant previously. Carvone and α-thujone were found to be dominating compounds constituting from 51.8 to 68.0% and from 9.0 to 16.1% in the total oil, respectively.*

Raw materials

Preparation Products