Palmarosa Oil

Description

Refer to GERANIUM.

Chemical properties

Palmarosa oil is obtained by steam distillation of wild or cultivated Cymbopogonmartinii (Roxb.) J.F.Wats., collected when in blossom. It is a pale yellow liquid with a characteristic rose-like odor and a grassy note.
d²⁰₂₀ 0.880–0.894; n²⁰_D 1.4710–1.4780; α²⁰_D +1.4 ° to +3 °; solubility: 1 vol in 2 vol of 70% ethanol at 20 ℃; ester number (after acetylation): 255–280, corresponding to a total alcohol content of 80–95%, free alcohol content (calculated as geraniol): 72–94%. High-grade palmarosa oil may contain up to 95% geraniol and its esters; it is produced in smaller quantities than other oils obtained from aromatic grasses (～100 t/yr mainly in India). Palmarosa oil is the starting material for geraniol and geranyl esters of high odor quality, but it is also used for perfuming soaps and cosmetics.

Chemical properties

Palmarosa oil is steam-distilled or water-distilled mainly from wild-growing, fresh or dried grass of the plant Cymbopogan martinii, varietas motia Palmarosa oil has a sweet, foral rosy odor and various backnotes or topnotes according to the quality and age of the oil Palmarosa oil blends well with all the conventional soap perfume materials, and it forms an excellent base with small amounts of geranium oil and oakmoss concrete or absolute Commonly referred to as East Indian geranium oil, it is frequently used to adulterate rose oil due to this oil’s high concentration of geraniol and citronellol.

Chemical properties

The oil is obtained by steam distillation of partially dried plants (Cymbopgon martinii) harvested during September and October. It has a rose-like odor and a characteristic, herbaceous undertone.

Physical properties

It is a light-yellow to yellow oil that is often hazy and brownish. It is soluble in most fixed oils and propylene glycol. It is soluble in mineral oil with turbidity and opalescence. It is practically insoluble in glycerin.

Occurrence

Found in the grass of Cymbopogon martini Stapf, var Motia (Fam. Graminae).

The Uses of Palmarosa Oil

palmarosa oil (Cymbopogon martini) is attributed with soothing, moisturizing, anti-septic, tonic, and cell-regenerating properties. Palmarosa oil is said to have an immediate calming and refreshing effect on the skin. It is indicated for acne skin and dermatitis as well as for dry skin. This oil is widely used in perfumery and cosmetology because its fresh, rose-like scent makes it useful for the adulteration of rose oil, one of the most expensive essential oils. It can also be used to mask odors. Palmarosa oil is obtained by distillation of this flowering grasslike plant.

The Uses of Palmarosa Oil

rose geranium oil (Pelargonium graveolens) is a volatile oil used for masking odors and perfuming a product. Among rose geranium’s constituents are limonene, menthone, linalool, geranyl acetate, citronellol, and geraniol.

Preparation

By steam distillation of the partially dried grass Cymbopogon martini Stapf, var. Motia.

Definition

Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Cymbopogon martini, Gramineae.

Essential oil composition

The main constituent of palmarosa oil is geraniol

Safety Profile

Low toxicity by ingestion and skin contact. A skin irritant. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes