Essential Oils Production Applications And Health Benefits

This book describes an overview of essential oils in its first section, describing the main genera of plants used for essential oils production and explaining their genetic polymorphisms that might have an impact on the biosynthesis of these phytochemicals. Also, this book reviews the most relevant background on traditional and emerging extractive technologies, as well as the effect of post-harvest management practices for optimum extraction. In the second section of this book, the main applications of essential oils are described, related to their biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also explains how these properties can be applied in the cosmetics, food, medicinal and agronomical fields. Specific applications of essential oils on diseases related to the skin, digestive, immune, respiratory and nervous systems, including some examples of essential oils and their applications are analyzed as well.

This book describes an overview of essential oils in its first section, describing the main genera of plants used for essential oils production and explaining their genetic polymorphisms that might have an impact on the biosynthesis of these phytochemicals. Also, this book reviews the most relevant background on traditional and emerging extractive technologies, as well as the effect of post-harvest management practices for optimum extraction. In the second section of this book, the main applications of essential oils are described, related to their biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also explains how these properties can be applied in the cosmetics, food, medicinal and agronomical fields. Specific applications of essential oils on diseases related to the skin, digestive, immune, respiratory and nervous systems, including some examples of essential oils and their applications are analyzed as well.

Essential oils are simply the volatile oils of plants. These are concentrated liquids contain many terpenes, alkaloids and alcohols etc. Various compounds of essential oils have bioactive properties such as antimicrobial, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-viral and anti-fungal etc. This book describes the sources of essential oils, extraction and production method, characterizing tools, bioactivity, and various applications in the field of industries, daily usage, agriculture, health, and food. Presents the minimally explored biomolecules of nature. Contains content from worldwide experts in the field. Has up-to-date reference material, including websites of interest and information about the latest research. Can fulfil the demands of academicians and industrialists.

The use of essential oils by civilisations constitutes a common practice since antiquity. In earlier times, China, India and the Middle East used herbs and oils in cooking, cosmetics, medicine and in religious rituals. These substances come from a secondary metabolism of plants and are associated with several functions necessary for their survival, such as the defense against microorganisms, predators and attraction of pollinators. Essential oils are composed of a complex mixture of biologically active substances, lipophilic and volatile, and in most cases derivatives of terpene compounds and in a lower occurrence - phenylpropanoids. They have been long recognised for their medicinal uses: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal and their antioxidant properties. The increased interest in alternative natural substances is driving the research community to find new uses and applications of these substances. This book provides research on the historical significance, chemical composition and medicinal uses and benefits of essential oils. Some of the topics discussed include extraction methods of essential oils; an overview of the most relevant essential oil changes regarding plant phenology and plant development; the antibacterial properties of some essential oils; essential oils applications in agriculture; and the use of essential oils as additives in broiler diets.

Egyptian hieroglyphs, Chinese scrolls, and Ayurvedic literature record physicians administering aromatic oils to their patients. Today society looks to science to document health choices and the oils do not disappoint. The growing body of evidence of their efficacy for more than just scenting a room underscores the need for production standards, quality control parameters for raw materials and finished products, and well-defined Good Manufacturing Practices. Edited by two renowned experts, the Handbook of Essential Oils covers all aspects of essential oils from chemistry, pharmacology, and biological activity, to production and trade, to uses and regulation. Bringing together significant research and market profiles, this comprehensive handbook provides a much-needed compilation of information related to the development, use, and marketing of essential oils, including their chemistry and biochemistry. A select group of authoritative experts explores the historical, biological, regulatory, and microbial aspects. This reference also covers sources, production, analysis, storage, and transport of oils as well as aromatherapy, pharmacology, toxicology, and metabolism. It includes discussions of biological activity testing, results of antimicrobial and antioxidant tests, and penetration-enhancing activities useful in drug delivery. New information on essential oils may lead to an increased understanding of their multidimensional uses and better, more ecologically friendly production methods. Reflecting the immense developments in scientific knowledge available on essential oils, this book brings multidisciplinary coverage of essential oils into one all-inclusive resource.

Essential oils were used globally as a folk medicine for the treatment of a number of diseases because of the high content of natural compounds. Therefore, this book looks at research topics dealing with isolation, purification, and identification of active ingredients of essential oils from plants. This knowledge will provide significant information about essential oils to researchers and others interested in the field.

This book highlights the advances in essential oil research, from the plant physiology perspective to large-scale production, including bioanalytical methods and industrial applications. The book is divided into 4 sections. The first one is focused on essential oil composition and why plants produce these compounds that have been used by humans since ancient times. Part 2 presents an update on the use of essential oils in various areas, including food and pharma industries as well as agriculture. In part 3 readers will find new trends in bioanalytical methods. Lastly, part 4 presents a number of approaches to increase essential oil production, such as in vitro and hairy root culture, metabolic engineering and biotechnology. Altogether, this volume offers a comprehensive look at what researchers have been doing over the last years to better understand these compounds and how to explore them for the benefit of the society.

Before the concept of history began, humans undoubtedly acquired life benefits by discovering medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) that were food and medicine. Today, a variety of available herbs and spices are used and enjoyed throughout the world and continue to promote good health. The international market is also quite welcoming for MAPs and essential oils. The increasing environment and nature conscious buyers encourage producers to produce high quality essential oils. These consumer choices lead to growing preference for organic and herbal based products in the world market. As the benefits of medicinal and aromatic plants are recognized, these plants will have a special role for humans in the future. Until last century, the production of botanicals relies to a large degree on wild-collection. However, the increasing commercial collection, largely unmonitored trade, and habitat loss lead to an incomparably growing pressure on plant populations in the wild. Therefore, medicinal and aromatic plants are of high priority for conservation. Given the above, we bring forth a comprehensive volume, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Healthcare and Industrial Applications”, highlighting the various healthcare, industrial and pharmaceutical applications that are being used on these immensely important MAPs and its future prospects. This collection of chapters from the different areas dealing with MAPs caters to the need of all those who are working or have interest in the above topic.