Canadian Medical Guide

Canadian Medical Guide > Chemicals and Drugs > Lipids > Oils > Oils, Volatile Terms and Definitions

Oils, Volatile

Medical 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 eleopten (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 indispensibility. (From Dorland, 28th ed)

Guide Notes:

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

Oils, Volatile Categories.

	Tea Tree Oil - Essential oil extracted from Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree). It is used as a topical antimicrobial due to the presence of terpineol.
	Turpentine - The concrete oleoresin obtained from Pinus palustris Mill. (Pinaceae) and other species of Pinus. It contains a volatile oil, to which its properties are due, and to which form it is generally used. (Dorland, 28th ed) Turpentine is used as a solvent and an experimental irritant in biomedical research. Turpentine toxicity is of medical interest.