Essential Oils: Biological Activity Beyond Aromatherapy
10.20307/nps.2018.24.3.139
- Author:
Shagufta KAR
1
;
Pawan GUPTA
;
Jeena GUPTA
Author Information
1. School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara, Punjab (India)
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Essential oil;
Bioactive molecules;
Terpenes;
Phenols;
Aromatic compounds
- MeSH:
Aromatherapy;
Chemistry;
Distillation;
Oils, Volatile;
Phenol;
Phenols;
Steam;
Terpenes
- From:Natural Product Sciences
2018;24(3):139-147
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The essential oils are fragrant products whose complex compositions are obtained from various parts of plants by dry or steam distillation. Plants with variable biological activities have been explored worldwide. The presence of a large number of phenols, terpenes and other aromatic compounds make essential oils more precise in their mode of action. Because of this, they are known to possess many biological activities like antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory etc. In this article, we will review the published literature summarizing the chemistry of essential oils and their important biological activities.