Drugs Containing Essential Oils (Aetherolea), Balsams and Oleo-Gum-Resins

Abstract

Essential oils are volatile, odorous principles consisting of terpene alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and esters ({\textgreater}90\%) and/or phenylpropane derivatives. Aetherolea are soluble in ethanol, but only to a very limited extent in water. They are mostly obtained by steam distillation of plant material.Balsams, e.g. tolu balsam, are exudates obtained by incision into stems or trunks of plants or trees, respectively. They are water-insoluble resinous solids or viscous liquids with an aromatic odour, their constituents being 40\%–60\% of balsamic esters.The oleo-gum-resin myrrh contains resins, gums and 7\%–17\% of volatile oil and is about 50\% water soluble.