Chemical Properties
The oil is obtained by steam distillation of chipped wood using rudimentary stills with a perforated bottom to avoid
prolonged contact of the material with the boiling water; this results in extensive hydrolysis of the ester content (linalyl acetate). The
essential oil is obtained in high yields (8% or more). The oil has a pleasant, rose-like slightly camphorous odor. An essential oil is
also steam-distilled from the fruits in approximately 3% yields. The oil differs in chemical composition from linaloe wood oil for its
content of dextrorotatory linalool.
Chemical Properties
The leaf oil (ho leaf oil) contains up to 80% linalool; the oil does not contain free crystalline camphor. The oil is steamdistilled
from the leaves and has a sweet, floral, delicate odor reminiscent of linalool. Also see Camphor, Tree.
Physical properties
The wood oil is a colorless to yellow liquid. It is soluble in propylene glycol and most fixed oils.
It is soluble in mineral oil, but becomes turbid on dilution. The oil is insoluble in glycerin.
Occurrence
Found in the leaves of the tree Cinnamomum camphora L. Nees & Ebermeier (Fam. Lauraceae) (Fenarolis Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, 1971).
Preparation
By steam distillation of the leaves of Cinnamomum camphora Sieb. (Fenarolis Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, 1971).
Definition
Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Cinnamomum camphora, Lauraceae, ho-sho
