SAGE OIL, SPANISH

Chemical Properties

Dalmatian sage oil is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of Salvia officinalis L. (Lamiaceae). It is a yellowish to greenish-yellow liquid with a warm camphoraceous, thujone-like odor and taste.
d²⁰₂₀ 0.910–0.930; n²⁰_D 1.4580–1.4740; α²⁰_D +2 ° to +30 °; solubility 1 vol in max. 2 vol 80% ethanol; carbonyl value: 103–288, corresponding to carbonyl compound content of 28–78%, calculated as thujone; content by GC: 18–43% α-thujone, 3–8.5% β-thujone, 5.5–13% 1,8-cineole, 3–8.5% camphor. Additional constituents are mainly monoterpenoids. Dalmatian sage oil is mainly produced in Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
It is used in pharmaceutical preparations and in perfumery to create dry, spicy, herbaceous notes.

Chemical Properties

Obtained by steam distillation of the partially dried leaves with yields ranging from 0.5 to 1.0%. Depending on the growing site and even the harvesting time, the oils may exhibit widely different physical–chemical constants. The oil has a characteristic thujone odor. Dalmatian sage oil is considered the best quality. Dalmatian sage serves as the standard sage to which others are compared, as it is considered to possess the finest and most characteristic sage aroma. Sage oil, Spanish type (described below) is obtained from the plants of Salvia lavandulaefolia Vahl. or S. hispanorium Lag.

Physical properties

The oil is a mobile, almost colorless to pale-yellow liquid. It is soluble in most fixed oils and mineral oil. Frequently the solutions in mineral oil are opalescent. It is slightly soluble in propylene glycol and practically insoluble in glycerin.

Uses

Spanish sage oil for peak identification EP Reference standard, intended for use in laboratory tests only as specifically prescribed in the European Pharmacopoeia.

Definition

Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Salvia officinalis, Labiatae.

Essential oil composition

The oil contains α- and β-thujone, d-α-pinene, cineol, bornyl acetate, camphor and linalyl acetate. In addition, the dried product contains β-sitosterol and triterpenic acids. Thujones account for half of the composition of the oil.