Chemical Properties
Suffrutescent plant similar to tansy; grows more than 1 m (39 in.) high. The plant is covered by hairs, has a fibrous,
spindle-shaped root, alternate green leaves and small, yellow flowers. The plant grows wild or can be cultivated; it is widespread
throughout southern Europe. It has a pleasant, clary sage, tansy or mint-like odor.
Physical properties
Obtained in approximately 0.6% yields by steam distillation of the whole fresh plant; the light
yellow oil distills between 207 and 283°C.
Essential oil composition
In the oils of costmary, 78 volatile compounds have been identified, of which 58 (19 tentatively, 39 positively)
have not been reported in this plant previously. Carvone and α-thujone were found to be dominating compounds constituting
from 51.8 to 68.0% and from 9.0 to 16.1% in the total oil, respectively.*
