Davana Oil

Chemical properties

Davana oil is obtained by steam distillation of the herb Artemisia pallens Wall. (Asteraceae), grown in South India. It is produced in limited quantities only (<10 t/yr). Davana oil is an orange-brown liquid with a sweet, tea-like odor reminiscent of dried fruits. d²⁵ 0.9585–0.9722; n²⁵_D 1.4880–1.5083; α²⁵_D +41 °to +54 ° . The composition of the oil is very complex; its main components are furanoid sesquiterpenes. It is used predominantly for flavor compositions.

Chemical properties

Prepared by steam distillation of newly blossomed flowers harvested at the end of April. It has a characteristic, persistent, balsamic aroma with a sweet balsamic, tenacious backnote.

Physical properties

The oil is very dark-green or brownish-green (similar to several artemisia oils).

Occurrence

Found in the plant of Artemisia pallens Wall. (Fam. Compositae) (Guenther, 1952).

Preparation

By steam distillation of the plant A. pallens Wall. (Guenther, 1952).

Definition

Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Artemisia pallens, Compositae.

Essential oil composition

The oil contains terpenic hydrocarbons (8.55%), including dihydrofurano compounds (cis-devanone 38%, trans-devanone 5%, iso-devanone 3%, nor-devanone 1.5%, lavender lactone 3%, trans-hydroxydavenone 2%); terpenic alcohols, acids (mainly devanic acid) and esters (CoE, 2000).