Guaiacwood oil

Chemical properties

Guaiac wood oil is obtained by steam distillation of ground wood and sawdust from the tree Bulnesia sarmientoi Lorentz (Zygophyllaceae), which is up to 20m high and grows wild in the Gran Chaco region of South America. In the recent years, Paraguay has produced more than 150 t/yr.The oil is a dark yellowish, viscous liquid with a mild, pleasant odor reminiscent of that of tea roses and faintly of violets. The oil solidifies at room temperature to a yellow-white to light-ambercolored mass (mp 40–50 ℃).
d²⁵₂₅ 0.9600–0.975; n²⁰_D 1.5020–1.5070; α²⁰_D ?12 ° to ?3 °; solubility: 1 vol in at least 7 vol of 70% ethanol; solutions are sometimes slightly turbid or opalescent; total alcohol content (calculated as guaiol): min. 85%.
The main constituents of the oil are the sesquiterpene alcohols guaiol and bulnesol. The oil may be used as a starting material for the synthesis of guaiazulene, C₁₅H₁₈, which has anti-inflammatory properties, and for the production of guaiyl acetate.
Guaiac wood oil is used extensively in perfume compositions for its excellent fixative properties.

Chemical properties

The oil is obtained by steam distillation of chipped wood of Bulnesia sarmienti in approximately 3% yields. It has a woody, rose-like odor reminiscent of tea rose Sometimes the oil exhibits a smoky note.

The Uses of Guaiacwood oil

Guaiac Wood Oil is an essential oil and a fragrance ingredient used in soap and perfumery.. Some aromatherapy sources recommend Guaiacwood as an anti-inflammatory, for lymphatic drainage and its calming effects believed to be helpful for stress and anxiety.

Definition

Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Bulnesia sarmientoi, Zygophyllaceae.

Essential oil composition

The main constituent of the oil, also known as champaca wood oil, is guaiol, a sesquiterpene alcohol (85%).