Galbanum EO
Natural
Green > Crisp Green
Crédits photo: ScenTree SAS
Latin name :
Ferula galbaniflua
Botanical profile :
Galbanum is a herbaceous plant of the Umbelliferae family and the genus Ferula.
Geographic origin :
Originally from Asia Minor, galbanum is a product that is widely grown in Iran
Chemotypes :
In perfumery, three species of galbanum are used:
Ferula galbaniflua found in northern Iran
Ferula rubricaulis in southern Iran
Ferula ceratophylla in Turkistan.
The gum-resin is soft or hard depending on the species. Levant (or soft) galbanum is much more widely used than Persian (or hard) galbanum, which is mainly used in pharmacy in the form of dry, solid tears.
Other plants of the genus Ferula are cultivated and used as a spice or for their healing benefits :
Ferula assafoetida, found in Iran and Afghanistan, used to flavour curry and sauces, and for medicinal purposes.
Ferula persica, native to Iran, sold as resin tears.
Ferula galbaniflua found in northern Iran
Ferula rubricaulis in southern Iran
Ferula ceratophylla in Turkistan.
The gum-resin is soft or hard depending on the species. Levant (or soft) galbanum is much more widely used than Persian (or hard) galbanum, which is mainly used in pharmacy in the form of dry, solid tears.
Other plants of the genus Ferula are cultivated and used as a spice or for their healing benefits :
Ferula assafoetida, found in Iran and Afghanistan, used to flavour curry and sauces, and for medicinal purposes.
Ferula persica, native to Iran, sold as resin tears.
Extraction process :
It is after three years of culture that an excrescence is formed on the root collar (part between the root and the leaves) of the plant. This outgrowth contains an oleoresin called 'galbanum'. The harvest of this oleoresin is done in several stage between June and September of each year. After incising the excrescence, a white to yellow resin flows and solidifies with time. A few days later, new cuts are exerted on the excrescence to make the resin flow again, more abundant after each cut. The collection of the resin is done little by little depending on the flow.
Once harvested, it is not uncommon to send the gum to Europe or the USA for treatment. The gum can be extracted in different ways: either by using hydrodistillation to obtain an essential oil or by extracting the gum with a solvent to obtain a resinoid. An absolute of galbanum can also be obtained after extraction of the resinoid with ethanol.
A rectification of the essence is possible to eliminate all or part of the terpenes.
Often, galbanum is subjected to distillation at the end of the process, in order to be bleached or to purify it.
Once harvested, it is not uncommon to send the gum to Europe or the USA for treatment. The gum can be extracted in different ways: either by using hydrodistillation to obtain an essential oil or by extracting the gum with a solvent to obtain a resinoid. An absolute of galbanum can also be obtained after extraction of the resinoid with ethanol.
A rectification of the essence is possible to eliminate all or part of the terpenes.
Often, galbanum is subjected to distillation at the end of the process, in order to be bleached or to purify it.
Major Components :
Beta-Pinene (55-65%)
Benzyl Laurate (20-25%)
Alpha-Pinene (10-15%)
Delta-3-Carene (≈2%)
Myrcene (≈2%)
Galbanolene, pyrazins and sulfuric esters, giving a green characteristic smell.
Benzyl Laurate (20-25%)
Alpha-Pinene (10-15%)
Delta-3-Carene (≈2%)
Myrcene (≈2%)
Galbanolene, pyrazins and sulfuric esters, giving a green characteristic smell.
- Uses in perfumery :
- Used in floral, green, woody, aldehydic, fougere, chypre and balsamic accords, in low doses.
- Other comments :
- Galbanum is the resin of a plant that belongs to the category of spices partly represented by asafoetida. This category includes galbanum, sagapenum (sagapen gum, similar to galbanum) and sumbul (Asian plant whose essential oil is located in the root).
The galbanum is a shrub from one to two meters high. It should be noted that the harvests are very controlled and limited in Iran. They are subject to government authorization.
The very green smell of galbanum is not due to its main constituents. Several pyrazines (present at less than 0.05% in the essential oil) such as 2-methoxy-3-secbutylpyrazine, as well as Galbanolene, are the molecules responsible for its characteristic smell. Sulfide esters are also enumerated in the oil, such as isopropyl 3-methylthio butanoate, and contribute to the characteristic spicy smell of galbanum. - Volatility :
- Heart
- Appearance :
- Colorless liquid
- Stability :
- Solubility issues in perfumes
The terpenes identified in this raw material can polymerize when they are oxidized
The esters identified in this raw material can form their corresponding acid in stability tests - Price Range :
- €€€€
- Aromatherapy :
Informations provided below are taken from reference works in aromatherapy. They are given for information purposes only and can not constitute medical information, nor engage the responsibility of ScenTree.
Galbanum essential oil is known for its stimulating, resolving, anti-infectious and leucorrhea (non-bloody vaginal discharge), dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps) and ulcers.
Crédits photo: ScenTree SAS
- EINECS number :
- 93165-40-3
- FEMA number :
- 2501
- Allergens :
- Linalool
- IFRA :
- This ingredient is restricted by IFRA
- Annexe I :
- Some regulated synthetic ingredients are found in nature and in certain proportions in natural ingredients. This presence in nature has to be taken into account when calculating limits of use recommended by the IFRA. In case you do not know these concentrations, you can use the ones estimated by the IFRA. Here they are :
- Annexe I :
- Some regulated synthetic ingredients are found in nature and in certain proportions in natural ingredients. This presence in nature has to be taken into account when calculating limits of use recommended by the IFRA. In case you do not know these concentrations, you can use the ones estimated by the IFRA. Here they are :
| List of regulated compounds contained in this ingredient | ||
|---|---|---|
| Regulated ingredient name | CAS N° | Estimated Concentration |
| Cyclopentadecanolide | 106-02-5 | 0,1 |
| List of regulated compounds contained in this ingredient | ||
|---|---|---|
| Regulated ingredient name | CAS N° | Estimated Concentration |
| Cyclopentadecanolide | 106-02-5 | 0,1 |
To learn more about IFRA's standards : https://ifrafragrance.org/safe-use/library
ScenTree is solely responsible for the information provided here.
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