Floral essential oils : Importance and uses for mankind

Global turnover of Essential Oil Industry business is estimated to around US$14 billion. In this turnover India’s share is just about 10% though potential is much more. Based on population ratio, the potential is estimated to be 18%. The lack of coordination is responsible for not exploiting the potential to the full extent. There are 400,000 plant species of both aromatic and medicinal plants known to the scientists. Of these about 2000 species come from nearly 60 botanical families of essential oils. Total production of essential oils in the world is over 100,000 tonnes. India’s share is estimated to be about 15%. India is one of the few countries in the world having varied agro climatic zones suitable for the cultivation of a host of essential oil bearing plants. Due to increased awareness of health hazards associated with synthetic chemicals coupled with the increased cost of petroleum products, the use of essential oils have been gradually increasing. The consumers are showing increasing preference for natural material over the synthetic. During the last few years with the spurt in the production of essential oils it is emerging as a potential agro based industry in India. With the increase in production of above essential oil, it would be possible for the country to save more valuable foreign exchange in the coming years.