Hazelwort Oil

#### Asarum Europaeum. The essential oil of **Asarum Europaeum **is steam distilled from the entire fresh plant of the European **Hazelwort.**** **This plant grows wild in Poland, and is distilled locally on a limited scale. The oil is dark amber colored or almost brown, and very viscous. Old oils often show a deposit of crystals. The odor of **Hazelwort**** ****Oil**** **is somewhat reminiscent of that of **Canadian**** ****Snakeroot** **Oil:**** **a sharp, peppery, spicy-woody and warm, but not very pleasant odor. The flavor is burning, almost pungent and sharp, far from pleasant. The oil could, however, still serve as an interesting item for fine perfumery and in the reproduction of other essential oils. Its penetrating and peculiar note can produce quite interesting effects in oriental perfumes and chypres when the oil is used with skill and experience. It blends well with vetiver, isoeugenol, opopanax, oakmoss, patchouli, etc. The main constituent **of**** ****Asarum**** ****Europaeum**** ****Oil**** **is a phenolic ether, **Asarone,**** **a stereoisomer of which is found in **Calamus Oil.** **Asarone**** **is odorless and solid, and has probably no value in perfumes or flavors. Consequently, the actual value of **Asarum **Europaeum **Oil **is possibly due to the minor constituents, e.g. certain terpenes. According to private communication to the author from Polish distillers, **Asarone **is not present in oils from old or thoroughly dried plant material.