Balsamite Oil

#### Balsamite. An essential oil under the name of "essence balsamite" is steam distilled from a wild growing or cultivated herb of the family compositae. The plant is related to tansy (tanacetum) and is quite commonly grown in France as a culinary herb. The oil is distilled in the south of France on a very limited scale. **Balsamite Oil **is a clear yellow or pale yellow liquid of very powerful, fresh-herbaceous and somewhat medicinal odor. The very first topnote bears some resemblance to the odor of **Evoulimba Oil **or to wild marjoram, pennyroyal terpenes, light fractions of pine oil, etc. The bodynotes have certain phases in common with basil, hyssop and savin. An almost nauseating, savin-like note is very persistent in the odor of this oil. The dryout is sweeter but resembles at times sulfate turpentine and terpinolene. All told, it is an unusual odor gamut and it is not surprising that the oil has attracted the interest of certain perfume houses. **Balsamite Oil **could undoubtedly introduce piquant topnotes in fougères, pine fragrances, spicy after-shave lotions, etc. and it blends well with rosemary, bay leaf oil, sage oil, cedarleaf oil, isobornylacetate, etc. The author has only little experience with the application of this oil in perfumes. It is hardly conceivable that the oil can find use in flavors.