Oakmoss Absolute Oil

#### Oakmoss Absolute Oil. It is possible to produce an essential oil by steam but distillation of the lichen, Evernia Prunastri. The product would be a true **Oakmoss**** ****Oil.**** **But this oil does not represent all the characteristic notes of the extracted moss, nor does it remind one of the lichen itself. Furthermore, the yield is extremely low (less than 0.1%). A better yield and a more true-to-nature odor are obtained, when oakmoss concrète or oakmoss absolute are steam distilled, preferably under reduced pressure or at atmospheric pressure with superheated steam. Special products are obtained when, in place of steam or water, high-boiling, odorless solvents are used (see previous monograph: **Oakmoss**** ****Absolute**** ****Co-Distillates**). **Oakmoss Absolute Oil **does not contain solvents, and accordingly is the most concentrated form of the volatile oakmoss constituents available. Due to the presence of substantial amounts of crystalline matter (so-called lichen acids), oakmoss absolute oil may deposit crystals or partly solidify on cooling to a semi-solid, crystalline mass. The color is usually pale amber or pale yellow, the odor is characteristic of the top notes of oakmoss: very dry, woody-earthlike, bark-like, almost tar- like, but pleasant, with a leather-like undertone and great tenacity. **Treemoss**** ****Absolute**** ****Oil**** **(see monograph) is a common adulterant but it is much less fragrant, less dry-tar-like, not very leather-like but rather mushroomy-earthy of odor type. Various seaweeds have been used as adulterants, too (see Seaweed Absolute). The French perfumer and oakmoss expert, Pierre Mueller, mentions the Mediterranean shrub, Inula Viscosa, as a known adulterant in oakmoss products. By extraction of oakmoss, and subsequent extraction of the concrète and absolute with selective solvents, other types of "**Absolute**** ****Oil**** ****of**** ****Oakmoss**" are obtained. These oils are pale green or pale olive-yellowish, oily liquids (they have not been exposed to high temperature or distilled), and they present different, although very delicate and interesting, modifications of the oakmoss odor.