Cinnamosma fragrans

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Common products:
- Essential oil from leaves (hydrodistilled) is the primary non‑medicinal product derived from Cinnamosma fragrans. The oil is supplied to fragrance manufacturers as a fragrance ingredient.

Industrial and craft applications:
- The leaf essential oil is used as a fragrance component in perfumes, scented soaps, detergents, scented candles and air‑fresheners, where it provides a warm, clove‑like note. It also serves as a fixative in fragrance blends for textiles. In addition, the oil is incorporated into cleaning products such as laundry detergents and surface sprays to impart an aromatic effect.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
- In fine‑fragrance formulations the oil functions as a middle‑to‑base note. In cosmetics it is incorporated into lotions, creams, shower gels and skin‑care products to impart a characteristic spicy aroma. Its clove‑like character fits well in oriental and floral fragrance families, and it is typically employed at 0.1–1 % (w/w) in fragrance compositions.

Properties relevant to use:
- Hydrodistillation of fresh leaves yields a low‑percentage essential oil (≤1 % v/w). The oil is a pale yellow liquid with a density close to 0.95 g·cm⁻³ and a refractive index around 1.49 (20 °C). Gas‑chromatography–mass‑spectrometry identifies eugenol as the major constituent (≈45–60 % of total ion current), together with β‑caryophyllene, α‑humulene and minor sesquiterpenes. The high eugenol level imparts the characteristic warm, spicy scent and contributes to low volatility, suitable for base‑note applications. Physicochemical parameters reported include a peroxide value below 10 mmol kg⁻¹, an acid value ≤2 mg KOH g⁻¹ and an ester content of less than 0.5 %. The boiling range is 210–235 °C, reflecting the sesquiterpene fraction.

Standards and regulation:
- The product generally meets International Organization for Standardization specifications for essential oils used in perfumery, such as ISO 11014‑3 (density), ISO 3217 (peroxide value) and ISO 279 (water content). In the European Union it is accepted under the Cosmetic Regulation (EC No 1223/2009) as a fragrance ingredient without concentration limits. In the United States it may be employed as a fragrance under the FDA’s GRAS provisions; the oil is listed by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association for flavoring use. It also falls under the Fragrance Association (IFRA) Standards, which provide guidelines on maximum acceptable usage levels in consumer products.

Sustainability and sourcing:
- Cinnamosma fragrans is endemic to the eastern rainforests of Madagascar and is considered threatened due to its restricted range and ongoing habitat loss. Current supply depends on small‑scale wild collection of leaves; no commercial plantations exist. Sustainable harvesting practices, population monitoring and in‑situ conservation measures are recommended to prevent over‑exploitation. Local conservation initiatives are exploring leaf‑harvesting protocols and investigating the feasibility of ex‑situ cultivation to reduce pressure on wild populations.

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