Cymbopogon Connatus Oil

#### Cymbopogon Connatus. The east African grass **Cymbopogon Connatus **is related to citronella, gingergrass and inchigrass (see these monographs). The plant is locally known as "sar saharu" which means something like: "desert grass". It grows in the western parts of north-Abyssinia (formerly called Erithrea) and into the eastern parts of southern Sudan (Kassala province). A great deal of research was carried out on the agricultural aspects of these areas during the Italian occupation of the Abyssinian area. Encouraging remarks on the above essential oil can be found in the reports which are now more than 30 years old. Experiments have been recommenced lately and the perfumery industry has also shown an increasing interest in essential oils which can supply new notes for creative perfumery. The presence of about 40% of **Dihydro Cuminyl Alcohol **in the essential oil of **Cymbopogon Connatus **makes it immediately interesting as a source for the isolation of this alcohol which is also known as **Perilla**** ****Alcohol**. The odor of cymbopogon connatus oil is intensely fatty-green, spicy-fresh with a sweeter dryout and a strongly herbaceous undertone. The oil is olive-green to yellowish green and mobile, but its viscosity increases on ageing. During the author's visit to the above mentioned areas in 1956*, *he had the impression that a confusion between two or more species of **Cymbopogon **was very possible. A related plant, **Cymbopogon**** ****Schoenanthus**, subspecies nervatus, grows abundantly in the Kordofan province alongside and east of the blue Nile. This area is adjacent to the above mentioned home of **Cymbopogon Connatus**. The cymbopogon schoenanthus subspecies nervatus produces an essential oil of very similar composition (it consists mainly of dihydro cuminyl alcohol and laevo-limonene). This oil smells almost exactly like the sample of **Cymbopogon Connatus Oil**** **which was submitted to the author later on. Being unaware of the above facts at the moment of his study trip, the author would prefer now to avoid a definite statement in respect to the possible confusion between the two oils. However, the fact remains that we have at our possible disposal a highly interesting source of a powerful perfume raw material. The essential oil of **Cymbopogon Connatus **could furthermore find some use "as is" in perfumery. It lends a certain naturalness and freshness together with its outstanding diffusive power. In the reproduction of "missing" notes in artificial essential oils, the oil would no doubt attract the perfumer who works on artificial bergamot oil, ylang-ylang, jasmin, etc. The essential oil of **Cymbopogon**** ****Connatus**** **can be produced at a low cost and in large amounts. See also **Inchigrass**** ****Oil**.