Iva Oil

#### Iva Oil. Practically unknown today, and probably ne' returning to perfume or flavor creation, is the essential oil which is steam distilled from the flowers of **Achillea**** ****Moschata**. The plant which is a Compositae member grows wild in central Europe, and it has been used in Switzerland and France for various local specialties of alcohol beverages, particularly the "old" types of **Benedictine **and **Chartreuse **liqueurs (both of which are of French origin). Often more than forty different herbs, roots, spices, etc. go into the very complex "tincture" upon which the aromas of these liqueurs are based. **Iva Oil **is, like many other essential oils from members of the Compositae family, blue greenish-blue when freshly distilled, but it fades considerably on ageing. The odor too, varies significantly according to the age of the oil. Generally, the odor is warm-herbaceous, camphoraceous, with a similarity to hop oil and tansy oil, while it usually is difficult or impossible to perceive the "musky" notes which have given the name of **Musk**** ****Yarrow**** **to the plant. It is conceivable that the unpleasant, and to some people almost "animal" notes from an increasing amount of valerie acid in older oils can be responsible for the "musk" name. The related plant, **Achillea Millefolium**, the very common **Yarrow Herb**, is described in this work under **Milfoil**. Oil of **Iva**** **could find use in perfumery to introduce rare and so-called "intriguing" notes in citrus colognes, fougères, herbaceous fragrances, etc. With the present production at zero level, it is inconceivable that **Iva**** ****Oil**** **will find extensive use in future perfumery.