A status review on the medicinal properties of essential oils

Essential oils (EOs) are complex mixtures of low molecular weight compounds extracted from plants by steam distillation and various solvents. Terpenoids and phenylpropanoids are the major constituents which provide characteristic aroma and biological properties to EOs. Essential oils are prescribed for a variety of health problems by traditional systems of medicine, all over the world. Various pharmaceutical and biological activities like, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, antiviral, antiinflammatory, and antiprotozoal properties are assigned to them. Extensive phytochemical analysis has lead to the characterization and identification of major components of EOs which are of wide interest, especially to cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Current status of the bio-active properties of EOs and their medicinal potential are covered in this review. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.