Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education
Sources of Oils
Sources of Oils
Methods of Extraction
Methods of Extraction
Quality Control
Quality Control
Adulteration
Adulteration
 
 

All plants belong to a botanical family. These families all have different characteristics and properties. There are 21 botanical families that produce plants suitable for essential oils. The names have changed through the years and so some families have more than one name. Some of the family names are listed here. Click on the family name for more details.
Burseraceae

Labiatae/Lamiaceae  

Lauraceae  

Myrtaceae/Melaleuca    

Rutaceae

Umbelliferae/Apiaceae