Some East African Essential Oils

Abstract

This paper contains the results of investigations by the author on essential oil-bearing plants, indigenous and cultivated, growing in or around Amani. Amani itself is situated at an altitude of 3,000 ft. In the Usambara mountains, with an average annual rainfall of about 80 in. A casual inspection shows that there are very many plants indigenous to these parts which contain more or less essential oil, and only a comparatively small number have been examined, mainly those which showed some promise of value and were not too difficult to collect. The still that has been employed for nearly all the work was made locally by the author and is of 10 gallons capacity, being designed for passing in steam for a steam distillation or for heating directly with gas at the bottom. This still was made from a 10-gallon oil drum and has been found satisfactory in every way. When only small quantities of material were available ordinary laboratory glassware was employed.