Magnolia
Michelia alba

Magnolia oil is sold from several species, and what you get depends on which one. This one comes from Michelia alba, now reclassified into Magnolia, and smells sweet, green and intensely floral. Beta-caryophyllene, linalool and cineole carry most of that. Testing of Magnolia grandiflora flower oil found it protected cells,[1] and Magnolia liliflora oil held back food spoilage bacteria.[2] Both are related species rather than this one, so treat them as context.
- Also Known As
- White Champaca, White Sandalwood
- Family
- Floral
- Perfumery Note
- Middle
- Intensity
- Medium
- Extraction
- Solvent Extraction
- Plant Parts
- Flowers
- Origins
- India, Indonesia, China
- Effect
- Sleep & Relaxation, Romance & Mood
- Aroma
- Floral, Sweet, Exotic
- Applications
- Diffusing & Inhalation, Perfumery & Fragrance Making
- Price
- $$$$Delicate blossoms that must be hand-picked; yield is very low and the oil is highly sought after for skin
References
- [1]Chemical composition, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of the essential oil from flowers of Magnolia grandiflora - Morshedloo MR et al. Natural Products Research, 2017
- [2]In vitro inhibition of food spoilage and foodborne pathogenic bacteria by essential oil of Magnolia liliflora - Bajpai VK et al. Journal of Food Science, 2008