Buchu Leaf Essential Oil Betulina CAS 68650-46-4

Buchu Leaf Oil is a yellow to brownish-yellow liquid, oily or somewhat viscous, depending upon the age of the oil and the dryness of the plant material prior to distillation. The odor is very peculiar: strong, bitter-sweet, minty-camphoraceous, rootlike, penetrating and somewhat medicinal, reminiscent of cough preparations. One of the main constituents of the oil is Diosphenol, a terpenoid phenol. It is responsible for the antiseptic effect of Buchu Leaf Oil. A significant percentage of menthone in the oil is probably the cause of the minty odor and somewhat cool flavor of the oil.

Arctander, Steffen . Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin (p. 128).