Acorus gramineus (Sweet Flag) Essential Oil

Acorus gramineus (Sweet Flag) Essential Oil (CAS 8015-73-4, INCI name -distilled essential oil standardized to high purity volatile fraction, distilled from Acorus gramineus rhizome. Baisifu supplies food-grade, BP/USP and Ph.Eur. equivalent batches from a Xi’an facility, with every drum shipped with a COA, allergen declaration and IFRA documentation.

Botanical identity and chemistry

Acorus gramineus (Sweet Flag) Essential Oil is the steam-distilled volatile oil obtained from the dried rhizomes of Acorus gramineus Soland., a perennial herb of the Acoraceae family central to Chinese medicinal practice for centuries under the name Shi Chang Pu. The oil is characterised by a high-purity volatile fraction dominated by alpha- and beta-asarone, two phenylpropanoid isomers whose warm, spicy-herbaceous, slightly ginger-like character gives sweet flag oil its distinctive medicinal identity.

Distillation and standardisation

Dried rhizomes are comminuted and charged to a stainless-steel still for steam distillation at atmospheric pressure; the yield is modest, typically 1 to 3 percent on a dry-rhizome basis. The crude oil is settled, filtered and standardised in-house to a high-purity volatile fraction by GC-MS against reference markers. Baisifu records the full chromatogram on each COA; the alpha-asarone and beta-asarone levels are printed prominently because they carry regulatory limits in food and cosmetic applications.

Active profile by GC-MS

The GC-MS fingerprint is dominated by the asarone isomer pair, supported by a reproducible secondary cast of eugenol, methyleugenol, isoeugenol, beta-asarone and shyobunone. Baisifu records the full chromatogram on each COA; the alpha-to-beta-asarone ratio is a sensitive indicator of the Acorus species (gramineus versus calamus), and the beta-asarone level is monitored closely because it carries stricter regulatory limits than the alpha isomer.

Physical and sensory behaviour

The oil is a clear to slightly viscous, pale-yellow to brownish liquid with a density near 1.00 g/cm3, a refractive index around 1.510 at 20 degrees Celsius and a boiling point in the 250 to 280 degree range. Its odour is a warm, spicy-herbaceous, slightly ginger-like top-to-body note with a persistent medicinal dry-down; in perfumery it is a functional and traditional material rather than a fine-fragrance ingredient, valued in botanical formulations and ceremonial incense rather than in contemporary fragrance compositions.

Typical applications

Acorus gramineus Essential Oil enters the following formulation workflows:

• traditional botanical formulations
• functional fragrance and soaps
• aromatherapy and wellness blends
• ceremonial and incense formulations
• pharmaceutical topical products
• botanical insect repellent adjuvants

Formulation and blending notes

The oil is soluble in ethanol and fixed oils and dispersible in propylene glycol at typical use levels. The asarone content carries strict regulatory limits: beta-asarone is restricted in food and cosmetic applications in the EU and other markets because of safety concerns, and A. gramineus typically carries a lower beta-asarone level than European A. calamus. The material should not be used in food applications without confirming the beta-asarone regulatory status in the target market.

COA and batch documentation

Each drum ships with a Certificate of Analysis carrying the GC-MS chromatogram, alpha- and beta-asarone assay, specific gravity, refractive index, heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg) and pesticide residue screen. An allergen declaration, an IFRA conformity statement and a Statement of Origin complete the pack, giving QC and regulatory teams a single-shipment document set.

Regulatory and compliance

Acorus oil is permitted in functional fragrance and traditional botanical applications under prevailing regulations; beta-asarone carries strict limits in food (effectively prohibited in the EU) and is restricted in leave-on cosmetic products. Under EU CLP the concentrated oil is classified as hazardous (flammable liquid category 3, aspiration toxicant category 1, skin sensitiser category 1), so Hazmat labelling and UN 1993 shipping names apply for bulk movement. Buyers should confirm the asarone regulatory status in their target market before committing.

Packaging, storage and supply

Acorus gramineus Essential Oil is filled into 180 kg HDPE drums or 25 kg sample drums, nitrogen-blanketed and sealed under COA. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; the recommended storage temperature is 15 to 25 degrees Celsius with a shelf life of 24 months from manufacture in original sealed packaging. Baisifu ships ex-Xi’an, MOQ 25 kg for sample development and 500 kg and above for production orders; standard lead time 10 to 15 days depending on batch availability, with express air freight on request.

Questions buyers ask

What asarone levels does this oil carry?

The GC-MS fingerprint shows alpha- and beta-asarone as the principal peaks; the exact levels, the alpha-to-beta-asarone ratio and the full secondary fingerprint are printed on the COA of every drum. A. gramineus typically carries a lower beta-asarone level than European A. calamus.

Can this be used in food applications?

Beta-asarone is effectively prohibited in food in the EU and restricted in other markets because of safety concerns; the material is primarily a functional and traditional ingredient rather than a food flavour. Buyers should confirm the asarone regulatory status in their target market before committing.

How does this differ from European calamus oil?

Acorus gramineus (Chinese sweet flag, Shi Chang Pu) typically carries a lower beta-asarone level than Acorus calamus (European sweet flag); the alpha-to-beta-asarone ratio on the COA distinguishes the two. The Statement of Origin confirms the A. gramineus identity.

Need specifications, COA, or a wholesale quote? Contact Baisifu — typical response within 24 hours.