Grass-oil

Grass-oil, a name under which several volatile oils derived from widely different plants are grouped. The grass-oil obtained by distillation from the leaves of Andropogon warancusa is used for rheumatism, and has the same stimulant effect as cajeput oil. Ginger-grass Oil is obtained from A. nardus, a native of India, and other species of the same genus. Geranium Oil, derived from Pelargonium radula, is so like ginger-grass oil in its properties that they are used for the same purposes, and are bought and sold under either name, mainly as an adulterant of Oil of Rose. Turkish Grass-oil is obtained from A. pachnodes, indigenous to India, Persia, and Arabia. Lemon-grass Oil, or Citronella Oil, is derived by distillation from A. schænanthus, indigenous to India and cultivated in Ceylon. It has an odour resembling oil of citron, and is largely used for scented soap. Cyperus-grass Oil is extracted from the tubers of Cyperus esculentus, indigenous to southern Europe, and is used both as a table oil and in the manufacture of soap.