The first volume of this series explains the historical background of essential oils and provides a detailed account of their extraction from raw materials. The authors describe the main components of natural and synthetic fragrances. Special emphasis is placed on the description of the properties and practically proven testing methods for oils that are important for trade, enabling consumers to distinguish between pure oils and adulterated ones, as well as good and inferior quality oils. The authors comprehensively present testing methods and evidence of some commonly encountered adulterants. This book, still a leading work in the field of essential oils today, is a careful reprint with 78 illustrations from the long-out-of-print original edition of the third edition from 1928.