Becoming the Basic Ingredient of Fragrances in the World, Essential Oils are Actually Supplied from Indonesia

Kapanlagi.com - The use of fragrances like perfume may not be unfamiliar anymore to enhance appearance. It's no secret that a pleasant aroma can boost self-confidence. There are many perfume choices in the market, even from well-known brands around the world. But, did you know that the basic ingredients for making perfume and other fragrances are supplied from Indonesia?

Yup, Indonesia is the second largest supplier of essential oils in the world, even able to supply up to 90% of the raw material of patchouli essential oil as the main ingredient of perfume. However, even though the supply of raw materials is at the top rank, the trading price of essential oils is actually determined by other countries.

Getting to Know Essential Oils Better

There may still be many who are unfamiliar with what is meant by essential oils. So, this substance is also known as etheric oil, essential oil, flying oil, and aromatic oil.

For your information, the definition of essential oil itself refers to a large group of vegetable oils or oils derived from plants. This oil also serves as the base for fragrances or massage oils commonly used in natural remedies and has a distinctive aroma.

In addition, essential oils are also often known as the seed of fragrant oils produced from plants and have the property of easily evaporating at room temperature without decomposition. The basic material is formed from the metabolic process in plants due to chemical and liquid compound reactions. Another characteristic of essential oils is their bitter or pungent taste, with scents according to the origin of the plant such as leaves, fruits, seeds, flowers, rhizomes, wood bark, and all other parts.

Unexpected Benefits of Essential Oils

Essential oils actually have a series of benefits that may not have been expected before. What are they?

• Being a sedative or stress reliever, due to its relaxing aroma
• As an antiseptic
• Can be used as a room freshener
• Beneficial for beauty and body care products
• As a fever compress
• As a hair care ingredient, such as conditioner, anti-dandruff, and others
• Contains amino acids and minerals that are good for the body
• As a digestant for toxic chemicals in the body
• As a base for perfumes
• As a detoxification for cells and blood

The Great Potential of Atsiri in Trenggalek Regency

Did you know that one of the small regencies in East Java has great potential for essential oil products? Specifically in Trenggalek Regency, such as in the sub-districts of Watulimo, Munjungan, Dongko, Pule, Panggul, Bendungan, and several other areas.

One of the figures behind the production of atsiri in Trenggalek is Sutoyo, who comes from Watulimo Village, Watulimo District. He is known as one of the major entrepreneurs of essential oils in the region. Sutoyo processes and produces several types of products such as clove oil, patchouli oil, oil from nutmeg, betel oil, fragrant lemongrass oil, kapulogo oil, nampu oil, and kaffir lime oil.

Among his many products, the most popular one is patchouli oil. However, due to the lack of raw materials, he cannot meet the high market demand. Most essential oil products are marketed for export. Meanwhile, domestically, they are only used in small quantities, such as for aromatherapy or soap.

The production and sale process of essential oils has greatly helped the surrounding community. The relatively high selling prices can contribute to the local economy.

1. The current selling price of clove oil is Rp250,000/kg
2. The selling price of patchouli oil reaches up to Rp800,000 per kg
3. The selling price of kapulogo oil reaches up to Rp850,000/kg
4. The selling price of nutmeg oil reaches up to Rp1,000,000/kg
5. The selling price of betel leaf oil reaches up to Rp3,500,000/kg
6. The selling price of kaffir lime oil reaches up to Rp700,000
7. The selling price of nampu oil reaches up to Rp3,750,000/kg

With such great potential, it is hoped that the Indonesian community can process essential oils into more valuable products with quality that is not inferior to world perfumes.

(kpl/wri)