Application
Pharmaceutical
OTC, dental, nutraceutical & traditional formulations.
Overview
Pharmaceutical use of botanicals is dominated by monograph actives: eugenol in dentistry, menthol in OTC analgesics and lozenges, peppermint oil in IBS management, and ginger extracts in anti-emetic nutraceuticals. Dosages here are governed by the relevant pharmacopoeia (USP, Ph. Eur., IP) and clinical evidence, not perfumery limits.
How it's used
- Oral solids: essential oils are adsorbed onto excipients (silica, MCC) or encapsulated (enteric-coated soft-gels for peppermint IBS caps).
- Topical analgesics: menthol and clove eugenol are compounded into gels, patches and dental cements.
- Nutraceuticals: standardised extracts (gingerols, curcuminoids) are delivered in soft-gels or dose-controlled sachets.
Typical dosage by product
Ranges compiled from public technical literature. Always verify against your regulatory framework and internal testing.
| Product | Typical use level | Example formats |
|---|---|---|
| Clove Oil | 10 – 20% in dental analgesics | Zinc-oxide-eugenol dental cement, temporary cavity fillings, mouthwash actives (USP monograph). |
| Peppermint Oil | 187 mg per soft-gel; 0.5 – 1.2% in topical | Enteric-coated IBS capsules, inhalation decongestants, cooling analgesic gels. |
| Cardamom Oil | 0.1 – 0.5% in carminatives | Digestive syrups, Ayurvedic churna blends, breath-freshening lozenges. |
| Ginger Oil / Oleoresin | 25 – 250 mg extract per dose | Anti-nausea and motion-sickness soft-gels; clinical dose typically 250 mg × 4/day. |
| Bakuchiol | 0.5 – 1% topical | Dermatological topicals for photo-ageing; published efficacy comparable to 0.5% retinol. |
| Black Pepper Oleoresin (Piperine) | 5 – 20 mg piperine/dose | Bioavailability enhancer in curcumin and herbal soft-gels. |
| Lemongrass Oil | 1 – 3% in topical | Ayurvedic pain-relief balms and antimicrobial washes. |
Clove Oil
10 – 20% in dental analgesics
Zinc-oxide-eugenol dental cement, temporary cavity fillings, mouthwash actives (USP monograph).
Peppermint Oil
187 mg per soft-gel; 0.5 – 1.2% in topical
Enteric-coated IBS capsules, inhalation decongestants, cooling analgesic gels.
Cardamom Oil
0.1 – 0.5% in carminatives
Digestive syrups, Ayurvedic churna blends, breath-freshening lozenges.
Ginger Oil / Oleoresin
25 – 250 mg extract per dose
Anti-nausea and motion-sickness soft-gels; clinical dose typically 250 mg × 4/day.
Bakuchiol
0.5 – 1% topical
Dermatological topicals for photo-ageing; published efficacy comparable to 0.5% retinol.
Black Pepper Oleoresin (Piperine)
5 – 20 mg piperine/dose
Bioavailability enhancer in curcumin and herbal soft-gels.
Lemongrass Oil
1 – 3% in topical
Ayurvedic pain-relief balms and antimicrobial washes.
Sources & disclaimer
Typical use levels compiled from openly published, free-to-access references: IFRA Standards (ifrafragrance.org), FEMA GRAS flavour monographs (femaflavor.org), EMA HMPC herbal monographs (ema.europa.eu), WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, USP / Ph. Eur. / IP pharmacopoeial monographs, PubChem safety data, and Tisserand & Young's dermal-maximum guidance. No proprietary or brand-owned formulations are reproduced. Always confirm against your own regulatory framework and finished-product testing.