BLACK CUMIN ORIGANUM OIL 67 



would not have been much over 205. per cwt. (see 

 BULLETIN OF THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE, vol. xv. 1917, p. 

 302). 



Black Cumin Seed 



These seeds, sometimes known as fennel-flower seeds, 

 are the product of Nigella saliva, Linn. (Nat. Ord. 

 Ranunculaceae). The plant is an annual, native to the 

 Mediterranean region, and the seeds, which are used in 

 the East for flavouring curries, etc., and in Egypt as 

 comfits on cakes, have an aromatic fennel-like odour when 

 fresh and a slightly acrid taste. There is a small export 

 of black cumin seed from Cyprus. There is, however, 

 but little demand for this seed (see BULLETIN OF THE 

 IMPERIAL INSTITUTE, vol. xv. 1917, p. 304). 



ESSENTIAL OILS AND PERFUMES 

 Origanum Oil 



Different opinions have been held as to the botanical 

 identification of the plant from which the Cyprus origanum 

 oil is produced. An interesting series of articles on this 

 subject by E. M. Holmes appears in the Perfumery and 

 Essential Oil Record, 1913, from which it would seem that 

 this oil is derived from Origanum majoranoides, Wild. ; 

 while Dr. Stapf, of Kew, regards the plant as O. dubium> 

 Boiss. (see BULLETIN OF THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE, vol. xi. 

 I 9 I 3 P- 5) Other varieties growing wild in Cyprus are 

 O. Onites y 0. hirtum, both of which are locally called 

 " rigani," 0. Bevani (see BULLETIN OF THE IMPERIAL 

 INSTITUTE, vol. xv. 1917, p. 305) and 0. majorana. 



In its wild state the plant from which origanum oil is 

 distilled is a small perennial shrub, but, if cultivated, 

 its size may be doubled or even trebled. The first crop, 

 consisting of shoots and flowers, may give from 300 to 

 500 okes per donum ; in subsequent years up to 1,000 

 1,500 okes per donum. The latter quantity would produce 

 40 to 60 okes of origanum oil, which is largely used in 

 England for perfuming soap and other purposes. 



For twenty years the distillation of origanum oil has 

 been made under Government control. The industry 

 was started in 1899 and, though not large, has steadily 



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