Glossary
A botanical name is the Latin scientific name used to identify the exact plant source of an essential oil.
What Botanical Name Means
Common names can be vague. “Cedarwood,” “chamomile,” “eucalyptus,” or “frankincense” may refer to more than one plant species. A botanical name helps clarify which plant the oil comes from, such as Lavandula angustifolia for true lavender or Eucalyptus radiata for eucalyptus radiata.
Why It Matters
Botanical names support safer and more precise essential oil use. Different species can have different aromas, constituents, safety cautions, and practical uses. Checking the botanical name helps avoid assuming that similar common names are interchangeable.
Example in Essential Oil Use
Roman chamomile essential oil usually comes from Chamaemelum nobile, while German chamomile comes from Matricaria chamomilla. They are both chamomile oils, but they are not the same material.