Rheology of Medicinal Plant Oils

The book Rheology of Medicinal Plant Oils is structured in three chapters. Rheology, the science that studies the behavior of materials under deforming forces, analyzes how substances flow or change shape. For medicinal plant oils, rheology is essential in understanding the physical properties that affect their extraction as well as their pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications. These oils are complex systems made up of bioactive compounds-terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, esters, and others-whose concentrations and interactions strongly influence their rheological behavior. Depending on origin, extraction method, temperature, humidity, and the presence of volatile compounds or suspended solids, the oils may exhibit Newtonian or non-Newtonian behavior. Studying their rheology is crucial for optimizing production technologies, ensuring proper storage, and designing products with desired features, such as viscosity suitable for topical use or stability in emulsions.