Why do plants produce essential oils?
Scientifically, essential oils are complex mixtures of naturally occurring organic chemicals that have a multi-faceted role within the plant. There are many reasons essential oils are found in plants. Essential oils: · Act as a powerful attractant to insects to ensure pollination; · Attract beneficial insects that prey on the plant’s predators; and · Provide protection for the plant by repelling harmful insects. Cedarwood oil, for example, protects and preserves the wood by keeping moisture and insects from entering the tree. Researchers in the past have also suggested that essential oils are part of the waste material of the plant. However, recent research has found that plants expend energy to create essential oils, which is not consistent with the waste theory. New theories as to why plants produce essential oils are proposed regularly. What other theories can you think of?
