CAS Number: 8023-94-7 ; 94333-75-2
FEMA Number: -
EINECS Number: -
Paras Code: PAO2037
Hyacinth [Family: Asparagaceae], with its densely compacted flowering spikes, has a long history of cultivation as an ornamental plant. Native to the eastern Mediterranean, it is now widely cultivated across all the temperate regions of the world for its strongly aromatic flowers including France (where it is used in high-class perfumery), the Netherlands (a major centre of cultivation) and elsewhere. It flowers in the early spring, growing best in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil. It requires a winter dormancy period, and thrives only in cold-weather regions. What is fascinating about the flower hyacinth is that when it just starts blooming, it produces a soft floral aroma; but when eventually the flower stem opens up, the aroma becomes very strong and powerful.
In the Greek mythology, Hyacinthus was a beautiful youth, beloved of the god Apollo, although he was also fancied by Zephyr, the god of the west wind. During a game of discus, Apollo threw the discus far and high, and Hyacinthus ran to catch it to impress the god. Roused with jealousy that Hyacinthus preferred Apollo over her, Zephyr blew the discus off course to hit Hyacinth in the face and kill him. Heartbroken Apollo, distraught at his lover's death did not allow Hades to claim his soul; rather, he turned him into the flower of the same name, Hyacinth
, from his spilled blood. Every year since then the Spartans celebrate an annual festival to keep the memory of Hyacinthus alive.
Hyacinth Oil is extremely precious and rare. It requires 6 tonnes of flowers to yield a single kilogram of the essential oil. It is almost exclusively used in high class perfumery. In aromatherapy, Hyacinth is very rarely used because of its exclusivity, except to create individualized fragrances. However, the Hyacinth oil has been demonstrably shown to be effective against addictions, mental fatigue, nervous ailments, depression, fatigue and other stress related conditions.