Natural flavors are extracts or essential oils from herbs, fruits, or flowers used to improve the taste (in oral formulations) or smell (in topical preparations).
Perfuming agents are fragrant substances added to cosmetic or topical products to provide a pleasant aroma.
Significance
Patient Acceptance and Compliance: A good flavor or aroma significantly improves user compliance, especially with syrups, suspensions, or chewable tablets.
Brand Differentiation: Unique herbal flavors or aromas can set a product apart in the market.
Potential Therapeutic Benefit: Certain essential oils (e.g., peppermint, eucalyptus) may offer soothing or mild therapeutic effects (like decongestion).
Examples & Uses
Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia): Improves palatability.
Menthol and Peppermint Oil (from Mentha piperita) – Widely used for flavor and mild cooling effect in lozenges, topical gels.
Citrus Oils (lemon, orange) – Add a refreshing flavor and aroma.
Vanilla Extract – Used in syrups and elixirs to mask unpleasant tastes.
Rose Oil, Lavender Oil – Common in topical formulations for a pleasant fragrance.
