Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42654070›Full record

ReviewPharmaceutics2026

Design Considerations for Essential Oil Formulations: Emulsification, Encapsulation and Stabilisation Strategies.

Sophie E Whyms, Helen Sheridan, John J Walsh

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Pharmaceutics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Sophie E WhymsNatPro Centre, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland.ORCID 0009-0000-5763-0466
Helen SheridanNatPro Centre, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland.ORCID 0000-0002-9454-752X
John J WalshNatPro Centre, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland.ORCID 0000-0001-7525-4820

Funding

G-RISE at New Mexico State UniversityT32GM148394 · NIGMS · NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY LAS CRUCES · PI Jessica Perea Houston, Charles Bradley Shuster · 2023 to 2026
$2.1M
The Molecular Vector Physiology Laboratory at New Mexico State UniversityR35GM144049 · NIGMS · NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY LAS CRUCES · PI Immo Alex Hansen · 2022 to 2026
$1.8M
NIGMS NIH HHS R35 GM144049NIGMS NIH HHS T32 GM148394
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Essential oils are widely recognised for their bioactive properties and therapeutic effects. Despite their potential, their practical application is often limited by intrinsic physicochemical constraints, including volatility, chemical instability, hydrophobicity and, most of all, compositional complexity. The development of effective delivery systems is therefore key to stabilise essential oil constituents, improve bioavailability and enable controlled release. Here we provide a comprehensive analysis of formulation strategies for essential oils, focusing on emulsification and encapsulation techniques. Emulsion-based delivery systems, including nanoemulsions and microemulsions, are discussed in relation to their interfacial behaviour, surfactant interactions and preparation methods. In parallel, encapsulation systems, such as vesicular systems, lipid-based carriers, polymeric nanoparticles and inclusion complexes, are evaluated according to their structural characteristics, protective capabilities, encapsulation efficiencies and release profiles. Collectively, these approaches are examined in the context of their influence on the stability, functionality, and overall performance of essential oil formulations. Emphasis is placed on essential oil-specific challenges that arise when preparing a formulation, especially the heterogenous nature of their chemical composition and its impact on physicochemical properties, partitioning, loading capacity, stability and safety. To contextualise these principles, representative examples of essential oil-based formulations (e.g., thyme, clove, rosemary and mint), formulated singular metabolites (e.g., carvacrol, eucalyptol, limonene and eugenol) and essential oil patent applications (>20,000) and products are outlined to illustrate behaviour and performance within the respective delivery system. Overall, the fundamental design considerations that guide the rational selection, preparation and evaluation of formulations for essential oil-based applications are discussed. Considerations for future directions are also outlined.

Indexed as

cinnamonemulsificationencapsulationessential oilsformulation designlavendermolecular interactionsrosemaryterpene compoundsthyme

Identifiers

PMID42654070
PMCPMC13516205

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.