Naming of Essential oils

How many of us think about the common or botanical names of the essential oils we use? One of my favourite oils is Citrus hystrix, leaf oil. I first discovered it more than 25 years ago and it was refrred to as kaffir Lime, and the leaf is very common in many styles of Asian cooking.

however we now understand that the term "kaffir lime" is a derogatory and racist term in many contexts.  It has been increasingly replaced with "Makrut lime" due to the offensive nature of the word "kaffir" in certain cultural contexts. Historically the word "kaffir" comes from the Arabic word kafir, meaning "non-believer" or "infidel." It was historically used by Arabic-speaking Muslims to describe people in parts of Africa and South Asia. It is considered a racial slur in South Africa as it was  directed at Black people. Its use is considered highly derogatory and legally actionable, similar to other racial epithets. With growing global sensitivity from using this term in horticulture, food and medicinal plants about perpetuating a racist term, even unintentionally, it is recommended that the alterantive terms are used. In aromatherapy we mainly now see 'Citrus hystris leaf or fruit oil'. In Southeast Asian cooking it is usually referred to as the Makrut Lime (after the place it originates from). Check your labels and suppliers!