Citronellol

Posted on August 22, 2025 by AyurvedicOils

Citronellol is a colorless oily liquid usually present in the essential oils of Citronella oil, Geranium, Muscatel sage and Sandalwood. The essential oils of Rose, Lemongrass, Tagetes, Neroli, Chamomile, Basil and Lavender also constitutes of Citronellol.

It has also been found that Citronellol is a volatile component of orange juice, bilberry, lemon peel oil, guava, red wine, nutmeg, white wine, black tea, green tea, mango, plum brandy and star anise.

Citronellol is an acyclic monoterpenoid with the molecular formula C₁₀H₂₀O. It is also known by other names, including beta-citronellol, DL citronellol, dihydro geraniol and 3,7-Dimethyloct-6-en-1-ol.

Attributes of citronellol:

Citronellol is a pale viscous liquid with a sweet floral aroma of rose and owns a bitter taste. It possesses a floral rosy and fresh citrus flavor.

It is used as a fragrance enhancer in perfumery as it enhances the fragrances of floral types, especially rose. Because of its aroma and flavour, it is used in cosmetics soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, skin and hair care products, colognes, shaving creams, after shave lotion and bath products. It is used in beverages for its flavor.

Therapeutic uses of citronellol:

Citronellol has antimicrobial, antifungal, antispasmodic and anticonvulsant activities.

Antimicrobial and antifungal activity:

Citronellol exhibit antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This was evident from the study “Antibacterial Effects and Mode of Action of Selected Essential Oils Components against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus” in which the antibacterial activity of the carveol, carveone, citronellol and citronellal against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were determined.

In the study titled “Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils of Four Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus Steud) varieties, the essential oils of four lemongrass were examined for their antibacterial activity. Citronellol and citronellal present in the essential oil of Cymbopogon travencorensis is responsible for the potential antifungal activity of the essential oil.

According to the research article “Antifungal activity of geraniol and citronellol, two monoterpenes alcohols, against Trichophyton rubrum involves inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis”, geraniol and citronellol exhibit potential antifungal activity against the strains of Trichophyton rubrum which causes dermatophytosis.

Anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties:

According to the study named “Effect of Citronellol and the Chinese Medical Herb Complex on Cellular Immunity of Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy/Radiotherapy”, it is stated that citronellol has anticancer and anti-inflammatory and strong antioxidant properties and it promotes wound healing.

When a mixture of Citronellol and extracts from three Chinese medicinal herbs such as Ganoderma lucidum, Codonopsis pilosula and Angelica sinensis given to cancer patients receiving radiotherapy or chemotherapy, there was an improvement in the immune system improving their ability to fight against cancer and any secondary infections caused due to the treatment.

Lowers blood pressure:

Citronellol reduces the blood pressure by vascular smooth muscle leading to vasodilatation. This is evident from the study titled,” Hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects of citronellol, a monoterpene alcohol, in rats” in which citronellol produced hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects in rats.

Analgesic:

According to a study named “Citronellol, a monoterpene alcohol, reduces antinociceptive and inflammatory activities in rodents”, it was found that citronellol is as effective as an analgesic in various pain models in rats.

Treatment of cardiovascular disease:

In the study “Cardiovascular effects of monoterpenes: a review”, thirty three monoterpenes were examined for their cardio-vascular activity and it was found that citronellol is one of the monoterpenes that produced hypotension and tachycardia in conscious rats. It was also able to induce vasorelaxation in superior mesenteric artery of rats.

As insect repellent:

Citronellol is used in insect repellents. It is an effective mosquito repellent at short distances and its effect gradually decreases with increase in distances. It repels the mosquitoes effectively for 1.5 hours when it is combined with beta-cyclodextrin.

Mite attractants:

Citronellol is used on food crops and ornamentals to attract mites, which are an important agricultural pest. So it is one of the active ingredients in pesticides.

Reference Links:

Sabinene

Posted on August 20, 2025 by AyurvedicOils

Sabinene is a bicyclic unsaturated terpenoid with the molecular formula C₁₀H_16.It is also known by other names like 4(10)-Thujene; Sabenene; Sabinen; etc.

It is usually present in the essential oils of plants such as Black pepper, Holm oak, Norway spruce, Nutmeg, Clausena anisata and Laurus nobilis. It is also obtained from Tea tree oil in little concentration. It is also a key ingredient of Carrot seed oil.

Attributes of Sabinene:

It has a woody and spicy smell.

Being a constituent of the black pepper, Sabinene is the reason behind the hotness and spicy element of black pepper.

Sabinene is one of the constituents of carrot that adds the key flavor to carrots. Sabinene also seems to be one of the significant components present in carrots that contribute to green, earthy, carrot top flavour with relatively high odor activity values.

Sabinene also showed strong radical-scavenging activity, which enables the essential oil containing sabinene to be antioxidant in nature.

It also serves as an additive in perfumes.

Therapeutic uses of Sabinene:

The most predominant remedial values of Sabinene are:

As an anti-inflammatory agent:

Sabinene also exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and antifungal properties.

According to a study titled “Anti-fungal, anti-oxidant ad anti-inflammatory activities of Oenanthe crocata L.essential oil”, it has been found that sabinene exhibited a strong anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharides and interferon gamma triggered macrophages.

It is also used to treat inflammation on the skin. It is also used for the treatment of dermatophytosis and other inflammatory conditions.

According to a study, ‘Antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Oenanthe crocata L. essential oil’, it was stated that sabinene present in the essential oil Oenanthe crocata is responsible for its anti-inflammatory attribute.

Sabinene in this essential oil extremely exhibited anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely tumour necrosis factor alpha and interlukin.

As anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent:

Sabinene also possess anti-bacterial properties and has been witnessed by various studies. According to the study titled, “The Essential Oil Constituents of Zorniadiphylla (L.) Pers, and Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Activities of the Oil”, it had been stated that sabinene showed a strong anti-microbial activity against Salmonella typhi, which causes food poisoning. Sabinene also proved to contain anti-fungal potency.

Sabinene exhibits strong to moderate anti-bacterial activity against gram positive bacteria and anti-fungal activity against pathogenic fungi.

Sabinene present in tea tree oil is an anti-bacterial and an antiseptic, anti-helicobacter, anti-ulcer. Sabinene is also used in perfumery and as a flavoring agent.

Reference Links:

Sabinene by Wikipedia

Antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Oenanthe crocata L. essential oil, published in the Food and Chemical Toxicology Journal

Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and different fractions of Juniperus communis L. and a comparison with some commercial antibiotics.

The Essential Oil Constituents of Zorniadiphylla (L.) Pers, and Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Activities of the Oil, by the Phytochemistry and Phytopharmacology Division, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, India

(E)- Cinnamaldehyde

Posted on August 20, 2025 by AyurvedicOils

Cinnamaldehyde is a pale yellow gelatinous liquid and an organic compound, which is responsible for the taste and smell of the cinnamon spice. Its molecular formula is C₉H₈O or C₆H₅CH=CHCHO.

It is also identified by various names such as 3- beta-phenylacrolein, (E)-Cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic aldehyde. The essential oil in the bark of the cinnamon trees contains almost 98% of Cinnamaldehyde.

Attributes of Cinnamaldehyde:

Cinnamaldehyde is responsible for rendering the taste, rich flavor and aroma in the most renowned Cinnamon spice.

Therapeutic uses of Cinnamaldehyde:

Many of the health benefits of Cinnamon and its effect on metabolism is due to the presence of Cinnamaldehyde in it. It helps to fight against tooth decay and bad breath and so the herb of Cinnamon is used for enhancing oral health. The antifungal and antibacterial property of Cinnamaldehyde helps to reduce infections.

Cinnamaldehyde restricts the harmful blood platelet clotting, which would otherwise result in insufficient blood flow. This is accomplished by preventing the production of arachidonic acid that is responsible for anti-inflammatory responses from the cell membranes.

As an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent:

Cinnamaldehyde exhibit anti-microbial activity. The antimicrobial nature of Cinnamaldehyde was proved by the study conducted at the University of Illinois, Chicago. It had been found that Cinnamaldehyde prevents above 50% of the bacterial growth in the oral cavity. It is especially effective for preventing the growth of bacteria and other pathogens in the tongue.

According to a study titled “Antimicrobial Activities of Cinnamon Oil and Cinnamaldehyde from the Chinese Medicinal Herb Cinnamomum cassia Blume” published in The American Journal of Chinese medicine, Cinnamaldehyde effectively inhibits the growth of various segregates of bacteria including gram positive and gram negative bacteria, fungi including yeasts, filamentos molds and dermatophytes. Thus Cinnamaldehyde possess anti-bacterial and antifungal properties.

Anti-diabetic property:

Since the primordial times, Cinnamon has been used to treat diabetes in China and in India. The anti-diabetic nature of Cinnamon is due to the presence of cinnamaldehyde. According to a study conducted on the streptozotocin(STZ) induced male diabetic wistar rats, it had been found that by administering Cinnamaldehyde at different doses, it had considerably reduced the plasma glucose level and simultaneously increased the plasma insulin level.

Further, oral administration of Cinnamaldehyde markedly reduced glycosylated haemoglobin, serum total cholesterol and triglycerides and increased the hepatic glycogen and HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol. Thus, Cinnamaldehyde exhibits hypoglycemic and hypolipidaemic effects in STZ induced diabetic rats.

As a flavoring agent:

Cinnamaldehyde is mainly added to foods and medicines to enhance its quality in terms of aroma and taste. It is used as a flavoring agent in liquid refreshments, ice-creams, chewing gums and candy. It is also used in perfumes to recreate the magic of fruity and interesting fragrance ranges.

Insecticide and Mosquito repellent:

Cinnamaldehyde is an effective animal repellent, which is used to repel animals like cats and dogs. It is also used as an efficient insecticide for mosquitoes. It had been found that about half of Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae are killed by an amount of 29 ppm of cinnamaldehyde in 24 hours.

Cinnamaldehyde is also used as a fungicide. It is also used to prevent corrosion in steel and other ferrous alloys in corrosive fluids like hydrochloric acid.

Reference Links:

Cinnamaldehyde by Wikipedia

Cinnamaldehyde – A potential antidiabetic agent by Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, India

Antimicrobial Activities of Cinnamon Oil and Cinnamaldehyde from the Chinese Medicinal Herb Cinnamomum cassia Blume published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine