CONSTITUENT REPORT
(E)-beta-Caryophyllene
beta-Caryophyllene is a widely distributed sesquiterpene hydrocarbon found in clove, copaiba, basil, black pepper, hemp, ylang ylang, and many other essential oils already represented in the AromaForge archive. Compared with most constituents in this archive, its evidence base is unusually strong: chemistry and occurrence are well established, preclinical mechanism work repeatedly points to CB2-related signaling, and public safety coverage includes subchronic toxicity and a RIFM fragrance safety assessment. Even so, the positive pharmacology literature remains mostly preclinical, so archive copy should present beta-caryophyllene as a well-studied constituent without turning that into medical claims.
Chemical identity and composition
PubChem resolves beta-caryophyllene to CID 5281515 with formula C15H24 and lists Caryophyllene, trans-beta-caryophyllene, and (E)-beta-caryophyllene among its synonyms. NIST likewise supports CAS 87-44-5. In the local archive, beta-caryophyllene ranges from modest supporting levels in many oils to dominant abundance in copaiba records, including 57.43% in one Copaifera officinalis GC/MS report and 31.40% in one tulsi GC/FID report.
Aroma and practical use
- Use the recorded woody, spicy, peppery, dry descriptors to explore a blend's scent character; perceived strength also depends on the other ingredients.
- Read the route, preparation and experimental context before using a study finding to choose an oil.
Reported benefits and effects
Findings retain their study context. An animal or laboratory result describes that experiment.
A 2008 PNAS study reported that (E)-beta-caryophyllene selectively bound the CB2 receptor, inhibited LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in human monocytes, and reduced carrageenan-induced inflammatory responses in wild-type but not CB2-deficient mice.
A 2008 PNAS study reported that (E)-beta-caryophyllene selectively bound the CB2 receptor, inhibited LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in human monocytes, and reduced carrageenan-induced inflammatory responses in wild-type but not CB2-deficient mice.
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
A 2022 pterygium-fibroblast paper reported that 25 micromolar beta-caryophyllene significantly reduced IL-6 production after 48 hours, while other cytokines in that model did not show statistically significant changes.
A 2022 pterygium-fibroblast paper reported that 25 micromolar beta-caryophyllene significantly reduced IL-6 production after 48 hours, while other cytokines in that model did not show statistically significant changes.
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
A 2016 subchronic toxicity study reported that oral beta-caryophyllene oil was well tolerated in rats for 90 days, with a reported NOAEL of 700 mg/kg body weight/day.
A 2016 subchronic toxicity study reported that oral beta-caryophyllene oil was well tolerated in rats for 90 days, with a reported NOAEL of 700 mg/kg body weight/day.
The source assessment applies to its specified exposure and preparation; this entry is not an unrestricted-use clearance.
A 2022 RIFM fragrance safety assessment concluded that beta-caryophyllene was not genotoxic, was not expected to be phototoxic or photoallergenic, and showed no skin-sensitization safety concern at current declared levels of use.
A 2022 RIFM fragrance safety assessment concluded that beta-caryophyllene was not genotoxic, was not expected to be phototoxic or photoallergenic, and showed no skin-sensitization safety concern at current declared levels of use.
The source assessment applies to its specified exposure and preparation; this entry is not an unrestricted-use clearance.
Use concerns and concentration limits
Sensitization concernNot flagged
Not flagged in the current model. This is not proof of absence or unrestricted safety.
Phototoxicity concernNot flagged
Not flagged in the current model. This is not proof of absence or unrestricted safety.
Oxidation concernNot flagged
Not flagged in the current model. This is not proof of absence or unrestricted safety.
Penetration enhancementNot flagged
Not flagged in the current model. This is not proof of absence or unrestricted safety.
No numeric constituent-specific use limit is available here. Missing is not an unrestricted-use clearance.
Public safety coverage for beta-caryophyllene is better than average for an aroma constituent, including a rat subchronic-toxicity study and a RIFM fragrance safety assessment.
The source assessment applies to its specified exposure and preparation; this entry is not an unrestricted-use clearance.
No direct public citation is attached to this entry.
The reviewed pharmacology literature is still dominated by cell and animal work, so archive summaries should avoid presenting beta-caryophyllene as a proven treatment for inflammation, pain, mood, or other health conditions.
This reference does not establish a therapeutic result or a safe use level for a custom oil blend.
No direct public citation is attached to this entry.
Constituents it may interact with
These are research candidates recorded in the interaction matrix. They do not add a proven-amplification bonus to the score.
LinaloolAmplification candidate
Candidate in the research matrix. A coefficient alone does not establish amplification at the dose, route or goal of your blend; no proven amplification is inferred from this row.
in vitro · effect
No source citation attached.
Read Linalool report →LimoneneAmplification candidate
Candidate in the research matrix. A coefficient alone does not establish amplification at the dose, route or goal of your blend; no proven amplification is inferred from this row.
human clinical · effect
No source citation attached.
Read Limonene report →alpha-HumuleneAmplification candidate
Candidate in the research matrix. A coefficient alone does not establish amplification at the dose, route or goal of your blend; no proven amplification is inferred from this row.
animal · effect
No source citation attached.
Read alpha-Humulene report →alpha-HumuleneAmplification candidate
Candidate in the research matrix. A coefficient alone does not establish amplification at the dose, route or goal of your blend; no proven amplification is inferred from this row.
in vitro · effect
No source citation attached.
Read alpha-Humulene report →1,8-cineoleAmplification candidate
Candidate in the research matrix. A coefficient alone does not establish amplification at the dose, route or goal of your blend; no proven amplification is inferred from this row.
animal · effect
No source citation attached.
Read 1,8-cineole report →EugenolAmplification candidate
Candidate in the research matrix. A coefficient alone does not establish amplification at the dose, route or goal of your blend; no proven amplification is inferred from this row.
cell study · effect
No source citation attached.
Read Eugenol report →alpha-BisabololAmplification candidate
Candidate in the research matrix. A coefficient alone does not establish amplification at the dose, route or goal of your blend; no proven amplification is inferred from this row.
mechanistic · effect
No source citation attached.
Read alpha-Bisabolol report →Eugenyl acetateAmplification candidate
Candidate in the research matrix. A coefficient alone does not establish amplification at the dose, route or goal of your blend; no proven amplification is inferred from this row.
review · whole_oil
No source citation attached.
Read Eugenyl acetate report →benzyl alcoholAmplification candidate
Candidate in the research matrix. A coefficient alone does not establish amplification at the dose, route or goal of your blend; no proven amplification is inferred from this row.
in vitro mechanistic · effect
No source citation attached.
Read benzyl alcohol report →How the effects were investigated
cb2 receptor agonism
A landmark 2008 PNAS paper reported that (E)-beta-caryophyllene selectively binds CB2, acts as a functional agonist, and reduces carrageenan-induced inflammation in wild-type but not CB2-knockout mice.
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
No direct public citation is attached to this entry.
cytokine modulation in cell models
Cell and tissue-culture studies report reduced pro-inflammatory signaling such as IL-6 output after beta-caryophyllene exposure, but these remain experimental rather than clinical findings.
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
No direct public citation is attached to this entry.
What this report cannot establish
- A reported constituent percentage does not establish an effective human therapeutic dose or the amount absorbed into the body.
- The presence of a constituent does not guarantee a clinical benefit, rash treatment or sleep improvement from a custom blend.
- An unflagged concern or missing use limit does not establish safety for ingestion, inhalation, skin exposure or a particular person.
- A candidate constituent interaction does not establish that two oils amplify one another at the selected proportions.
- Constituent descriptors alone do not establish a precise top, heart or base lifetime in a finished blend.
Known data gaps (6)
- Most positive mechanism and efficacy-style data for beta-caryophyllene remain preclinical rather than clinical.
- The constituent has stronger public safety coverage than most archive sesquiterpenes, but that does not create a basis for wellness or disease-treatment claims.
- This record does not attempt a comprehensive catalog of the very large beta-caryophyllene review literature and instead prioritizes foundational primary sources.
- No constituent-specific numeric dermal reference is available here.
- Some findings do not record an explicit exposure route; consult the linked study before applying them to a use.
- Interaction candidates lack an attached source citation and remain unqualified.