Cyperene is a sesquiterpene hydrocarbon strongly associated with Cyperus oils such as nagarmotha, cypriol, and Cyperus rotundus root materials. The evidence base is strongest for identity and repeated occurrence: PubChem and NIST define the molecule, AromaForge oil records place it near the center of the cypriol chemotype, and review literature repeatedly lists it among the dominant volatiles of Cyperus species. Direct isolated-constituent bioactivity evidence is thinner than for alpha-cyperone or cyperotundone, but recent insect-repellency and insecticidal studies do show measurable activity for purified cyperene in pest models. That still leaves the overall evidence preclinical and niche, so the safest archive framing is as a hallmark Cyperus aroma constituent with limited but real constituent-level bioactivity data.
Chemical identity and composition
NIST and PubChem identify cyperene as C15H24 and treat it as a tricyclic sesquiterpene hydrocarbon. The local archive's cypriol and nagarmotha oil records already use cyperene as a lead chemotype marker, with reported ranges of 6.3% to 32.0% across the 2025 comparative Indian nagarmotha dataset.
Aroma and practical use
- Use the recorded woody, earthy, dry, cypriol-like 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.
repellent activity against tribolium confusum
A 2025 Molecules study isolated cyperene and cyperotundone from Cyperus esculentus root oil and found that both maintained significant repellent activity against Tribolium confusum for up to 24 hours at the tested higher concentration, although cyperene was less long-lasting than cyperotundone.
Measured: repellent persistence and comparative performance versus DEET
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
insecticidal activity against aphids and mealybugs
A 2024 Pest Management Science paper isolated cyperene, cyperotundone, and cyperene epoxide from Cyperus rotundus root oil and reported that cyperene showed promising toxicity against Aphis craccivora and was effective against Planococcus lilacinus in the tested insect models.
Measured: LD50 and efficacy of isolated molecules
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
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.
No constituent-specific IFRA standard, RIFM safety assessment, or human safety study for isolated cyperene was located in the reviewed public sources.
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.
The directly verifiable constituent-level evidence for cyperene is currently weighted toward pest-biology models rather than fragrance-use safety or human wellness research.
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.
Because cyperene is a hydrocarbon sesquiterpene with limited constituent-specific safety data, archive copy should avoid implying a separately validated topical-use profile.
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
No constituent-pair interaction is recorded for this identity. The report does not assume either amplification or incompatibility.
How the effects were investigated
olfactory and detox enzyme disruption
In a Tribolium confusum model, cyperene was studied as one of the two main isolated repellent compounds from Cyperus esculentus oil, with the paper linking activity to altered odorant receptor expression plus reduced acetylcholinesterase and glutathione-S-transferase activity after exposure to the oil and major compounds.
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
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 (7)
- No human clinical studies specific to isolated cyperene were located in the reviewed public sources.
- Compared with alpha-cyperone or cyperotundone, direct mechanistic and translational literature for isolated cyperene remains sparse.
- No constituent-specific dermal limit, sensitization review, or phototoxicity guidance was located for isolated cyperene.
- Follow-up web search (2026-07-11) found that cypriol/Cyperus oil overall is described as rarely sensitizing at cosmetic concentrations (0.5-3%) per general aromatherapy safety commentary (beautyscicomm.com; whollykaw.com), and that cyperene plus beta-selinene showed in-vitro androgen-receptor binding stronger than isopropylparaben in one study - a mixture/receptor-binding signal, not a constituent-specific IFRA dermal limit. No cyperene-specific RIFM assessment or IFRA Standard was found; dermal_limit_pct (25) and dermal_limit_verified (false) are left unchanged as an unverified placeholder.
- Worker c8 search (2026-07-13): no IFRA Standard, RIFM assessment, or Tisserand & Young monograph entry located for cyperene (CAS 2387-78-2) specifically. Prior dermal_limit_pct:25 and sensitizing:true were unsupported placeholders and have been corrected to null/false.
- 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.