GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Costus Root (5 Year Aged)
Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch.
Chemotype: dehydrocostus lactone / costunolide type
- PLANT PART
- roots
- EXTRACTION
- steam distillation
- AROMA NOTE
- base
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
What’s inside this oil?
Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 90 / 100
- Note layer
- base
If you like this scent, explore
A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Using it thoughtfully
Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.
- Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
- 0%
- Phototoxicity
- Not flagged in this profile
- Oxidation risk
- Unknown
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
No furocoumarin-based phototoxic restriction was identified; the governing safety issue is dermal sensitization severe enough that costus root oil is prohibited as a fragrance ingredient.
Contraindications & cautions
- majorCostus root oil should not be used as a fragrance ingredient because IFRA and the cited EU opinion identify it as a strong dermal sensitizer.
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches
A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT
Inside the oil
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
This record is anchored to directly readable public Saussurea costus essential-oil analyses that describe a sesquiterpene-lactone-dominant root oil. The marketed '5 year aged' designation aligns with public Saussurea lappa references that specifically describe dried four- to five-year-old roots as the traditional medicinal raw material, but the composition data here remain those of the steam-distilled root oil rather than a separately quantified aged batch.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dehydrocostus lactone | 46.75% | 46.75–47.54% | sesquiterpene lactone | View sourceCharacterization of Essential Oils of Saussurea lappa Clarke, Their Effect on Pathogens and Possible Implication for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases https://www.openaccessjournals.com/articles/characterization-of-essential-oils-of-saussurea-lappa-clarke-their-effect-on-pathogens-and-possible-implication-for-the-.pdf (reports dehydrocostus lactone at 46.75% in the text summary and 47.54% in the table) |
| Costunolide | 9.26% | 9.26–9.29% | sesquiterpene lactone | View sourceCharacterization of Essential Oils of Saussurea lappa Clarke, Their Effect on Pathogens and Possible Implication for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases https://www.openaccessjournals.com/articles/characterization-of-essential-oils-of-saussurea-lappa-clarke-their-effect-on-pathogens-and-possible-implication-for-the-.pdf (reports costunolide at 9.26% in the text summary and 9.29% in the table) |
| 8-Cedren-13-ol | 5.06% | 5.06–5.06% | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceCharacterization of Essential Oils of Saussurea lappa Clarke, Their Effect on Pathogens and Possible Implication for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases https://www.openaccessjournals.com/articles/characterization-of-essential-oils-of-saussurea-lappa-clarke-their-effect-on-pathogens-and-possible-implication-for-the-.pdf (text summary: 8-cedren-13-ol 5.06%) |
| alpha-Curcumene | 4.33% | 4.33–4.33% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceCharacterization of Essential Oils of Saussurea lappa Clarke, Their Effect on Pathogens and Possible Implication for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases https://www.openaccessjournals.com/articles/characterization-of-essential-oils-of-saussurea-lappa-clarke-their-effect-on-pathogens-and-possible-implication-for-the-.pdf (alpha-curcumene 4.33%) |
| alpha-Pinene | 2.47% | 2.47–2.47% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (alpha-Pinene 2.47%) |
| beta-Pinene | 1.47% | 1.47–1.47% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (beta-Pinene 1.47%) |
| alpha-Phellandrene | 0.23% | 0.23–0.23% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (alpha-Phellandrene 0.23%) |
| (D)-Limonene | 0.34% | 0.34–0.34% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 ((D)-Limonene 0.34%) |
| beta-Phellandrene | 0.22% | 0.22–0.22% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (beta-Phellandrene 0.22%) |
| 1,8-Cineole | 1.36% | 1.36–1.36% | monoterpene oxide | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (1,8-Cineol 1.36%) |
| gamma-Terpinene | 0.14% | 0.14–0.14% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (gamma-Terpinene 0.14%) |
| Linalool | 0.25% | 0.25–0.25% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (Linalool 0.25%) |
| 4-Terpineol | 1.81% | 1.81–1.81% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (4-Terpineol 1.81%) |
| alpha-Terpineol | 0.35% | 0.35–0.35% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (alpha-Terpineol 0.35%) |
| trans-Cinnamaldehyde | 0.52% | 0.52–0.52% | phenylpropanoid aldehyde | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (trans-Cinnamaldehyde 0.52%) |
| alpha-Copaene | 0.62% | 0.62–0.62% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (alpha-Copaene 0.62%) |
| beta-Elemene | 0.29% | 0.29–0.29% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (beta-Elemene 0.29%) |
| beta-Caryophyllene | 1.15% | 1.15–1.15% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (beta-Caryophyllene 1.15%) |
| gamma-Curcumene | 0.13% | 0.13–0.13% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (gamma-Curcumene 0.13%) |
| beta-Selinene | 0.4% | 0.4–0.4% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (beta-Selinene 0.40%) |
| alpha-Selinene | 2.79% | 2.79–2.79% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (alpha-Selinene 2.79%) |
| alpha-Elemol | 0.35% | 0.35–0.35% | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (alpha-Elemol 0.35%) |
| trans-Nerolidol | 0.29% | 0.29–0.29% | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (trans-Nerolidol 0.29%) |
| Spathulenol | 2.31% | 2.31–2.31% | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (Spathulenol 2.31%) |
| Caryophyllene oxide | 0.77% | 0.77–0.77% | sesquiterpene oxide | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (Caryophyllene oxide 0.77%) |
| Viridiflorol | 1.1% | 1.1–1.1% | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (Viridiflorol 1.10%) |
| gamma-Gurjunene | 0.2% | 0.2–0.2% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (gamma-Gurjunene 0.20%) |
| gamma-Eudesmol | 0.53% | 0.53–0.53% | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (gamma-Eudesmol 0.53%) |
| beta-Eudesmol | 1.32% | 1.32–1.32% | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 (beta-Eudesmol 1.32%) |
| (Z)-alpha-Santalol | 0.25% | 0.25–0.25% | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceEssential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Liu ZL, He Q, Chu SS, Wang CF, Du SS, Deng ZW. Parasitology Research 2012;110(6):2125-2130. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2738-0, Table 1 ((Z)-alpha-Santalol 0.25%) |
| Elema-1,3,11(13)-trien-12-ol | 3.56% | — | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceThe Pharma Innovation J. 2023;12(7), cultivated Saussurea costus root EO GC-MS (Perkin-Elmer Clarus 500, RtX5); dehydrocostus-lactone-dominant type |
| beta-Costol | 0.29% | — | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceThe Pharma Innovation J. 2023;12(7), cultivated Saussurea costus root EO GC-MS (Perkin-Elmer Clarus 500, RtX5); dehydrocostus-lactone-dominant type |
Profile source: Characterization of Essential Oils of Saussurea lappa Clarke, Their Effect on Pathogens and Possible Implication for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases; Opinion concerning a review on the safety of perfumery materials · https://www.openaccessjournals.com/articles/characterization-of-essential-oils-of-saussurea-lappa-clarke-their-effect-on-pathogens-and-possible-implication-for-the-.pdf ; https://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/sccp/documents/out251_en.pdf
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used in perfumery as a rare, animalic-woody fixative in fine fragrance
- used historically in incense and ceremonial blends for its deep, earthy-root aroma
- traditionally associated with grounding, warming atmospheres in aged, mellowed form
- shares the traditional base-note fixative reputation of other rare root oils
- used sparingly by perfumers valuing its complex, musky-woody depth
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 4 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- CAS for 8-cedren-13-ol was not verified from a directly readable public source in this pass.
- Odor intensity 90 normalizes public qualitative descriptions such as 'extremely tenacious' and strong woody-musky animalic odor rather than transcribing a published 0-100 measurement.
- No directly readable public source located in this pass gave a measured volatility-rate or tenacity-hour window specific to the aged costus oil.
- The primary composition source was corrected in this pass to Liu ZL et al. 2012 (Parasitology Research 110(6):2125-2130), which is the actual original publication for the four previously-cited percentages (dehydrocostus lactone 46.75%, costunolide 9.26%, 8-cedren-13-ol 5.06%, alpha-curcumene 4.33%) as well as 26 newly added minor constituents from the same GC-MS table, bringing reported total identified content to ~94.78% per that paper. A handful of named peaks in the same table (hexenal/hexenol isomers, delta-terpineol, safrole, dihydro-alpha-ionone, alpha-ionene, trans-alpha-bergamotene, geranyl acetone, paeonol, trans-beta-ionone, beta-costol) were not added because they lack a matching constituent_id/CAS entry in the local corpus.