Cubeb

Piper cubeba L. f.

Chemotype: sabinene / beta-elemene / cubebol type

warmsweetslightly pepperyfreshspicyherbalwoodysmoky

PLANT PART: ripe berries
EXTRACTION: steam distillation
AROMA NOTE: mid-base

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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.

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FOLLOW YOUR SENSES

Aroma & character

A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.

warmsweetslightly pepperyfreshspicyherbalwoodysmoky

Aroma intensity: 50 / 100

Soft & subtleBold & expressive

Note layer: mid-base

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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: 5%
Phototoxicity: Not flagged in this profile
Oxidation risk: medium

A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.

No phototoxic furocoumarin restriction was identified for Piper cubeba seed essential oil in the reviewed public sources.

Contraindications & cautions

moderatePublic secondary safety guidance for cubeb states that not enough is known about use during pregnancy and breast-feeding, and recommends avoiding use in these populations; this guidance is drawn from oral/supplement use data rather than an essential-oil-specific dermal or inhalation study, so it is applied here as a precautionary population-scoped caution.
moderatePublic secondary safety guidance advises against oral cubeb use in people with gastrointestinal inflammation or kidney disease (nephritis), and notes cubeb may increase stomach acid, reducing the effectiveness of antacids, H2-blockers, and proton pump inhibitors. This applies specifically to oral/ingested use, not topical aromatherapy application.

Read the complete safety guide

Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT

Inside the oil

27 constituents

An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.

About this composition

This record follows the public 2007 Indonesia berry-oil summary for Piper cubeba, which reports sabinene, beta-elemene, beta-caryophyllene, epi-cubebol, and cubebol as the main components of the distilled berry oil. Safety and topical concentration are upgraded from the current Health Canada aromatherapy monograph, which specifically lists Piper cubeba seed essential oil at 1-5% for massage and 1-8% for local topical application. To close the compositional gap left by the Bos et al. (2007) abstract's five named percentages, this record adds corroborating quantitative values for additional sabinene/cubebol-type Piper cubeba berry constituents reported by Singh et al. (2008, International Journal of Essential Oil Therapeutics) as reproduced in Lawrence's 2016 Perfumer & Flavorist review of published cubeb oil GC-MS analyses. The Singh et al. batch is a separate Indonesian-market-sourced berry sample (purchased Gorakhpur, India market origin but botanically Piper cubeba) and is presented as a corroborating secondary source rather than the same physical batch as the Bos Indonesia study; both share the sabinene/cubebol/beta-caryophyllene chemotype signature.

Constituent	Typical amount	Reported range	Chemical family	Source
beta-Elemene	9.4%	9.4–9.4%	sesquiterpene	View source Essential Oil Constituents of Piper cubeba L. fils. from Indonesia https://research.rug.nl/en/publications/essential-oil-constituents-of-piper-cubeba-l-fils-from-indonesia/ (abstract: berry oil beta-elemene 9.4%)
Sabinene	9.1%	9.1–9.1%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Essential Oil Constituents of Piper cubeba L. fils. from Indonesia https://research.rug.nl/en/publications/essential-oil-constituents-of-piper-cubeba-l-fils-from-indonesia/ (abstract: berry oil sabinene 9.1%)
Cubebol	5.6%	5.6–5.6%	sesquiterpene alcohol	View source Essential Oil Constituents of Piper cubeba L. fils. from Indonesia https://research.rug.nl/en/publications/essential-oil-constituents-of-piper-cubeba-l-fils-from-indonesia/ (abstract: berry oil cubebol 5.6%)
beta-Caryophyllene	3.1%	3.1–3.1%	sesquiterpene	View source Essential Oil Constituents of Piper cubeba L. fils. from Indonesia https://research.rug.nl/en/publications/essential-oil-constituents-of-piper-cubeba-l-fils-from-indonesia/ (abstract: berry oil beta-caryophyllene 3.1%)
epi-Cubebol	4.3%	4.3–4.3%	sesquiterpene alcohol	View source Essential Oil Constituents of Piper cubeba L. fils. from Indonesia https://research.rug.nl/en/publications/essential-oil-constituents-of-piper-cubeba-l-fils-from-indonesia/ (abstract: berry oil epi-cubebol 4.3%)
beta-Cubebene	18.9%	18.9–18.9%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: beta-cubebene 18.9%)
alpha-Copaene	7.4%	7.4–7.4%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: alpha-copaene 7.4%)
Germacrene D	4.7%	4.7–4.7%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: germacrene D 4.7%)
allo-Aromadendrene	4.1%	4.1–4.1%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: allo-aromadendrene 4.1%)
alpha-Cubebene	3.9%	3.9–3.9%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: alpha-cubebene 3.9%)
Linalool	3.2%	3.2–3.2%	monoterpene alcohol	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: linalool 3.2%)
gamma-Muurolene	2.4%	2.4–2.4%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: gamma-muurolene 2.4%)
alpha-Humulene	2%	2–2%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: alpha-humulene 2.0%)
Bicyclogermacrene	1.5%	1.5–1.5%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: bicyclogermacrene 1.5%)
alpha-Thujene	1.9%	1.9–1.9%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: alpha-thujene 1.9%)
alpha-Pinene	1.9%	1.9–1.9%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: alpha-pinene 1.9%)
beta-Phellandrene	1.7%	1.7–1.7%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: beta-phellandrene 1.7%)
1,8-Cineole	1.3%	1.3–1.3%	monoterpene oxide	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: 1,8-cineole 1.3%)
Terpinen-4-ol	1%	1–1%	monoterpene alcohol	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: terpinen-4-ol 1.0%)
alpha-Gurjunene	0.7%	0.7–0.7%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: alpha-gurjunene 0.7%)
cis-Calamenene	0.7%	0.7–0.7%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: cis-calamenene 0.7%)
cis-Sabinene hydrate	0.7%	0.7–0.7%	monoterpene alcohol	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: cis-sabinene hydrate 0.7%)
beta-Selinene	0.6%	0.6–0.6%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: beta-selinene 0.6%)
beta-Pinene	0.6%	0.6–0.6%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: beta-pinene 0.6%)
Caryophyllene oxide	0.6%	0.6–0.6%	sesquiterpene oxide	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: caryophyllene oxide 0.6%)
Limonene	0.5%	0.5–0.5%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: limonene 0.5%)
Spathulenol	0.5%	0.5–0.5%	sesquiterpene alcohol	View source Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (reproducing Singh, Kiran, Marimuthu, de Lampasona, de Heluani & Catalan 2008 GC-MS analysis of Piper cubeba berry oil) https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil (Singh et al. 2008 oil composition list: spathulenol 0.5%)

Profile source: Essential Oil Constituents of Piper cubeba L. fils. from Indonesia; Progress in Essential Oils: Cubeb Oil (Singh et al. 2008 GC-MS data); Aromatherapy — Essential Oils; Cubeb Essential Oil: Benefits, Uses & Insights; cubeb oil, 8007-87-2 · https://research.rug.nl/en/publications/essential-oil-constituents-of-piper-cubeba-l-fils-from-indonesia/ ; https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/article/21856081/progress-in-essential-oils-cubeb-oil ; https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq?atid=aromatherap&lang=eng ; https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/cubeb-essential-oil.php ; https://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/data/es1029591.html

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 aromatherapy for a peppery, camphoraceous, clearing atmosphere
reported to support clear breathing when diffused
used in perfumery for its spicy-woody, slightly eucalyptus-like facet
traditionally associated with warming, invigorating blends in folk practice
used in gin and culinary flavoring traditions reflecting its peppery, aromatic character

Explore related intentionsEnergy & Invigoration ↗

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.

The publicly accessible Bos et al. (2007) Indonesia berry-oil abstract exposes only five named percentages; the remaining constituents in this record are drawn from a corroborating GC-MS Piper cubeba berry-oil dataset (Singh et al. 2008), reproduced in Lawrence's 2016 Perfumer & Flavorist review, from a different (Indian market-sourced) berry sample rather than the same Indonesian batch, so this record blends two distinct but chemotype-consistent Piper cubeba GC-MS analyses.
Odor intensity 50 normalizes public descriptions of cubeb oil as medium-strength and softer than black pepper into the archive's 0-100 scale rather than transcribing a native numeric intensity scale.
No public source located in this pass gave directly measured volatility-rate or tenacity-hour values.
CAS numbers for several newly added Singh et al. (2008) sesquiterpene constituents (beta-cubebene, allo-aromadendrene, alpha-cubebene, gamma-muurolene, bicyclogermacrene, alpha-gurjunene, cis-calamenene, beta-selinene) are standard published registry values for the named compound and were not individually re-verified against a primary CAS registry lookup in this pass; epi-cubebol's CAS was not located in public sources and is left null.