GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Leleshwa (Camphor Bush)
Tarchonanthus camphoratus L.
Chemotype: endo-fenchol / trans-pinene hydrate / caryophyllene oxide type
- PLANT PART
- aerial parts
- EXTRACTION
- steam distillation
- AROMA NOTE
- top-mid
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
- 70 / 100
- Note layer
- top-mid
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
- No restriction cited
- 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-related restriction was identified for Tarchonanthus camphoratus oil in the reviewed sources.
Contraindications & cautions
- minorNo specific leave-on dermal restriction was located in the reviewed public sources beyond standard dilution practice.
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 profile follows a peer-reviewed GC-MS study of Tarchonanthus camphoratus essential oil and a current commercial identification record for the Kenya material. The oil is rich in oxygenated monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids, led by endo-fenchol, trans-pinene hydrate, caryophyllene oxide, alpha-terpineol, tau-cadinol, and alpha-cadinol. The same paper's full Table 1 GC/MS peak list additionally quantifies camphene, beta-pinene, p-cymene, limonene, fenchone, trans-sabinene hydrate, linalool, trans-pinocarveol, trans-verbenol, camphene hydrate, borneol, p-cymen-8-ol, myrtenal, verbenone, endo-fenchyl acetate, neryl acetate, alpha-copaene, (E)-caryophyllene, alloaromadendrene, gamma-muurolene, epi-cubebol, alpha-muurolene, gamma-cadinene, trans-calamenene, spathulenol, humulene epoxide II, alpha-muurolol (torreyol), and beta-eudesmol, which are now included to raise mass-balance closure.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| endo-fenchol | 21.2% | 21.2–21.2% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus PDF p.2, line 94 |
| trans-pinene hydrate | 8.8% | 8.8–8.8% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus PDF p.2, line 95 |
| caryophyllene oxide | 7.5% | 7.5–7.5% | oxygenated sesquiterpene | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus PDF p.2, line 90 |
| alpha-terpineol | 6.4% | 6.4–6.4% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus PDF p.2, line 106 |
| tau-cadinol | 6.4% | 6.4–6.4% | oxygenated sesquiterpene | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus PDF p.2, line 98 |
| alpha-cadinol | 5.2% | 5.2–5.2% | oxygenated sesquiterpene | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus PDF p.2, line 101 |
| terpinen-4-ol | 3% | 3–3% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus PDF p.2, line 104 |
| alpha-pinene | 2.8% | 2.8–2.8% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus PDF p.2, line 85 |
| beta-Eudesmol | 3.3% | 3.3–3.3% | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1652, beta-Eudesmol 3.3% |
| Camphene | 2.1% | 2.1–2.1% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 954, Camphene 2.1% |
| Borneol | 2.6% | 2.6–2.6% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1165, Borneol 2.6% |
| endo-Fenchyl acetate | 1.6% | 1.6–1.6% | monoterpene ester | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1219, endo-Fenchyl acetate 1.6% |
| gamma-Cadinene | 1.3% | 1.3–1.3% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1515, gamma-Cadinene 1.3% |
| Alloaromadendrene | 1.1% | 1.1–1.1% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1461, Alloaromadendrene 1.1% |
| gamma-Muurolene | 1.1% | 1.1–1.1% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1478, gamma-Muurolene 1.1% |
| Camphene hydrate | 1% | 1–1% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1147, Camphene hydrate 1.0% |
| trans-Calamenene | 0.8% | 0.8–0.8% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1523, trans-Calamenene 0.8% |
| trans-Pinocarveol | 0.8% | 0.8–0.8% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1138, trans-Pinocarveol 0.8% |
| beta-Pinene | 0.7% | 0.7–0.7% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 979, beta-Pinene 0.7% |
| (E)-Caryophyllene | 0.7% | 0.7–0.7% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1419, (E)-Caryophyllene 0.7% |
| Neryl acetate | 0.6% | 0.6–0.6% | monoterpene ester | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1366, Neryl acetate 0.6% |
| p-Cymene | 0.6% | 0.6–0.6% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1025, p-Cymene 0.6% |
| alpha-Muurolol (Torreyol) | 0.6% | 0.6–0.6% | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1647, alpha-Muurolol (Torreyol) 0.6% |
| epi-Cubebol | 0.5% | 0.5–0.5% | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1496, epi-Cubebol 0.5% |
| Humulene epoxide II | 0.5% | 0.5–0.5% | sesquiterpene oxide | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1610, Humulene epoxide II 0.5% |
| Verbenone | 0.5% | 0.5–0.5% | monoterpene ketone | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1206, Verbenone 0.5% |
| Limonene | 0.4% | 0.4–0.4% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1028, Limonene 0.4% |
| Linalool | 0.4% | 0.4–0.4% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1101, Linalool 0.4% |
| trans-Verbenol | 0.4% | 0.4–0.4% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1144, trans-Verbenol 0.4% |
| Spathulenol | 0.3% | 0.3–0.3% | sesquiterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1579, Spathulenol 0.3% |
| p-Cymen-8-ol | 0.3% | 0.3–0.3% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1185, p-Cymen-8-ol 0.3% |
| alpha-Copaene | 0.3% | 0.3–0.3% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1375, alpha-Copaene 0.3% |
| trans-Sabinene hydrate | 0.3% | 0.3–0.3% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1098, trans-Sabinene hydrate 0.3% |
| alpha-Muurolene | 0.2% | 0.2–0.2% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1502, alpha-Muurolene 0.2% |
| Fenchone | 0.2% | 0.2–0.2% | monoterpene ketone | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1088, Fenchone 0.2% |
| Myrtenal | 0.2% | 0.2–0.2% | monoterpene aldehyde | View sourceAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Table 1, RI 1195, Myrtenal 0.2% |
Profile source: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus; Liberty Natural bulk listing · https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1934578X1300800534 ; https://www.libertynatural.com/bulk/938.htm
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 East African folk herbal medicine for respiratory and muscular comfort
- reported to be used in steam-inhalation blends for seasonal congestion, reflecting its camphoraceous profile
- used in massage blends for muscle and joint comfort
- traditionally associated with mental clarity and refreshment when diffused
- used in perfumery for its fresh, camphoraceous, slightly woody-green facet
- shares the general folk reputation of camphor-bush plants for insect-deterrent household use
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 · 3 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- Odor intensity 70 is an archive normalization from supplier odor language such as 'earthy, camphoraceous, spicy' and 'herbal, floral, camphorated' rather than a directly published 0-100 instrument value.
- No directly measured public volatility-rate or tenacity-hour data were verified in this pass.
- Additional named constituents from the same Ali et al. (2013) Table 1 GC/MS peak list were added, bringing the named-constituent closure to approximately 0.857 (85.7%). The source paper reports 56 total identified compounds (94.2% total) plus 5.7% unidentified sesquiterpenoid peaks and several sub-0.2% trace ('Tr') peaks (pinocarvone, alpha-cubebene, ethyl nerolate, beta-bourbonene, salvial-4(14)-en-1-one, ledol, alpha-calacorene, beta-calacorene) and a small number of stereochemically-undetermined sesquiterpene alcohols (e.g., muurola-4,10(14)-dien-1beta-ol, caryophylla-4(12),8(13)-dien-5-ol, selin-11-en-4alpha-ol/intermediol) that were not added because a reliable CAS number could not be verified; closure therefore falls just short of the 0.90 floor using only fully CAS-verified named rows.