Turmeric

Curcuma longa L.

Chemotype: ar-turmerone / alpha-turmerone / curlone type

spicywoodyherbalfreshsweetginger-like

PLANT PART: rhizomes
EXTRACTION: steam distillation
AROMA NOTE: mid

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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.

I’m interested in

Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.

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FOLLOW YOUR SENSES

Aroma & character

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

spicywoodyherbalfreshsweetginger-like

Aroma intensity: 100 / 100

Soft & subtleBold & expressive

Note layer: mid

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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: No restriction cited
Phototoxicity: Not flagged in this profile
Oxidation risk: low

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

The reviewed public IFRA certificate for Organic Turmeric Essential Oil (Curcuma longa) shows 100% across listed product categories and states the ingredient does not present a phototoxic effect.

Contraindications & cautions

moderateAr-turmerone, the dominant constituent of turmeric essential oil, carries a GHS skin-sensitization warning (H319-type allergic skin reaction); leave-on and facial use should be avoided even at moderate dilution (practitioner reports of reactions at 3% dermal use).
majorUndiluted or perioral/oral use is contraindicated: the oil is hazardous near the mouth and can cause mouth soreness and sensitization; a case report documents a trunk rash following internal use that resolved on discontinuation.
moderatePer Tisserand et al. (2013), internal/oral use of turmeric essential oil may influence blood sugar levels and could interact with anti-diabetic medication; topical use is not considered a concern for this effect since steam-distilled turmeric oil contains little to no curcumin.

Read the complete safety guide

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

21 constituents

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 a directly readable Curcuma longa rhizome steam-distillation study (Naz et al. 2010, Asian J. Chem.) that reported aromatic turmerone, alpha-turmerone, and curlone as the dominant constituents, with smaller but named contributions from caryophyllene, eucalyptol, and alpha-phellandrene; that source names only 6 of 16 detected GC-MS peaks and is exhausted as a sole anchor. To narrow the compositional gap, this record adds minor monoterpene and sesquiterpene constituents from a second peer-reviewed, open-access Curcuma longa rhizome GC-MS study (Oyemitan et al. 2017, Toxicology Reports 4:391-398, Table 1, fresh rhizome oil, Southwest Nigeria) for named compounds not already covered by the Naz anchor. The Oyemitan sample is a turmerone/alpha-phellandrene-dominant chemotype rather than the Naz ar-turmerone/alpha-turmerone/curlone-dominant chemotype, so the added minor-constituent values are species-level corroboration from a different batch/chemotype, not same-batch Naz data; their major constituents (turmerone, ar-turmerone, alpha-phellandrene, 1,8-cineole) were NOT reused here because they conflict with the Naz anchor's values for the same compounds. Public perfumery and IFRA-conformity sources reviewed on 2026-07-07 align on turmeric root oil as a spicy woody-herbal material without a documented phototoxic restriction in the cited sources.

Constituent	Typical amount	Reported range	Chemical family	Source
ar-Turmerone	25.3%	25.3–25.3%	sesquiterpene ketone	View source Chemical Analysis of Essential Oils from Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Rhizome Through GC-MS https://asianpubs.org/index.php/ajchem/article/view/11526/11508 (pp. 3154-3155; aromatic tumerone 25.3%)
alpha-Turmerone	18.3%	18.3–18.3%	sesquiterpene ketone	View source Chemical Analysis of Essential Oils from Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Rhizome Through GC-MS https://asianpubs.org/index.php/ajchem/article/view/11526/11508 (pp. 3154-3155; alpha-tumerone 18.3%)
Curlone	12.5%	12.5–12.5%	sesquiterpene ketone	View source Chemical Analysis of Essential Oils from Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Rhizome Through GC-MS https://asianpubs.org/index.php/ajchem/article/view/11526/11508 (pp. 3154-3155; curlone 12.5%)
beta-Caryophyllene	2.26%	2.26–2.26%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Chemical Analysis of Essential Oils from Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Rhizome Through GC-MS https://asianpubs.org/index.php/ajchem/article/view/11526/11508 (pp. 3154-3155; caryophyllene 2.26%)
1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol)	1.6%	1.6–1.6%	oxide	View source Chemical Analysis of Essential Oils from Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Rhizome Through GC-MS https://asianpubs.org/index.php/ajchem/article/view/11526/11508 (pp. 3154-3155; eucalyptol 1.60%)
alpha-Phellandrene	0.42%	0.42–0.42%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Chemical Analysis of Essential Oils from Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Rhizome Through GC-MS https://asianpubs.org/index.php/ajchem/article/view/11526/11508 (p. 3155; alpha-phellandrene 0.42%)
alpha-Pinene	0.6%	0.6–0.6%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; alpha-pinene 0.6%)
Sabinene	0.2%	0.2–0.2%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; sabinene 0.2%)
Myrcene	0.4%	0.4–0.4%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; myrcene 0.4%)
delta-3-Carene	0.3%	0.3–0.3%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; delta-3-carene 0.3%)
alpha-Terpinene	0.5%	0.5–0.5%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; alpha-terpinene 0.5%)
p-Cymene	2.1%	2.1–2.1%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; p-cymene 2.1%)
D-Limonene	1%	1–1%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; D-limonene 1.0%)
gamma-Terpinene	0.7%	0.7–0.7%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; gamma-terpinene 0.7%)
Terpinolene	3.2%	3.2–3.2%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; terpinolene 3.2%)
Terpinen-4-ol	0.2%	0.2–0.2%	monoterpene alcohol	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; terpinen-4-ol 0.2%)
alpha-Terpineol	0.4%	0.4–0.4%	monoterpene alcohol	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; alpha-terpineol 0.4%)
ar-Curcumene	0.7%	0.7–0.7%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; ar-curcumene 0.7%)
alpha-Zingiberene	2%	2–2%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; alpha-zingiberene 2.0%)
beta-Curcumene	0.2%	0.2–0.2%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; beta-curcumene 0.2%)
beta-Sesquiphellandrene	1.8%	1.8–1.8%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ (Table 1; beta-sesquiphellandrene 1.8%)

Profile source: Chemical Analysis of Essential Oils from Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Rhizome Through GC-MS; Neuropharmacological profile and chemical analysis of fresh rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa (turmeric) cultivated in Southwest Nigeria; Organic Turmeric Essential Oil IFRA Conformity Certificate; Turmeric Essential Oil - PerfumersWorld · https://asianpubs.org/index.php/ajchem/article/view/11526/11508 ; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615139/ ; https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/20181011122820e_Turmeric_IFRA_48.pdf ; https://www.perfumersworld.com/view.php?pro_id=7SW08751

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 and Ayurvedic practice for warming, grounding effect
reported to support skin-care routines for a traditional radiance-supporting reputation
traditionally associated with supporting digestive comfort in folk use
used in perfumery and blending for an earthy, spicy-woody note
reported to ease occasional joint and muscle discomfort in massage blends

Explore related intentionsStress Relief ↗

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 · 2 data gaps

Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.

No directly published volatility-rate or tenacity-hour figures were verified from the public sources reviewed in this pass.
Closure is approximately 0.75 (74.68%). The Naz et al. 2010 anchor (ar-turmerone/alpha-turmerone/curlone-dominant) named only 6 of 16 detected GC-MS peaks; 15 additional named minor constituents were added from a second peer-reviewed open-access source (Oyemitan et al. 2017, Toxicology Reports 4:391-398, Table 1, fresh rhizome oil from Southwest Nigeria) that is a different, turmerone/alpha-phellandrene-dominant chemotype. Only non-overlapping named compounds were added; overlapping majors (turmerone, ar-turmerone, alpha-phellandrene, 1,8-cineole, beta-caryophyllene) were left as the original Naz values rather than replaced, since merging the two full profiles would misrepresent a single batch. A single fully-quantified source that matches the Naz chemotype and closes to 90-105% was not located and verified by direct page read in this pass.