Borneol is a lesser-known terpene that naturally occurs in rosemary, camphor, and the cannabis plant. Although it's not as popular as myrcene or linalool , it's a surprisingly versatile and potentially beneficial compound whose utility extends back to 9th-century Chinese herbal medicine.
Borneol is a highly bioavailable terpene currently being studied for several promising applications in the future of natural medicine — most notably its potential ability to reduce cancer cell growth, which we'll discuss later in the article.
Let's explore the different aspects of borneol, such as its notable botanical sources, possible therapeutic benefits, and uses. We'll also discuss its role in cannabis strains and the best cultivars for accessing its unique flavor, aroma, and effect profiles.
Where Does Borneol Come From?
Borneol is a terpene that can be found in various plant species, especially in the families of Dipterocarpaceae, Lamiaceae, and Asteraceae.
Natural borneol is typically extracted from the essential oils and resins of plants in the Dipterocarpaceae and Lamiaceae families.
These plants are widely distributed in tropical and temperate regions of the world and have been used for medicinal and aromatic purposes for centuries.
Some of the notable botanical sources of borneol are:
Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora)
This large evergreen tree is native to China, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam. It produces a volatile oil containing high amounts of borneol, a compound derived from the essential oil of the camphor tree, and its isomer camphor. Borneol is obtained from the tree’s wood, bark, leaves, and roots by steam distillation or solvent extraction.
Additionally, borneol can also be synthesized from camphor through chemical reduction. Camphor oil is commonly sourced and used for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and stimulant properties.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
This is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean region. It has needle-like leaves and blue flowers that emit a pleasant aroma. Rosemary contains natural borneol as one of its key components, making up about 10% of its chemical composition, along with other terpenes such as alpha-pinene, camphene, cineole, and limonene. The herb may possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.
Wormwood (Artemisia spp.)
This is a genus of aromatics that includes several species, such as Artemisia absinthium (common wormwood), Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood), and Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort). The components of wormwood include various chemical compounds, with its bitter-tasting leaves and flowers containing terpenes such as borneol. Wormwood has been studied for decades for its antiparasitic, antifungal, antibacterial, and antimalarial properties.
What Does Borneol Smell Like?
Borneol has a pungent and camphor-like odor with a minty, cooling taste. While often compared to other minty terpenes like eucalyptol or isopulegol , it's distinguished by an earthier flavor profile. It's a colorless to white solid at room temperature, with a melting point of about 406°F and a boiling point of about 415°F.
Borneol is slightly soluble in water but more so in organic solvents such as chloroform, ethanol, acetone, ether, benzene, toluene, decalin, and tetralin. Borneol is also flammable, with a flash point of about 178°F.
What Are Some Potential Health Benefits of Borneol?
Borneol is a terpene with a range of potential health benefits, playing a role in the modulation of different physiological and pathological processes such as inflammation, pain, neurodegeneration, and cancer. A 2021 review study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34017247/) found that borneol exhibits anti-inflammatory effects and may provide neuroprotection in cases of ischemic stroke. Some of the mechanisms by which borneol exerts its beneficial potential include:
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Fighting cancer via selenocysteine-induced apoptosis: Selenocysteine (SeC) is a selenium-containing compound whose anticancer activities induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. SeC has low cellular uptake and bioavailability, which limits its clinical application. Borneol may enhance the cellular uptake and bioavailability of SeC by increasing the permeability of cell membranes and the blood-brain barrier. Research has shown that borneol may enhance the absorption and efficacy of certain drugs by increasing drug concentration in target tissues. Borneol also potentiates the apoptosis-inducing effect of SeC by triggering reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative damage and DNA damage in cancer cells. In laboratory cell studies, borneol has been shown to enhance the activity of selenocysteine (SeC) against certain cancer cell lines. However, more research and human clinical trials are necessary to determine if this synergy is effective or safe as a medical treatment.
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Analgesic effects: Borneol may modulate the activity of pain-related receptors and neurotransmitters. Borneol can inhibit the expression and function of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), a receptor that mediates pain sensation and inflammation. Borneol also increases the release of endogenous opioids, such as beta-endorphin and enkephalin, which are natural painkillers. Borneol reduces the levels of substances P and glutamate, which are excitatory neurotransmitters that transmit pain signals. This can alleviate various types of pain, such as inflammatory, neuropathic, visceral, and postoperative pain. In Asia, topical borneol use via camphor heat rubs like Tiger Balm showcases its potential in restoring blood circulation to injury sites, aiding recovery, and providing pain relief. Previous studies have highlighted borneol's anti inflammatory effects, supporting its traditional use for pain relief.
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Neuroprotective effects: Borneol may play a role in preventing neuronal cell death and is being researched for its neuroprotective potential. Preliminary studies suggest it may influence pathways related to neuronal survival, and researchers are investigating whether these properties could eventually support treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s
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Fighting stress and fatigue: Some studies have even suggested that borneol can regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to reduce levels of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone — stress hormones secreted by the HPA axis — as well as lower levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine, which are catecholamines secreted by the SNS. Borneol also increases levels of serotonin and dopamine, which are central nervous system (CNS) neurotransmitters regulating mood and motivation. By these mechanisms, borneol can improve animals’ and humans’ physical and mental performance under stressful or fatiguing conditions.
The Role of Borneol in Fighting Cardiovascular Disease and Respiratory Illnesses
Borneol has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its beneficial effects on the liver, spleen meridians, heart, and lungs.
Borneol is also used as a flavoring agent and is a common ingredient in both traditional remedies and commercial products. The components of these remedies often include borneol for its therapeutic properties. Its appeal extended far beyond massage or aromatherapy, as borneol effectively synergized with polyphenols in popular cooking ingredients like ginger while functioning as one of China’s more effective natural insect repellents outside the kitchen.
TCM commonly uses borneol to treat bronchitis and similar ailments utilizing its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. For one thing, it can reduce the inflammation of the lungs by controlling inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory infiltration. It can also inhibit the entry of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — which causes acute respiratory infections — by interacting with the viral F protein that mediates membrane fusion.
Common agents of inflammatory infiltration
Cytokines are molecules that signal the immune system to mount an inflammatory response. The dysregulated activity of these cytokines can cause tissue damage and impair lung function. Other inflammatory cells include neutrophils and macrophages, which release reactive oxygen species and proteases that can damage the lung tissue and cause edema.
Which Cannabis Strains Have The Most Borneol?
Borneol is a secondary terpene and one of the many terpenes found in cannabis strains. The components of these strains include borneol among other terpenes, each contributing to the plant's unique aroma, flavor, and effects.
Whether you prefer indicas for their sedative qualities or sativas for their focus-enhancing and uplifting properties, we have a high-borneol strain recommendation for you! Let’s look at our top three picks below.
Golden Haze
Golden Haze is a sativa-dominant cross of Amnesia Haze and Super Silver Haze, two powerful hazes known for their beautiful nugs and mellow flavors. It has a high THC content of up to 23%, and a low CBD content of less than 1%, making it a potent strain for recreational and medical users.
Under proper growing conditions, Golden Haze produces medium-sized neon green buds with amber crystals that give them a glittering appearance. It has a sweet and sour flavor with notes of berries, citrus, and herbs that create a refreshing and uplifting sensation. It offers a relaxing and euphoric high that can help with stress, pain, depression, anxiety, and mood swings by boosting your energy and creativity without making you sleepy.
Golden Haze is suitable for morning or daytime use or anytime you need a positive and cerebral boost. It's a beginner-friendly strain that can reach up to six and a half feet in height and takes about 65 days to flower.
Amnesia Haze
Amnesia Haze is another sativa-dominant hybrid with a high THC content of up to 21%. It's a cross of various landrace strains, including South Asian, Jamaican, Hawaiian, Thai, Cambodian, and Afghani. It won several awards, including the Cannabis Cup in 2004 and Sativa Cup in 2012. It is particularly popular in Amsterdam and the U.S.
Given ample nutrition, Amnesia Haze produces large and fluffy green buds with orange hairs and a resin coating. It has a citrus and earthy flavor with notes of lemon, lime and pine, offering a strong cerebral high that can lift the mood and spark creativity. It can also help with stress, depression, anxiety, pain, and appetite loss.
Amnesia Haze is best for morning or daytime use and in social settings. It's a moderately difficult strain to grow that can reach up to five feet in height, taking about 10 to 12 weeks to flower.
Hindu Kush
On the other hand, Hindu Kush is a pure indica strain that originates from the Hindu Kush mountain range that forms the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It's one of the original landrace strains, and has been used to create several popular hybrids.
With a high THC content of up to 20% and a very low CBD content of less than 1%, Hindu Kush has an earthy and spicy flavor with notes of pine, lemon, and citrus that create a refreshing and herbal sensation. Healthy Hindu Kush plants produce large, sticky buds with orange hairs and a generous resin coating that makes them ideal for hash production.
Hindu Kush is suitable for evening or nighttime use or for whenever you could use a deep sense of calm and peace. It offers a strong, sedative high that can relax your body and mind for sleep and relieve pain and stress.
Essential Oils High in Borneol
You can also enjoy the potential health benefits of camphor using infused products and aromatherapy diffusers. These essential oils are rich in natural borneol, which is obtained from the plant components through extraction. Here’s a list of three popular essential oils high in borneol:
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Camphor oil is commonly extracted from the wood of the camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora). It contains natural borneol as one of its main components and has a strong, penetrating aroma that’s both soothing and stimulating. Camphor oil has various therapeutic properties, including antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, decongestant, and insect repellent effects. It’s typically used to treat respiratory problems, muscle and joint pain, skin infections, and insect bites.
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Sage oil can be extracted from both the leaves and flowers of the sage plant (Salvia officinalis). It contains natural borneol among its components and has a herbaceous, camphor-like aroma. Sage oil is known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective benefits.
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Thyme oil is derived from the Thymus vulgaris plant and is a powerful aromatic oil with therapeutic properties. It is also used topically to alleviate muscle and joint pain and heal wounds.
Are There Any Notable Side Effects from Using Borneol?
Virtually all potential side effects of borneol are rooted in allergic reactions from source plant materials like camphor — resulting in skin irritation and eye irritation when applied topically, irritation of the nose and throat when inhaled, headache, nausea and vomiting when ingested or inhaled, and dizziness, light-headedness and fainting when exposed to high doses. Some individuals may be sensitive to borneol or related chemical compounds, so caution is advised.
As with all chemicals and chemical compounds, proper storage and disposal are important to minimize risks and ensure environmental safety.
Like all terpenes, high doses of borneol can also interact with some medications, particularly those broken down in the liver or that thin the blood. It’s advisable to consult a doctor before making regular use of borneol.