Borneol is a terpene alcohol with a woody, camphor-like smell that occurs in some cannabis plants and in many aromatic herbs. It is a bicyclic monoterpenoid (C10H18O), a close chemical relative of camphor, and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Modern research on it is mostly laboratory and animal work.
Key facts
- Chemical class
- Bicyclic monoterpene alcohol (a terpenoid), C10H18O
- Smell
- Woody and camphor-like, with a cool, minty edge
- Relation to camphor
- Closely related; borneol is easily converted into camphor by oxidation
- Notable plant source
- Blumea balsamifera (sambong, ngai camphor): leaves hold about 0.5% volatile oil, about a quarter of it borneol
- In cannabis
- A minor terpene, listed among cannabis terpenes in a 2024 review
- Research stage
- Laboratory and animal studies, plus use as a delivery aid in Chinese medicine formulas, as of October 2026
What is borneol?
Borneol is a terpenoid: a terpene that carries an oxygen atom, in this case as an alcohol (hydroxyl) group. Its ten carbon atoms are folded into two rings, which makes it a bicyclic monoterpenoid. The same ring system appears in camphor and camphene, and oxidising borneol turns it into camphor. Borneol is also produced synthetically (PROSEA).
Is borneol a herb?
No. Borneol is a single compound, not a plant. The confusion is understandable: in Asian herbal traditions "borneol" is also the name of a crystalline product extracted from plants and added to traditional formulas. That product is mostly pure borneol.
One traditional source is Blumea balsamifera, a shrub also known as sambong or ngai camphor. Its leaves contain about 0.5% of a volatile oil whose main component is borneol, at about 25% (PROSEA). Borneol is also found in smaller amounts in many common aromatic herbs.
Is borneol a cannabis terpene?
Yes, though a minor one. A 2024 review of the entourage effect lists borneol among the terpenes found in cannabis (André et al., 2024). In most cannabis and hemp plants it sits well behind the main terpenes such as myrcene, caryophyllene and limonene. Its woody, camphor-like note can still add to the overall smell. Claims that particular named strains are "high in borneol" are hard to check, because strain names are not standardised, so only a laboratory terpene analysis can confirm it.
| Borneol | Camphor | Camphene | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Terpene alcohol | Terpene ketone | Terpene (hydrocarbon) |
| Formula | C10H18O | C10H16O | C10H16 |
| Smell | Woody, camphor-like, minty | Sharp, medicinal | Earthy, piney |
| In cannabis | Minor terpene | Trace amounts | Minor terpene |
How has borneol been used in traditional medicine?
Borneol has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is added to formulas together with other ingredients. A 2025 review explains that it was traditionally combined with other ingredients in formulas. Laboratory and animal studies show that borneol can increase the permeability of biological barriers such as the skin, the cornea and the blood-brain barrier (Tang et al., 2025).
What are the borneol terpene effects in research?
When people search for "borneol benefits", they mostly find results from animal and cell studies. These are the main research areas:
- Delivery of other compounds: borneol's ability to make biological barriers more permeable is now studied in drug-delivery research (Tang et al., 2025).
- Stroke models: a 2021 systematic review collected 20 years of animal and cell studies of borneol in experimental stroke (Li et al., 2021).
- Nervous system: the 2024 entourage review notes anticonvulsant and antinociceptive (pain-related) properties in preclinical studies (André et al., 2024).
None of these studies looked at the small amounts of borneol in a cannabis or hemp plant, and none shows an effect in people. They describe what borneol does in research settings.
How is borneol extracted?
Like other volatile terpenes, borneol is usually obtained by steam distillation of plant material, which produces an essential oil. Crystalline borneol is then separated from that oil, or the compound is made synthetically. In cannabis, terpenes are extracted together with cannabinoids when the whole plant extract is made. For more on that process, read how cannabinoids are extracted.
From our production
We keep the hemp's natural terpenes in our oils rather than stripping them out. In my experience, many people underestimate terpenes and assume only the cannabinoids matter.
— Robin Roy Krigslund-Hansen, co-founder and CEO
Frequently asked questions
What is borneol?
Borneol is a natural terpene alcohol (C10H18O) with a woody, camphor-like smell. It occurs in some cannabis plants and in aromatic herbs, and it is a traditional ingredient in Chinese medicine.
Is borneol a herb?
No. Borneol is a compound found in plants, not a plant itself. In herbal traditions the name also refers to crystalline borneol extracted from plants such as Blumea balsamifera.
What does borneol smell like?
Woody and camphor-like, with a cool, slightly minty edge.
What are the benefits of borneol?
Benefits have not been established in people. Studies in animals and cells have looked at its effect on biological barriers, in stroke models and on the nervous system. These are research findings, not proven effects.
Is borneol the same as camphor?
No, but they are close relatives. Borneol is an alcohol, camphor a ketone, and oxidising borneol turns it into camphor.
Does borneol get you high?
No. Borneol is not intoxicating. The high from cannabis comes from THC.
Related guides
Formula Swiss CBD oils are sold as cosmetics for use on the skin. They are not food supplements or medicines and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The studies in this article are laboratory and animal research. This article is general information and doesn't replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
Last reviewed:
Sources
- PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia). Blumea balsamifera.
- André R, et al. The entourage effect in cannabis medicinal products: a comprehensive review. Pharmaceuticals 2024. doi:10.3390/ph17111543
- Tang M, et al. Role of borneol as enhancer in drug formulation: a review. Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025. doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2024.04.003
- Li Y, et al. Progress in borneol intervention for ischemic stroke: a systematic review. Frontiers in Pharmacology 2021. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.606682
