Camphor leaf oil, white, rectified (CAS 8008-51-3) — Woody Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Camphor leaf oil, white, rectified
CAS 8008-51-3
What Is Camphor leaf oil, white, rectified?
White camphor leaf oil is a refined essential oil derived from the leaves of the camphor tree, commonly found in Asia. It’s used in topical ointments, aromatherapy, and some perfumes for its crisp, medicinal aroma. This oil matters in fragrance for its ability to add cooling, minty-camphoraceous notes that evoke freshness and cleanliness, often used to balance warmer base notes in fragrances.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Camphor leaf oil, white, rectified Smell Like?
White camphor leaf oil bursts with an intense, clean camphoraceous punch – like inhaling deeply from a vintage chest rub. The aroma is sharply medicinal at first, reminiscent of eucalyptus and wintergreen, but with a dry woody undertone. As it evolves, the harshness softens into a minty-cool freshness, like a breeze through pine needles. The dry-down reveals subtle herbal nuances, lingering as a crisp, slightly sweet woody-resinous whisper that provides excellent diffusion.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used sparingly to amplify the citrus-herbal freshness, adding a cooling counterpoint to the warm oakmoss base.
Provides the bracing ‘alpine’ freshness in the top notes, blending with mint and lavender.
Adds crispness to the pine-heavy accord, preventing the composition from becoming too sweet.
Used to sharpen the herbal complexity, cutting through the dense patchouli and castoreum.
Contributes to the aromatic fougère structure, enhancing the lavender-anise freshness.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
White camphor leaf oil is primarily composed of 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, and camphor. The rectification process removes darker, heavier components to create a cleaner olfactory profile. The oil is steam distilled from fresh leaves of Cinnamomum camphora, with the ‘white’ designation indicating it comes from younger leaves and branches. The camphor content varies seasonally, with winter harvests typically yielding higher cineole percentages. The rectification process involves fractional distillation to standardize the composition and remove potentially irritating components.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 175-180 °C (main components) |
| Flash Point | 48 °C |
| Density | 0.905-0.925 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.460-1.470 |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, insoluble in water |
Key Constituent Properties
| Constituent | CAS | MW | BP °C | XLogP | Vapor P. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,8-Cineole | 470-82-6 | 154.25 | 176 | 2.7 | 1.5 mmHg |
| α-Pinene | 80-56-8 | 136.23 | 156 | 4.3 | 4.5 mmHg |
| Camphor | 76-22-2 | 152.23 | 204 | 1.8 | 0.18 mmHg |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Adds fresh-medicinal character |
| Functional Products | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Used in muscle rubs and decongestants |
| Aromatherapy | 1-3% | Up to 10% | Blended with eucalyptus and peppermint |
| Household Cleaners | 0.5-1% | Up to 2% | Provides fresh disinfectant impression |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use in trace amounts with citrus top notes to prevent overwhelming the composition.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When more cineole dominance is desired, with stronger cooling effect but less woody character.
For a softer, fruitier camphoraceous note with less medicinal harshness.
When pure camphor character is needed without the complex terpene profile.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted by IFRA, but general guidelines recommend keeping total camphor content below 5% in leave-on products.
EU Allergen Declaration
Contains limonene which requires allergen labeling above 0.001% in leave-on products.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM considers properly rectified white camphor leaf oil safe at current use levels, with a dermal limit of 1.4%.
Sustainability
Camphor trees are fast-growing and abundant in Asia, making this a relatively sustainable material. However, wild harvesting can impact local ecosystems. Some producers now cultivate camphor trees specifically for oil production. The rectification process reduces waste by utilizing all fractions of the distillation. Synthetic alternatives exist but lack the complexity of natural oil.
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References
- Lis-Balchin, M. (2006). Aromatherapy Science. Pharmaceutical Press.
- Tisserand, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety. Elsevier.
- PubChem Compound Summary for 1,8-Cineole CID 2758
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 8008-51-3Odor & Flavor
| The oil is produced by fractional distillation of the crude camphor oil after the camphor has been crystallized. It is obtained from the bark and tree. The white oil contains cineole as the principal component along with monoterpenes.📖 Fenaroli |
Regulatory Status
| IOFI Classification | Natural📖 Fenaroli |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
