Cannabis & Cannabinoids · Terpenes · A floral, woody aroma alcohol in ginger, jasmine, neroli and cannabis

Nerolidol

Q: What is nerolidol?

Nerolidol is a floral, woody aroma molecule made by many plants. It is a sesquiterpene alcohol with the formula C15H26O, used in perfumes, cleansers and as a food flavouring.

Q: What is the difference between cis- and trans-nerolidol?

They are two shapes of the same molecule. Trans (E) and cis (Z) forms behave differently in a few lab tests, but most papers do not say which one they used. Where our sources say, we say.

Q: Which plants contain nerolidol?

According to papers we read: ginger, jasmine, neroli (bitter orange blossom oil), one Melaleuca species (not tea tree itself), some Piper leaf oils, a lemongrass-relative grass (Cymbopogon plurinodis) and cannabis. Amounts vary widely.

Q: Is there nerolidol in tea tree oil or lemongrass?

In the tea tree oils we read, nerolidol was not among the main compounds; terpinen-4-ol was. A different Melaleuca species had a lot. For lemongrass, we only found a related grass in the same genus; we have no source for cooking lemongrass.

Q: Does nerolidol help with anxiety or sleep?

Only in mice. One study found more open-arm exploring and another described sedation. No human trial exists, and results disagree in how they read the same test.

Q: Can nerolidol kill parasites or treat infections?

In dishes it stopped leishmania, malaria parasites and schistosome worms, and in mice it made leishmania lesions smaller but did not cure them. It also harmed normal cells. It is not a treatment for any infection.

Q: Why do researchers study nerolidol for skin patches?

In lab tests on human skin samples it made a drug pass through skin more than 20 times faster and the effect lasted days. No trial of a nerolidol product in people was found.

Q: Is nerolidol safe?

Human safety has not been studied for isolated nerolidol beyond fragrance skin patch tests. It can irritate skin and eyes, and cell, mouse and fish studies show harm at higher exposures. Ask a doctor or pharmacist, especially if you are pregnant or take medicines.

Q: Does nerolidol interact with medicines?

In lab liver preparations, trans-nerolidol blocked an enzyme (CYP3A4) that handles many medicines, but the authors think this is unlikely to matter at food-flavouring levels. Nothing has been tested in people.

Q: Does nerolidol make cannabis work better?

Unproven. We did not find a study of nerolidol together with THC or CBD.

3,7,11-Trimethyldodeca-1,6,10-trien-3-ol (trans: 6E; cis: 6Z), C15H26O · also called Nerolidol, trans-nerolidol, cis-nerolidol, (E)-nerolidol, (Z)-nerolidol, peruviol

Nerolidol is a plant aroma molecule (a sesquiterpene alcohol) with a floral, woody smell. It is found in ginger, jasmine, neroli, some tea-tree relatives and cannabis, and is widely used in perfumes, cleansers and as a food flavouring. Research is almost all in cells and animals. We found no human trial of nerolidol on its own.

General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update October 25, 2026 · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made

About Nerolidol

Nerolidol is a floral, woody aroma molecule found in ginger, jasmine, neroli oil, some Melaleuca and Piper oils and cannabis. It comes in two forms, cis and trans, and research papers often do not say which. Almost all research is in cells and animals. It made drugs pass through human skin samples much faster, stopped parasites in dishes, and reduced pain-like behaviour, anxiety-like behaviour and seizures in mice. No human trial of nerolidol alone was found, so no health benefit is established. It is a common fragrance and flavour ingredient, listed as a US food flavouring, but it can irritate skin and eyes and harms cells in the lab.

Which nerolidol? Cis and trans

Nerolidol exists as two geometric forms, cis (Z) and trans (E), and each has mirror-image versions, so there are four forms in all (2016 review). The trans form has PubChem number 5284507 and the cis form 5320128. 'Nerolidol' with no prefix usually means an unspecified form or a mixture (CAS 7212-44-4).

In this page's sources: the cannabis terpene study, the ginger aroma study and the Melaleuca quinquenervia oil name the trans (E) form. Two studies, on colon inflammation and on bladder cancer cells, tested cis-nerolidol. A liver-enzyme study tested trans-nerolidol. A drug-enzyme study tested both. The leishmania study of 2005 and the 2015 mouse blood-level study used cis and trans mixtures (as reported by the 2016 review). Most animal papers, and the neroli, jasmine and one of the cannabis lab sources, do not say which form they used, so we say 'nerolidol' there.

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What it is and where it is found

Nerolidol is a sesquiterpene alcohol: fifteen carbon atoms with one hydroxyl group, formula C15H26O, molecular weight 222.37. Plants make it as an intermediate on the way to DMNT, a volatile that helps defend against plant-eating insects (2016 review). It is a close relative of farnesol (same formula, different shape).

Ginger: the essential oil of dried ginger contains nerolidol, and slicing and hotter drying lowered it; (E)-nerolidol was among the key aroma compounds of fresh and dried ginger. Jasmine: it is among the volatiles of Jasminum grandiflorum flowers, and it correlated with the overall aroma of jasmine-scented black tea. Tea tree oil: the main compounds of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil were terpinen-4-ol and terpinenes, and nerolidol was not named among the most abundant; one oil from a different species, Melaleuca quinquenervia, was 48.40% (E)-nerolidol. Lemongrass relatives: leaf oil of Cymbopogon plurinodis, in the same grass genus as lemongrass, was 13.6% nerolidol, but that study did not test cooking lemongrass, so we make no claim about it. Neroli oil (bitter orange blossom): 9.1% in one sample. Some Piper (pepper-family) leaf oils are very rich in it, for example Piper aduncum at 25.22%. Amounts vary with season, place and extraction.

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What the lab numbers show

Our data hold 87 nerolidol measurements for 74 named strains. They come from two published sources and use different names and units, so we do not compare numbers across them. We did not run any of these tests.

Source one is a New Mexico study of 72 commercial medical cannabis samples: 72 single-batch values for 62 strains, labelled 'nerolidol' (form not stated). The table prints them under a '% dry wt' header, but the numbers look like mass fractions, so the unit is not independently verified. As printed they run from 0.000096 (Wonder Woman) to 0.00127 (Jabberwocky), about a 13-fold range. Source two is Table 4 of a 2018 survey of medicinal cannabis patients: 15 strains listed as 'trans-nerolidol', in percent (weight basis not stated; batch and sample number not reported), from 0.015% (Cannatonic and Sweet Skunk CBD) to 0.065% (Headband).

Of the 28 strains that have a profile page on this website, 5 have a nerolidol measurement. The same name differs by source: Jack Herer is 0.00053 in the first source and 0.046% in the second; White Widow is 0.00015 and 0.034%. Blue Dream was measured four times in the first source, from 0.00035 to 0.00080 (four single batches). Chemdawg is 0.00064 in the first source. These values come from published papers, not from us, and show flower content. They say nothing about effects, and the same strain name can mean very different chemistry between samples.

Examples within one source and unit (trans-nerolidol, percent): highest among all 15 strains were Headband (0.065%), Pink Kush (0.058%) and Jean Guy (0.050%); among our profile strains Jack Herer (0.046%) was highest and Cannatonic (0.015%) lowest, with White Widow (0.034%) between. With only 15 strains and no sample counts, treat small differences with care.

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The popular claims

"Nerolidol is a sedative terpene in cannabis." The mouse evidence is mixed and small: one study found more exploring and no clumsiness at 12.5 to 50 mg/kg, another described sedation at 25 to 75 mg/kg. No human has been tested.

"Nerolidol fights parasites and cancer." It stopped parasites and cancer cells in dishes at concentrations that also harm normal cells, and in infected mice it did not cure the disease. It is not a treatment for either.

"Terpenes make cannabis work better (the entourage effect)." We did not find a study of nerolidol with THC or CBD, so for nerolidol this is unproven.

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What the research shows

A 2016 review lists antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, skin-penetration, anti-tumour, pain and inflammation findings, all from the lab or animals. The strongest consistent lab finding is on skin: in human skin samples nerolidol raised the passage of 5-fluorouracil more than 20-fold, and a 2024 systematic review found nerolidol among terpenes with enhancement ratios above 30. In infected mice, nerolidol shrank leishmania skin lesions but did not cure them.

In mice, nerolidol by mouth reduced pain-like behaviour in two tests, delayed chemically induced seizures, and in one study reduced depression-like behaviour. In rats and mice with chemically caused colitis, arthritis or allergic lung inflammation, it reduced damage markers. In mice it reaches its highest blood level within about half an hour of an oral dose, and the level is low (about 0.27 to 0.35 microg/mL after 1,000 mg/kg, according to the 2016 review).

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Regulatory status

The US food regulation 21 CFR 172.515 lists nerolidol among synthetic flavouring substances that may be safely used in food, in the minimum quantity needed and following good manufacturing practice (we read the regulation text on 2026-10-25). PubChem also reports that the international food-additive expert committee JECFA found, in 2007, no safety concern at current intake levels when used as a flavouring; we did not open the JECFA report itself. These are food-flavouring statements and do not cover supplements, concentrated oils, skin products or cannabis products. We did not find a regulator decision approving nerolidol as a medicine. Company hazard notifications to the European chemicals agency list eye and skin irritation. This is not legal advice.

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At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

Waiapi people of Brazil inhale vapour from Virola surinamensis leaves for malaria; a lab paper found nerolidol in the leaf oil stopped malaria parasite growth in a dish (1999 paper)
Neroli (bitter orange blossom oil), which contains some nerolidol, is used in traditional medicine for seizures (2014 paper)
Used as a fragrance and food-flavour ingredient in shampoos, perfumes, cleansers and foods (2016 review)

Studied for research

Helping drugs pass through skin, in lab skin tests, very low certainty
Parasites (leishmania, malaria, schistosome worms), in dishes and mice, very low
Anxiety-like behaviour and sedation, in mice, very low
Pain and inflammation signals, in mice and rats, very low
Seizures and depression-like behaviour, in mice, very low
Cancer cells and bacteria, in dishes, very low (not a treatment)

Main compounds

trans-Nerolidol (E), CID 5284507
cis-Nerolidol (Z), CID 5320128
Related: farnesol (C15H26O)

Common forms

Natural part of cannabis flower and extracts
Natural part of ginger, jasmine, neroli, some Melaleuca and Piper oils
Pure compound by mouth, by injection or on skin in animal and lab studies

Research links: PubChem: Nerolidol · 2016 review of nerolidol's activities (PubMed) · Skin-penetration study on human skin samples (PubMed) · US food-flavouring list, 21 CFR 172.515 (eCFR) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

What it is and its history

Name: Nerolidol (3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,6,10-trien-3-ol)
Chemical name: trans: (6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,6,10-trien-3-ol; cis: (6Z)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,6,10-trien-3-ol
Other names: nerolidol; peruviol; nerodilol; methylvinylhomogeranyl carbinol; 3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol; FEMA No. 2772; trans-nerolidol = (E)-nerolidol; cis-nerolidol = (Z)-nerolidol
Common names: Nerolidol (English); Peruviol (English); trans-Nerolidol (E-nerolidol) (English); cis-Nerolidol (Z-nerolidol) (English)
Formula: C15H26O
Molecular weight: 222.37
CAS number: 7212-44-4 (isomer unspecified); 40716-66-3 (trans / E); 3790-78-1 (cis / Z)
PubChem ID: 5284507
Chemical class: Sesquiterpene alcohol (acyclic, open-chain): a chain of fifteen carbon atoms with one hydroxyl (-OH) group and three double bonds; formula C15H26O, molecular weight 222.37
How the plant makes it: Nerolidol is made in plants by terpene synthase enzymes and is an intermediate on the way to DMNT, a volatile plant defence compound released after insect attack (2016 review). It is a sesquiterpene alcohol, so it is made from the 15-carbon building block farnesyl diphosphate (this is why yeast engineered to hoard that molecule makes nerolidol, per the 2016 review). A 2021 paper found Melaleuca quinquenervia genes for terpene synthases that make nerolidol; we did not find a cannabis-specific nerolidol enzyme in the abstracts read.
Where it is found: Cannabis flower: (E)-nerolidol was one of nine terpenes found in high amounts in both strains tested in an Argentine study of 20 terpenes; plant-to-plant variation was about 20%. See 'What the lab numbers show' on the Overview tab for measured amounts in named strains.; Ginger (Zingiber officinale): nerolidol is named among the important constituents of ginger essential oil and fell with slicing and higher drying temperature; (E)-nerolidol was among the compounds with the highest flavour dilution values in fresh and dried ginger.; Jasmine: nerolidol is among the volatiles of Jasminum grandiflorum flowers (a computer analysis ranked it a key compound), and it correlated with the overall aroma of jasmine-scented black tea.; Melaleuca oils: tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is dominated by terpinen-4-ol (37.66 to 44.28%); nerolidol was not among the most abundant compounds. One Melaleuca quinquenervia oil was 48.40% (E)-nerolidol.; Cymbopogon (the lemongrass genus): Cymbopogon plurinodis leaf oil was 13.6% nerolidol. This species is not the common cooking lemongrass, and the abstract says nothing about lemongrass itself.; Neroli (bitter orange blossom oil, Citrus aurantium): nerolidol 9.1% in the sample analysed, with linalool 28.5% and linalyl acetate 19.6%.; Other plants: Piper aduncum oil 25.22%; a 2016 review lists Piper claussenianum leaf oil as the highest at 81.4% trans-nerolidol, followed by Zanthoxylum hyemale (51.0%), Zornia brasiliensis (48.0%) and Swinglea glutinosa (28.4%). Amounts vary with season, place and extraction.
Related or similar compounds: Name: Farnesol; Note: A close relative: another 15-carbon sesquiterpene alcohol with the same formula C15H26O (PubChem CID 445070). Often studied together with nerolidol.; Name: Neroli (the oil); Note: Neroli is bitter orange blossom oil. It contains some nerolidol (9.1% in one sample) but is mostly linalool and linalyl acetate. We did not read a source on the origin of the names, so we do not claim they are connected.; Name: Linalool; Note: A smaller 10-carbon terpene alcohol with a floral smell; both are named in plant-oil analyses together (neroli, jasmine, ginger, Melaleuca) but they are different molecules.

Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof

Tradition or era	Documented use	Source
Perfumery and food flavouring	Nerolidol is widely used in cosmetics (shampoos, perfumes), cleansers and detergents and as a food flavouring; a 2016 review says global use is 10 to 100 metric tonnes a year and that the US FDA permits it as a food flavouring.	Chan et al 2016, Molecules (open access full text read 2026-10-25)
Waiapi people, Amapa, Brazil	The Waiapi treat malaria by inhaling vapour from Virola surinamensis leaves. A 1999 paper tested the leaf oil and nerolidol on malaria parasite cultures; nerolidol at 100 microg/ml stopped growth. The paper did not test the vapour in people.	Lopes et al 1999, J Ethnopharmacol (abstract read)
Traditional use of neroli (Iran and elsewhere)	A 2014 paper says Citrus aurantium blossoms are used in traditional medicine as an antiseizure and anticonvulsant agent. The oil it tested contained 9.1% nerolidol among many compounds.	Azanchi et al 2014, Nat Prod Commun (abstract read)
Name	The name 'peruviol' is given as a synonym by PubChem and the 2016 review. NOT verified: we did not read a source on where the names nerolidol or peruviol come from.	PubChem synonym list (read 2026-10-25)

History shows how a substance was used or discovered. It does not show that a product works or is safe today.

What is inside, and how it may work

What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

Compound	Family	Where it is concentrated	Activity studied	Level of evidence
trans-Nerolidol ((E)-nerolidol) PubChem 5284507	Sesquiterpene alcohol	Cannabis flower resin, ginger rhizome oil, Melaleuca quinquenervia and Piper leaf oils Varies by plant and batch; see 'What the lab numbers show' for measured cannabis values.	The form tested in the human liver CYP3A4 study and named in cannabis, ginger and Melaleuca analyses. Most animal studies do not say which form was used. ^{34 14 20 35}	Laboratory research
cis-Nerolidol ((Z)-nerolidol) PubChem 5320128	Sesquiterpene alcohol	Not established in the sources read Not found	Tested on its own in colon inflammation (mouse, cells) and bladder cancer cells; nerolidol sold for research is often a cis/trans mixture. ^{28 15 30}	Animal research
Farnesol PubChem 445070	Sesquiterpene alcohol	Neroli oil (9.1% E,E-farnesol in one sample) Not given	Related compound often studied together with nerolidol; made nerolidol-treated E. coli more sensitive to polymyxin B. ^{33 8 18}	Laboratory research

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathway	Gene or receptor	What was found	Level
Skin barrier lipids	n/a	Nerolidol is thought to fit between the fat layers of the outer skin and raises how fast a drug diffuses through them; the effect was almost fully kept for 4.5 days. ^{11 21}	Laboratory research
Cell membranes	n/a	Nerolidol builds up strongly in cell membranes (the estimated 50% effect level inside the membrane itself was 2.6 to 3.0 M in one analysis, a sign of strong build-up) and changes how membranes move; in bacteria it made membranes leakier. This one action explains both its parasite-killing and its cell toxicity. ^{2 8}	Laboratory research
Mevalonate / isoprenoid pathway in Leishmania	n/a	Blocked an early step of the pathway that makes membrane fats and ubiquinone in the parasite. ³	Laboratory research
GABAergic system	GABA receptors (subtype not named)	The pain-relieving effect in mice involved the GABAergic system and not opioid receptors or ATP-sensitive potassium channels. ¹³	Animal research
Inflammation signals (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, NF-kB, MAPK)	TNF, IL1B, NFKB, MAPK	Lowered in mouse peritonitis, macrophages, colitis and rat arthritis models. ^{13 28 1}	Animal research
Antioxidant defences	SOD, catalase	Raised superoxide dismutase and catalase and lowered MDA in mouse hippocampus and in the seizure model. ^{25 17}	Animal research
DNA methyltransferase 1 in microglia	DNMT1	Lowered DNMT1 in stressed mouse brains; raising it again reversed the effect in cells. ³⁷	Animal research
Drug-metabolising enzymes	CYP3A4; NR1I2 (PXR)	trans-Nerolidol inhibited CYP3A4 in human liver microsomes (Ki 32.5 micromolar); cis and trans activated PXR in reporter assays but human liver slices showed mild or no change in enzymes. ^{34 30}	Laboratory research
Mitochondrial energy production	ATP synthase (F0F1)	A 2016 review reports that nerolidol lowered ATP production and mitochondrial membrane potential in liver cells at low micromolar levels. ¹⁰	Laboratory research

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption: Human data: none. Mice given 1,000 mg/kg by mouth (cis:trans 1:3): about 0.27 microg/mL in plasma within 30 minutes, reaching about 0.35 microg/mL at 6 hours and near zero by 12 hours (numbers from the 2016 review summarising the 2015 paper; the 2015 abstract gives only the measuring method). Applied to human skin samples, it kept raising drug passage for at least 4.5 days.
Distribution: Not described in the sources read. The compound is fat-loving (calculated logKow 5.68 per the review) and builds up in cell membranes.
Metabolism: Not described in the sources read. A 2016 review suggests first-pass loss in the liver explains why oral peak levels are lower than after injection. In human liver preparations it inhibited CYP3A4 and activated PXR (see Mechanisms).
Elimination: Rats given 25 mg/kg by injection into the belly (cis:trans 2:3): peak 8.30 microg/mL at 20 minutes and near zero by 2 hours (from the review summarising a rat study). Rats fed 20 or 40 mg/day excreted only about 0.3 to 2.1 mg/day unchanged in an older study cited by the review.
Bioavailability: Not established. A review states that oral doses give lower peaks than injected doses.

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12benefits and uses looked at

42studies and sources checked

Very low certaintybest evidence rating found

12lab markers tracked in trials

12 very low certainty

What was looked at

The 12 benefits and uses checked for Nerolidol, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.

Helping other drugs pass through skin (laboratory research)Very low certainty
Parasites: leishmania, schistosome worms and malaria parasites (laboratory and mouse research)Very low certainty
Anxiety-like behaviour and sedation (mouse research)Very low certainty
Pain and inflammation signals (mouse research)Very low certainty
Chemically induced seizures (mouse research)Very low certainty
Depression-like behaviour (mouse research)Very low certainty
Gut and colon inflammation (rat and mouse research)Very low certainty
Joint swelling (rat research)Very low certainty
Allergic airway inflammation (mouse research)Very low certainty
Cancer cells in dishes (laboratory research)Very low certainty
Bacteria and antibiotic sensitivity (laboratory research)Very low certainty
Heart damage from a cancer drug (rat research)Very low certainty

Lab markers tracked in the studies

Drug flux through skin (lab)Parasite growth (IC50)Skin lesion size in infected miceTime in the open arms of an elevated plus mazePain-like behaviour (writhing and formalin licking)Time to seizure after PTZColon damage markers (MDA, myeloperoxidase, calprotectin)Gut leakiness (FITC-dextran, TEER)Paw volume (joint swelling)Lung inflammatory cells and IgEMinimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)Cancer cell growth

What is Nerolidol good for?

The uses people ask about and how strong the evidence is for each. For nerolidol, almost all of it is from cells and animals, and there is no human trial of the isolated compound.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Helping other drugs pass through skin (laboratory research)

Very low certainty

In lab tests on pieces of human skin, nerolidol made a model drug pass through skin more than 20 times faster, and the effect lasted for days. This is why researchers study it for skin patches and creams. No trial has tested a nerolidol product in people.

3 studiesIsolated nerolidol applied to skin samples in the lab. Not a product …

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No trial in people. All tests used skin pieces or animal skin in the lab.

Results

With human skin samples, nerolidol pretreatment increased the flow of the model drug 5-fluorouracil more than 20-fold, more than any of 11 other sesquiterpenes tested, and the effect was almost fully kept for at least 4.5 days. A systematic review of terpene skin studies found nerolidol among those with enhancement ratios above 30 (the full range for all terpenes was 1.06 to 256.80).

Effect sizes as reported

More than 20-fold rise in flux of one drug in one 1994 skin test; ratios above 30 in the 2024 review. These are lab ratios, not benefits to patients.

Why this rating

The lab effect is repeatable across papers, but nobody has shown a benefit in a person. The skin effect lasting days also means it could carry unwanted substances through skin (see the Safety tab).

Form and dose studied

Isolated nerolidol applied to skin samples in the lab. Not a product recommendation.

Who was studied

Human skin pieces (ex vivo), plus pig, mouse and rat skin in other papers.

Limits

Skin samples are not living people. One model drug in the original study. The poor reversibility means the effect does not wear off quickly.

Why researchers looked

Skin is a tough barrier. Drug developers look for plant molecules that make skin more permeable. Nerolidol was one of twelve sesquiterpenes tested in a 1994 study and gave the largest effect.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

Nerolidol is fat-loving and is thought to fit between the fat layers of the outer skin, loosening them. The 1994 study found it raised how fast a drug moves through the outer skin layer, with only small changes in how much drug the skin took up. A 2024 review found stronger enhancement for terpenes with higher fat-loving values.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

A substance that opens the skin barrier can also let other chemicals through. See the Safety tab.

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Parasites: leishmania, schistosome worms and malaria parasites (laboratory and mouse research)

Very low certainty

In dishes, nerolidol stopped the growth of leishmania and malaria parasites and killed schistosome worms. In mice with leishmania skin sores, injections and ointments made the sores smaller, but did not cure the disease. No trial has treated a person.

6 studiesIsolated nerolidol in cell culture, injection or ointment in mice. No…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial found.

Results

Leishmania in culture: IC50 of 85, 74, 75 and 67 micromolar for three Leishmania species and for amastigotes (a mixture of cis- and trans-nerolidol); 100 micromolar cut infection of macrophages by 95%. Another study found an IC50 of 74.3 microg/mL on L. braziliensis. In infected mice, injections (100 mg/kg/day for 12 days) or 5 to 10% ointments (4 weeks) shrank lesions, but the disease was not cured. Schistosoma mansoni adult worms in a dish: all males dead at 31.2 micromolar and all females at 62.5 micromolar. Plasmodium falciparum culture: 100% growth inhibition at 100 microg/ml.

Effect sizes as reported

IC50 values 67 to 85 micromolar (Leishmania); 95% fewer infected macrophages at 100 micromolar; worm kill at 31.2 to 62.5 micromolar. Dish and mouse figures only.

Why this rating

Dish and mouse data only, from several small groups. Concentrations that work on parasites are close to those that harm host cells (macrophages were only about two-fold less sensitive in one study). The mouse disease was not cured.

Form and dose studied

Isolated nerolidol in cell culture, injection or ointment in mice. Not a treatment.

Who was studied

Parasite cultures, infected cells, BALB/c mice.

Limits

Leishmaniasis, malaria and schistosomiasis are serious diseases with proper medicines. Nothing here supports self-treating them with oils.

Why researchers looked

Parasite diseases such as leishmaniasis, malaria and schistosomiasis affect hundreds of millions of people and the medicines are limited, so researchers screen plant oils. Nerolidol turned up as an active part of oils used traditionally, for example the Waiapi people of Brazil inhale leaf vapour from Virola surinamensis to treat malaria.

Traditional use

The Waiapi people of Amapa, Brazil, treat malaria by inhaling vapour from Virola surinamensis leaves (according to a 1999 paper). The paper tested the leaf oil and nerolidol on parasite cultures and did not test the inhaled vapour in people.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

In Leishmania, nerolidol blocked an early step of the mevalonate pathway, which parasites need to make membrane fats. It also builds up strongly in the parasite's outer membrane and changes how that membrane moves. In another study it caused mitochondrial damage and DNA breakdown in the parasites. In malaria parasites, the effect was linked to blocked glycoprotein building.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

The same membrane action that harms parasites harms host cells. See the Safety tab.

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Anxiety-like behaviour and sedation (mouse research)

Very low certainty

In mice, nerolidol increased exploring of open spaces in a standard anxiety test without making them clumsy. Another mouse study described sedation in an open-field test. Nothing has been tested in people.

3 studiesIsolated nerolidol in mice, given by injection in one study. Not an a…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial found. Neither study tested people or measured anxiety on a human scale.

Results

A study of 30 mice (6 per group) found that 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg nerolidol increased time spent in and entries to the open arms of an elevated plus maze compared with vehicle (P < 0.05), raised rearing and time in the centre and edges of an open field, and did not change rotarod performance; diazepam 1 mg/kg was the comparison. A separate mouse study with 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg injected into the belly reported sedative effects in the open field, with antioxidant changes in the hippocampus.

Why this rating

Two small mouse studies from different labs describe the same kind of test differently (more exploring versus sedation). Doses were large and no human study exists.

Form and dose studied

Isolated nerolidol in mice, given by injection in one study. Not an aromatherapy or cannabis product.

Who was studied

Swiss albino mice (30 in one study).

Limits

Mouse anxiety tests are rough models. Opposite readings of the open-field test show the results are not settled.

Why researchers looked

Agarwood (Aquilaria) oil is said to have sedative effects, and nerolidol is one of its compounds, so researchers tested the pure compound in mice.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

In a pain study the GABAergic system (the brain's main calming signal) was involved. In another study nerolidol raised antioxidant enzymes in the mouse hippocampus. The calming effect in itself has not been traced to a receptor.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

If nerolidol is truly sedative, it could add to alcohol or sedative medicines; see the Safety tab.

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Pain and inflammation signals (mouse research)

Very low certainty

In mice, nerolidol by mouth reduced pain-like behaviour in two tests and lowered paw swelling and inflammation signals. Nothing has been tested in people.

2 studiesIsolated nerolidol by mouth in mice. Not a supplement or cannabis pro…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial found.

Results

In mice, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg by mouth reduced writhing after acetic acid; 300 and 400 mg/kg reduced licking in both phases of the formalin test; the hot-plate test showed no change. Rotarod performance was not hindered. Paw swelling after carrageenan, white-cell influx and TNF-alpha in peritonitis were reduced.

Why this rating

One mouse paper with large doses; no replication was read; the hot-plate result (a test of central pain) was null.

Form and dose studied

Isolated nerolidol by mouth in mice. Not a supplement or cannabis product.

Who was studied

Mice.

Limits

Doses of 200 to 400 mg/kg cannot be converted into a human amount. Acute pain tests do not predict chronic pain relief.

Why researchers looked

Nerolidol is a major part of several oils used in folk medicine for pain and swelling, so researchers tested it alone.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

The pain effect involved the GABAergic system and not opioid receptors or ATP-sensitive potassium channels. The anti-inflammatory effect came with lower TNF-alpha in peritonitis and lower IL-1beta in stimulated macrophages.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No approved pain use. See the Safety tab.

^{13 10}

Chemically induced seizures (mouse research)

Very low certainty

In mice, nerolidol by mouth delayed seizures triggered by a chemical and lowered signs of brain oxidative stress. This is a 2026 single study and nothing has been tested in people with epilepsy.

2 studiesIsolated nerolidol by mouth in mice. The neroli oil study used a mixt…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial found. Nobody should treat or change treatment of epilepsy with nerolidol or oils.

Results

Nerolidol (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg by mouth) lengthened the time to minimal clonic seizures and to generalised tonic-clonic seizures after pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in mice. In the hippocampus all doses lowered MDA (a damage marker); in the cortex 50 and 100 mg/kg did. Antioxidant enzymes lowered by PTZ were restored.

Why this rating

A single new mouse study of acute chemical seizures. No comparison with an established seizure medicine is described in the abstract.

Form and dose studied

Isolated nerolidol by mouth in mice. The neroli oil study used a mixture, not nerolidol.

Who was studied

Male mice.

Limits

The PTZ model does not match the causes of human epilepsy. Neroli oil is a mixture of linalool, linalyl acetate, nerolidol and others (nerolidol 9.1% in the sample analysed).

Why researchers looked

Neroli (bitter orange blossom oil), which contains nerolidol, is used in traditional medicine for seizures, and a mouse study found it protective. Researchers then tested nerolidol alone.

Traditional use

A 2014 paper says Citrus aurantium blossoms are used in traditional medicine in Iran and other countries as an anticonvulsant.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

The authors link the effect to less oxidative and nitrosative stress and stronger natural antioxidant defences in the hippocampus and cortex. The whole neroli oil's protection was reduced by flumazenil, which points to GABA receptors, but that was the whole oil, not nerolidol.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Epilepsy needs proper medical care.

^{17 4}

Depression-like behaviour (mouse research)

Very low certainty

In stressed mice, nerolidol reduced depression-like behaviour and brain inflammation signals. No study in people was found.

2 studiesIsolated nerolidol in mice. Not a treatment.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial found.

Results

In mice with chronic unpredictable mild stress, nerolidol improved results in the open field, sucrose preference and tail suspension tests, lowered inflammatory factors and microglial activation, and lowered DNMT1 in brain tissue.

Why this rating

One mouse paper with a dose and group size not given in the abstract; no replication or human data.

Form and dose studied

Isolated nerolidol in mice. Not a treatment.

Who was studied

Mice and BV2 microglia cells.

Limits

Mouse stress tests are not human depression. Do not use this to replace treatment.

Why researchers looked

Agarwood oil is said to be sedative, and nerolidol is one of its compounds, so it was tested in a mouse stress model.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

Nerolidol lowered activation of microglia (brain immune cells) and lowered DNMT1, an enzyme that adds chemical marks to DNA. Raising DNMT1 again in cells reversed the effect, which suggests a link in cells.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Seek medical help for low mood.

^{37 33}

Gut and colon inflammation (rat and mouse research)

Very low certainty

In rats and mice with chemically caused colitis, nerolidol reduced colon damage and inflammation signals and made the gut lining less leaky. Nothing has been tested in people with bowel disease.

3 studiesIsolated nerolidol (one study named the cis form) by mouth in animals…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial found.

Results

Rats with acetic-acid colitis given 50 mg/kg/day by mouth had better body weight and colon tissue, and lower MDA, myeloperoxidase, calprotectin and cytokines. In DSS colitis mice, cis-nerolidol lowered cytokines and gut permeability, and in gut-lining cells it kept electrical resistance from falling.

Why this rating

Two chemical-injury models from related labs, short, no human data.

Form and dose studied

Isolated nerolidol (one study named the cis form) by mouth in animals. Not a supplement.

Who was studied

Wistar rats; mice; macrophage and Caco-2 cell lines.

Limits

Chemical colitis models do not match human ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Why researchers looked

Nerolidol lowers inflammation signals in other models, so researchers tried colitis models.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

Lower MAPK and NF-kB signalling, lower inflammatory cytokines, more tight-junction proteins (claudin-1, 3, 7, occludin) in cell and mouse work with cis-nerolidol; lower lipid damage (MDA) and myeloperoxidase in rats.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Do not replace bowel disease medicines. See the Safety tab.

^{7 28 10}

Joint swelling (rat research)

Very low certainty

In rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis, very large doses of nerolidol reduced paw swelling and joint damage. No people were studied.

1 studiesIsolated nerolidol in rats.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial found.

Results

At 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg, nerolidol prevented body weight loss, reduced paw volume and improved joint structure on X-ray and tissue slides in rats with CFA arthritis.

Why this rating

One rat study, extreme doses, route not stated in the abstract.

Form and dose studied

Isolated nerolidol in rats.

Who was studied

Rats.

Limits

Adjuvant arthritis is a rough model of rheumatoid arthritis.

Why researchers looked

Follow-up of the anti-inflammatory findings.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

Lower TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, NF-kB, PGE-2 and COX-2 expression, higher IL-10 and IL-4 and higher antioxidant enzymes.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Not a treatment. See the Safety tab.

Allergic airway inflammation (mouse research)

Very low certainty

In allergic mice, nerolidol reduced lung inflammation and airway wall thickening. It has not been tested in people with asthma.

1 studiesIsolated nerolidol in mice.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial found.

Results

Nerolidol reduced inflammatory cells, goblet cells and collagen in the lungs of ovalbumin-sensitised mice, lowered ovalbumin-specific IgE, thinned the airway wall and reversed lowered gut-bacteria diversity.

Why this rating

One mouse paper; doses not in the abstract.

Form and dose studied

Isolated nerolidol in mice.

Who was studied

BALB/c mice; airway smooth muscle cells.

Limits

Mouse allergy models do not predict human asthma treatment.

Why researchers looked

Nerolidol is anti-inflammatory in other models, so it was tried in an ovalbumin asthma model.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

Lower TGF-beta/Smad signalling in lung tissue and airway smooth muscle cells; changes in gut bacteria.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Keep using prescribed asthma medicines. See the Safety tab.

³⁶

Cancer cells in dishes (laboratory research)

Very low certainty

Nerolidol slowed the growth of or killed several kinds of cancer cell lines in dishes, including bladder cancer cells. It is not a cancer treatment, and it also harms normal cells at similar levels.

2 studiesIsolated cis-nerolidol in cell culture.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial found.

Results

In two bladder carcinoma cell lines, cis-nerolidol inhibited proliferation and induced two cell-death pathways. The 2016 review says nerolidol was the most cytotoxic of several terpenes tested on mouse fibroblasts in one study, and that it harmed liver-cell energy production at low micromolar levels, so it is not selective for tumour cells.

Why this rating

Cell-line work only, no animal tumour test read here, and general cell toxicity.

Form and dose studied

Isolated cis-nerolidol in cell culture.

Who was studied

Human bladder cancer cell lines.

Limits

Killing cells in a dish is the first step of drug discovery, and almost all compounds fail later steps. Do not use this to choose treatment.

Why researchers looked

Compounds that damage cell membranes or cause stress are screened against cancer cells.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

cis-Nerolidol caused DNA damage and endoplasmic-reticulum stress in bladder cancer cells through a cAMP, calcium and MAPK route, triggering two cell-death pathways.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Cell toxicity is also a safety signal. See the Safety tab.

^{15 10}

Bacteria and antibiotic sensitivity (laboratory research)

Very low certainty

In dishes, high concentrations of nerolidol slowed several bacteria, including some resistant types, and made some bacteria more sensitive to antibiotics. It is not an antibiotic.

2 studiesIsolated nerolidol in culture.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial found.

Results

MICs were 0.5 to 4 mg/mL for standard strains and 0.5 to 2 mg/mL for resistant clinical isolates, and biofilm formation was reduced by 51 to 98% at 0.5 to 4 mg/mL. At 0.5 to 2 mM, nerolidol made S. aureus more sensitive to six antibiotics in disk tests, and nerolidol and farnesol made E. coli more sensitive to polymyxin B.

Effect sizes as reported

Milligram-per-millilitre MICs, which are very high compared with antibiotics.

Why this rating

Dish studies with high concentrations.

Form and dose studied

Isolated nerolidol in culture.

Who was studied

Bacteria in culture.

Limits

Concentrations that work in a dish are far above what skin or blood would see from use.

Why researchers looked

Many plant oils act on bacterial membranes.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

Nerolidol made bacterial membranes leakier, which let stains and antibiotics in.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Do not use oils on infected wounds instead of medical care.

^{38 8}

Heart damage from a cancer drug (rat research)

Very low certainty

In rats given the cancer drug doxorubicin, nerolidol lowered heart damage. Whether it would be safe or useful alongside chemotherapy in people is unknown, and it should not be used with chemotherapy without an oncologist.

1 studiesIsolated nerolidol by mouth in rats.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial found.

Results

Rats given doxorubicin 2.5 mg/kg weekly for 5 weeks and nerolidol 50 mg/kg by mouth 6 days a week showed better heart function and lower cardiac enzymes and inflammation than rats given doxorubicin alone.

Why this rating

One rat model. The abstract does not say whether nerolidol changed the cancer-killing effect of doxorubicin. Other rat papers by the same type of design (kidney, liver and reproductive protection from other drugs) exist but were not read.

Form and dose studied

Isolated nerolidol by mouth in rats.

Who was studied

Male Wistar rats.

Limits

Antioxidants can in principle interfere with some cancer drugs; this was not tested here.

Why researchers looked

Doxorubicin can damage the heart. Antioxidants were tried in rats.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

The authors credit antioxidant and free-radical scavenging effects and less inflammation and cell death in heart tissue.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

People having chemotherapy should tell their oncology team about any supplement or oil.

²⁴

Connections to the rest of health

How Nerolidol connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

Kind of connection Connected to Search

B. Body systems

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Integumentary System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Helping other drugs pass through skin (laboratory research)	^{11 21 10}
Immune System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Parasites: leishmania, schistosome worms and malaria parasites (laboratory and mouse research) Studied for: Gut and colon inflammation (rat and mouse research)	^{3 32 22 9 2 10 7 28 1 36 38 8}
Stress Mood	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Anxiety-like behaviour and sedation (mouse research) Studied for: Depression-like behaviour (mouse research)	^{16 25 33 37}
Nervous System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Anxiety-like behaviour and sedation (mouse research) Studied for: Chemically induced seizures (mouse research)	^{16 25 33 17 4 37}
Pain Inflammation	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Pain and inflammation signals (mouse research)	^{13 10}
Digestive System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Gut and colon inflammation (rat and mouse research)	^{7 28 10}
Musculoskeletal System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Joint swelling (rat research)	¹
Respiratory System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Allergic airway inflammation (mouse research)	³⁶
Whole Body	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Cancer cells in dishes (laboratory research)	^{15 10}
Cardiovascular System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Heart damage from a cancer drug (rat research)	²⁴

I. Biomarkers

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Drug flux through skin (lab)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{11 21}
Parasite growth (IC50)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{3 32 22 9 2}
Skin lesion size in infected mice	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	³
Time in the open arms of an elevated plus maze	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: increased. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁶
Pain-like behaviour (writhing and formalin licking)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹³
Time to seizure after PTZ	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: increased. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁷
Colon damage markers (MDA, myeloperoxidase, calprotectin)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{7 28}
Gut leakiness (FITC-dextran, TEER)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	²⁸
Paw volume (joint swelling)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹
Lung inflammatory cells and IgE	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	³⁶
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{38 8}
Cancer cell growth	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁵

L. Active compounds

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
trans-Nerolidol ((E)-nerolidol)	Biological association	In vitro	The form tested in the human liver CYP3A4 study and named in cannabis, ginger and Melaleuca analyses. Most animal studies do not say which form was used. Preparation or compound: Cannabis flower resin, ginger rhizome oil, Melaleuca quinquenervia and Piper leaf oils	^{34 14 20 35}
cis-Nerolidol ((Z)-nerolidol)	Biological association	Animal	Tested on its own in colon inflammation (mouse, cells) and bladder cancer cells; nerolidol sold for research is often a cis/trans mixture. Preparation or compound: Not established in the sources read	^{28 15 30}
Farnesol	Biological association	In vitro	Related compound often studied together with nerolidol; made nerolidol-treated E. coli more sensitive to polymyxin B. Preparation or compound: Neroli oil (9.1% E,E-farnesol in one sample)	^{33 8 18}

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).

Evidence at a glance: what changed in 10 lab markers

Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.

Other91

The evidence

The research centre for Nerolidol. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We searched PubMed and read abstracts of about 40 sources, read one review in full text, and read PubChem and the US federal regulation through their public interfaces. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading. The lab numbers are from published papers, not our own testing.

Study library: every study we checked 42

Design Research type Year from Search

Study	Design	People	Product, dose, length	Result
Akhter 2022 Nerolidol: a potential approach in rheumatoid arthritis through reduction of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, NF-kB, COX-2 and antioxidant effect in CFA-induced arthritic model. Inflammopharmacology · PMID 35212850 · DOI	Animal research rat	Rats given Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) in one hind paw	Nerolidol (isomer not stated in the abstract) Isolated compound 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg (route not stated in the abstract) · vs Arthritic control group	Nerolidol prevented body weight loss, reduced paw volume, improved joint structure on X-ray and tissue slides, reversed the rise in TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, NF-kB, PGE-2 and COX-2, and raised IL-10, IL-4 and antioxidant enzymes. Less paw swelling and joint damage in a rat arthritis model Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Paw volume, body weight, blood tests, joint X-ray and tissue, cytokine and enzyme gene expression Limitations: Adjuvant arthritis is a rough model of rheumatoid arthritis. Very large doses. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Alonso 2019 In vitro antileishmanial and cytotoxic activities of nerolidol are associated with changes in plasma membrane dynamics. Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr · PMID 30890467 · DOI	Laboratory research Leishmania, macrophage, erythrocyte (culture)	Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes and promastigotes, macrophages and red blood cells	Nerolidol (isomer not stated in the abstract) Isolated compound Concentration series In vitro	Nerolidol builds up strongly in cell membranes. Macrophages were less sensitive (cw50 125 micromolar) than amastigotes (56) and promastigotes (74). Membrane changes occurred at about the IC50. The same membrane action means it can harm host cells such as red blood cells; the abstract gives hemolysis (HC50) values without quoting them. Parasite kill and host-cell toxicity both come from membrane action Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: 50% inhibitory concentration (water phase), membrane stiffness by EPR, hemolysis Limitations: Cell-culture work; the gap between parasite and host-cell sensitivity is only about two-fold. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Arruda 2005 Antileishmanial activity of the terpene nerolidol. Antimicrob Agents Chemother · PMID 15855481 · DOI	Animal research mouse and Leishmania	Leishmania parasites in culture, infected macrophages, and infected BALB/c mice	Nerolidol (a cis/trans mixture, according to a later review) Isolated compound 100 mg/kg/day by injection into the belly (12 days) or 5% and 10% ointments (4 weeks) in mice 12 days / 4 weeks · vs Untreated infected mice	Nerolidol stopped growth of L. amazonensis, L. braziliensis and L. chagasi promastigotes and L. amazonensis amastigotes with IC50 values of 85, 74, 75 and 67 micromolar. At 100 micromolar it cut infection of macrophages by 95%. Lesion sizes in infected mice fell significantly with both the injected and the ointment routes, but long follow-up showed the disease was not cured. The authors link the effect to blocking an early step of the mevalonate (isoprenoid) pathway. Lesions smaller but disease not cured in mice Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Parasite growth (IC50), infection rate in macrophages, lesion size Limitations: Highly susceptible mouse model; not cured; concentrations are far above what a person would carry in blood. No human data. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Azanchi 2014 Anticonvulsant activity of Citrus aurantium blossom essential oil (neroli): involvment of the GABAergic system. Nat Prod Commun · PMID 25532295	Animal research mouse	Mice in seizure tests	Neroli (Citrus aurantium blossom essential oil) Blossom oil 20 and 40 mg/kg Single doses · vs Diazepam	Says Citrus aurantium blossoms are used in Iranian and other traditional medicine as an antiseizure remedy. The oil protected mice from chemically and electrically triggered seizures, and flumazenil reduced the protection. Nerolidol was 9.1% of the oil. Traditional use and mouse seizure protection by the whole oil Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Seizure tests (PTZ, maximal electroshock); composition of the oil Limitations: A mixture; nerolidol not tested alone. No DOI in the record. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Baldissera 2020 Nanospheres as a technological alternative to suppress hepatic cellular damage and impaired bioenergetics caused by nerolidol in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol · PMID 31953674 · DOI	Animal research fish	Nile tilapia, 5 groups of 10, 4 replicates	Free nerolidol or nerolidol-loaded nanospheres in feed Isolated compound in feed 0.5 or 1.0 mL per kg feed 60 days · vs Basal feed	The authors write that recent studies suggest nerolidol has potent liver-toxic effects. Fish fed 1.0 mL free nerolidol per kg feed had lower liver weight and relative liver weight than controls, and lower hepatic pyruvate kinase and adenylate kinase activity. Nanosphere-loaded nerolidol was tested as a way to reduce this. Liver changes in fish fed nerolidol for 60 days Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Liver weight, liver enzyme activities (energy metabolism) Limitations: Fish, not mammals; I read only part of the abstract's results; relevance to people is unknown. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Baron 2018 Patterns of medicinal cannabis use, strain analysis, and substitution effect among patients with migraine, headache, arthritis, and chronic pain in a medicinal cannabis cohort. J Headache Pain · PMID 29797104 · DOI	Observational human survey	2032 2,032 medicinal cannabis patients; strain analysis of preferred strains	Medicinal cannabis strains Flower	Source of the trans-nerolidol percentages in our lab data (its Table 4; the abstract does not mention nerolidol). The abstract reports that hybrid strains were most preferred and OG Shark the most preferred strain among migraine and headache patients. Table 4 values quoted in the lab-numbers section; effects not assessed here Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Patterns of use, preferred strains, cannabinoid and terpene profiles, substitution of prescription drugs Limitations: Survey and strain lists; the lab details (batch, units, method) are not reported in our data. The paper cannot show that nerolidol causes any effect. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Bastaki 2021 Nerolidol, a sesquiterpene, attenuates oxidative stress and inflammation in acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Mol Cell Biochem · PMID 33999335 · DOI	Animal research rat	Wistar rats with colitis caused by acetic acid into the rectum	Nerolidol (isomer not stated in the abstract) Isolated compound 50 mg/kg/day by mouth 3 days before, or from 30 minutes after, induction, for 7 days · vs Untreated colitis rats	Nerolidol improved body weight loss and colon tissue damage, lowered MDA, myeloperoxidase, calprotectin and inflammatory cytokines, and restored antioxidants in rats. The abstract says it is a compound found in German chamomile tea. Less colon damage in rats with chemically induced colitis Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Body weight, colon appearance and tissue, MDA, myeloperoxidase, antioxidants, calprotectin, cytokines Limitations: Chemical-injury model, not a model of human ulcerative colitis; one dose; seven days. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Brehm-Stecher 2003 Sensitization of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli to antibiotics by the sesquiterpenoids nerolidol, farnesol, bisabolol, and apritone. Antimicrob Agents Chemother · PMID 14506058 · DOI	Laboratory research bacteria (culture)	Bacteria in culture	Nerolidol, farnesol, bisabolol, apritone Isolated compounds 0.5 to 2 mM In vitro	Nerolidol made bacterial membranes leakier. At 0.5 to 2 mM nerolidol, bisabolol or apritone made S. aureus more sensitive to ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, tetracycline and vancomycin. Nerolidol and farnesol made E. coli more sensitive to polymyxin B. Bacteria more sensitive to some antibiotics in a dish Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Bacterial permeability and antibiotic susceptibility (disk diffusion) Limitations: Dish study; no animal or human test. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Ceole 2017 Nerolidol, the main constituent of Piper aduncum essential oil, has anti-Leishmania braziliensis activity. Parasitology · PMID 28482935 · DOI	Laboratory research Leishmania braziliensis (culture)	Leishmania braziliensis promastigotes in culture	Piper aduncum essential oil and its main constituent nerolidol (25.22% of the oil) Essential oil; isolated compound IC50 values quoted 24 hours	The oil had an IC50 at 24 hours of 77.9 microg/mL and nerolidol 74.3 microg/mL. Nerolidol caused cell shrinkage, mitochondrial changes, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA breakdown in the parasites. Growth stopped in a dish at about 74 microg/mL Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Growth inhibition (IC50), parasite structure, cell death markers Limitations: Parasites in a dish only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Chan 2016 Nerolidol: A Sesquiterpene Alcohol with Multi-Faceted Pharmacological and Biological Activities. Molecules · PMID 27136520 · DOI	Review review	Narrative review of laboratory, animal and a few toxicology studies of nerolidol	Nerolidol (cis, trans and mixtures) Isolated compound and plant essential oils Various	Says nerolidol has four forms (two geometric isomers, cis and trans, each with two mirror-image forms) and is widely used in shampoos, perfumes, detergents and as a food flavouring permitted by the US FDA. Lists antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, skin-penetration, anti-tumour, pain and inflammation findings, all from lab or animal work. Toxicology section (full text read): oral LD50 above 5,000 mg/kg in rats and 9,976 mg/kg in mice, dermal LD50 above 2,000 mg/kg in rabbits (isomer not specified, taken from a fragrance safety review); in humans, 4% nerolidol did not cause skin irritation in a pre-test or reactions in maximization or repeated insult patch tests; no human data for mucous membrane irritation. Mouse and rat blood-level studies are summarised. In cells, nerolidol was the most cytotoxic of the terpenes compared in one fibroblast test and harmed liver-cell energy production at low micromolar levels. Broad overview; almost all findings are laboratory or animal Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Chemistry, sources, biosynthesis, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicology Limitations: A narrative review: no quality rating or pooling. Many numbers are second-hand from other papers. Abstract and open-access full text read. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared. Read: abstract and full text (PMC6272852)
Cornwell 1994 Sesquiterpene components of volatile oils as skin penetration enhancers for the hydrophilic permeant 5-fluorouracil. J Pharm Pharmacol · PMID 8051608 · DOI	Laboratory research human skin (ex vivo)	Human epidermal membranes in a laboratory diffusion setup	Twelve sesquiterpenes including nerolidol (isomer not stated in the abstract) Isolated compounds / oils Pretreatment of skin; amounts not in the abstract Pretreatment, then measured for up to 4.5 days · vs Untreated membranes	Nerolidol gave the largest effect: pseudo-steady-state flux of 5-FU rose more than 20-fold. Enhancers with polar groups were generally more potent than hydrocarbons. The effect was almost fully kept for at least 4.5 days, so it reversed poorly. The mechanism was mainly higher diffusion in the outer skin layer. The authors describe sesquiterpenes as of low toxicity and skin irritancy and as promising enhancers. More than 20-fold rise in 5-FU passage through human skin samples with nerolidol pretreatment Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Flux of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) across skin; duration of effect Limitations: Laboratory skin pieces, one model drug, 1994. No living people were treated. 'Low irritancy' is the authors' statement; the abstract gives no irritation test. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
E 2014 Quality of dry ginger (Zingiber officinale) by different drying methods. J Food Sci Technol · PMID 26396311 · DOI	Lab analysis Zingiber officinale	Ginger rhizome slices and whole rhizomes dried by different methods	Ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome Rhizome, dried	Names nerolidol with zingiberene, limonene, linalool and geraniol as important constituents of ginger essential oil. These constituents fell with slicing and with higher drying temperatures. Whole rhizomes dried in sun or solar tunnel kept the most oil (13.9 mg/g). Nerolidol is a measured constituent of ginger essential oil; drying lowers it Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Essential oil and oleoresin content; constituents by gas chromatography Limitations: The abstract gives no nerolidol amount. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Fonseca 2016 Nerolidol exhibits antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity: involvement of the GABAergic system and proinflammatory cytokines. Fundam Clin Pharmacol · PMID 26791997 · DOI	Animal research mouse	Mice in pain and inflammation tests	Nerolidol (isomer not stated in the abstract) Isolated compound 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg by mouth Single doses · vs Vehicle (control group)	Nerolidol reduced acetic-acid writhing at all three doses and licking time in both phases of the formalin test at 300 and 400 mg/kg. It did not change latency on the hot plate. Coordination on the rotarod was not hindered. The pain effect involved the GABAergic system, not opioid or ATP-sensitive potassium channels. It also reduced carrageenan paw swelling, white-cell influx and TNF-alpha in peritonitis, and IL-1beta in stimulated macrophages. Less pain-like behaviour and inflammation in mice at 200 to 400 mg/kg by mouth Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Writhing after acetic acid, licking time in the formalin test, hot-plate latency, rotarod, paw swelling, peritonitis cell influx, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta Limitations: Mice; large doses that cannot be turned into a human amount; group sizes not in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Giovannoni 2023 Determination of variability of terpenes and terpenoids in Cannabis sativa by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A · PMID 36463647 · DOI	Lab analysis Cannabis sativa	Flowers of two Cannabis sativa strains (CAT 1 and CAT 3); ten plants of each	Cannabis flowers Inflorescence	(E)-nerolidol was one of nine terpenes found in high amounts in both strains, along with beta-myrcene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, limonene, (E)-beta-ocimene, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene and linalool. Ten plants of each strain grown the same way and harvested together varied by about 20% for terpenes above 20 microg/g. (E)-nerolidol is a regular terpene in these two strains; amounts vary by plant Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Quantity of 20 terpenes; plant-to-plant variability Limitations: Two strains only; the abstract gives no nerolidol amount. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Glumac 2023 Mechanism of cis-Nerolidol-Induced Bladder Carcinoma Cell Death. Cancers (Basel) · PMID 36765938 · DOI	Laboratory research human cell lines	Two human bladder carcinoma cell lines	cis-Nerolidol (named in the title) Isolated compound Concentration series (not in the abstract) In vitro	cis-Nerolidol slowed the growth of two bladder cancer cell lines and triggered two kinds of cell death with DNA damage and endoplasmic-reticulum stress, via a cAMP, calcium and MAPK route. The authors call the activity promising. Cancer cells in dishes were killed or slowed Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Cell growth, DNA damage, ER stress, cell-death pathways Limitations: Cell lines only. The abstract does not report tests on non-cancer cells in this study. No animal or human treatment. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Goel 2016 Assessment of anxiolytic effect of nerolidol in mice. Indian J Pharmacol · PMID 27756960 · DOI	Animal research mouse	30 30 Swiss albino mice, 5 groups of 6	Nerolidol (isomer and route not stated in the abstract) Isolated compound 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg · vs Vehicle (saline) and diazepam 1 mg/kg	At all three doses mice spent more time in the open arms and entered them more (P < 0.05) than the vehicle group. In the open field, rearing and time in the centre and edges rose, read as more exploring. Fall-down time on the rotarod did not change, so coordination was not impaired. More open-arm exploration in mice without clumsiness Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Time and entries in open arms of an elevated plus maze, open field behaviour, rotarod Limitations: Six mice per group; one lab; the authors' reading that this is an anxiolytic effect comes from tests that are only rough models of human anxiety. Funding not stated. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Hojjat 2026 Effect of nerolidol on seizure and oxidative brain damage induced by pentylenetetrazole in mice. Arq Neuropsiquiatr · PMID 42447923 · DOI	Animal research mouse	Male mice given pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) to cause seizures	Nerolidol (isomer not stated in the abstract) Isolated compound 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg by mouth 30 minutes before PTZ · vs PTZ only	Nerolidol lengthened the time before both kinds of seizure. In the hippocampus all doses lowered malondialdehyde (MDA); in the cortex 50 and 100 mg/kg did. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, lowered by PTZ, were restored at all doses. Delayed chemically induced seizures in mice Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Time to minimal clonic seizure and to generalised tonic-clonic seizure; brain markers of oxidative stress Limitations: One acute mouse model. No test against an established epilepsy medicine is mentioned in the abstract. Group size not stated. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Khodabakhsh 2015 Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Citrus aurantium L. blossoms essential oil (neroli): involvement of the nitric oxide/cyclic-guanosine monophosphate pathway. J Nat Med · PMID 25762161 · DOI	Animal research mouse and rat	Mice and rats in pain and swelling tests	Neroli (Citrus aurantium blossom essential oil) Blossom oil Up to 40 mg/kg Single or repeated	Neroli reduced pain-like behaviour and swelling in rodents. The oil's main components were linalool (28.5%), linalyl acetate (19.6%), nerolidol (9.1%), E,E-farnesol (9.1%), alpha-terpineol (4.9%) and limonene (4.6%). Nerolidol was 9.1% of the neroli sample analysed; the effects belong to the whole oil Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Writhing, hot plate, paw swelling, granuloma; oil composition by GC-MS Limitations: A mixture; the authors say the components 'might be responsible'. The abstract does not test nerolidol alone. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Li 2018 Characterization of Volatile Compounds and Sensory Analysis of Jasmine Scented Black Tea Produced by Different Scenting Processes. J Food Sci · PMID 30339723 · DOI	Lab analysis tea	Six jasmine-scented black tea samples	Jasmine-scented black tea Tea	130 aroma components were identified. Nerolidol and methyl benzoate were related to the 'overall' aroma rating, linalool and methyl anthranilate to 'jasmine'. Nerolidol is linked to the overall aroma of jasmine-scented tea Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Volatile compounds; sensory panels; correlations Limitations: Aroma correlation, not an exposure or health study. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Li 2026 Characterization of the Flavor Profiles of Fresh and Hot-Air-Dried Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) by Molecular Sensory Science. Foods · PMID 42450495 · DOI	Lab analysis Zingiber officinale	Fresh and hot-air-dried ginger	Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Rhizome, fresh and dried	92 volatile compounds were tentatively identified. Zingiberene, linalool, geraniol, citronellal, 1,8-cineole, myrcene and (E)-nerolidol had the highest flavour dilution values among the key aroma compounds. (E)-nerolidol is a key aroma compound of ginger Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Volatile compounds; odour-active compounds Limitations: Amounts not in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Longgos 2024 Effect of Terpenes on the Enhancement of Skin Permeation of Lipophilic Drugs: A Systematic Review. Acta Med Philipp · PMID 38966611 · DOI	Review review	Original research papers published 2000 to 2022 on terpenes and skin passage of fat-loving drugs	Many terpenes including nerolidol Isolated compounds Various	Terpenes raised skin passage of lipophilic drugs by 1.06 to 256.80 times. Enhancement ratios above 30 were recorded for nerolidol, carvacrol, borneol, terpineol, limonene, menthone, pulegone and menthol. Terpenes with a higher calculated logP gave bigger effects, especially across human skin. Nerolidol is among the strongest terpene skin-penetration enhancers in lab skin tests Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Enhancement ratio (how many times a drug passes more easily through skin) Limitations: Search was one PubMed phrase; skin models differ (pig, mouse, rat, human); only the abstract was read. No clinical trials. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared. Read: abstract
Lopes 1999 Antimalarial use of volatile oil from leaves of Virola surinamensis (Rol.) Warb. by Waiapi Amazon Indians. J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 10617066 · DOI	Laboratory research Plasmodium falciparum (culture)	Malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) cultures	Virola surinamensis leaf essential oil and its component nerolidol Leaf oil; isolated compound Nerolidol 100 microg/ml 48 hours · vs Untreated culture	The Waiapi people of Brazil treat malaria by inhaling vapour from the leaves. Oil from plantlet leaves stopped parasite development completely after 48 hours, and nerolidol at 100 microg/ml was identified as one of the active components (100% growth inhibition). The abstract links nerolidol's effect to blocked glycoprotein building. Complete growth stop of parasites in a dish at 100 microg/ml Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Growth of young trophozoite to schizont stage Limitations: Dish study only. It does not show that inhaling the leaf vapour treats malaria. Only the abstract was read (the abstract names the plant genus as 'Viola' in one place; the title says Virola). Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Lu 2023 Inhibitory effects of Jasminum grandiflorum L. essential oil on lipopolysaccharide-induced microglia activation-integrated characteristic analysis of volatile compounds, network pharmacology, and BV-2 cell. Front Pharmacol · PMID 37601063 · DOI	Laboratory research Jasminum grandiflorum and cell line	Jasminum grandiflorum flowers; BV-2 microglia cells	Jasminum grandiflorum flower essential oil Flowers 7.5, 15 and 30 microg/mL on cells	34 compounds with significantly different volatility were identified. Alpha-hexylcinnamaldehyde, nerolidol, hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, dodecanal and decanal were predicted (by network pharmacology) as the top five key compounds. The oil is described as used in folk medicine to relieve mental pressure. Nerolidol is among the volatiles of jasmine flowers; the 'key compound' ranking is a computer prediction Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Volatile compounds by GC-MS; computer prediction of active compounds; microglia activation Limitations: A prediction, not a measurement of effect or of nerolidol amount. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Meeran 2021 Nerolidol, a Sesquiterpene from the Essential Oils of Aromatic Plants, Attenuates Doxorubicin-Induced Chronic Cardiotoxicity in Rats. J Agric Food Chem · PMID 34170670 · DOI	Animal research rat	Male Wistar rats given doxorubicin (DOX) once a week	Nerolidol (isomer not stated in the abstract) Isolated compound 50 mg/kg by mouth, 6 days a week 5 weeks · vs DOX only	DOX (2.5 mg/kg weekly for 5 weeks) caused falling heart function, higher cardiac enzymes and heart damage. Nerolidol reduced these changes. The authors credit antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties. Less heart damage from a cancer drug in rats Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Heart function, cardiac enzymes in blood, oxidative stress, inflammation and cell-death markers, heart tissue Limitations: Rat model. Whether nerolidol would alter how a cancer drug works against tumours was not tested in this abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Nogueira Neto 2013 Antioxidant effects of nerolidol in mice hippocampus after open field test. Neurochem Res · PMID 23765368 · DOI	Animal research mouse	Mice tested in an open field, then brain tissue measured	Nerolidol (isomer not stated in the abstract) Isolated compound 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg by injection into the belly 30 minutes before the test · vs Vehicle; diazepam 1 mg/kg; ascorbic acid 250 mg/kg	The authors report that nerolidol showed sedative effects in the open field test. In the hippocampus it lowered lipid peroxidation and nitrite and raised superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, which they read as an antioxidant effect. Sedative-like behaviour and antioxidant markers in mouse brain Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Open field behaviour; lipid peroxidation, nitrite, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the hippocampus Limitations: Mice, injected doses; the abstract gives no numbers for the behaviour. Two nerolidol mouse papers describe the same type of test differently (exploration up in one, sedation in the other). Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Omoruyi 2017 Phytomedical assessment of two Cymbopogon species found in Nkonkobe Municipality: toxicological effect on human Chang liver cell line. BMC Complement Altern Med · PMID 28577541 · DOI	Lab analysis Cymbopogon species	Leaf oils of Cymbopogon validus and C. plurinodis (South Africa)	Cymbopogon plurinodis and C. validus leaf essential oils Leaves MICs 7.8 to 500 microg/mL In vitro	The main components of C. plurinodis oil included nerolidol (13.6%). Both oils were active against bacteria and were toxic to the human Chang liver cell line. Cymbopogon is the grass genus that includes lemongrass, but these two species are not lemongrass (C. citratus). Nerolidol was 13.6% of one Cymbopogon oil Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Oil composition; antibacterial activity; liver cell line toxicity Limitations: Not the usual culinary lemongrass; the abstract says nothing about lemongrass itself. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Piculo 2011 In vivo genotoxicity assessment of nerolidol. J Appl Toxicol · PMID 21089164 · DOI	Animal research mouse	Mice given a single dose by stomach tube	Nerolidol (isomer not stated in the abstract) Isolated compound 250, 500 and 2000 mg/kg once Blood tested at 4 and 24 h; liver at 24 h · vs Negative control; positive control N-nitroso-N-ethylurea 50 mg/kg	The maximum tolerated dose was above 2,000 mg/kg. Nerolidol caused weak, dose-related DNA damage in blood and liver cells and more micronucleated cells at the two high doses, without toxicity to bone marrow. The authors conclude it induces clastogenicity and very weak genotoxicity in mouse cells. Weak signs of DNA damage in mice at high single doses Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: DNA damage (comet assay) in blood and liver cells; micronuclei in bone marrow; maximum tolerated dose Limitations: Single-dose study in mice. The relevance of very high doses to food or fragrance use is unclear. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Raj 2023 Cis-Nerolidol Inhibits MAP Kinase and NF-kB Signaling Pathways and Prevents Epithelial Tight Junction Dysfunction in Colon Inflammation: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies. Molecules · PMID 37049744 · DOI	Animal research mouse and cell lines	Mice with DSS colitis; RAW 264.7 macrophages; Caco-2 gut-lining cells	cis-Nerolidol (named in the title) Isolated compound	Pre-treatment lowered inflammatory cytokines and MAPK and NF-kB signalling in stimulated macrophages and in DSS colitis, lowered gut permeability in colitis mice, raised tight-junction proteins (claudin-1, 3, 7 and occludin), and kept the electrical resistance of a Caco-2 gut-lining layer from falling. Less gut inflammation and leakiness in mice and cell models Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Cytokines, MAPK and NF-kB proteins, gut permeability (FITC-dextran), tight-junction proteins, TEER Limitations: Mouse and cell models; dose not in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Richins 2018 Accumulation of bioactive metabolites in cultivated medical Cannabis. PLoS One · PMID 30036388 · DOI	Lab analysis Cannabis sativa	72 commercial medical cannabis samples in New Mexico (supplementary table S1)	Cured cannabis flower Flower	Source of the 'Nerolidol' values in our lab data (supplementary table S1, one sample per row). The abstract does not mention nerolidol. It says complete chemical analyses can vary a lot between producers and are often not fully given to consumers, and that terpenoid composition varied by accession. Lab values quoted in the lab-numbers section Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Cannabinoid and terpenoid content by GC-FID Limitations: The column header reads '% dry wt' but the magnitudes look like mass fractions, so the unit is not independently verified. Two licensed industry members gave analysis space but no funding. Funding and conflicts: Authors at New Mexico State University; two licensed medical cannabis companies provided analysis space and plants, not funding. Read: abstract
Sadibolova 2019 Sesquiterpenes Are Agonists of the Pregnane X Receptor but Do Not Induce the Expression of Phase I Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes in the Human Liver. Int J Mol Sci · PMID 31540101 · DOI	Laboratory research human liver tissue	10 Human precision-cut liver slices from 10 patients; transfected HepG2 cells	cis-nerolidol and trans-nerolidol (with farnesol, alpha-humulene, beta-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide) Isolated compounds Concentration series In vitro	In reporter-gene tests all six sesquiterpenes raised CYP3A4 expression through the pregnane X receptor. In human liver slices their effects on the four enzymes were mild or absent. People varied a lot. The authors think it unlikely these sesquiterpenes strongly change the effect of other drugs. Mild or no change in drug-metabolising enzymes in human liver slices Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Expression of CYP3A4, CYP2C, carbonyl reductase 1, aldo-keto reductase 1C; PXR activation Limitations: Liver slices from 10 patients; amounts used not in the abstract; results were individual-specific. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Saito 2015 Quantification of nerolidol in mouse plasma using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Pharm Biomed Anal · PMID 25880240 · DOI	Pharmacokinetic study mouse	Mouse plasma after oral dosing	Nerolidol (cis/trans 1:3 per a later review) Isolated compound Oral dose Single dose	The abstract describes the GC-MS method (range 0.010 to 5 microg/mL; detection limit 0.0017 microg/mL) and says nerolidol is hemolytic at low concentrations. Blood-level numbers come from the 2016 review's summary of this paper, not from the abstract. A measuring method; blood levels are quoted second-hand Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Method for measuring nerolidol in plasma Limitations: The abstract has no blood-level numbers. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Silva 2014 Antischistosomal activity of the terpene nerolidol. Molecules · PMID 24662089 · DOI	Laboratory research Schistosoma mansoni (culture)	Adult Schistosoma mansoni worms in culture	Nerolidol (isomer not stated in the abstract) Isolated compound 31.2 and 62.5 micromolar In vitro · vs Untreated worms	At 31.2 micromolar nerolidol reduced movement and killed all male worms; at 62.5 micromolar it killed all female worms. Under the microscope the worm surface was eroded and sloughed. The authors call it a promising lead compound. Worm kill in a dish at 31.2 to 62.5 micromolar Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Worm movement, death, surface damage under the microscope Limitations: Adult worms in a dish only; no animal or human treatment. Praziquantel is the current medicine. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Singh 2025 Acyclic sesquiterpenes nerolidol and farnesol: mechanistic insights into their neuroprotective potential. Pharmacol Rep · PMID 39436564 · DOI	Review review	Review of laboratory and animal studies	Nerolidol and farnesol Isolated compounds Various	Describes antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions (Nrf-2/HO-1, TLR-4/NF-kB, COX-2/NF-kB, BDNF/TrkB/CREB) and says nerolidol has been noted in models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, encephalomyelitis, depression and anxiety. The abstract calls nerolidol and farnesol related sesquiterpene alcohols with the same formula (C15H26O). Mechanism summary from non-human models Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Mechanisms relevant to brain protection Limitations: No human studies reviewed in the abstract; the authors state no human participants were studied. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Spicakova 2019 beta-caryophyllene oxide and trans-nerolidol affect enzyme activity of CYP3A4 - in vitro and in silico studies. Physiol Res · PMID 31755290 · DOI	Laboratory research human liver microsomes	Human liver microsomes; computer docking	trans-Nerolidol, beta-caryophyllene oxide, farnesol Isolated compounds Concentration series In vitro	trans-Nerolidol inhibited testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation by mixed-type inhibition with a Ki of 32.5 micromolar. The authors think the inhibition probably does no real harm because blood levels from spices or flavourings seldom exceed the micromolar range. CYP3A4 inhibition in lab liver preparations Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: CYP3A4 activity (testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation, midazolam 1'-hydroxylation) Limitations: Test tube study; levels after higher intakes (for example concentrated oils or skin products) were not measured. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Vazquez 2023 HPTLC Analysis and Chemical Composition of Selected Melaleuca Essential Oils. Molecules · PMID 37175338 · DOI	Lab analysis Melaleuca species	Seven tea tree oils (Melaleuca alternifolia) and four other Melaleuca oils	Tea tree oil and other Melaleuca oils Essential oils	In the seven tea tree oils the most abundant compounds were terpinen-4-ol (37.66 to 44.28%), gamma-terpinene, alpha-terpinene, alpha-terpineol and terpinolene; nerolidol was not among them. In one chemotype of Melaleuca quinquenervia oil (E)-nerolidol was 48.40% and linalool 33.30%. Nerolidol is a main compound of one Melaleuca quinquenervia oil, not of tea tree oil Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Oil composition by GC-MS Limitations: Only the most abundant compounds are named in the abstract, so a small nerolidol share in tea tree oil is not excluded. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Wang 2024 Nerolidol attenuates airway inflammation and airway remodeling and alters gut microbes in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice. Cell Biochem Funct · PMID 38088534 · DOI	Animal research mouse and cell line	BALB/c mice sensitised with ovalbumin; airway smooth muscle cells in culture	Nerolidol (isomer not stated in the abstract) Isolated compound Different doses (not in the abstract)	Nerolidol reduced inflammatory cells, goblet cells and collagen in the lungs, lowered ovalbumin-specific IgE, thinned the airway wall layer, reduced TGF-beta/Smad signalling in mice and cells, and reversed lowered gut-bacteria diversity. Less allergic airway inflammation in mice Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Lung inflammation cells, goblet cells, collagen, IgE, airway wall thickness, TGF-beta/Smad signalling, gut bacteria Limitations: Allergy model in mice; doses not stated in the abstract. No human asthma data. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Zhang 2024 Nerolidol reduces depression-like behavior in mice and suppresses microglia activation by down-regulating DNA methyltransferase 1. Neuroreport · PMID 38526920 · DOI	Animal research mouse and cell line	Mice with chronic unpredictable mild stress; BV2 microglia cells	Nerolidol (isomer not stated in the abstract) Isolated compound Dose not stated in the abstract · vs Stressed mice without treatment	Nerolidol reduced depression-like behaviour in stressed mice, lowered inflammatory factors and microglia activation, and lowered DNMT1 in the brain. In cells, raising DNMT1 reversed the effect. The abstract says Aquilaria (agarwood) essential oil has sedative and hypnotic effects, which is why nerolidol was tested. Less depression-like behaviour in stressed mice Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Open field, sucrose preference, tail suspension; inflammation signals, microglia activation, DNMT1 Limitations: Mouse stress model; dose, route and group size not in the abstract; no human data. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
de Moura 2021 Evaluation of the antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm activity of the sesquiterpene nerolidol. Arch Microbiol · PMID 34110480 · DOI	Laboratory research bacteria (culture)	Seven standard bacterial strains and four resistant clinical isolates in culture	Nerolidol (isomer not stated in the abstract) Isolated compound MIC tests, 0.5 to 4 mg/mL In vitro	MICs were 1 mg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus, 4 mg/mL for Streptococcus mutans, and 0.5 mg/mL for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Resistant clinical isolates had MICs of 0.5 to 2 mg/mL. Biofilm formation of standard strains was inhibited by 51 to 98% at 0.5 to 4 mg/mL. Bacteria inhibited in a dish at milligram-per-millilitre concentrations Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), biofilm inhibition, total antioxidant activity Limitations: These concentrations are very high compared with a typical antibiotic. Dish study only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
n/a 2026 US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, section 172.515: Synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants (text version dated 2026-10-20, read via the eCFR API on 2026-10-25) eCFR (US Government) · Source	Authoritative guidance n/a	n/a	n/a	The list of synthetic flavouring substances that may be safely used in food under the stated conditions (minimum quantity needed to produce the intended effect, good manufacturing practice) includes 'Nerolidol; 3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol'. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: The list of synthetic flavouring substances that may be safely used in food under the stated conditions (minimum quantity needed to produce the intended effect, good manufacturing practice) includes 'Nerolidol; 3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol'. Limitations: A food-flavouring listing. It says nothing about supplements, skin products, concentrated oils, inhalation or cannabis products. Read: api
n/a 2026 PubChem record for Nerolidol (CID 5284507): Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) entry, read through PUG View on 2026-10-25 PubChem (NCBI) citing JECFA · Source	Authoritative guidance n/a	n/a	n/a	PubChem lists JECFA evaluations of nerolidol (JECFA flavour number 1646) and of 3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol, evaluation year 2007, report TRS 947 (68th meeting), toxicological monograph FAS 59, with the conclusion: no safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: PubChem lists JECFA evaluations of nerolidol (JECFA flavour number 1646) and of 3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol, evaluation year 2007, report TRS 947 (68th meeting), toxicological monograph FAS 59, with the conclusion: no safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. Limitations: The JECFA report itself was not opened; this is the way PubChem displays it. Read: api
n/a 2026 PubChem Safety and Hazards for Nerolidol (CID 5284507): GHS classification from ECHA C&L Inventory notifications, read through PUG View on 2026-10-25 PubChem (NCBI) / ECHA C&L Inventory · Source	Authoritative guidance n/a	n/a	n/a	The largest summary covers 2,148 company reports from 21 notifications: 1 report said the substance does not meet GHS hazard criteria; H410 very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects 99.9%; H319 causes serious eye irritation 87.4%; H400 34.2%; H317 may cause an allergic skin reaction 11.1%. Signal word Warning. Two smaller summaries in the same record (325 and 188 reports) list skin irritation H315 (11.7% and 21.3%), eye irritation, and respiratory irritation H335 among the hazards. Information varies between notifications because of impurities and isomer mixtures. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: The largest summary covers 2,148 company reports from 21 notifications: 1 report said the substance does not meet GHS hazard criteria; H410 very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects 99.9%; H319 causes serious eye irritation 87.4%; H400 34.2%; H317 may cause an allergic skin reaction 11.1%. Signal word Warning. Two smaller summaries in the same record (325 and 188 reports) list skin irritation H315 (11.7% and 21.3%), eye irritation, and respiratory irritation H335 among the hazards. Information varies between notifications because of impurities and isomer mixtures. Limitations: These are company self-classifications, not a regulator decision, and they mix isomers and impurities. Read: api
n/a 2026 PubChem compound record for Nerolidol (CID 5284507, trans/E form) and cis-nerolidol (CID 5320128): names, formula, CAS numbers, read through the PubChem REST API on 2026-10-25 PubChem (NCBI) · Source	Reference database n/a	n/a	n/a	CID 5284507: C15H26O, molecular weight 222.37, IUPAC name (6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,6,10-trien-3-ol. CAS 7212-44-4 (nerolidol, isomer not specified), 40716-66-3 (trans / E form). Synonyms include nerodilol, peruviol, methylvinylhomogeranyl carbinol and FEMA No. 2772. CID 5320128: cis / (6Z) form, IUPAC (6Z)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,6,10-trien-3-ol, CAS 3790-78-1. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: CID 5284507: C15H26O, molecular weight 222.37, IUPAC name (6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,6,10-trien-3-ol. CAS 7212-44-4 (nerolidol, isomer not specified), 40716-66-3 (trans / E form). Synonyms include nerodilol, peruviol, methylvinylhomogeranyl carbinol and FEMA No. 2772. CID 5320128: cis / (6Z) form, IUPAC (6Z)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,6,10-trien-3-ol, CAS 3790-78-1. Limitations: A database summary; PubChem collects data from other sources. Read: api

What we do not know yet

What the evidence supports: everything is very low certainty. Almost all of it is from cells and animals.
No human trial of nerolidol on its own was found.
No human blood-level, metabolism or interaction data.
Most papers do not say whether cis or trans nerolidol was used.
The 2023 fragrance-industry safety assessment could not be read.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults: no data.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and are placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any evidence rating or safety wording. New publications never change ratings automatically.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Other 12

▲

Drug flux through skin (lab)

Raised in trials

How fast a test drug moves through a skin sample in a diffusion cell.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Shows whether a compound makes skin more permeable.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Strong in the lab; no clinical meaning shown.

Safety implication

A more permeable skin barrier could let other chemicals through too.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹¹	Nerolidol pretreatment raised 5-fluorouracil flux more than 20-fold in human epidermal membranes; effect near-fully kept at 4.5 days.	Human skin samples (ex vivo)	Nerolidol pretreatment

^{11 21}

▼

Parasite growth (IC50)

Lowered in trials

The concentration of a compound that cuts parasite growth by half in a dish.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used to screen new anti-parasite compounds.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Active in dishes at tens of micromolar; host cells are also harmed at similar levels.

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
³	IC50 of 85, 74, 75 and 67 micromolar for L. amazonensis, L. braziliensis, L. chagasi promastigotes and L. amazonensis amastigotes; infection of macrophages fell 95% at 100 micromolar.	Leishmania in culture and in infected macrophages	Nerolidol
³²	All male S. mansoni worms died at 31.2 micromolar and all females at 62.5 micromolar.	Adult worms in culture	Nerolidol

^{3 32 22 9 2}

▼

Skin lesion size in infected mice

Lowered in trials

The size of the skin sore caused by Leishmania in a mouse.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Shows whether a compound helps in a living animal.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Partial effect in a highly susceptible model.

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
³	Lesions were significantly smaller after 100 mg/kg/day injections for 12 days or 5 or 10% ointments for 4 weeks, but the disease was not cured.	BALB/c mice infected with L. amazonensis	Nerolidol injection or ointment

●

Time in the open arms of an elevated plus maze

Increased in trials

Mice normally avoid the open arms; more time there is read as less anxiety-like behaviour.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Standard screening test for anxiety medicines in rodents.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A rough animal screen; does not show an effect on human anxiety.

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁶	Time in and entries to the open arms rose at 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg (P < 0.05) compared with vehicle; rotarod performance did not change.	Swiss albino mice, 6 per group	Nerolidol

¹⁶

▼

Pain-like behaviour (writhing and formalin licking)

Lowered in trials

Counts of writhes after acetic acid and time spent licking the paw after formalin.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Standard tests for pain-relieving compounds in mice.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

One mouse paper; null on the hot plate.

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹³	Writhing was lower at 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg by mouth; formalin licking lower in both phases at 300 and 400 mg/kg; hot-plate latency unchanged.	Mice	Nerolidol by mouth

¹³

●

Time to seizure after PTZ

Increased in trials

How long it takes before minimal clonic and generalised tonic-clonic seizures start after the seizure-causing chemical PTZ.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used to screen for anticonvulsant action.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

One acute chemical model.

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁷	Nerolidol at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg by mouth lengthened both latencies versus PTZ alone; MDA fell and SOD and catalase were restored in the brain.	Male mice	Nerolidol by mouth

¹⁷

▼

Colon damage markers (MDA, myeloperoxidase, calprotectin)

Lowered in trials

Blood or tissue signs of fat damage, white-cell activity and gut inflammation.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Standard readouts in colitis models.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

One model, short.

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁷	Nerolidol 50 mg/kg/day by mouth lowered MDA, myeloperoxidase, calprotectin and cytokines and restored antioxidants in colitis rats.	Wistar rats	Nerolidol by mouth

^{7 28}

▼

Gut leakiness (FITC-dextran, TEER)

Lowered in trials

How easily a dye crosses the gut lining, and electrical resistance of a gut-lining cell layer.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A leaky gut lining is part of colitis.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Mouse and cell result.

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
²⁸	cis-Nerolidol lowered FITC-dextran permeability in DSS colitis and prevented the fall in TEER in stimulated Caco-2 cells; tight-junction proteins rose.	DSS colitis mice; Caco-2 cells	cis-Nerolidol

²⁸

▼

Paw volume (joint swelling)

Lowered in trials

The size of the swollen rat paw.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Standard arthritis-model measure.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

One rat study.

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹	Nerolidol 200 to 800 mg/kg reduced paw volume and improved joint structure on X-ray and tissue slides in CFA arthritis rats.	Rats	Nerolidol

▼

Lung inflammatory cells and IgE

Lowered in trials

Counts of inflammatory cells and allergy antibody IgE in lungs and lavage fluid.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Standard readouts in mouse asthma models.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

One mouse study.

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
³⁶	Nerolidol reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, goblet cells, collagen and OVA-specific IgE in asthmatic mice.	BALB/c mice	Nerolidol

³⁶

▼

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)

Lowered in trials

The lowest concentration that stops visible bacterial growth.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Measures how strong an antibacterial is.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Dish values at high concentrations.

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
³⁸	MICs were 0.5 mg/mL for P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae, 1 mg/mL for S. aureus, 4 mg/mL for S. mutans; 0.5 to 2 mg/mL for resistant clinical isolates.	Bacteria in culture	Nerolidol

^{38 8}

▼

Cancer cell growth

Lowered in trials

How fast cultured tumour cells multiply.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

First screen for anticancer compounds.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Cell lines only.

Safety implication

Also toxic to normal cells in other lab tests.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁵	cis-Nerolidol inhibited proliferation of two bladder carcinoma cell lines and caused DNA damage and ER stress.	Human cell lines	cis-Nerolidol

¹⁵

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 5

No human safety study of nerolidol on its own. We found no clinical trial, case report or dose-finding study of nerolidol in people. The only human data we read are fragrance skin tests summarised in a 2016 review: 4% nerolidol (isomer not specified) caused no skin irritation in a pre-test and no positive reactions in maximization or repeated insult patch tests. That review found no human data on irritation of mucous membranes. Everything else is from cells and animals. Review ¹⁰
Food-flavour status is about tiny amounts in food. Nerolidol is listed in the US food regulation for synthetic flavouring substances (21 CFR 172.515), and PubChem reports that the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives found no safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring (2007). These statements are about flavouring amounts in food. They do not cover supplements, concentrated oils, skin products, vapes or cannabis products. Authoritative guidance ^{39 40}
Skin and eye irritation and allergy are the hazards companies report. In 2,148 company hazard reports collected by the European chemicals agency (read through PubChem), 87.4% listed serious eye irritation and 11.1% listed an allergic skin reaction; 99.9% listed long-lasting toxicity to aquatic life. Two smaller summaries in the same record also list skin irritation. These are self-classifications that depend on purity and the isomer mix. Authoritative guidance ⁴¹
It carries other substances through skin, and its effect on skin lasts. In lab tests on human skin, nerolidol raised a model drug's passage through skin more than 20-fold and the effect was nearly fully kept 4.5 days later. This is the reason it is studied for skin patches. It also means a skin product containing it could let other substances (including pesticides, other fragrance chemicals or medicines) pass through skin more easily. This last point is our reasoning from the lab result; no study we read tested it. Laboratory research ^{11 21}
Cell toxicity at low levels in the lab. In cell tests nerolidol harmed membranes and mitochondria. In one fibroblast test it was the most cytotoxic of several terpenes, and in liver cells it lowered energy (ATP) production at low micromolar concentrations (as summarised by a 2016 review). This is why researchers worry about cell harm at the concentrations that kill parasites or tumour cells. Laboratory research ^{10 2}

Side effects 6

Effect	How often	Severity and recovery	Evidence
Skin or eye irritation In rabbits, undiluted nerolidol caused well-defined redness or slight swelling after 48 hours; 5% in a diluent caused very slight swelling in one animal (2016 review). Human patch tests at 4% showed no irritation.	Not measured in people; listed in company hazard reports	unknown Not described	Authoritative guidance ^{41 10}
Allergic skin reaction Weak sensitisation reactions in guinea pigs at 3% and 10% (review).	11.1% of 2,148 company hazard reports listed H317; no reactions in human maximization or repeated insult tests at 4%	unknown Not described	Authoritative guidance ^{41 10}
Weak DNA damage in mouse cells at high single doses The authors call it clastogenicity and very weak genotoxicity. Maximum tolerated dose was above 2000 mg/kg.	Dose-related at 250, 500 and 2000 mg/kg by stomach tube; more micronuclei at the two high doses	unknown Not described	Animal research ²⁷
Liver changes in fish fed nerolidol Lower liver weight and lower liver energy-enzyme activity. Fish, not people.	At 1.0 mL per kg feed for 60 days in tilapia	unknown Not described	Animal research ⁵
Sedation (animal finding) Another mouse study at 12.5 to 50 mg/kg found no loss of coordination on the rotarod.	Reported in mice at 25 to 75 mg/kg by injection	unknown Not described	Animal research ²⁵
Breaking up of red blood cells at high concentration (lab) A 2015 paper notes nerolidol is hemolytic at low concentrations; the review compares peak blood levels in mice to this threshold.	50% hemolysis at about 2.3 millimolar in one test cited by a review	unknown Not described	Laboratory research ^{10 31}

Liver

No human case of liver injury from nerolidol was found, and the LiverTox database was not read. In HepG2 liver cells and isolated rat liver mitochondria, a 2016 review reports nerolidol lowered energy production and mitochondrial membrane potential at concentrations below 2.4 micromolar. In Nile tilapia fed nerolidol for 60 days, liver weight and liver enzyme activity changed. Several rat studies read only as titles report that nerolidol protects the liver from other toxic drugs; those were not read and do not show it is safe for the liver. ^{10 5}

How often. No human rate was found.

Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was read.

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Nerolidol supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 5

With	Why it matters	Importance	Evidence	What to do
Prescription drugs processed by CYP3A4 (many common medicines) prescription	In human liver microsomes, trans-nerolidol inhibited CYP3A4 (testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation) with a Ki of 32.5 micromolar. In reporter-gene tests, cis- and trans-nerolidol activated the pregnane X receptor, but in human liver slices from 10 patients the effect on drug-metabolising enzymes was mild or none, with large differences between people.	The authors of both papers think a meaningful effect is unlikely at food-flavouring levels. Higher exposures (concentrated oils, large skin areas) were not studied.	Laboratory research Very low certainty ^{34 30}	If you take medicines with narrow safe ranges, tell your pharmacist before using concentrated terpene oils or cannabis products.
Medicines or creams applied to the skin topical	Nerolidol raised skin passage of 5-fluorouracil more than 20-fold in human skin samples, and a review found enhancement ratios above 30 for nerolidol among terpenes.	Unknown in people. It suggests a skin product containing nerolidol could change how much of another skin-applied substance gets through; no human test was found.	Laboratory research Very low certainty ^{11 21}	Ask a pharmacist before putting a concentrated nerolidol-containing product on skin that is also treated with a medicine.
Antibiotics prescription	In dishes, nerolidol made some bacteria more sensitive to antibiotics by making their membranes leakier. This is a lab effect on bacteria, not a known effect in people.	No clinical meaning shown.	Laboratory research Very low certainty ⁸	No action beyond asking your pharmacist if you use concentrated terpene products.
Alcohol, sedatives and sleep medicines sedative	One mouse study described sedative effects, and the pain effect in another involved the GABAergic system, the pathway sedative medicines act on.	Unknown in people. No human or interaction study was found. This is a theoretical concern only.	Animal research Very low certainty ^{25 13}	Treat any added sleepiness as possible if you use concentrated products with alcohol or sedatives. Ask a pharmacist.
THC and other cannabinoids cannabinoid	We did not find a study that tested nerolidol together with THC or CBD in animals or people.	Unknown. The risks of THC-containing cannabis (impairment, anxiety, psychosis risk in vulnerable people, dependence) are separate and are not caused or changed by nerolidol as far as any source shows.	Gap Not enough evidence	Treat the idea that nerolidol changes THC's effects as unproven.

Who should check first 6

Situation	Advice	Evidence
Pregnancy and breastfeeding	No data on nerolidol were found. A 2016 review summarises one in-vitro rat fetal skin experiment that found no change in skin barrier development at 100 micromolar; it is not a safety study. Ask your doctor before using concentrated terpene oils, aromatherapy products or cannabis products.	Gap ¹⁰
Babies, children and teenagers	No data found. Concentrated oils can be dangerous to swallow, and cannabis products carry age-specific risks that are covered on cannabinoid pages. Keep oils out of children's reach.	Gap
Older adults	No data found. Older adults often take several medicines, so the CYP3A4 and sedation points above matter more. Ask a pharmacist.	Gap ³⁴
People with fragrance allergy, eczema or sensitive skin	Nerolidol is a common fragrance ingredient and 11.1% of company hazard reports list an allergic skin reaction. If you react to perfumes, avoid products containing it and patch-test first or ask a dermatologist.	Authoritative guidance ⁴¹
People with liver disease	No human data. Lab and fish data suggest possible effects on liver-cell energy production at higher exposures. Ask your doctor.	Laboratory research ^{10 5}
People having chemotherapy or taking medicines with narrow safe ranges	Do not add concentrated nerolidol or oils without telling the treating team; interactions are untested.	Gap ^{24 34}

Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. Low acute toxicity in animals at very high doses; weak DNA damage in mice at 250 to 2000 mg/kg; cell toxicity in the lab; no human toxicity data other than skin patch tests.

Animal. Oral LD50 above 5,000 mg/kg in rats and 9,976 mg/kg in mice; dermal LD50 above 2,000 mg/kg in rabbits (isomer not specified; from a fragrance safety review as reported in a 2016 review). In mice, a single dose of up to 2,000 mg/kg by stomach tube was tolerated with weak signs of DNA damage. In tilapia fed 1.0 mL/kg feed for 60 days the liver changed. Peak blood levels in mice after a 1,000 mg/kg oral dose were about 0.27 to 0.35 microg/mL, about 1,460 times below the level that broke up half of red blood cells in a test (second-hand from the review).

High dose or long term signals. No long-term animal study was read. Fish fed for 60 days showed liver changes.

Overdose response. Not described in the sources read.

Genotoxicity. A 2011 mouse study found weak, dose-related DNA damage and more micronucleated cells at 500 and 2,000 mg/kg. A yeast study cited in the 2016 review found weak mutagenicity but strong cell toxicity. The full fragrance-safety assessment (2023) could not be read.

A nerolidol figure on a cannabis lab report is one batch result. We found no study that tested whether labelled nerolidol matches the real content, or that separated cis from trans in cannabis.

Natural variation. Ten plants of one strain grown together varied by about 20% in terpenes above 20 microg/g. (E)-nerolidol is a regular terpene in the two strains tested, but amounts differ by plant and batch. ¹⁴

Different datasets report different forms. Our lab numbers come from two sources: one lists 'nerolidol' (isomer not stated) and the other 'trans-nerolidol', in different units, so they cannot be compared. ^{29 6}

Complete lab analyses vary between producers. A New Mexico study of commercial medical cannabis says complete chemical analyses vary a lot between producers and are often not fully given to consumers. ²⁹

Label accuracy for nerolidol. No study we read tested label accuracy for nerolidol specifically, or for nerolidol in vape terpene blends.

Body	Action	Date
US Food and Drug Administration (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, section 172.515) (United States)	Section 172.515 lists 'Nerolidol; 3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol' among synthetic flavouring substances and adjuvants that may be safely used in food, in the minimum quantity required to produce the intended effect and following good manufacturing practice. PubChem also gives the FEMA number 2772 and JECFA flavour number 1646. source	2026-10-25
ECHA C&L Inventory notifications (read via PubChem) (European Union)	Company notifications (2,148 reports in the largest summary): H410 very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects 99.9%, H319 serious eye irritation 87.4%, H400 34.2%, H317 allergic skin reaction 11.1%; signal word Warning. Smaller summaries list skin and respiratory irritation. source	2026-10-25

When to get medical help

Swelling of the face or lips, hives or trouble breathing after using a plant oil, fragrance or cannabis product
Strong eye pain, vision change or burns after nerolidol-containing oil gets into the eyes: rinse with water and get medical help
A child or pet has swallowed an essential oil or a cannabis or terpene product: call US Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (or your local emergency number)
A person cannot be woken, or breathing is slow or shallow
Blistering, a spreading rash or severe pain on skin after applying an oil

Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is nerolidol?

Nerolidol is a floral, woody aroma molecule made by many plants. It is a sesquiterpene alcohol with the formula C15H26O, used in perfumes, cleansers and as a food flavouring.

^{42 10}

What is the difference between cis- and trans-nerolidol?

They are two shapes of the same molecule. Trans (E) and cis (Z) forms behave differently in a few lab tests, but most papers do not say which one they used. Where our sources say, we say.

^{42 10 28 34}

Which plants contain nerolidol?

According to papers we read: ginger, jasmine, neroli (bitter orange blossom oil), one Melaleuca species (not tea tree itself), some Piper leaf oils, a lemongrass-relative grass (Cymbopogon plurinodis) and cannabis. Amounts vary widely.

^{12 20 23 35 26 18 14}

Is there nerolidol in tea tree oil or lemongrass?

In the tea tree oils we read, nerolidol was not among the main compounds; terpinen-4-ol was. A different Melaleuca species had a lot. For lemongrass, we only found a related grass in the same genus; we have no source for cooking lemongrass.

^{35 26}

Does nerolidol help with anxiety or sleep?

Only in mice. One study found more open-arm exploring and another described sedation. No human trial exists, and results disagree in how they read the same test.

^{16 25}

Can nerolidol kill parasites or treat infections?

In dishes it stopped leishmania, malaria parasites and schistosome worms, and in mice it made leishmania lesions smaller but did not cure them. It also harmed normal cells. It is not a treatment for any infection.

^{3 32 22 2}

Why do researchers study nerolidol for skin patches?

In lab tests on human skin samples it made a drug pass through skin more than 20 times faster and the effect lasted days. No trial of a nerolidol product in people was found.

^{11 21}

Is nerolidol safe?

Human safety has not been studied for isolated nerolidol beyond fragrance skin patch tests. It can irritate skin and eyes, and cell, mouse and fish studies show harm at higher exposures. Ask a doctor or pharmacist, especially if you are pregnant or take medicines.

^{10 41 27 5}

Does nerolidol interact with medicines?

In lab liver preparations, trans-nerolidol blocked an enzyme (CYP3A4) that handles many medicines, but the authors think this is unlikely to matter at food-flavouring levels. Nothing has been tested in people.

^{34 30}

Does nerolidol make cannabis work better?

Unproven. We did not find a study of nerolidol together with THC or CBD.

How much nerolidol is in cannabis?

It varies a lot by strain and batch. See "What the lab numbers show" for real measurements and why the units differ. The numbers say nothing about effects.

^{14 29 6}

Is nerolidol approved as a food flavouring?

It is on the US list of synthetic flavouring substances (21 CFR 172.515), and PubChem reports a 2007 JECFA finding of no safety concern at current intake levels. That is about food flavour amounts, not supplements or cannabis products.

^{39 40}

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Editorial transparency

Written by: AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
Medical review: None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published: 2026-10-25
Last substantive update: 2026-10-25
How we research: We searched PubMed and read abstracts of about 40 sources, read one review in full text, and read PubChem and the US federal regulation through their public interfaces. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading. The lab numbers are from published papers, not our own testing.
How we rate evidence: See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence: No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown, and none will be added for nerolidol. This page is information, not a recommendation to use it.

Sources 42

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

Akhter S, et al. Nerolidol: a potential approach in rheumatoid arthritis through reduction of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, NF-kB, COX-2 and antioxidant effect in CFA-induced arthritic model.. Inflammopharmacology. 2022. PMID 35212850. DOI 10.1007/s10787-022-00930-2. (abstract)
Alonso L, et al. In vitro antileishmanial and cytotoxic activities of nerolidol are associated with changes in plasma membrane dynamics.. Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr. 2019. PMID 30890467. DOI 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.03.006. (abstract)
Arruda DC, et al. Antileishmanial activity of the terpene nerolidol.. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2005. PMID 15855481. DOI 10.1128/AAC.49.5.1679-1687.2005. (abstract)
Azanchi T, et al. Anticonvulsant activity of Citrus aurantium blossom essential oil (neroli): involvment of the GABAergic system.. Nat Prod Commun. 2014. PMID 25532295. (abstract)
Baldissera MD, et al. Nanospheres as a technological alternative to suppress hepatic cellular damage and impaired bioenergetics caused by nerolidol in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2020. PMID 31953674. DOI 10.1007/s00210-020-01824-2. (abstract)
Baron EP, et al. Patterns of medicinal cannabis use, strain analysis, and substitution effect among patients with migraine, headache, arthritis, and chronic pain in a medicinal cannabis cohort.. J Headache Pain. 2018. PMID 29797104. DOI 10.1186/s10194-018-0862-2. (abstract)
Bastaki SMA, et al. Nerolidol, a sesquiterpene, attenuates oxidative stress and inflammation in acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.. Mol Cell Biochem. 2021. PMID 33999335. DOI 10.1007/s11010-021-04094-5. (abstract)
Brehm-Stecher BF, Johnson EA. Sensitization of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli to antibiotics by the sesquiterpenoids nerolidol, farnesol, bisabolol, and apritone.. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2003. PMID 14506058. DOI 10.1128/AAC.47.10.3357-3360.2003. (abstract)
Ceole LF, et al. Nerolidol, the main constituent of Piper aduncum essential oil, has anti-Leishmania braziliensis activity.. Parasitology. 2017. PMID 28482935. DOI 10.1017/S0031182017000452. (abstract)
Chan WK, et al. Nerolidol: A Sesquiterpene Alcohol with Multi-Faceted Pharmacological and Biological Activities.. Molecules. 2016. PMID 27136520. DOI 10.3390/molecules21050529. (abstract and full text (PMC6272852))
Cornwell PA, Barry BW. Sesquiterpene components of volatile oils as skin penetration enhancers for the hydrophilic permeant 5-fluorouracil.. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1994. PMID 8051608. DOI 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1994.tb03791.x. (abstract)
E J, et al. Quality of dry ginger (Zingiber officinale) by different drying methods.. J Food Sci Technol. 2014. PMID 26396311. DOI 10.1007/s13197-012-0823-8. (abstract)
Fonseca DV, et al. Nerolidol exhibits antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity: involvement of the GABAergic system and proinflammatory cytokines.. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2016. PMID 26791997. DOI 10.1111/fcp.12166. (abstract)
Giovannoni S, et al. Determination of variability of terpenes and terpenoids in Cannabis sativa by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.. J Chromatogr A. 2023. PMID 36463647. DOI 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463669. (abstract)
Glumac M, et al. Mechanism of cis-Nerolidol-Induced Bladder Carcinoma Cell Death.. Cancers (Basel). 2023. PMID 36765938. DOI 10.3390/cancers15030981. (abstract)
Goel RK, et al. Assessment of anxiolytic effect of nerolidol in mice.. Indian J Pharmacol. 2016. PMID 27756960. DOI 10.4103/0253-7613.186188. (abstract)
Hojjat SH, et al. Effect of nerolidol on seizure and oxidative brain damage induced by pentylenetetrazole in mice.. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2026. PMID 42447923. DOI 10.1055/s-0046-1825524. (abstract)
Khodabakhsh P, et al. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Citrus aurantium L. blossoms essential oil (neroli): involvement of the nitric oxide/cyclic-guanosine monophosphate pathway.. J Nat Med. 2015. PMID 25762161. DOI 10.1007/s11418-015-0896-6. (abstract)
Li H, et al. Characterization of Volatile Compounds and Sensory Analysis of Jasmine Scented Black Tea Produced by Different Scenting Processes.. J Food Sci. 2018. PMID 30339723. DOI 10.1111/1750-3841.14340. (abstract)
Li C, et al. Characterization of the Flavor Profiles of Fresh and Hot-Air-Dried Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) by Molecular Sensory Science.. Foods. 2026. PMID 42450495. DOI 10.3390/foods15132377. (abstract)
Longgos LD, et al. Effect of Terpenes on the Enhancement of Skin Permeation of Lipophilic Drugs: A Systematic Review.. Acta Med Philipp. 2024. PMID 38966611. DOI 10.47895/amp.vi0.6505. (abstract)
Lopes NP, et al. Antimalarial use of volatile oil from leaves of Virola surinamensis (Rol.) Warb. by Waiapi Amazon Indians.. J Ethnopharmacol. 1999. PMID 10617066. DOI 10.1016/s0378-8741(99)00072-0. (abstract)
Lu J, et al. Inhibitory effects of Jasminum grandiflorum L. essential oil on lipopolysaccharide-induced microglia activation-integrated characteristic analysis of volatile compounds, network pharmacology, and BV-2 cell.. Front Pharmacol. 2023. PMID 37601063. DOI 10.3389/fphar.2023.1180618. (abstract)
Meeran MFN, et al. Nerolidol, a Sesquiterpene from the Essential Oils of Aromatic Plants, Attenuates Doxorubicin-Induced Chronic Cardiotoxicity in Rats.. J Agric Food Chem. 2021. PMID 34170670. DOI 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c05667. (abstract)
Nogueira Neto JD, et al. Antioxidant effects of nerolidol in mice hippocampus after open field test.. Neurochem Res. 2013. PMID 23765368. DOI 10.1007/s11064-013-1092-2. (abstract)
Omoruyi BE, Muchenje V. Phytomedical assessment of two Cymbopogon species found in Nkonkobe Municipality: toxicological effect on human Chang liver cell line.. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017. PMID 28577541. DOI 10.1186/s12906-017-1682-7. (abstract)
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