Caryophyllene-oxide – PatientsCann UK Skip to main content Back to Terpenes Guide Caryophyllene-oxide Caryophyllene oxide pronounced: kair-ee-oh-FIL-een OX-ide A woody, sweet terpene made when caryophyllene meets oxygen. The smell sniffer dogs are trained to find. Oxygenated sesquiterpene Boiling point: 279°C Terpene type Oxygenated sesquiterpene Boiling point 279°C Primary aroma Woody Key effect Germ-fighting Aroma profile How it Smells The aroma of Caryophyllene-oxide is described as: WoodySweetSpicyDryEarthy Found naturally in: Cloves, hops, rosemary, eucalyptus, black pepper, lemon balm Effects Linked Effects Fights fungusEnergisingUsed by detection dogs These effects are based on early-stage research in animals and cells. They are not proven in humans. Do not change your treatment based on this information. About What is Caryophyllene-oxide? Caryophyllene-oxide is what you get when the well-known terpene beta-caryophyllene reacts with oxygen. It keeps a woody, spicy smell but turns a little sweeter and drier. It is found in cloves, hops, rosemary and eucalyptus. It is a heavier, oxygen-carrying sesquiterpene, so it does not evaporate as fast as the light citrus terpenes (Booth and Bohlmann, 2019). Effects in detail What the Research Says Caryophyllene-oxide is the chemical that drug-detection dogs are trained to smell, because it is a steady marker found in cannabis. In the laboratory it has been studied as an anti-fungal and for its effects on blood platelets (Nuutinen, 2018). These findings come from cell and animal studies. They are interesting starting points rather than proven treatments. Everyday sources Where You Find it in Daily Life You meet caryophyllene-oxide in cloves, in hops, in rosemary and in eucalyptus. It also forms slowly when foods and oils that contain caryophyllene are stored and exposed to air. Its warm, woody smell means it appears in perfumes and in some food flavourings. Research Key Studies Nuutinen (2018) reviewed the laboratory work on caryophyllene-oxide, including its anti-fungal activity and its effect on blood platelets. Its chemistry is recorded in public databases (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2025). As ever, human evidence is still being gathered. Previousγ-Elemene NextHumulene Back to full Terpenes Guide Important: The information on this page is for education only. It is not medical advice. Terpene research is still in its early stages. Many studies have been done in animals, not yet in people. Always speak to your doctor before changing your treatment. PatientsCann UK does not recommend any specific cannabis product. References Nuutinen, T. (2018) ‘Medicinal properties of terpenes found in Cannabis sativa and Humulus lupulus’, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 157, pp. 198-228. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.076. Booth, J.K. and Bohlmann, J. (2019) ‘Terpenes in Cannabis sativa: from plant genome to humans’, Plant Science, 284, pp. 67-72. doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2019.03.022. National Center for Biotechnology Information (2025) PubChem Compound Database. Bethesda: U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (Accessed: 11 June 2026). Russo, E.B. (2011) ‘Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects’, British Journal of Pharmacology, 163(7), pp. 1344-1364. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x. Cicada Jersey (2020) Terpene Wheel. Available at: https://cicada.je/terpene-wheel/ (Accessed: 11 June 2026).
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