Bisabolol, usually written alpha-bisabolol, is the terpene behind the gentle, honeyed smell of chamomile tea. It is one of the softest, most soothing-smelling terpenes in the plant world, and while it is often a minor player in cannabis, it adds a delicate floral sweetness wherever it appears.

Where you find it in nature

Chamomile above all, plus the candeia tree of Brazil and a handful of other aromatic plants. Its long history in skincare and cosmetics comes from that gentle, pleasant scent.

Aroma and flavor

Soft, sweet, and floral, with honey and faint spice or citrus notes. It is delicate rather than bold, the kind of aroma that rounds and softens a profile rather than dominating it.

What the research says

• A 2021 study by Gadotti, Huang, and Zamponi in Molecular Brain reported that alpha-bisabolol reduced inflammatory and neuropathic pain responses in mice, acting through a specific calcium channel called Cav3.2.
• A 2010 review by Kamatou and Viljoen in the Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society summarized bisabolol's well-documented anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity across many studies.
• Bisabolol is widely used in cosmetics and is generally considered safe in those applications.

As always, this is research on the compound, largely in animal and laboratory models. It explains why bisabolol is interesting and well-loved, not what a chew will do.

Bisabolol in the terpene world

Bisabolol is a sesquiterpene, chemically related to caryophyllene and humulene. It tends to appear in trace amounts, lending a soft floral nuance. Explore the full lineup in our Terpene Library.

Frequently asked questions

Does bisabolol get you high?

No. Bisabolol is the gentle aroma compound of chamomile, not a cannabinoid, and it does not produce a high. See do terpenes get you high.

Is bisabolol the same as chamomile?

Bisabolol is the main aroma compound that gives chamomile its soft, honeyed scent, but it is a single molecule found in several plants, while chamomile is the whole flower.

What does bisabolol smell like?

Soft, sweet, and floral with a honey-like warmth.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. Gadotti VM, Huang S, Zamponi GW. The terpenes camphene and alpha-bisabolol inhibit inflammatory and neuropathic pain via Cav3.2 T-type calcium channels. Molecular Brain. 2021;14:166.
2. Kamatou GPP, Viljoen AM. A review of the application and pharmacological properties of alpha-bisabolol and alpha-bisabolol-rich oils. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 2010;87:1-7.