• Kuromoji
  • Kuromoji

Kuromoji

  • Scientific Name
    Lindera umbellata
  • Family
    Lauraceae
  • Origin
    Japan, China, Taiwanetc.

CONTENTS

Plant description

Kuromoji is a shrub belonging to the Lauraceae family and can grow up to 5 meters. It features green leaves and small, pale yellow flowers that typically bloom in the early spring. The name “kuromoji” is derived from the black spots found on the green branches, which resemble letters, giving its name which translates to “Kuromoji (black letter).” In Japan, Kuromoji toothpicks gained popularity during the Edo period (1603-1867) and were featured in Ukiyoe woodblock prints. The wood of the Kuromoji tree has also been used in various aspects of Japanese culture, such as in  teas and as a hedge in tea rooms. Kuromoji is known to go by different names based on its specific habitat, but distinguishing between these variations can be challenging, often leading to the collective reference of all species as simply “Kuromoji.”

Essential oil composition

Kuromoji

  • Kuromoji

  • INCI
    LINDERA UMBELLATA LEAF/TWIG OIL？
  • Parts of Plant Used
    Leaf / Branch
  • Extraction Method
    Steam Distillation
  • Extraction Rate
    0.35% - 0.4%
  • Notes
    Middle
  • Aroma Family
    Woody

Kuromoji Essential Oil Properties & Uses

About 0.35%-0.4% of Kuromoji's essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from its branches and leaves, and has a yellowish color. The primary components include linalool, renowned for its relaxing properties, along with 1.8 cineole, geranyl acetate, and limonene. The fragrance carries a woody undertone with subtle sweetness, creating a gentle and soft impression. Kuromoji essential oil has garnered attention in recent years due to its similarity to Rosewood essential oil, which is derived from an endangered species. It blends well with a wide range of essential oils, especially those with deep sweetness, citrus, and spice, combining well with black pepper, lemon, and rose, its neutral scent facilitates easy balancing when used in blends.

Essential oil composition

Essential oil composition

※An example of one batch production is shown here.

  • Linalool　35.6％
  • 1,8-Cineole　9.2％
  • Geranyl acetate　7.4％
  • Terpinen-4-ol　7.2％
  • Limonene　6.4％
  • α-Pinene　5.1％
  • Camphene　2.8%
  • Geraniol　2.2%
  • α-Terpineol　1.8％
  • p-Cymene　1.6％
  • trans-β-Ocimene　1.4％
  • Bornyl acetate　1.3％
  • β-Pinene　1.2％
  • Myrcene　1.0％
  • other components　15.8％

Functions and Efficacies

α-Pinene

α-Pinene
  • IUPAC Name
    (+)-α-Pinene: (1R,5R)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene
    (-)-α-Pinene: (1S,5S)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H16
  • Molecular Weight
    136.23 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    (+)-α-Pinene: 7785-70-8
    (-)-α-Pinene: 7785-26-4
  • Structure
    Bicyclic monoterpene

Functions and Efficacies of α-Pinene

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Stress Reduction ○
Anti-bacterial Effects ○
Anti-inflammatory Effects ○

Stress Reduction

A study reported that brain tumors in mice that inhaled the fragrance of α-pinene became smaller. However, no melanoma cell growth was observed with the addition of α-pinene, indicating a potential psychological effect .1)

Anti-bacterial Effects

A study reported that α-pinene had an inhibitory effect on the growth of blue staining fungi, both when exposed to gas and when added to the culture medium2)

Anti-inflammatory Effects

It is known that the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells induces the production of nitric oxide (NO), a substance that causes inflammation. A study reported that the production of NO was suppressed by the addition of α-pinene.3)

  • 1)Kusuhara et al., Biomedical Research, 2012
  • 2)岡村、木材保存、
  • 3)Kwak et al., Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 2019

1,8-Cineole

1,8-Cineole
  • IUPAC Name
    1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane
  • Molecular Formula
    C15H26O
  • Molecular Weight
    154.25 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    470-82-6
  • Structure
    Monocyclic monoterpene ether

Functions and Efficacies of 1,8-Cineole

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Anti-inflammatory Effects ○
Deodorizing Effects
Anti-malaria Effects ○

Anti-inflammatory Effects

A study reported that in mice with inflammation in the leg, swelling was concentration-dependently reduced in the 1,8-cineole-treated group.1)

Deodorizing Effects

A study reported that when common odorants like skatole and 3-methylbutanoic acid were stored in a sealed container with 1,8-cineole, the odorant components were significantly diminished.2)

Antimalarial Effects

A study reported that the addition of 1,8-cineole reduced the number of infected cells in malaria-infected erythrocytes. Furthermore, it was found to inhibit the intracellular growth of Plasmodium falciparum and mitigate the brain edema caused by the infection3)

  • 1)Yin et al., Br J Pharmacol., 2019
  • 2)Henmi et al., J. Japan Association on Odor Environment, 2020
  • 3)Santos et al., plos one, 2022

Geraniol

Geraniol
  • IUPAC Name
    (2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-ol
  • Molecular Formula
    C15H26O
  • Molecular Weight
    154.25 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    106-24-1
  • Structure
    Monoterpene alcohol

Functions and Efficacies of Geraniol

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Anti-inflammatory Effects ○
Anti-bacterial Effects ○
Anti-cancer Effects ○

Anti-inflammatory Effects

A study reported that the addition of geraniol to human umbilical vein endothelial cells inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, induced by Ox-LDL.1)

Anti-bacterial Effects

A study reported that growth-inhibitory effect on B. botulinum was observed in culture medium supplemented with geraniol. 2) Similar inhibitory effects have also been reported against several other bacteria.3)

Anti-cancer Effects

A study reported an increased hepatic apoptosis (cell death) index in the group of hepatocarcinogenesis model rats treated with geraniol．4)

  • 1)Ammar et al., Nutrients, 2022
  • 2)Ueda et al., Nippon Shokuhin Kogyo gakkaishi, 1982
  • 3)M˛aczka et al., Molecules, 2020
  • 4)Ong et al., Carcinogenesis, 2006

Limonene

Limonene
  • IUPAC Name
    1-methyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexene
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H16
  • Molecular Weight
    136.23 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    138-86-3
  • Structure
    Monocyclic monoterpene

Functions and Efficacies of Limonene

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Stress Reduction ○
Memory Improvement ○ ○
Anti-cancer Effects ○ ○ ○

Stress Reduction

A study reported that mice subjected to cold stress at 4°C (41°F) exhibited reduced elevations in blood corticosterone levels when treated with limonene. Furthermore, the same report demonstrated that limonene effectively lowered corticosterone levels in the blood of mice exposed to both physical and mental stress.1)

Memory Improvement

A study reported that when acetylcholinesterase reacts with acetylthiocholine in phosphate-buffered saline, the introduction of limonene inhibits the degradation by acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase plays a role in the breakdown of acetylcholine, a hormone associated with memory and learning. In the same report, it was also noted that limonene suppressed memory impairment induced by scopolamine administration in rats.2)

Anti-cancer Effects

A report indicated that the consumption of limonene by breast cancer patients resulted in reduced expression of Cyclin D1, a protein crucial for cell division, within tumors.3)Furthermore, numerous other studies have also documented the anticancer properties of limonene.4)5)

  • 1)Fukumoto et al., Stress and Health, 2008
  • 2)Zhou et al., Nutritional Neuroscience,, 2013
  • 3)Miller et al., Cancer Prevntion Research, 2013
  • 4)Ajikumaran Nair S et al., Phytomedicine, 2018
  • 5)Chaudhary et al., Human & Experimental Toxicology, 2012

Linalool

Linalool
  • IUPAC Name
    3,7-Dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H18O
  • Molecular Weight
    154.25 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    78-70-6
  • Structure
    Monoterpene alcohol

Functions and Efficacies of Linalool

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Anti-inflammatory Effects ○
Stress Reduction ○ ○
Anti-oxidant Effects ○

Anti-inflammatory Effects

A study reported that linalool reduced hindlimb edema in rats induced by carrageenan administration. 1)

Stress Reduction

A study reported that linalool treatment increased the time it took for mice to escape to a dark room when under light stress. Additionally, it reduced the number and duration of attacks on other mice in a confined room, indicating its stress-reducing effects.2) Linalool inhalation was observed to reverse gene expression alterations in the hypothalamus associated with stress response in mice.3) Numerous studies have documented the stress-reducing capabilities of linalool.4)5)6)

Anti-oxidant Effects

A study reported that the addition of linalool was found to suppress the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by UV irradiation in human skin fibroblasts.7)

  • 1)Peana et al., Phytomedicine, 2002
  • 2)Linck et al., Phytomedicine, 2010
  • 3)Yoshida et al., Neuroscience Letters, 2017
  • 4)Harada et al., Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 2018
  • 5)Souto-Maior et al., Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 2011
  • 6)Weston-Green et al., Frontiers in Scichiatry, 2021
  • 7)Gunaseelan et al., Plos One, 2017

IFRA

Kuromoji：
No restrictions applied

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

References
Jennie Harding [Handbook of Essential Oil and Plant Oil] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2010.
Shinichiro Otsuki/Yukiko Ozaki [Scientific Name Etymology Dictionary of Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2009.
Jennie Harding [Illustrated Reference Book of Herbs] Sancho Publishing, 2012.
Freddy Ghozland/Xavier Fernandez [L’Herbier Parfume] Hara Publishing, 2013.
Kyohei Mikami [Comprehensive Guide to Essential Oils] Fragrance Journal, 2010.
Yuzuru Ogura [Dictionary of Plants] Tokyo-do Publishing, 1957.
Nobuo Ohashi [Dictionary of Medical Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2016.
Wanda Sellar [The directory of essential oils] Fragrance Journal, 1992.
Aroma Environment Association of Japan [AEAJ Aromatherapy Certification Official Textbook grade1&2] Sekaibunka, 1999.
Robert Tissearand [Essential Oil Safety] Fragrance Journal, 2018.
Ayako Berg [Aromatherapy Essential Oil Dictionary] Seibido Shuppan, 2022.
Azusa Annells [Enjoying Fragrance: An Illustrated Book of Aromas with Characteristics]Natsumesha CO.,LTD., 2023
(All written in or translated to Japanese.)
Supervisor
Yamamoto Perfumery co., ltd.

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