Compound Monograph
β-Gurjunene
β-Gurjunene is a tricyclic sesquiterpene found in various plant essential oils, including calamus.
Classification
β-Gurjunene is a sesquiterpene, part of the terpenoids class. The largest class of plant compounds, built from five-carbon isoprene units — the essential-oil aromatics, resins, bitter principles, saponins, and plant sterols.
Where Does It Come From? (1)
β-Gurjunene is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene, found in Calamus. It is well tolerated orally (low toxicity).
Research & Evidence
β-Gurjunene is a tricyclic sesquiterpene hydrocarbon, one of the gurjunene isomers originally associated with gurjun balsam and present in a range of plant essential oils, including that of calamus (Acorus calamus). It is one of the many volatile terpenes that make up the aroma of such oils. Little is established about its individual pharmacology.
Toxicity & Safety
As a minor essential-oil sesquiterpene, β-gurjunene has no well-characterised toxicity profile of its own. Note that calamus oil as a whole can contain β-asarone, a separate compound of toxicological concern, so safety conclusions should not be drawn from this terpene alone.