Linalool

Linalool at a Glance

Linalool is a naturally occurring acyclic monoterpene tertiary alcohol (3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol) responsible for the soft floral, citrus-like aroma of lavender, coriander, rosewood, ylang-ylang and hundreds of other plants. Its primary role in nature is as a floral-scent and pollinator-attractant volatile and a defence compound — this is what plants make it for, and it is one of the most widespread monoterpenes in the plant kingdom ^{16,20Reference 16Aprotosoaie AC et al. · 2014ReviewLinalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological propertiesView study →Reference 20Dudareva N et al. · 1996Evolution of floral scent in Clarkia: novel patterns of S-linalool synthase gene expression in the C. breweri flowerView study →}.

The isolated compound produces sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory effects in animal studies, running through several overlapping systems (glutamate/NMDA, adenosine, serotonergic, adenylate-cyclase/cAMP, nerve conduction) rather than one dominant receptor. Human evidence is much more limited: the strongest clinical research involves the standardised lavender-oil extract Silexan, not isolated linalool, so the whole oil’s effects cannot be attributed to this single molecule ^{19,22Reference 19Kasper S et al. · 2014RCTLavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder — a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetineView study →Reference 22Kasper S et al. · 2017Silexan in generalized anxiety disorder: investigation of the therapeutic dosage range in a pooled data setView study →}.

Linalool itself has low acute toxicity, but the primary safety concern is not the parent molecule — it is what it becomes in air: linalool oxidises to hydroperoxides that are among the most common fragrance contact allergens ^{17,18Reference 17Schubert S et al. · 2023Patch testing hydroperoxides of limonene and linalool in consecutive patients — results of the IVDK 2018–2020View study →Reference 18de Groot AC · 2016Essential Oils, Part IV: Contact AllergyView study →}.

Research Profile

The observed preclinical activities of isolated linalool:

• Anxiolytic / sedative — reduced anxiety and CNS excitability in rodents ^{1,5,6Reference 1Chioca LR et al. · 2013AnimalAnxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil inhalation in mice: participation of serotonergic but not GABAA/benzodiazepine neurotransmissionView study →Reference 5de Almeida RN et al. · 2009AnimalRosewood oil induces sedation and inhibits compound action potential in rodentsView study →Reference 6Sampaio LF et al. · 2012Linalool from rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) oil inhibits adenylate cyclase in the retina, contributing to understanding its biological activityView study →}
• Analgesic / antinociceptive — several acute and inflammatory pain models ^{3,4,8Reference 3Peana AT et al. · 2004Effects of (−)-linalool in the acute hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, L-glutamate and prostaglandin E2View study →Reference 4Peana AT et al. · 2006Involvement of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in (−)-linalool-induced antinociceptionView study →Reference 8Quintans-Júnior LJ et al. · 2013Quintans-Júnior LJ, et al. (2013). β-Cyclodextrin-complexed (−)-linalool produces antinociceptive effect superior to that of (−)-linalool in experimental pain protocols. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23692366/View study →}
• Anti-inflammatory — reduced oedema, hyperalgesia and TNF-α ^{2,3Reference 2Peana AT et al. · 2002Anti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oilsView study →Reference 3Peana AT et al. · 2004Effects of (−)-linalool in the acute hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, L-glutamate and prostaglandin E2View study →}
• Anticonvulsant — glutamate/NMDA-related seizure models ^{9Reference 9Elisabetsky E et al. · 1999Anticonvulsant properties of linalool in glutamate-related seizure modelsView study →}
• Local-anaesthetic — nerve-conduction block comparable to procaine/menthol ^{5,10Reference 5de Almeida RN et al. · 2009AnimalRosewood oil induces sedation and inhibits compound action potential in rodentsView study →Reference 10Ghelardini C et al. · 1999Local anaesthetic activity of the essential oil of Lavandula angustifoliaView study →}
• Antimicrobial / antifungal — broad in-vitro membrane-disrupting activity ^{12,13Reference 12Mączka W et al. · 2022Natural Compounds in the Battle against Microorganisms — LinaloolView study →Reference 13Simić A et al. · 2004The chemical composition of some Lauraceae essential oils and their antifungal activitiesView study →}
• Insecticidal / repellent — deters and kills some insects; used in botanical pest control ^{14Reference 14Müller GC et al. · 2009Efficacy of the botanical repellents geraniol, linalool, and citronella against mosquitoesView study →}

These effects do not arise from one dominant receptor, and almost all of the evidence is rodent or in-vitro work at doses far above ordinary human exposure.

What It's Used For

Linalool’s preclinical profile is real and unusually multi-signal, but the load-bearing caveat is the compound-page discipline: nearly all of it is rodent work on the isolated molecule, and the marquee human evidence — Silexan in anxiety — is a standardised lavender-oil extract, not pure linalool ^{1,19,22Reference 1Chioca LR et al. · 2013AnimalAnxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil inhalation in mice: participation of serotonergic but not GABAA/benzodiazepine neurotransmissionView study →Reference 19Kasper S et al. · 2014RCTLavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder — a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetineView study →Reference 22Kasper S et al. · 2017Silexan in generalized anxiety disorder: investigation of the therapeutic dosage range in a pooled data setView study →}.

Evidence by IndicationStrength of support · Beta

Support is an experimental score — weighted by study type (human > animal > in vitro) and volume. A beta, not a validated metric. Human efficacy data are the extract (Silexan), not the isolate, so isolate scores stay modest by design.

01Anxiolytic / sedativeShaky44%Rodent isolate (serotonergic/olfactory, adenylate-cyclase) + human data on the extract ^{1,5,6,19,22Reference 1Chioca LR et al. · 2013AnimalAnxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil inhalation in mice: participation of serotonergic but not GABAA/benzodiazepine neurotransmissionView study →Reference 5de Almeida RN et al. · 2009AnimalRosewood oil induces sedation and inhibits compound action potential in rodentsView study →Reference 6Sampaio LF et al. · 2012Linalool from rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) oil inhibits adenylate cyclase in the retina, contributing to understanding its biological activityView study →Reference 19Kasper S et al. · 2014RCTLavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder — a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetineView study →Reference 22Kasper S et al. · 2017Silexan in generalized anxiety disorder: investigation of the therapeutic dosage range in a pooled data setView study →}

02Analgesic / antinociceptiveShaky42%Multiple rodent isolate models; adenosine A1/A2A; β-cyclodextrin improves it ^{3,4,8Reference 3Peana AT et al. · 2004Effects of (−)-linalool in the acute hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, L-glutamate and prostaglandin E2View study →Reference 4Peana AT et al. · 2006Involvement of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in (−)-linalool-induced antinociceptionView study →Reference 8Quintans-Júnior LJ et al. · 2013Quintans-Júnior LJ, et al. (2013). β-Cyclodextrin-complexed (−)-linalool produces antinociceptive effect superior to that of (−)-linalool in experimental pain protocols. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23692366/View study →}

03Anti-inflammatoryShaky34%Isolate ↓ carrageenan oedema / hyperalgesia, TNF-α ^{2,3Reference 2Peana AT et al. · 2002Anti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oilsView study →Reference 3Peana AT et al. · 2004Effects of (−)-linalool in the acute hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, L-glutamate and prostaglandin E2View study →}

04Insecticidal / repellentShaky32%Field/diffuser mosquito repellency + larvicidal assays ^{14Reference 14Müller GC et al. · 2009Efficacy of the botanical repellents geraniol, linalool, and citronella against mosquitoesView study →}

05AnticonvulsantShaky30%Rodent isolate; glutamate/NMDA antagonism ^{9Reference 9Elisabetsky E et al. · 1999Anticonvulsant properties of linalool in glutamate-related seizure modelsView study →}

06Antimicrobial / antifungalShaky28%In-vitro against bacteria/fungi; mechanism reviews ^{12,13Reference 12Mączka W et al. · 2022Natural Compounds in the Battle against Microorganisms — LinaloolView study →Reference 13Simić A et al. · 2004The chemical composition of some Lauraceae essential oils and their antifungal activitiesView study →}

7. Local-Anaesthetic

A distinct, well-characterised nerve-level activity. Rosewood oil and isolated linalool inhibit the compound action potential of peripheral nerve — a conduction block of the kind procaine and menthol produce ^{5Reference 5de Almeida RN et al. · 2009AnimalRosewood oil induces sedation and inhibits compound action potential in rodentsView study →} — and in the classic lavender-oil assay the local-anaesthetic activity of linalool equalled procaine and menthol ^{10Reference 10Ghelardini C et al. · 1999Local anaesthetic activity of the essential oil of Lavandula angustifoliaView study →}.

Gap: preclinical nerve/tissue preparations and animal models only; no human local-anaesthetic use of the isolate ^{5,10Reference 5de Almeida RN et al. · 2009AnimalRosewood oil induces sedation and inhibits compound action potential in rodentsView study →Reference 10Ghelardini C et al. · 1999Local anaesthetic activity of the essential oil of Lavandula angustifoliaView study →}.

How Linalool Works

The throughline across most of linalool’s CNS effects is reduced neuronal excitability, reached through several parallel pathways rather than one receptor.

Glutamate & NMDA Signalling

Linalool competitively inhibits L-glutamate binding and reduces NMDA-receptor excitation, delaying NMDA-induced and blocking quinolinic-acid-induced convulsions ^{9Reference 9Elisabetsky E et al. · 1999Anticonvulsant properties of linalool in glutamate-related seizure modelsView study →}. The same anti-glutamatergic action plausibly underlies part of its antinociception ^{3Reference 3Peana AT et al. · 2004Effects of (−)-linalool in the acute hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, L-glutamate and prostaglandin E2View study →}.

Adenosine Receptors

(−)-Linalool’s antinociception is mediated in part by adenosine A1 and A2A receptors — it is attenuated by caffeine and by selective A1/A2A antagonists ^{4Reference 4Peana AT et al. · 2006Involvement of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in (−)-linalool-induced antinociceptionView study →}.

Serotonergic Signalling

The anxiolytic effect of inhaled linalool-dominant lavender oil depends on serotonergic neurotransmission and is not blocked by flumazenil, arguing against a GABAA/benzodiazepine route ^{1Reference 1Chioca LR et al. · 2013AnimalAnxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil inhalation in mice: participation of serotonergic but not GABAA/benzodiazepine neurotransmissionView study →}.

Adenylate Cyclase & Cyclic AMP

Linalool from rosewood oil inhibits adenylate cyclase (reducing forskolin-stimulated cAMP) in retinal/CNS tissue, a route to lowered excitability and sedation ^{6Reference 6Sampaio LF et al. · 2012Linalool from rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) oil inhibits adenylate cyclase in the retina, contributing to understanding its biological activityView study →}.

Ion Channels & Nerve Conduction

Linalool and rosewood oil inhibit the compound action potential of peripheral nerve, a local-anaesthetic-type conduction block ^{5Reference 5de Almeida RN et al. · 2009AnimalRosewood oil induces sedation and inhibits compound action potential in rodentsView study →}, with activity equalling procaine and menthol in the lavender-oil assay ^{10Reference 10Ghelardini C et al. · 1999Local anaesthetic activity of the essential oil of Lavandula angustifoliaView study →}.

Inflammatory Mediators

Linalool (and linalyl acetate) reduce oedema and inflammatory hyperalgesia, with lowered TNF-α and prostaglandin-E2-associated hyperalgesia ^{2,3Reference 2Peana AT et al. · 2002Anti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oilsView study →Reference 3Peana AT et al. · 2004Effects of (−)-linalool in the acute hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, L-glutamate and prostaglandin E2View study →}.

Microbial Membranes

Against bacteria and fungi, linalool acts largely by permeabilising and disrupting microbial membranes, the basis of its broad in-vitro antimicrobial activity ^{12Reference 12Mączka W et al. · 2022Natural Compounds in the Battle against Microorganisms — LinaloolView study →}.

A Unifying Interpretation

Most of linalool’s CNS repertoire collapses into one economical read: an excitability-lowering action built from anti-glutamatergic (NMDA), adenosine A1/A2A, adenylate-cyclase/cAMP and nerve-conduction effects. That single upstream theme explains the sedation, anxiolysis, anticonvulsant, analgesic and local-anaesthetic signals together, without needing a distinct receptor for each. Layered on top is a separate serotonergic component specific to the inhaled anxiolysis ^{1Reference 1Chioca LR et al. · 2013AnimalAnxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil inhalation in mice: participation of serotonergic but not GABAA/benzodiazepine neurotransmissionView study →}, while modulation of inflammatory mediators reinforces the analgesic effect ^{2,3Reference 2Peana AT et al. · 2002Anti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oilsView study →Reference 3Peana AT et al. · 2004Effects of (−)-linalool in the acute hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, L-glutamate and prostaglandin E2View study →}. The caveat carries through the whole picture: it is largely preclinical, and mostly on the isolate rather than any whole-plant product.

Chirality

Linalool is chiral and occurs as two enantiomers with the same molecular formula but different receptor and odour interactions. Many studies do not specify which enantiomer was used, which complicates interpretation.

(R)-(−)-Linalool

Also called licareol, this is the form that dominates lavender and rosewood; its aroma is softer, sweeter and more floral, and it is the enantiomer used in the human autonomic/mood odour study ^{11,16Reference 11Kuroda K et al. · 2005Sedative effects of the jasmine tea odor and (R)-(−)-linalool, one of its major odor components, on autonomic nerve activity and mood statesView study →Reference 16Aprotosoaie AC et al. · 2014ReviewLinalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological propertiesView study →}.

(S)-(+)-Linalool

Also called coriandrol, this is the form that dominates coriander and sweet orange; its aroma is sharper and more citrus-like ^{16Reference 16Aprotosoaie AC et al. · 2014ReviewLinalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological propertiesView study →}.

Pharmacokinetics

Linalool is lipophilic and volatile. In rodents it is rapidly absorbed after oral dosing and extensively metabolised by hepatic cytochrome P450 — oxidised at the 8-position to 8-hydroxy- and 8-carboxy-linalool, plus reduction to dihydro- and tetrahydrolinalool — then glucuronidated and excreted mainly in urine, with repeated dosing inducing liver microsomal P450 ^{15Reference 15Chadha A · 1984AnimalMetabolism of geraniol and linalool in the rat and effects on liver and lung microsomal enzymesView study →}. Two practical consequences for the compound page: (1) its rapid metabolism and volatility are exactly why formulation tricks such as β-cyclodextrin complexation prolong and strengthen its effects ^{8Reference 8Quintans-Júnior LJ et al. · 2013Quintans-Júnior LJ, et al. (2013). β-Cyclodextrin-complexed (−)-linalool produces antinociceptive effect superior to that of (−)-linalool in experimental pain protocols. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23692366/View study →}; and (2) the therapeutically interesting route is often inhaled/olfactory, so plasma levels are not the whole story ^{1Reference 1Chioca LR et al. · 2013AnimalAnxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil inhalation in mice: participation of serotonergic but not GABAA/benzodiazepine neurotransmissionView study →}. Robust human ADME — Cmax, half-life, oral bioavailability of the isolate — is not well established; most PK is rodent, and the human “dose” that exists is the Silexan extract, not pure linalool ^{19Reference 19Kasper S et al. · 2014RCTLavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder — a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetineView study →}.

Inhalation & Olfactory Exposure

A large share of linalool’s real-world and experimental exposure is inhaled, which makes aromatherapy findings hard to attribute to a plasma level. Inhaled effects can act through several channels at once: lung absorption into the circulation, direct olfactory sensory signalling to limbic/autonomic centres, learned emotional and associative responses to the odour, and downstream autonomic changes (heart-rate and heart-rate-variability shifts) ^{1,11Reference 1Chioca LR et al. · 2013AnimalAnxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil inhalation in mice: participation of serotonergic but not GABAA/benzodiazepine neurotransmissionView study →Reference 11Kuroda K et al. · 2005Sedative effects of the jasmine tea odor and (R)-(−)-linalool, one of its major odor components, on autonomic nerve activity and mood statesView study →}. Because these routes overlap, a behavioural effect after inhalation cannot be cleanly assigned to pharmacology versus expectation, and the isolate’s human inhalation PK is not well characterised.

Clinical Trials

There are no substantial controlled efficacy trials of isolated linalool. The human evidence comes from a whole oil and from small odour studies.

Standardized Lavender Oil (Silexan)

Silexan is a standardised Lavandula angustifolia flower oil (a linalool + linalyl-acetate preparation), studied in generalized anxiety disorder against placebo and active comparators. It reduced anxiety symptoms comparably to paroxetine in a randomised double-blind trial ^{19Reference 19Kasper S et al. · 2014RCTLavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder — a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetineView study →}, and a pooled dose-ranging analysis found 160 mg/day superior to placebo on all outcomes, with 80 mg/day also effective ^{22Reference 22Kasper S et al. · 2017Silexan in generalized anxiety disorder: investigation of the therapeutic dosage range in a pooled data setView study →}. This is a whole oil, not isolated linalool.

Odour & Autonomic Studies

Small human studies of (R)-(−)-linalool and linalool-containing odours report autonomic and mood shifts ^{11Reference 11Kuroda K et al. · 2005Sedative effects of the jasmine tea odor and (R)-(−)-linalool, one of its major odor components, on autonomic nerve activity and mood statesView study →}, but they are limited by expectancy effects and the difficulty of blinding an aroma.

Last checked: July 2026.

Isolate vs. Plant Studies

This is the crux of the linalool file, and the two evidence bases point in different directions.

Evidence for the Isolate

The mechanistic and behavioural work is overwhelmingly the isolated molecule in rodents: the Peana antinociception/anti-inflammatory series ^{2,3,4Reference 2Peana AT et al. · 2002Anti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oilsView study →Reference 3Peana AT et al. · 2004Effects of (−)-linalool in the acute hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, L-glutamate and prostaglandin E2View study →Reference 4Peana AT et al. · 2006Involvement of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in (−)-linalool-induced antinociceptionView study →}, the Elisabetsky anticonvulsant/glutamate work ^{9Reference 9Elisabetsky E et al. · 1999Anticonvulsant properties of linalool in glutamate-related seizure modelsView study →}, the de Almeida/Sampaio sedation and adenylate-cyclase studies ^{5,6Reference 5de Almeida RN et al. · 2009AnimalRosewood oil induces sedation and inhibits compound action potential in rodentsView study →Reference 6Sampaio LF et al. · 2012Linalool from rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) oil inhibits adenylate cyclase in the retina, contributing to understanding its biological activityView study →}, the β-cyclodextrin analgesia ^{8Reference 8Quintans-Júnior LJ et al. · 2013Quintans-Júnior LJ, et al. (2013). β-Cyclodextrin-complexed (−)-linalool produces antinociceptive effect superior to that of (−)-linalool in experimental pain protocols. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23692366/View study →} and Ghelardini’s local-anaesthetic assay ^{10Reference 10Ghelardini C et al. · 1999Local anaesthetic activity of the essential oil of Lavandula angustifoliaView study →} all test linalool (or (−)-linalool) directly. As a preclinical mechanism base for the isolate, this is a genuine strength.

Evidence for Plant Extracts

The human efficacy evidence, by contrast, is a plant extract. Silexan is a standardised lavender-flower oil, and its generalized-anxiety trials are extract results ^{19,22Reference 19Kasper S et al. · 2014RCTLavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder — a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetineView study →Reference 22Kasper S et al. · 2017Silexan in generalized anxiety disorder: investigation of the therapeutic dosage range in a pooled data setView study →}; the inhaled lavender-oil anxiolysis study used the oil, not purified linalool ^{1Reference 1Chioca LR et al. · 2013AnimalAnxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil inhalation in mice: participation of serotonergic but not GABAA/benzodiazepine neurotransmissionView study →}; and the antidepressant-type effect in rodents was for linalool-rich Amazonian oils, not the isolate ^{7Reference 7Dos Santos ÉRQ et al. · 2018AnimalLinalool-rich essential oils from the Amazon display antidepressant-type effect in rodentsView study →}. The correct framing is therefore: strong isolate mechanism + meaningful clinical lavender-oil evidence + little direct human isolate efficacy — the two are not interchangeable.

Its Role in Plants

Linalool is biosynthesised from the universal monoterpene precursor geranyl diphosphate by linalool synthases, a family of terpene synthases; the first of these enzymes was characterised as the source of S-linalool in the scented flowers of Clarkia breweri ^{20Reference 20Dudareva N et al. · 1996Evolution of floral scent in Clarkia: novel patterns of S-linalool synthase gene expression in the C. breweri flowerView study →}. In the plant it serves several functions.

Pollinator Attraction

As a major floral-scent volatile, linalool helps attract pollinators — the Clarkia work directly links up-regulated linalool-synthase expression in petals and reproductive tissue to the emergence of a strong sweet floral scent ^{16,20Reference 16Aprotosoaie AC et al. · 2014ReviewLinalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological propertiesView study →Reference 20Dudareva N et al. · 1996Evolution of floral scent in Clarkia: novel patterns of S-linalool synthase gene expression in the C. breweri flowerView study →}.

Plant Defence

Linalool also contributes to plant defence, consistent with its insecticidal and repellent activity against herbivores ^{16Reference 16Aprotosoaie AC et al. · 2014ReviewLinalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological propertiesView study →}.

Chemical Communication

On damage or herbivory, plants release induced volatiles including linalool as chemical signals — a communication role that overlaps its defensive function ^{16Reference 16Aprotosoaie AC et al. · 2014ReviewLinalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological propertiesView study →}.

Prevalence in Nature

Linalool is one of the most widespread monoterpenes in the plant kingdom, reported from hundreds of species across many families — prominently Lamiaceae (lavender, basil, thyme, mint, rosemary), Lauraceae (rosewood, cinnamon), Rutaceae (bergamot, citrus), Apiaceae (coriander) and Annonaceae (ylang-ylang) ^{16Reference 16Aprotosoaie AC et al. · 2014ReviewLinalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological propertiesView study →}. It occurs as both enantiomers, often species-specific: (R)-(−)-linalool (licareol) dominates lavender and rosewood, while (S)-(+)-linalool (coriandrol) dominates coriander and sweet orange. Its abundance varies enormously by species, chemotype, plant part, growing conditions and extraction method, and it commonly co-occurs with related monoterpene alcohols such as α-terpineol and the sibling volatile geraniol ^{16Reference 16Aprotosoaie AC et al. · 2014ReviewLinalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological propertiesView study →}.

Major Natural Sources

Source	Plant part	Reported linalool content
Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora)	heartwood oil	~80–93%
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)	seed oil	~60–80%
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)	flower oil	~25–38%
Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata)	flower oil	~7–24%

These figures are the percentage of the essential oil, not of the whole plant, and are comparative ranges that shift with chemotype and method ^{16Reference 16Aprotosoaie AC et al. · 2014ReviewLinalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological propertiesView study →}.

Other Reported Sources

Linalool is also reported from:

• Bergamot
• Cannabis
• Ceylon cinnamon
• Chickweed
• Fish mint
• Holy basil
• Jasmine
• Lemongrass
• Muira puama
• Rosemary
• Sweet basil
• Thyme (linalool chemotype)

Both thyme and basil have dedicated linalool chemotypes in which the molecule is the defining volatile.

Discovery & Synthesis

Linalool entered chemistry through perfumery: it was characterised as the principal odorant of Bois de rose (rosewood) oil, and the botanical/perfumery names for its enantiomers — licareol and coriandrol — trace to those source oils (rosewood/Licaria and coriander) ^{16Reference 16Aprotosoaie AC et al. · 2014ReviewLinalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological propertiesView study →}. It became a foundational aroma chemical of the fragrance and flavour industry, one of the highest-tonnage odorants in use ^{16Reference 16Aprotosoaie AC et al. · 2014ReviewLinalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological propertiesView study →}.

Patents: not yet researched.

Commercial Production

The overwhelming majority of commercial linalool is now manufactured by total synthesis — industrial routes from pinene/turpentine or petrochemical isoprene-derived intermediates, via dehydrolinalool hydrogenation — because synthesis is cheaper and gives a consistent product ^{16Reference 16Aprotosoaie AC et al. · 2014ReviewLinalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological propertiesView study →}. This also reduces reliance on over-harvested wild rosewood: Aniba rosaeodora natural stands in the Amazon have been depleted by deforestation and destructive harvesting, and the species is on the IUCN red list of endangered species ^{21Reference 21Baloch FS et al. · 2022Applicability of the iPBS-retrotransposon marker system for assessing genetic diversity and population structure of Peruvian rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) germplasmView study →}. Botanical linalool (lavender, rosewood, coriander oils) remains commercially important where a natural-source label or the full essential-oil matrix is wanted.

Toxicity & Safety

The dominant safety fact about linalool is not the molecule — it’s what the molecule turns into in air. Pure linalool is a low-toxicity, food-grade volatile with a long history of dietary and fragrance use; the key concern is its oxidation products.

Oxidized Linalool & Contact Allergy

On air contact linalool autoxidises to linalool hydroperoxides, which are far stronger skin sensitisers than the parent. Alongside limonene hydroperoxides, they are among the most frequent fragrance contact allergens on patch testing: roughly 8–9% of tested dermatitis patients react to linalool hydroperoxides in consecutive patch-test series (this is a figure for tested dermatitis patients, not the general population), though many reactions are weak and some are irritant ^{17Reference 17Schubert S et al. · 2023Patch testing hydroperoxides of limonene and linalool in consecutive patients — results of the IVDK 2018–2020View study →}. Linalool features on essential-oil contact-allergy reviews for the same reason ^{18Reference 18de Groot AC · 2016Essential Oils, Part IV: Contact AllergyView study →}. In short: fresh linalool is a weak sensitiser; oxidised linalool is a common allergen.

Factors That Increase Oxidation

Sensitiser formation rises with air and time. Higher-risk oils tend to be:

• Old, or long past opening
• Frequently opened (repeated air exposure and headspace)
• Stored warm or in sunlight
• Poorly sealed
• Formulated without an antioxidant (e.g. tocopherol)

Practical mitigation is to use fresh, well-sealed, antioxidant-protected oils and to avoid old or oxidised oil on skin.

Sedation & Interactions

As a centrally sedative monoterpene, linalool could in principle add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants ^{5,6Reference 5de Almeida RN et al. · 2009AnimalRosewood oil induces sedation and inhibits compound action potential in rodentsView study →Reference 6Sampaio LF et al. · 2012Linalool from rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) oil inhibits adenylate cyclase in the retina, contributing to understanding its biological activityView study →}. This is a plausible but not well-quantified interaction in humans, and it is far more relevant to concentrated essential oils than to the trace amounts in food.

Essential Oils vs. Whole Plants

The exposure that matters — for both sensitisation and any systemic effect — is essential oils, concentrates and standardised extracts, where linalool is present at high fractions. Whole herbs carry much lower amounts. “Natural” does not mean “harmless”: the concentrated oil is a different exposure from the plant.

Pregnancy/lactation is a per-herb / per-supplement decision and is not adjudicated on this molecule page; human reproductive data for isolated linalool are limited, and no isolate-specific verdict is issued here.

Safety at a Glance

✅ Low / no toxicityAllergy riskSedating

• The parent molecule is low-toxicity. A common food-flavour volatile with low acute oral toxicity, used in the diet and in fragrance for centuries ^{16Reference 16Aprotosoaie AC et al. · 2014ReviewLinalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological propertiesView study →}.
• Oxidised linalool is the real hazard. Air-formed linalool hydroperoxides are one of the most frequent positive fragrance allergens on patch testing (≈8–9% of tested dermatitis patients) — fresh, well-stored, antioxidant-protected oil matters ^{17,18Reference 17Schubert S et al. · 2023Patch testing hydroperoxides of limonene and linalool in consecutive patients — results of the IVDK 2018–2020View study →Reference 18de Groot AC · 2016Essential Oils, Part IV: Contact AllergyView study →}.
• Old or oxidised oils are riskier than fresh. Age, heat, sunlight, repeated opening and poor sealing all raise the sensitiser load.
• Additive sedation, in principle. As a sedative monoterpene it could compound alcohol and other CNS depressants; a theoretical, poorly-quantified interaction more relevant to oils than to food traces ^{5,6Reference 5de Almeida RN et al. · 2009AnimalRosewood oil induces sedation and inhibits compound action potential in rodentsView study →Reference 6Sampaio LF et al. · 2012Linalool from rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) oil inhibits adenylate cyclase in the retina, contributing to understanding its biological activityView study →}.
• Essential oils ≫ whole herbs for meaningful exposure, and human pregnancy data for the isolate are limited.

Dosage

There is no established or recommended human dose for isolated linalool. Cited efficacy figures in the literature are preclinical rodent research doses — the anticonvulsant and analgesic work used hundreds of mg/kg ^{9Reference 9Elisabetsky E et al. · 1999Anticonvulsant properties of linalool in glutamate-related seizure modelsView study →} — and are not convertible to human self-dosing.

Typical Forms of Human Exposure

• Foods and spices (a common natural flavour volatile)
• Fragranced cosmetics and skincare
• Perfumes and household fragrance products
• Inhaled essential oils (aromatherapy)
• Diluted topical essential oils
• Oral standardised oil products (e.g. Silexan)

Silexan

The closest studied human oral “dose” is the standardised lavender-oil extract Silexan at roughly 80 mg/day and 160 mg/day in anxiety trials ^{19,22Reference 19Kasper S et al. · 2014RCTLavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder — a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetineView study →Reference 22Kasper S et al. · 2017Silexan in generalized anxiety disorder: investigation of the therapeutic dosage range in a pooled data setView study →}. This is a linalool + linalyl-acetate extract, not isolated linalool, and these are research figures — not a personal recommendation.

References

1. Chioca LR, et al. (2013). Anxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil inhalation in mice: participation of serotonergic but not GABAA/benzodiazepine neurotransmission. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23524167/
2. Peana AT, et al. (2002). Anti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oils. Phytomedicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12587692/
3. Peana AT, et al. (2004). Effects of (−)-linalool in the acute hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, L-glutamate and prostaglandin E2. European Journal of Pharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15336945/
4. Peana AT, et al. (2006). Involvement of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in (−)-linalool-induced antinociception. Life Sciences. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16343551/
5. de Almeida RN, et al. (2009). Rosewood oil induces sedation and inhibits compound action potential in rodents. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19505550/
6. Sampaio LF, et al. (2012). Linalool from rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) oil inhibits adenylate cyclase in the retina, contributing to understanding its biological activity. Phytotherapy Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21544884/
7. Dos Santos ÉRQ, et al. (2018). Linalool-rich essential oils from the Amazon display antidepressant-type effect in rodents. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29037915/
8. Quintans-Júnior LJ, et al. (2013). β-Cyclodextrin-complexed (−)-linalool produces antinociceptive effect superior to that of (−)-linalool in experimental pain protocols. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23692366/
9. Elisabetsky E, et al. (1999). Anticonvulsant properties of linalool in glutamate-related seizure models. Phytomedicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10374249/
10. Ghelardini C, et al. (1999). Local anaesthetic activity of the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia. Planta Medica. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10630108/
11. Kuroda K, et al. (2005). Sedative effects of the jasmine tea odor and (R)-(−)-linalool, one of its major odor components, on autonomic nerve activity and mood states. European Journal of Applied Physiology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15976995/
12. Mączka W, et al. (2022). Natural Compounds in the Battle against Microorganisms — Linalool. Molecules. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36296521/
13. Simić A, et al. (2004). The chemical composition of some Lauraceae essential oils and their antifungal activities. Phytotherapy Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15478207/
14. Müller GC, et al. (2009). Efficacy of the botanical repellents geraniol, linalool, and citronella against mosquitoes. Journal of Vector Ecology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20836800/
15. Chadha A, Madyastha KM. (1984). Metabolism of geraniol and linalool in the rat and effects on liver and lung microsomal enzymes. Xenobiotica. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6475100/
16. Aprotosoaie AC, et al. (2014). Linalool: a review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological properties. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/ffj.3197
17. Schubert S, et al. (2023). Patch testing hydroperoxides of limonene and linalool in consecutive patients — results of the IVDK 2018–2020. Contact Dermatitis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37177844/
18. de Groot AC, Schmidt E. (2016). Essential Oils, Part IV: Contact Allergy. Dermatitis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27427818/
19. Kasper S, et al. (2014). Lavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder — a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetine. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24456909/
20. Dudareva N, et al. (1996). Evolution of floral scent in Clarkia: novel patterns of S-linalool synthase gene expression in the C. breweri flower. The Plant Cell. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8768373/
21. Baloch FS, et al. (2022). Applicability of the iPBS-retrotransposon marker system for assessing genetic diversity and population structure of Peruvian rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) germplasm. Molecular Biology Reports. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35023008/
22. Kasper S, et al. (2017). Silexan in generalized anxiety disorder: investigation of the therapeutic dosage range in a pooled data set. International Clinical Psychopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28379882/

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