Borneol - future potential of essential oils

Abstract

Gusmailina. 2015. Borneol - future potential of essential oils. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1 (2): 259-264. Borneol is a non-timber forest product which is widely distributed in nature as essential oils. Borneol is used as a raw material in the perfume industry and as esterifying agents for antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, stimulant cardiac, respiratory aid, and anthelmintic in pharmacopeia. It is also known as Bing Pian in China, widely used in sanitary napkins because it relieves pain and stress during menstruation, relaxes muscles and joints, cleanses blood clot, acts as anti-microbial, and many other uses. For commercial uses, borneol is generally synthesized in crystal form from turpentine oil or camphor. This paper presents information about borneol and its prospects as a commodity of essential oils in Indonesia. Borneol originated from Dryobalanops aromatica is sought as an alternative traditional medicine and aromatherapy. Appropriate uses of borneol could overcome problems of blood clots in brain or heart. Sustainable harvesting and management should be implemented and under strict controls of the stakeholders. Instead of cutting down, trees should only be tapped to harvest the borneol and then it can be transformed into crystal form. Borneol crystal is much more expensive than the oil one. There must be strict standards to control this commodity so that the borneol should only be sold in crystal form.