# Eucalyptol

> Eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) is a monoterpenoid ether with a cool, minty, camphor-like smell, the main compound in eucalyptus oil and a minor terpene in cannabis.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/eucalyptol.html
- Also written: 1,8-cineole, cineole, cineol, 1,8-cineol, eucalyptole
- Glossary category: Cannabinoids and terpenes · Evidence: Established
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

Eucalyptol, also called 1,8-cineole, is a cyclic [monoterpenoid](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/monoterpene.md) ether. It dominates eucalyptus oil and is present in rosemary, sage, bay laurel and cardamom. Its smell is fresh, cool, medicinal and camphorous. In cannabis it is usually a trace-to-minor component of the profile.

## In practice

Readings in flower are typically low, often [not detected](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/non-detect.md) to below 0.1% w/w. A few cultivars carry a recognisable "menthol" or eucalyptus note in which eucalyptol plays a part, though other compounds such as fenchol or borneol can contribute similar cool notes. Not every [terpene panel](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/terpene-test.md) includes it.

## Don't confuse with

- **Menthol**: a different monoterpenoid alcohol from mint; not typical in cannabis.
- **Camphor**: a ketone with a related smell, sometimes on extended panels.
- **Eucalyptus oil**: a mixture; eucalyptol is its main but not only component.

## Related terms

[Monoterpene](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/monoterpene.md), [Terpenoid](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/terpenoid.md), [Terpene profile](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/terpene-profile.md), [Alpha-pinene](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/alpha-pinene.md)

## Sources

1. Booth JK, Bohlmann J. 2019. Terpenes in Cannabis sativa: from plant genome to humans. Plant Science 284:67-72.