Costunolid

Costunolide a sesquiterpene lactone is a component of costus oil (root oil of Saussurea lappa L.), as well as laurel oil (extract from Laurus nobilis L. the laurel), and various other plants. Costunolide is a component of the sesquiterpene lactone mix for epicutaneous testing.
Use
Costunolide is only important because of its sensitizing effect. The pure substance is not used as a fragrance. Costunolide is essentially responsible for the allergenic effect of costus root oil, but also of laurel oil! A perfume allergy is often due to the presence of such essential oils containing costunolide. Costus root oil also contains dehydrocostus lactone, which aggravates the allergenic effect of costunolide.

1. Hausen BM (1988) Allergy plants - plant allergens - Handbook and atlas of allergy-inducing wild and cultivated plants. ecomed publishing company, Landsberg
2. Paulsen E (2016) Systemic allergic dermatitis caused by sesquiterpene lactones. Contact dermatitis doi: 10.1111/cod.12671.
3. Kanerva L et al (2001) Patch test sensitization to Compositae mix, sesquiterpene-lactone mix, Compositae extracts, laurel leaf, chlorophorin, Mansonone A, and dimethoxydalbergione. On J Contact Dermat 12:18-24.