# Ocotea (Ocotea odorifera)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/ocotea
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-20
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Amazonian
**Also Known As:** Ocotea odorifera, canela-sassafrás, Brazilian sassafras, sassafrás-do-brasil, canela-preta, sassafras tree, South American sassafras

## Overview

Ocotea (Ocotea odorifera) is an Amazonian tree whose essential oil is rich in safrole and methyleugenol, phenylpropanoid compounds that drive its anti-inflammatory and [antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) properties. These compounds inhibit pro-[inflammatory pathway](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s and disrupt microbial membrane integrity, supporting its traditional use in South American herbalism.

## Health Benefits

• [Anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects demonstrated in mouse models (PMID: 32918995).
• Enhances antibiotic efficacy against MDR bacterial strains in vitro (PMID: 34656506).
• Exhibits antifungal activity, particularly against Candida parapsilosis (PMID: 20922478).
• Contains phenolic compounds with [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) (PMID: 28407959).
• Low cytotoxicity, indicating potential safety in preclinical assessments (PMID: 20922478).

## Mechanism of Action

Ocotea odorifera's primary bioactives, safrole and methyleugenol, modulate inflammatory signaling by inhibiting NF-κB activation and suppressing COX-2-mediated [prostaglandin](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) synthesis, as demonstrated in mouse models. Its phenolic constituents also disrupt fungal and bacterial cell membrane permeability, impairing efflux pump function in multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains and potentiating conventional antibiotic activity. Antioxidant effects are attributed to [free radical scaveng](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)ing by flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives present in bark and leaf extracts.

## Clinical Summary

Current evidence for Ocotea odorifera is limited to in vitro and animal studies, with no published human clinical trials. A mouse model study (PMID: 32918995) demonstrated significant reduction in [inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) markers following essential oil administration. In vitro research (PMID: 34656506) showed that Ocotea extracts reduced minimum inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics against MDR bacterial strains, and antifungal testing (PMID: 20922478) confirmed activity against Candida parapsilosis with measurable MIC values. The evidence base is preliminary and insufficient to establish efficacy or dosing recommendations for humans.

## Nutritional Profile

{"macronutrients": {"fiber": "Not specifically quantified, but present in moderate amounts typical of plant materials."}, "micronutrients": {"vitamins": {"Vitamin C": "Trace amounts, typical of plant-based sources."}, "minerals": {"Calcium": "Trace amounts, typical of plant-based sources.", "Magnesium": "Trace amounts, typical of plant-based sources."}}, "bioactive_compounds": {"Phenolic compounds": {"Concentration": "Approximately 0.5-1.5 mg/g", "Bioavailability": "Moderate, influenced by matrix effects and gut microbiota."}, "Linalool": {"Concentration": "Approximately 0.3-0.8 mg/g", "Bioavailability": "High, due to lipophilic nature and absorption in the gut."}, "Safrole": {"Concentration": "Approximately 0.1-0.3 mg/g", "Bioavailability": "Moderate, with potential metabolic conversion affecting bioactivity."}}}

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosages are available due to the absence of human trials. Preclinical models used unspecified concentrations for leaf decoctions and ethanolic fractions. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Safrole, a major constituent of Ocotea odorifera essential oil, is classified as a potential carcinogen by the FDA and IARC based on hepatotoxicity and tumor promotion in rodent studies at high doses, warranting caution with prolonged or high-dose use. Ocotea is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to safrole's potential genotoxic effects and insufficient safety data. Theoretical drug interactions exist with CYP450-metabolized medications, particularly CYP2E1 substrates, as safrole is a known CYP2E1 inducer that could alter drug [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management). No standardized safe dosage has been established for human supplemental use.

## Scientific Research

There are no human clinical trials or meta-analyses for Ocotea odorifera. The evidence is limited to preclinical studies, such as in vivo [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) assays in mice (PMID: 32918995) and in vitro antibacterial assays (PMID: 34656506).

## Historical & Cultural Context

Traditionally, Ocotea odorifera has been used in southern Brazilian folk medicine to treat [inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) conditions, rheumatism, and skin diseases. Its use is supported by ethnopharmacological documentation and preclinical findings (PMID: 32918995; PMID: 20922478).

## Synergistic Combinations

Erythromycin, Gentamicin, Nystatin, Fluconazole, Amphotericin

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is Ocotea odorifera used for?

Ocotea odorifera is used in Amazonian traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal agent. Preclinical studies support activity against Candida parapsilosis and MDR bacteria, and reduction of inflammatory markers in mouse models, though no human trials confirm these effects.

### Is Ocotea the same as cinnamon essential oil?

Ocotea odorifera belongs to the Lauraceae family, the same family as true cinnamon (Cinnamomum species), and shares some aromatic phenylpropanoid chemistry. However, Ocotea's dominant compounds are safrole and methyleugenol rather than cinnamaldehyde, giving it a distinct chemical profile and different pharmacological activity.

### Does Ocotea help with antibiotic resistance?

In vitro research (PMID: 34656506) found that Ocotea extracts can enhance the efficacy of conventional antibiotics against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains by inhibiting efflux pump mechanisms that bacteria use to expel antibiotics. This synergistic effect was demonstrated in laboratory settings only, and no clinical trials have tested this application in humans.

### Is Ocotea safe to take as a supplement?

Ocotea odorifera contains safrole, a compound restricted by the FDA due to hepatotoxic and potentially carcinogenic effects observed in high-dose animal studies. No established safe human dose exists, and it is contraindicated in pregnancy and for individuals taking CYP2E1-metabolized drugs. Use should be approached with caution and ideally under medical supervision.

### What antifungal activity does Ocotea have?

Ocotea odorifera essential oil demonstrated antifungal activity against Candida parapsilosis in standardized minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays (PMID: 20922478), with activity attributed to safrole and related phenylpropanoids disrupting fungal cell membrane function. Activity against other Candida species and dermatophytes has been noted in related Ocotea genus studies, but results are species- and strain-specific.

### Does Ocotea interact with antibiotics or antifungal medications?

Ocotea may enhance the effectiveness of certain antibiotics against drug-resistant bacteria according to in vitro research, but this does not necessarily mean it is safe to combine with prescription antibiotics without medical supervision. Because Ocotea contains bioactive compounds that affect microbial resistance pathways, anyone taking antibiotic or antifungal medications should consult their healthcare provider before adding Ocotea supplements. The clinical significance of these in vitro findings for human use remains unclear.

### What is the most bioavailable form of Ocotea supplement?

Ocotea is commonly available as an essential oil, dried herbal extract, or capsule, though published bioavailability studies directly comparing these forms in humans are limited. Essential oil and concentrated extract forms may deliver higher concentrations of active phenolic compounds, but absorption rates depend on individual factors including digestive health and whether it is taken with food. The optimal form and dosing strategy for maximum bioavailability have not been established through clinical research.

### What does current research show about Ocotea's strength of evidence for health benefits?

Most Ocotea research is preclinical, consisting of laboratory and animal studies demonstrating anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, but human clinical trials remain scarce. The evidence base is strongest for antifungal activity against specific Candida species and for enhancing antibiotic efficacy in controlled in vitro settings. More rigorous human studies are needed to confirm whether these promising laboratory findings translate to meaningful health benefits in actual supplementation.

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