Guaiacwood (Bulnesia sarmientoi) is a woody essential oil with a smoky, sweet-wood aroma and a base note. Steam distillation from wood, it is a versatile blending oil that pairs well with Vetiver, Sandalwood (Australian), Rose. For topical use, keep dilution at or below 5%.
Guaiacwood (Bulnesia sarmientoi) is a woody essential oil, steam-distilled from the wood, produced in Paraguay and Argentina. Its aroma is smoky, sweet-wood, sitting as a base note in a blend. It's commonly paired with Vetiver, Sandalwood (Australian), Rose, Geranium. Keep topical use at or below 5%. Always patch-test first.
Aroma & character
Aroma
Traditional aromatherapy associations
Traditional associations only — not medical claims or evidence of efficacy.
Properties
| Perfumery note | Base |
| Aroma family | Woody |
| Chemical family | Sesquiterpenol |
| Material type | Essential oil |
| Extraction | Steam distillation |
| Plant part | wood |
| Origin | Paraguay, Argentina |
| Blending factor | 5 |
| Volatility index | 4 |
| Tenacity (hours) | 20.0 |
Safety & dilution
| Max topical dilution | 5% |
| Max facial dilution | 2.5% |
| Pregnancy | No specific caution recorded |
| Nursing | Generally suitable when properly diluted |
| Children | Generally suitable, well diluted (from ~6 years) |
| Cats | Generally suitable when properly diluted |
| Dogs | Generally suitable when properly diluted |
For education only — not medical or veterinary advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Always patch-test and consult a qualified professional before use during pregnancy, on children, with pets, or with a health condition.
Scale amounts to any container with the dilution calculator.
Blends well with
Frequently asked questions
What does Guaiacwood smell like?
Guaiacwood has a smoky, sweet-wood aroma, classed as a woody oil with a base note.
What is the safe dilution for Guaiacwood?
For topical use, keep Guaiacwood at or below 5%, and 2.5% on facial skin. Always patch-test before wider use.
Is Guaiacwood safe to use during pregnancy?
Our dataset records no specific pregnancy caution for Guaiacwood. That is not the same as it being established as safe — always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any essential oil during pregnancy.
Is Guaiacwood safe to use around children?
Guaiacwood is generally considered suitable for children when well diluted (from around 6 years old). Consult a professional for young children.
Is Guaiacwood safe around pets?
For cats — generally lower-risk when well diluted and diffused sparingly; dogs — generally lower-risk when well diluted. Diffuse only in ventilated spaces and consult a veterinarian.
What does Guaiacwood blend well with?
Guaiacwood pairs well with Vetiver, Sandalwood (Australian), Rose, Geranium, Patchouli.