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Sabah Snake Grass

Q: Is Sabah Snake Grass natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Sabah snake grass is primarily a medicinal herb with no commercial essential oil for perfumery. As a fragrance note, it is a fantasy accord evoking green, earthy qualities..

GREENS, HERBS AND FOUGERES / green · fresh · earthy

Sabah Snake Grass

Category	GREENS, HERBS AND FOUGERES
Subcategory	green · fresh · earthy
Origin
Volatility	Heart Note
Botanical	Clinacanthus nutans
Appearance	Long, narrow lanceolate dark green leaves on slender stems; mild herbaceous scent
Odor Strength	Medium
Producing Countries	Malaysia, Thailand
Pyramid	Heart

A unique herb known for its fresh, green aroma with subtle earthy undertones, used in niche perfumery.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Sabah Snake Grass has a crisp, green aroma of freshly cut grass and foliage, with subtle earthy undertones.

Scent Evolution

It resembles freshly mowed grass, adding a fresh, bracing touch to compositions.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Fresh, green with earthy undertones

After a few hours

Green notes remain prominent

After a few days

Earthy aspects deepen over time

The Full Story

Sabah Snake Grass, scientifically known as Clinacanthus nutans, is a tropical herb native to Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Thailand. Traditionally used in local medicine, it is valued in perfumery for its aromatic profile, and its leaves are the part used.

Origin and Production

Sourcing Sabah Snake Grass requires careful harvesting, as the leaves must be fresh. Long used in Southeast Asian cultures for its reputed medicinal properties, it brings a note of cultural heritage to fragrance.

Chemistry and Scent Profile

In perfumery, Sabah Snake Grass provides a fresh green note that supports a natural, botanical character. It is used mainly in niche perfumes. It reflects the trend of using botanical elements for both scent and their reputed benefits in modern fragrance-making.

Did You Know?

Sabah Snake Grass is known for its aromatic properties and its traditional medicinal uses.

Explore all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

Did You Know?

Did you know?

In Malaysia, Sabah snake grass is called belalai gajah (elephant trunk) for the curved shape of its flower spikes. The plant gained popularity in the 2010s after claims of anti-cancer properties, though clinical evidence remains limited.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Sabah snake grass is primarily a medicinal herb with no commercial essential oil for perfumery. As a fragrance note, it is a fantasy accord evoking green, earthy qualities.

Molecular Formula	Key compounds: cerebrosides, trans-3-methylsulfinyl-2-propenol, clinamide
CAS Number	N/A — herbal extract, no single CAS
Botanical Name	Clinacanthus nutans
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	belalai gajah, snake grass, sabah snake herb
Physical Properties
Odor Strength	Medium
Lasting Power	200 hours
Appearance	Long, narrow lanceolate dark green leaves on slender stems; mild herbaceous scent

In Perfumery

Sabah snake grass (Clinacanthus nutans) is a heart note contributing green, herbaceous freshness with a faintly medicinal undertone. The plant is used extensively in Southeast Asian traditional medicine but is marginal in commercial perfumery. Its green character is milder than galbanum, less sharp than basil — a soft, leafy green suitable for naturalistic garden accords. Works alongside other tropical green notes like pandan and lemongrass.