Sclareol is a fragrant chemical compound found in clary sage (Salvia sclarea), from which it derives its name. It is classified as a bicyclic diterpene

Diterpene

Diterpenes are a type of terpenes composed of four isoprene units. They derive from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. Diterpenes form the basis for biologically important compounds such as retinol, retinal, and phytol...

 alcohol

Alcohol

In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....

. It is an amber colored solid with a sweet, balsamic scent.

Sclareol is used as a fragrance in cosmetics and perfumes and as flavoring in food. Sclareol and other similar substances may be prepared from sclareolide

Sclareolide

Sclareolide is a sesquiterpene lactone natural product derived from various plant sources including Salvia sclarea, Salvia yosgadensis, and cigar tobacco...

.

Sclareol is also able to kill human leukemic cells and colon cancer cells by apoptosis.