Being chiral, borneol exists as enantiomers, both of which are found in nature: d-borneol (also written (+)-borneol) and l-borneol (or (−)-borneol).

[2] Borneol can be found in several species of Heterotheca,[3] Artemisia, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)[4] Dipterocarpaceae, Blumea balsamifera and Kaempferia galanga.

Exposure to higher levels or over a longer period of time may cause restlessness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and seizures.

[17] Borneol has been shown to have little to no irritation effect when applied to the human skin at doses used in fine fragrance formulation.

[18] Skin exposure can lead to sensitization and a future allergic reaction even to small quantities.

[17] The bornyl group is a univalent radical C10H17 derived from borneol by removal of hydroxyl and is also known as 2-bornyl.

[20] The structural isomer fenchol is also a widely used compound derived from certain essential oils.