Terpenes Revisited
There are currently over 120 identified terpenes and more are continuing to be discovered. You may have noticed the packaging or product descriptions of recreational products listing the terpene profile. In a simple sense, Terpenes contribute to the aroma and fragrance of the plant, but terpenes are also responsible for providing synergistic effects with the THC/CBD/Other Terps contained in the flower.
Image from Leafly(2018)
Top 15 Terpenes Explained
1. Myrcene
Myrcene is the most abundant terpene in cannabis, which is where it’s mostly found in nature. In fact, one study showed that myrcene makes up as much as 65% of total terpene profile in some strains.
The smell of Myrcene often reminds us of earthy, musky notes, similar to cloves. It also has a fruity, red grape-like aroma.
Strains that contain 0.5% of this terpene are usually indicas, packed full of sedative effects. Myrcene is also supposedly useful in reducing inflammation and chronic pain, which is why it’s usually recommended as a supplement during cancer treatments.
Strains that are rich in myrcene are Skunk XL, White Widow, and Special Kush.
2. Limonene
Limonene is the second most abundant terpene in cannabis, but not all strains necessarily have it.
As the name itself says, limonene produces a citrusy smell that resembles lemons, which is no surprise as all citrus fruits contain large amounts of this compound. Limonene is used in cosmetics and also in cleaning products.
When it comes to its therapeutic purposes, limonene is a mood-booster and a stress-reducer. Researchers found it to have anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, with one study even suggesting that limonene may play a role in reducing tumor size.
Getting a hold of this terpene is easy — strains that have “lemon” or “sour” in their name are usually rich in limonene.
Some good examples of these are O.G. Kush, Sour Diesel, Super Lemon Haze, Durban Poison, Jack Herer, and Jack the Ripper.
3. Linalool
If you’ve ever wondered what makes cannabis smell the way it does, myrcene and linalool are to blame. With its spicy and floral notes, this terpene is one of the most abundant in the majority of strains out there and, together with myrcene produces that pungent and spicy scent.
Linalool can also be found in lavender, mint, cinnamon, and coriander. What’s interesting is that just like those aromatic herbs, linalool also produces sedation and relaxation.
Patients suffering from arthritis, depression, seizures, insomnia and even cancer, have all found relief with this amazing terpene.
Some well-known linalool strains are Amnesia Haze, Special Kush, Lavender, LA Confidential, and OG Shark.
4. Caryophyllene
Best known for its spicy and peppery note, caryophyllene is also found in black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and spices like oregano, basil, and rosemary.
Beta-caryophyllene binds to CB2 receptors, which makes it an ingredient in anti-inflammatory topicals and creams. Caryophyllene is the only terpene that binds to cannabinoid receptors.
Besides its analgesic and anxiolytic properties, some studies have found that caryophyllene has a very promising role in alcohol rehabilitation.
Strains like Super Silver Haze, Skywalker and Rock Star are all rich in caryophyllene.
5. Alpha-pinene and Beta-pinene
These twin terpenes smell like pine trees which is also where they can be found in large amounts. Other plants rich in pinene include rosemary, orange peels, basil, parsley and cannabis, of course.
Like many other, pinene terpenes have an anti-inflammatory effect on humans.
They also help improve the airflow and respiratory functions, while also helping reduce memory loss related to excessive THC consumption.
Strains that are great sources of pinene are Jack Herer, Strawberry Cough, Blue Dream, Island Sweet Skunk, Dutch Treat, and Romulan.
6. Alpha-bisabolol
Alpha-bisabolol (also known as levomenol and bisabolol) has a pleasant floral aroma and is also present in chamomile flower and candeia tree.
This terpene found its use primarily in the cosmetics industry, but lately it has caught the attention of researchers for its supposed medical benefits.
Alpha-bisabolol proved to be effective in treating bacterial infections and wounds and is a great antioxidant with anti-irritation and analgesic properties.
It can be found in strains like Harle-Tsu, Pink Kush, Headband, OG Shark, and ACDC.
7. Eucalyptol
Also known as cineole, eucalyptol is the primary terpene of the eucalyptus tree. It produces minty tones but most cannabis strains only have it in traces. On average, it makes up around 0.06% of the complete cannabis terpene profile.
Eucalyptol is extensively used in cosmetics as well as medicine. When it comes to its medical value, eucalyptol relieves pain but also slows down the growth of bacteria and fungus.
You can get your daily dose of eucalyptol with strains like Super Silver Haze(one of my favourite strains) and Headband.
8. Trans-nerolidol
This is a secondary terpene, found mostly in flowers like jasmine, lemongrass, and tea tree oil. Its smell is a mixture of rose, lemon and apple tones, and can be described in general as both woody and citrusy.
Trans-nerolidol is best known for its antiparasitic, antioxidant, antifungal, anticancer and antimicrobial properties.
Strains like Jack Herer(another of my faves), Sweet Skunk, and Skywalker OG are all rich in nerolidol.
9. Humulene
Humulene is the first terpene found in hops and its aroma is made up of earthy, woody and spicy notes.
Besides cannabis, it can be also found in clove, sage, and black pepper.
It has many medical properties. Also, it proved to be effective in suppressing appetite, which could make it a potential weight loss tool.
Furthermore, like many other terpenes mentioned above, humulene also reduces inflammation, relieves pain and fights bacterial infections.
You can find humulene in strains like White Widow, Headband, Girl Scout Cookies(yet again, another fave), Sour Diesel, Pink Kush and Skywalker OG.
10. Delta 3 Carene
This terpene is found in a number of plants, like rosemary, basil, bell peppers, cedar and pine. Its aroma is sweet and resembles the smell of cypress.
When it comes to its medical properties, Delta 3 carene seems to be beneficial in healing broken bones, which is a beacon of hope for patients suffering from osteoporosis and arthritis.
11. Camphene
The best way to describe the smell of camphene is fir needles, musky earth, and damp woodlands. Camphene’s aroma is often mistaken with myrcene, which is that trademark cannabis smell as most of us know it.
Camphene has great potential in medicine. When mixed with vitamin C, it becomes a powerful antioxidant and it is widely used in conventional medicine as a topical for skin issues like eczema and psoriasis.
Its greatest potential, however, lies in its ability to lower the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, both of which are connected to many cardiovascular diseases.
Camphene is present in Ghost OG, Strawberry Banana and Mendocino Purps.
12. Borneol
Borneol, with its herbal minty scent, can be found in herbs like rosemary, mint, and camphor.
This terpene is a good natural insect repellent, which makes it great for preventing diseases like the West Nile virus, which is passed by ticks, fleas, mosquitoes etc. One study even found that borneol kills breast cancer cells.
Strains high in borneol are Amnesia Haze, Golden Haze, K13 Haze.
13. Terpineol
The aroma of terpineol can be described as floral-like, reminiscent of lilacs, apple blossom, and a hint of lemon. Terpineol has a pleasant scent, similar to lilac, and is a common ingredient in perfumes, cosmetics, and food.
It is a well-known relaxant and is usually the one responsible for the notorious couch-lock effect which is often connected with indica strains. Medical benefits of terpineol also include antibiotic and antioxidant properties.
It can be found Girl Scout Cookies, Jack Herer, and OG Kush.
14. Valencene
This terpene got its name from sweet Valencia oranges — where it’s present in large amounts. With its sweet citrusy aroma and flavor, it’s also used as an insect repellant.
Even though we don’t know much about valencene, we do know that it can be found in strains like Tangie and Agent Orange.
15. Geraniol
Besides cannabis, geraniol can be found in lemons and tobacco. Its smell resembles a mixture of rose grass, peaches, and plums.
It’s usually used in aromatic bath products and body lotions.
It’s present in strains like Amnesia Haze, Great White Shark, Afghani, Headband, Island Sweet Skunk, OG Shark and Master Kush.
