Terpenes 101
Bisabolol
Bisabolol, also known as Levomenol or alpha-Bisabolol, is a sesquiterpene with a warm floral fragrance similar to honey, apples, and chamomiles.
Aroma: Subtle sweet fruity-floral scent reminiscent of apples, honey, or chamomile with citrus, tangy notes.
Effects: It has a range of potential benefits, including potent anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties with analgesic effects. It is used in the cosmetics industry for being a great natural panthenol source and having anti-aging, anti-irritant, and skin healing properties that help with wound healing.
Boiling Point: 172 °C (446 °F, 503 K)
Borneol
Borneol is an amazing bicyclic monoterpene, considered a staple of Asian traditional medicine due to its array of therapeutic effects. It can be found in many plant species such as rosemary, mint, and camphor.
Aroma: Known for emitting a calming minty herbal, woody, camphor-like aroma with earthy undertones.
Effects: Borneol facilitates digestion, improves cardiovascular health, treats bronchial symptoms, helps the body heal wounds, sooths the skin, promotes relaxation, and acts as an effective anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Perfect for rheumatic diseases and often used as a topical pain reliever. Acts like a potent anticoagulant and anti-fibrosis agent and also inhibits the growth and development of fungus while stimulating the immune system.
Boiling Point: 213 °C (415.4 °F, 486 K)
Camphene
Camphene is a bicyclic monoterpene, that was once used as fuel for lamps in the 19th century. Besides being found in camphor, it is present in citronella, ginger, lavender, pine, and fir trees.
Aroma: Known for its earthy scent enriched with notes of citrus and mint. Its earthy aroma with woodsy undertones are reminiscent of fir needles.
Effects: Camphene possesses anti-inflammatory antibiotic, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. It has a positive effect on cardiovascular health, lowering cholesterol and triglycerides while maintaining healthy bronchial passages. It is widely used in topical medicines for its healing effect on skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and athlete’s foot.
Boiling Point: 159 °C (318.2 °F, 432 K)
Caryophyllene
Caryophyllene, more formally beta-caryophyllene, is a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene found in a variety of plants such as black pepper, clove, cinnamon, and cannabis.
Aroma: Citrus, Spice, Pepper, Earthy
Effects: Due to its unique ability to bind with CB2 receptors, beta-caryophyllene has potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. It is known to help relieve anxiety and pain, reduce cholesterol, prevent Osteoporosis, and treat seizures.
Boiling Point: 245.3 °C (473.5 °F, 746.65 K)
Delta 3 Carene
Delta 3 Carene is a bicyclic monoterpene, responsible for the intense, sweet and citrusy aroma of cypress trees. It can also be found in rosemary, basil, bell peppers, cedar, turpentine, and pine
Aroma: Sweet piney aroma with lemon nuance and earth undertones.
Effects: Widely considered a natural antihistamine, analgesic, and helpful anti-inflammatory agent for diseases like fibromyalgia, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Possibly promotes memory retention, stimulates mental sharpness, focus, and concentration, which can be helpful with symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Boiling Point: 170-172 °C (338-342 °F, 443-445 K)
Eucalyptol
Eucalyptol, also known as Cineole, is a monoterpenoid known for its great health benefits. You can find it in rosemary, tea tree, camphor laurel, bay leaves, and cardamom.
Aroma: Fresh, strong, soothing, minty fragrance with a spicy yet cooling taste.
Effects: Eucalyptol is a potent analgesic with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and insect repelling properties. Scientists also suspect it may help treat asthma and lower blood pressure.
Boiling Point: 176-177 °C (349-351 °F, 449-450 K)
Geraniol
Geraniol is a monoterpenoid, with a rose-like scent that is hard to forget. This floral terpene is not only secreted by plants but it is also produced by bees through their olfactory glands.
Aroma: Rose grass notes, peaches, and plums
Effects: Geraniol studies have shown its great potential as a neuroprotectant with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidepressant effects.
Boiling Point: 230 °C (446 °F, 503.15 K)
Humulene
Humulene, also known as α-caryophellene, is a monocyclic sesquiterpene that is responsible for the hoppy type smell in cannabis. You can find it in hops, ginseng, sage, clove, and basil.
Aroma: Woody, Hoppy, Spicy, Herbal, Earthy
Effects: Humulene has anti-inflammatory, pain relieving properties, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, and appetite suppressant.
Boiling Point: 106 °C (222.8 °F, 379.15 K)
Limonene
Limonene is a primary terpene naturally found in fruit rinds, rosemary, juniper, and peppermint. It’s often added to medicine, food, perfume, and home cleaning products.
Aroma: Fresh lemon scent
Effects: Limonene is known for being an excellent mood enhancer with anti-anxiety, anti-depressive, and stress relieving effects. Its uplifting effects make it a great pick for daytime use. It also has antifungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-carcinogenic properties. In addition, it can help with weight loss, bronchitis, and gastrointestinal disorders like acid reflux or heartburn.
Boiling Point: 176 °C (348.8 °F, 449.15 K)
Linalool
Linalool is a terpene that is commonly found in many different types of plants, including lavender, mint, and cinnamon. It is also found in high concentration in some strains of cannabis.
Linalool is also used in cosmetics, soaps, and perfumes for its pleasant scent, and as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages.
Aroma: Floral, lavender-like aroma with notes of spice.
Effects: Linalool is known to have a calming and relaxing effect, it can help with reducing anxiety, stress and insomnia. It may also have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It may also play a role in the treatment of certain types of seizures. Some studies show that topical application of linalool can help to reduce the severity of eczema symptoms.
Boiling Point: 198 °C (388.4 °F, 471.15 K)
Myrcene
Myrcene, also known as β-myrcene, is the most abundant terpene found in cannabis. Besides cannabis it is commonly found in many different types of plants, including mangoes, bay leaves, thyme, lemongrass, and hops.
Aroma: Earthy, musky aroma with notes of fruit and spice.
Effects: Myrcene is known to have sedative and relaxing effects, it can enhance the effects of THC and other cannabinoids, making the high from cannabis more intense and relaxing. It may also have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. Myrcene has a ‘couch-lock’ effect, which is described as a sedative and muscle-relaxing effects. It is also known for its ability to lower the resistance across the blood-brain barrier, allowing for easier passage of molecules.
Boiling Point: 167 °C (332.6 °F, 440.15 K)
Pinene
Pinene is a collection of unsaturated bicyclic monoterpenes. Two geometric isomers of pinene are found in nature, α-pinene and β-pinene. It is one of the most abundant terpenes in nature and is commonly found in many different types of plants, including pine trees, rosemary, and basil. As the name suggests, pinenes are found in pines and is the major component of the liquid extracts of conifers.
Pinene is often used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages, as well as in perfumes and cleaning supplies for its fresh, pine-like aroma.
Aroma: Crisp, earthy, woodsy, fresh pine-like smell
Effects: Pinene is known to have anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, and local antiseptic properties, which makes it useful in treating asthma and other respiratory conditions. It is also known to improve memory and concentration.
Boiling Point: 155 °C (311 °F, 428.15 K)
Phytol
Phytol is a secondary terpene that is the essential compound of green tea varieties such as sencha and matcha. It is also found in lettuce and citrus fruits. It is also a common food additive and a precursor to manufacturing synthetic vitamins E and K1.
Aroma: Floral upfront with balsamic undertones
Effects: Phytol is an excellent sedative with anticonvulsant and anti-anxiety effects.
Boiling Point: 204 °C (399 °F, 477.15 K)
Terpinolene
Terpinolene is a monoterpene that is commonly found in many different types of plants, including tea tree, nutmeg, oregano, cumin, apples, and conifers.
Aroma: Fresh, pine-like aroma with notes of floral and citrus.
Effects: Terpinolene is known to have sedative and relaxing effects, it can be helpful in managing anxiety and promoting restful sleep. It also has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and known to be a good insect repellent. Some studies also suggest terpinolene to have potential anticancer properties.
Boiling Point: 186 °C (366.8 °F, 459.15 K)
Trans-nerolidol
Trans-nerolidol, more commonly called nerolidol, is a sesquiterpene present in rose, citronella, jasmine, ginger, tea tree, and other plants, among cannabis.
Aroma: Woody, Hoppy, Spicy, Herbal, Earthy
Effects: Nerolidol is known to have sedative and relaxing effects, it can be helpful in managing anxiety and promoting restful sleep. Studies show it also has anti-cancer, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory characteristics.
Boiling Point: 145-146°C (293 °F, 418.15 K)
Valencene
Valencene is a sesquiterpene that is naturally found in citrus fruits, specifically in fruit rinds of oranges and tangerines.
Aroma: Fresh, sweet, and fruity citrus scent, with a hint of a floral aroma.
Effects: Valencene has anti-inflammatory properties and it’s also been found to be effective against certain types of fungal infections, such as Candida albicans. It has uplifting and energizing effects, that can help combat fatigue and improve mood. It also has anti-allergic effects and acts as a bronchodilator.
Boiling Point: 123 °C (253.4 °F, 396.15 K)
