Terpenes are classified as organic compounds. Different strains of cannabis have a wide variety of smells and tastes. Many terpenes affect the aroma and flavor profile of your bud. By mapping out the terpene profiles, we can predict and manipulate them. Changing the smell and flavor is pretty cool, but it’s not even the most exciting part about terpene research.
Some terpenes have been found to have medicinal benefits. That means, there are non-psychoactive compounds that can be used to safely treat an array of medical conditions. There are a ton of different terpenes in cannabis, but here are 11 profiles you should know about.
1. Limonene
Flavor / Aroma – Citrus.
Medicinal Uses – Limonene can be used to help promote weight loss, prevent and treat cancer, and treat bronchitis. It can also be used to make ointments and medicinal creams that penetrate the skin better.
Strain – Super Lemon Haze gets its name partially from the aroma, but did you know the smell is present because it contain’s Limonene?
2. Myrcene
Flavor / Aroma – Earthy and musky with a hint of fruity flavors.
Medicinal Uses – Myrcene has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory. It also works as a sedative and muscle relaxer. This could possibly contribute to the tired/stoney feeling often attributed to indicas.
Strain – A study found that most of the strains they tested contain high levels of Myrcene. One strain they tested, Lovrin 110, contained over 65% Myrcene.
3. Linalool
Flavor / Aroma – Floral with a hint of spice. In addition to cannabis, linalool can be found in an array of flowers, mint, cinnamon, and even some fungi.
Medicinal Uses – Can be used as an anti-inflammatory. It also helps to modulate motor movements. Another study found that Linalool could be used to help treat liver cancer.
Strain – A lab tested sample of Amnesia Haze showed slightly over 1% linalool.
4. Alpha Bisabolol
Flavor / Aroma – Floral. Alpha Bisabolol is also found in chamomile.
Medicinal Uses – Can be used to heal wounds, fights bacteria, and can be used a deodorizer. Research suggests Alpha Bisabolol has been effective in treating a variety of inflammation.
Strain – A strain called ‘Oracle’ was found to have high levels of Alpha Bisabolol.
5. Delta 3 Carene
Flavor / Aroma – Piney / earthy.
Medicinal Uses – Studies have found Delta 3 Carene to be an effective anti-inflammatory. It is also known to dry fluids like tears, running noses, and menstrual flows.
Strain – A research study examined 162 marijuana plants, which represented over 80 strains. They detected Carene in many of the samples.
6. Borneol
Flavor / Aroma – Earthy and camphor.
Medicinal Uses – Borneol can be used as an analgesic, anti-insomnia, anti-septic, and bronchodilator.
Strain – Haze strains such as K13 contain high amounts of Borneol.
7. Alpha-Pinene / Beta-Pinene
Flavor / Aroma – Pine. This is, of course, partially where pine trees get their scent from.
Medicinal Uses – Pinene has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Strain – One study examined 16 marijuana plants and found all the strains contained notable amounts of Alpha-Pinene and Beta-Pinene.
8. Eucalyptol
Flavor / Aroma – Spicy. Eucalyptol is used as a cooking spice and fragrance.
Medicinal Uses – Eucalyptol is used in a variety of products including cough suppressants, mouthwash, and body powder.
Strain – Some cannabis strains contain Eucalyptol, however, it is typically in very small amounts. An analysis of Super Silver Haze showed .06% Eucalyptol.
9. Terpineol
Flavor / Aroma – Pine, clove.
Medicinal Uses – Studies suggest cannabis-extracted terpineol contains antioxidant properties.
Strain – A marijuana testing lab claims Terpineol is a unique terpene found in Jack Herer and Jack crossbreeds.
10. Caryophyllene
Flavor / Aroma – Hoppy. Cannabis and hops are basically cousins.
Medicinal Uses – Studies suggest that Caryophyllene may help treat anxiety and depression.
Strain – Green House Seeds tested a hydroponic and a soil-grown specimen of Train Wreck. They found the soil grown cannabis contained .33% Caryophyllene. The hydronic only contained .07% Caryophyllene.
11. Camphene
Flavor / Aroma – Herbal.
Medicinal Uses – Camphene has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antibiotic characteristics.
Strain – One study suggests Camphene is significantly higher in concentration among ‘mostly indica’ strains.
More at: Mary Jane's Diary
