There are more than 200 known terpenes in the cannabis plant. However, most of the cannabis you consume—along with most of the cannabis products you could currently find on the market—only contain a small fraction of the total terpenes that exist.
The terpenes you’re most likely to come across in the cannabis you’re consuming include Linalool, Limonene, Caryophyllene, a-Pinene, Terpinolene, Camphene, Terpineol, Phellandrene, Carene, Humulene, Pulegone, Sabinene, Geraniol, Myrecene, Ocimene, and Humulene.
a-Pinene:
Bicyclic monoterpenoid (Vaporizes at 311°F)
a-Pinene is nature’s most prevalent terpene. As the name suggests, the a-Pinene terpene is responsible for the piney aroma and taste you often come across in cannabis flower. This terpene is also, not surprisingly, found in pine needles. This terpene is also found in a number of household herbs like parsley, dill, rosemary, and basil.
Potential effects:
- Helps to improve memory.
- Alterness.
- May lessen the effects of THC.
Potential medicinal properties:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Expectorant (can be used for treating coughs)
- Bronchodilator (used for the alleviation of asthma)
- Local antiseptic
Strains with a-Pinene:
- Purple Kush
- AK-47
- Bay Dream
Myrcene:
Monoterpene (Vaporizes at 366°F (186°C))
Myrcene is the most common and abundant terpene that you will find in cannabis. This terpene has an aroma and taste similar to what you would find in cloves—specifically, a very earthy flavour. Cannabis strains containing large amounts of Myrcene (over 0.5%) may lead to tiredness and lethargy. Myrcene is also found in bay leaves, lemon grass, wild thyme, eucalyptus, oil of hops, and citrus fruits. Myrcene is also known to execrate the effect of certain cannabinoids like THC. This means that strains with high levels of Myrcene may have a greater psychoactive impact.
Potential effects:
- Lethargic
- Relaxation
- Sedative
Potential medicinal properties:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain treatment
- Treatment of insomnia and sleeping disorders
- Antioxidant
- Lowering of resistance across the blood to brain barrier
- Analgesic
- Anti-mutagenic
- Antibiotic
- Preventative of peptic ulcer disease
Strains with Myrcene:
- Amnesia
- Trainwreck
- Grandaddy Purple
Limonene:
Monocyclic Monoterpenoid (Vaporizes at 348°F (176°C))
Limonene is a terpene that lives up to its name. It offers a strong aroma and taste of lemons, oranges, and limes. This terpene is behind the lemony taste and smell of cannabis strains like Lemon G and Hindu Kush. Limonene is also a major component of many citrus fruits, as well as herbs like rosemary, juniper, and peppermint. It also helps the body to absorb other terpenes. Limonene has been shown to supress many forms of bacteria and fungi, which is why it has potential anti-fungal medicinal properties. It’s also been shown to contribute to weight loss.
Potential effects:
- Mood booster
- Stress relief
- Uplifting
Potential medicinal properties:
- Pain treatment
- Anti-inflammatory
- Treatment of anxiety
- Depression
- Anti-fungal
Strains with Limonene:
- Hindu Kush
- Lemon G
- Strawberry Banana
Caryophyllene:
Sesquiterpene (Vaporizes at 266°F (130°C))
Caryophyllene is a peppery and spicy terpene. This terpene can be found in cinnamon leaves, cloves, black pepper, and Thai basils. It has a peppery and spicy aroma and flavour. Interestingly, Caryophyllene is the only terpene that’s known to interact with the human endocannabinoid system.
Potential effects:
- Stress relief
- Elevated mood
Potential medicinal properties:
- Treatment of depression
- Pain treatment
- Treatment of anxiety
- Anti-inflammatory
- Treatment of ulcers
Strains with Caryophyllene:
- GSC
- GG4
- Fire OG
Linalool:
Non-cyclic monoterpenoid (Vaporizes at 388°F (198°C)
Linalool is a terpene that can most be related to lavender—both in its aroma, taste, and effects. This terpene has a floral aroma and taste that is similar to lavender. And like lavender, this terpene has calming effects. This is why Linalool may be used to treat sleeping disorders and promote restfulness. Some studies have also suggested that this terpene can help promote a highly functioning immune system. Linalool can be found in many tropical plant species, and is commonly produced by plants in the Lamiaceae family, which includes many mints and scented herbs.
Potential effects:
- Sedating
- Sleepiness
- Mood boost
Potential medicinal properties:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain treatment
- Treatment of neurodegeneration
- Treatment of anxiety
- Treatment of insomnia and sleeping disorders
Strains with Linalool:
- Kosher Kush
- Romulan
- Sour Kush
Humulene:
Sesquiterpene, Vaporizes at 222°F (106°C)
This earthy terpene can be most related to hops, and is what gives certain types of beer their hoppy flavour and aroma. Humulene is most commonly found in sativa cannabis strains. This terpene has long been used in Chinese medicines, and has been found to promote weight loss.
Potential medicinal properties:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-tumour
- Anti-bacterial
- Appetite suppressant
Strains with Humulene:
- GSC
- Black Cherry OG
- Death Star
Ocimene:
(Vaporizes at 122°F (50°C)
Ocimene is a terpene with a sweet, earthy aroma and flavour. It can be found in many herbs and fruits such as pepper, mangoes, basil, parsley, mint, and kumquats.
Potential medicinal properties:
- Antibacterial
- Antiseptic
- Decongestant
- Antiviral
Strains with Ocimene:
- Silver Bubble
- Sensi Star
- Durban Poison
Terpinolene:
(Vaporizes at 366°F (186°C)
Terpinolene is a floral, piney terpene that can be found in many trees, plants, and fruits. Specifically, Terpinolene can be found in apples, nutmeg, conifer trees, cumin, and lilacs.
Potential effects:
- Sleepiness
- Sedative
Potential medicinal properties:
- Antifungal
- Antibacterial
- Sedative
- Antioxidant
Strains with Terpinolene:
- Dutch Treat
- Agent Orange
- Ghost Train Haze
Camphene:
Monoterpene
This plant-derived terpene emits an earthy, damp, and somewhat piney aroma. Camphene can be compared to the scent of damp woodlands. Some studies have shown that this terpene may serve as an alternative to pharmaceutical lipid lowering agents. It’s also found in many essential oils, such as camphor oil, turpentine, citronella oil, and ginger oil.
Potential medicinal properties:
- Treatment of heart disease, liver damage, and muscle inflammation.
- Reduction of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides
Terpineol:
Monoterpenoid
Terpineol has been compared to lilacs in terms of its aroma and flavour. This terpene often appears in cannabis strains that also contain high levels of pinene. This terpene is known to have very relaxing effects.
Potential effects:
- Calming
- Relaxing
Potential medicinal properties:
- Anti-anxiety
- Antiboitic
- AChe inhibitor
Phellandrene:
Phellandrene is a terpene with an aroma and flavour reminiscent of peppermint, with a citrus twist. In traditional Chinese medicines, this terpene has been used to treat digestive disorders. Phellandrene can be found in tumeric leaf oils and eucalyptus oils. This terpene can also be found in ginger.
Potential medicinal properties:
- Anti-fungal
- Treatment of digestive disorders
Carene:
Bicyclic monoterpene
Carene is an aromatically sweet and pungent terpene that can be found in many essential oils like juniper berry oil and fir needle oil. When inhaled, especially in high concentrations, this terpene can cause irritation to the throat and eyes. Carene can be found in fruits, vegetables, and plants like grapefruits, orange juie, lemons, limes, tangerines, kumquats, bell peppers, and mandarines.
Potential effects:
- High concentrations of carene may cause itchy throat, coughing, and itchy eyes.
Potential medicinal properties:
- Dries out excess bodily fluids (tears, mucus, sweat)
- Central nervous system depressant
Pulegone:
Monocyclic monoterpenoid
This terpene is not particularly prevalent in cannabis. This terpene can be found in higher concentrations in rosemary. It has been shown to contain relaxing, sedative, and fever-reducing properties. It may also reduce some of the negative effects of THC, such as short-term memory loss. Some claim that this terpene has an aroma similar to insecticides.
Potential effects:
- Sedative
- Reduces certain effects of THC
Potential medicinal properties:
- Fever-reduction
- Allows nerve cells to communicate effectively
- Sedative
Sabinene:
Bicyclic monoterpene
Sabinene has a spicy, citrusy, and piney aroma. This terpene can be found in herbs and plants such as black pepper, basil, and certain spruce trees.
Potential effects:
- Sedative
Potential medicinal properties:
- Fever-reduction
- Treatment for short-term memory loss
- Reduce certain negative effects of THC.
- Fever reduction
Geraniol:
This terpene has an aroma reminiscent of roses. This sweet smelling terpene is often used in bath and body products.
Potential medicinal properties:
- Treatment of neuropathy
