What, you ask, are TERPENES?!?! They are the essential oils present in many plants, fruits, and herbs. Those magical compounds found in essential oils, resins, and balsams are also found in CANNABIS! Ever wonder what makes Skunk smell so skunky or how in the world Blueberry tastes and smells so much like actual blueberries? Well, my friends, it is the wonder that is terpenes.
In fact, as we learn more and more about cannabis we are learning that what makes cannabis do what it does and to what degree is terpenes! So many folks rely on THC percentages when what we should really be talking about is terpenes. That is why we are doing it right here at The Moose and using our noses to guide us to the strains that will be best for our bodies. Smelling what you are buying before you buy it is SO IMPORTANT! Once you get to know the terpenes that are in the various strains that your body likes best you can even better dial in a customized high. Let me introduce you to some of these now!
LINALOOL – This terpene is commonly found in lavender. It tends towards uplifting relaxation. Have you ever sprayed lavender essential oil on your pillow before you go to sleep? Try it! You will likely sleep like a sweet baby angel because linalool is basically The Sandman, but not in a creepy way. Linalool-rich strains are awesome for depression or sleeplessness. Some examples of strains high in linalool are Lavender (obviously), Romulan, Headband, and Skywalker OG.
LIMONENE – As the name suggests, this citrusy powerhouse is all about GOOD VIBES. Basically, it is smelly sunshine! Found in citrus fruit rinds, peppermint, rosemary, and juniper. In other words, stuff that wakes you up and makes you feel good! Strains high in limonene are awesome for anxiety and depression. Some examples of strains high in limonene are Super Lemon Haze, Green Crack, Lemon OG, Tangie, and (oddly enough) Strawberry Banana!
PINENE – As it’s name suggests pinene is commonly found in pine needles, conifers, and sage. It is helpful for things like asthma as it is a bronchodilator (it expands the lungs!). It is also awesome for alertness and memory retention. It can help counteract the effects of THC, as well. Strains rich in pinene include AK-47, Bay Dream, Purple Kush, Blue Dream, Dutch Treat, and Jack Herer.
MYRCENE – Myrcene is the most common terpene in cannabis. This musky dreamboat is commonly found in cloves, mango, thyme, lemongrass, and bay leaves. It has been rumored that eating tons of mango when you are high will get you more high. Although I have had questionable luck with it myself it is because of it’s high myrcene content that this may be possible! Myrcene does all kinds of magical things like act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It is highly sedative and often the culprit behind “couch lock”. Strains high in myrcene include Northern Lights, Granddaddy Purple, Green Crack, Amnesia, and Trainwreck.
CARYOPHYLLENE – This lil beauty also found in black pepper, cinnamon, basil, and oregano is a hot pepper of a stress reliever! You may have heard that cracking a fresh peppercorn and giving it a good sniff can bring you back down when you are feeling high strung and stressed. Well, that is our cool pal caryophyllene doing it’s job. Great for pain, anxiety, and insomnia. Strains high in caryophyllene are Girl Scout Cookies, White Widow, Gorilla Glue #4, OG Kush, and Chemdawg.
HUMULENE – Holy hops, Batman! This compound is most commonly found in good ol’ hops, coriander, basil, and cloves. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and an appetite suppressant are the top physical effects that this dude delivers. Awesome for pain (anti-inflammatories be like that!). Strains featuring high quantities of humulene are Death Star, Sour Diesel, Headband, OG Kush, and Black Cherry OG.
OCIMENE – Found most prominently in mint, parsley, orchids, and kumquats. The potential medical value of ocimene is legion. Including being antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, and a decongestant (break up all of that phlegm!). Strains containing ocimene are Sensi Star, Durban Poison, and Silver Bubble.
DELTA-3 CARENE – This earthy and pine-smelling fellow is said to be the “bone-repairing” terpene! It is also purported to be the cause of dry eye and cotton mouth, as it dries out bodily fluids. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and is awesome for depression. It naturally occurs in juniper berry, fir, cypress, grapefruit, and bell pepper. Strains rich in Carene are Super Lemon Haze, Super Silver Haze, and Skunk #1.
VALENCENE – As the name suggests, Valencia oranges are where this terpene can be naturally found. It smells like sweet orange and makes an excellent natural insect repellant. This stuff is basically sunshine and Adderall combined. But from nature, which is way better. It’s anti-inflammatory, promotes cognitive function, helps alertness, and is a bronchodilator (increases airflow to lungs). Strains high in Valencene are Agent Orange, Jillybean, Tangie, and Clementine.
EUCALYPTOL – Another one that is given away by it’s name, this terpene can obviously be found in eucalyptus leaves, as well as sage, bay leaves, tea tree, cardamom, and rosemary. It smells like mint, honey, and spice. It is frequently used in stuff like massage balms not only for it’s delightful scent and slight cooling tingle but also for its awesome anti-inflammatory properties. It also dilates blood vessels to increase oxygen delivery, boosts mental clarity, improves circulation, promotes dental health, and helps treat wounds. It is also a powerful insect repellant. WHOA. Strains rich in eucalyptol are Super Silver Haze, Headband, Bubba Kush, and Girl Scout Cookies.
FENCHOL – With a sweetly herbal and lemon-lime scent profile, fenchol can be found in basil and aster. It is antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-microbial, and analgesic. Strains rich in fenchol are Banana Kush and OG Kush.
CAMPHENE – Similar to Eucalyptol, Camphene has a pine and musk scent profile. It can be found naturally in camphor, conifers, valerian, holy basil, nutmeg, ginger, and rosemary. It is excellent for skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. It is anti-fungal, antibacterial, and analgesic. Strains high in camphene are Ghost OG, Strawberry Banana, and Mendocino Purps.
CYMENE – Another terpene that smells musky, herbal, and woodsy. It is naturally found in cumin, thyme, coriander, eucalyptus, oregano, and marjoram. Basically, a staple of your herb garden. It helps improve memory and is analgesic and antifungal. The only strain I could find that is lousy with Cymene is Mango Haze.
TERPINOLENE – Last but not least is terpinolene! Commonly found in tea tree, nutmeg, lilac, conifers, apples, and cumin. Another terpene that is anti all kinds of things, this one is antioxidant, anti-fungal, and anti-cancer! How cool is THAT?!? Makes you want to douse yourself in tea tree oil while eating loads of apple pie doesn’t it?!? No?!? Just me?!? Coolcoolcool. Anyways, it is a powerful sedative so great for treating insomnia. Strains high in terpinolene are Dutch Treat, Ghost Train Haze, and Agent Orange.
There are over 100 different terpenes that have been found in cannabis and the more we learn about this glorious plant, the more we will learn about the wondrousness of terpenes and all the awesome things they do for our bodies and minds. In the meantime, we have our noses to guide us to what our bodies know best. If your sniffer likes it, chances are pretty darn good the rest of you will also dig it.
We have all of these terpenes available at our in-store terpene educational station so feel free to come by and check out the science behind what makes cannabis do what it does! Thanks for reading!
Your friends at The Stoney Moose
