Have you ever experienced the uplifting zing of biting into a lemon rind? Or the soothing effects of a lavender bath bomb? What about cannabis that smelled just like pine trees?
Terpenes are organic chemical compounds produced by plants. Used as a defense mechanism against animals, bugs and pathogens, terpenes are produced by many plants, especially citrus trees and conifers, and are responsible for their signature aromas.
In the weed plant’s resinous, sticky flowers are particularly high levels of terpenes. Together with cannabinoids, these aromatic compounds help dictate the high you experience from consuming the flower.
For example, the terpene limonene, found in lemons, other citrus, and many strains of cannabis, creates an uplifting experience, whether you’re smelling a lemon rind or smoking lemon haze.
Here are some common terpenes found in cannabis, and their associated effects.
Terpene
Bisabolol
Aroma
Nutty · Fruity · Herbal
Boiling Point
597°F
Effects
Enhances skin absorption
Found In
Chamomile, sage
Benefits
Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial
Terpene
Camphene
Aroma
Fir Needles · Woody Earth
Boiling Point
318°F
Effects
Uplifting or relaxing
Found In
Rosemary, Vicks VapoRub
Benefits
Antibacterial, antiseptic
Terpene
Caryophyllene
Aroma
Pepper · Woody · Spicy
Boiling Point
246°F
Effects
May help feeling "too high"
Found In
Black pepper, cloves, cinnamon
Benefits
Antioxidant, anti-anxiety
Terpene
Cymene
Aroma
Woody · Spicy · Sweet
Boiling Point
350°F
Effects
Energizing, anti-inflammatory
Found In
Thyme, anise, marjoram
Benefits
Mood disorders, anti-bacterial
Terpene
Eucalyptol
Aroma
Minty · Cool
Boiling Point
349°F
Effects
Cooling, relaxing, relieving
Found In
Eucalyptus tree, camphor
Benefits
Pain relief, sinus pressure relief
Terpene
Geraniol
Aroma
Floral · Fruity
Boiling Point
446°F
Effects
Calming
Found In
Lemon, tobacco, citronella oil
Benefits
Neuroprotectant, antibiotic
Terpene
Humulene
Aroma
Ginger · Ginseng
Boiling Point
529°F
Effects
Appetite suppressant
Found In
Hops, clove, sage, black pepper
Benefits
Anti-inflammatory, analgesic
Terpene
Limonene
Aroma
Lemon · Orange
Boiling Point
350°F
Effects
Elevated mood, stress relief
Found In
Citrus, juniper, peppermint
Benefits
Anti-depressant, gastric reflux
Terpene
Linalool
Aroma
Floral · Citrus
Boiling Point
388°F
Effects
Sedating, calming
Found In
Lavender, laurel, citrus
Benefits
Anti-depressant
Terpene
Myrcene
Aroma
Sweet · Musk · Cloves
Boiling Point
330°F
Effects
Sedating, relaxing
Found In
Mango, basil, lemongrass
Benefits
Antiseptic, anti-insomnia
Terpene
Nerolidol
Aroma
Rose · Citrus · Apple
Boiling Point
529°F
Effects
Relaxing, enhances skin absorption
Found In
Ginger, jasmine, lemongrass
Benefits
Anti-parasitic, anti-fungal
Terpene
Ocimene
Aroma
Herbaceous · Sweet · Woody
Boiling Point
347°F
Effects
Energizing
Found In
Mint, orchids, bergamot
Benefits
Anti-inflammatory, antiviral
Terpene
Pinene
Aroma
Pine · Sweet
Boiling Point
312°F
Effects
Alertness, memory retention
Found In
Rosemary, orange peel, basil
Benefits
Asthma, arthritis suppressant
Terpene
Terpineol
Aroma
Floral · Apple
Boiling Point
423°F
Effects
Relaxing, sedative
Found In
Lilac, pine and orange trees
Benefits
Antibiotic, antioxidant
Terpene
Terpinolene
Aroma
Lemon peel · Pine · Floral
Boiling Point
365°F
Effects
Sedative or energizing
Found In
Nutmeg, tea tree oil, apples
Benefits
Antibacterial, sleep enhancer
Terpene
Valencene
Aroma
Citrus · Sweet · Woody
Boiling Point
253°F
Effects
Bug repellant, skin protectant
Found In
Oranges, grapefruit, tangerines
Benefits
Anti-inflammatory, antifungal
| Terpene | Aroma | Boiling Point | Effects | Found In | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bisabolol | Nutty · Fruity · Herbal | 597°F | Enhances skin absorption | Chamomile, sage | Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial |
| Camphene | Fir Needles · Woody Earth | 318°F | Uplifting or relaxing | Rosemary, Vicks VapoRub | Antibacterial, antiseptic |
| Caryophyllene | Pepper · Woody · Spicy | 246°F | May help feeling "too high" | Black pepper, cloves, cinnamon | Antioxidant, anti-anxiety |
| Cymene | Woody · Spicy · Sweet | 350°F | Energizing, anti-inflammatory | Thyme, anise, marjoram | Mood disorders, anti-bacterial |
| Eucalyptol | Minty · Cool | 349°F | Cooling, relaxing, relieving | Eucalyptus tree, camphor | Pain relief, sinus pressure relief |
| Geraniol | Floral · Fruity | 446°F | Calming | Lemon, tobacco, citronella oil | Neuroprotectant, antibiotic |
| Humulene | Ginger · Ginseng | 529°F | Appetite suppressant | Hops, clove, sage, black pepper | Anti-inflammatory, analgesic |
| Limonene | Lemon · Orange | 350°F | Elevated mood, stress relief | Citrus, juniper, peppermint | Anti-depressant, gastric reflux |
| Linalool | Floral · Citrus | 388°F | Sedating, calming | Lavender, laurel, citrus | Anti-depressant |
| Myrcene | Sweet · Musk · Cloves | 330°F | Sedating, relaxing | Mango, basil, lemongrass | Antiseptic, anti-insomnia |
| Nerolidol | Rose · Citrus · Apple | 529°F | Relaxing, enhances skin absorption | Ginger, jasmine, lemongrass | Anti-parasitic, anti-fungal |
| Ocimene | Herbaceous · Sweet · Woody | 347°F | Energizing | Mint, orchids, bergamot | Anti-inflammatory, antiviral |
| Pinene | Pine · Sweet | 312°F | Alertness, memory retention | Rosemary, orange peel, basil | Asthma, arthritis suppressant |
| Terpineol | Floral · Apple | 423°F | Relaxing, sedative | Lilac, pine and orange trees | Antibiotic, antioxidant |
| Terpinolene | Lemon peel · Pine · Floral | 365°F | Sedative or energizing | Nutmeg, tea tree oil, apples | Antibacterial, sleep enhancer |
| Valencene | Citrus · Sweet · Woody | 253°F | Bug repellant, skin protectant | Oranges, grapefruit, tangerines | Anti-inflammatory, antifungal |