Terpene Profile: Terpineol, A Dreamy and Pine-Scented Essential Oil
The cannabis industry is big on terpenes right now, and for good reason. These fragrant hydrocarbons—that’s another way of saying “essential oils”—are a powerful and informative way to characterize different strains of cannabis. As researchers are learning, they contribute much more than delicate and appealing flavors and aromas; terpenes like terpineol contribute a great deal to the cannabis plant’s medicinal qualities.
Don’t get us wrong: We’re not saying you should forget what you’ve learned about cannabinoids. Those all-natural compounds are still an extremely useful way to interpret cannabis strains and predict their effects.
But let’s stick with terpenes for the moment. Today we’re going to focus on terpineol, one of the ten most important of the terpenes in cannabis and one found in abundance in the natural world.
What Does Terpineol Smell and Taste Like?
Like many other terpenes, terpineol is found all over the earth. You’ll detect it in pine, many citrus fruits, the tea tree and roughly 150 other sources. It’s often used in cosmetics and soaps, and as a natural flavoring in foods. Some describe it as have a scent like fresh lilacs; other describe a characteristic sweet lime scent.
That said, “terpineol” isn’t one terpene, but a group of four related ones, each one slightly distinct from the others, chemically and aromatically speaking. A-terpineol, for instance, is one of the major contributors to the delightful aroma of lapsang souchong tea; it also occurs in eucalyptus sap, which should give you a strong hint to its scent profile.
What Can it Do for Us?
Many of the terpenes have strong anti-bacterial and antifungal qualities, and terpineol is no exception. Like tea tree oil, it has powerful anti-bacterial properties. Some of these could have life-saving implications; at least one study found that terpineol can effectively control E. coli, one of the most notorious and potentially dangerous food-borne pathogens.
Terpineol’s medical uses go further. It tends to exhibit an anti-inflammatory effect, especially when it comes to respiratory function. This may sound counterintuitive, but inhaling terpineol-rich cannabis (we recommend using a vaporizer, which doesn’t actually burn any plant matter) may help reduce inflammation in the lungs and airways, such as that caused by bronchitis and asthma. This is backed up by at least one rodent-based study published in 2015 which demonstrated e-terpineol’s anti-inflammatory effects.
And finally, terpineol has sedative and anxiolytic properties too. This may be one reason some users report “couch lock” associated with high-terpineol cannabis strains. In addition, a study concluded that terpineol and related terpenes exhibited anesthetic and pain-fighting qualities.
How to Get Terpineol from Cannabis
Terpineol is relatively easy to find in cannabis; some of the more readily available strains include:
White Widow is a potent, crystal-dusted strain, known for imparting a strong euphoric and energizing effect. Those resinous crystals should serve as a warning: This is an extremely potent strain with a high THC content.
GSC (formerly known as Girl Scout Cookies) is a potent high-THC strain also known for a robust CBD and CBN content. Be forewarned: The high is an enjoyable experience, but not one noted for inspiring focus and productivity!
Jack Herer: A legendary strain among medical cannabis users, this strain—named for the legendary cannabis activist and author of The Emperor Wears No Clothes—lends a blissful, clear-headed, and inspiring high