The first in our MedicateOH series “Terpene Tidbits” explores linalool, a terpene that’s known for a wide range of medicinal properties.

Welcome to Terpene Tidbits

Today marks the start of “Terpene Tidbits”. Some of our favorite terpenes out there have so many cool things to learn about like… did you know linalool is thought to trigger “cell death” in certain kinds of cancer? Or maybe that celery has high amounts of myrcene in it? How about the fact that when we take a shower there are terpenes in our shampoos and conditioners? Every terp out there has its uses, so join me in learning about the wonderful world of terps*! 

Terpenes: What are they?

Terps, Terps, Terps. If you’re a cannabis user, then you may have heard this word from your local budtender.  It’s basically what gives cannabis its smell and taste. Terps can even help determine what kind of effects that specific cannabis cultivars possess.  They are found in every plant as well as different products that we use daily. 

Learn more about terpenes.

Linalool

Let’s go right into the first terpene: linalool. It’s commonly considered one of the top ten terpenes percentage-wise that you’ll find in cannabis. Although some cultivars in Ohio have produced strains with linalool as a top three terpene: Southside Legend, Ice Cream Cake, Greasy Runtz, Youforia and many more.

How to Detect Linalool

Reported aroma/flavor is lavender, woody, floral, or even sweet and tropical just depending on the isomeric form of the linalool. The calming effects that this terpene induces can be beneficial for many types of patients, whether they are using linalool to help them sleep or possibly for a specific ailment.

Linalool can help with many different ailments including carpal tunnel syndrome which indicates that inhaled linalool increased the antioxidant levels 100% of the time. Scientists also suspect linalool might be used as a prevention for mosquito-borne illness, lice treatment, and multiple forms of cancer. There was even a study that showed with cases of neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer’s) in mice, that linalool was able to restore cognitive and emotional function. This is a very promising terpene!

Linalool’s Biological Acitivities in Plants (including Cannabis)

Linalool also has many uses when it comes to biological activities in plants—especially in cannabis plants. When a cannabis cultivar is high in linalool, it can greatly deter aphids from sucking the sap off the plant, which is very important. When growing cannabis outdoors, having high amounts of linalool can act as an allelopathic which helps prevent unwanted weed growth. 

It’s thought that the best way to find linalool is by learning which products to buy that have high amounts present. Many products in the perfume and fragrance industries, as well as in consumer personal care products, use linalool in their production process. When it comes to scented personal care products and even scented cleaning products, linalool is added to 60% to 80% of the common ones available on the market today. Products like shampoo, conditioner, aftershave, hair gel and spray, and even deodorizers contain linalool.

Linalool in Fruit

Like fruit? Next time you’re at the grocery store get over to the produce section and buy some apricots, blueberries, mandarins, peaches, or even some yuzu! Consider some vegetables as well because carrots, celery, corn, and tomatoes are also high in linalool! Don’t like fruits or vegetables? That’s okay because spices like basil, black pepper, cinnamon, dill, garlic, mint, and sage just to name a few have high amounts of linalool as well!

Find Linalool in Ohio MMJ Strains

Thanks so much for joining me on this journey to learn about the wonderful world of terps! Make sure to watch out for the next Terpene Tidbit!

*Source:

Russ Hudson, The Big Book of Terps Understanding Terpenes, Flavonoids, and Synergy in Cannabis, Edited by Jacqueline Graddon, MBA, Pages 151-160.

Author

  • Tyler Baker

    Tyler Baker is a medical cannabis patient in the state of Ohio and was the first to purchase in Lorain County. Tyler has been using cannabis since 2009 to treat epilepsy and has become an advocate for cannabis normalization since that time. He says: "My passion for cannabis is unshaken; I want everyone to look at this plant as a natural healer that can be beneficial for their well-being."

    View all posts

1 COMMENT

Comments are closed.