Good Saturday night everyone! I don't know about ya'll but this week has been a hot one here. I'm certainly looking forward to the next season and cooler weather! This week we're going to discuss the next three terpenes on the list, one of which is my absolute favorite scent; eucalyptol, as well as geraniol and guaicum. The cool and refreshing scent of eucalyptus can instantly bring about an invigorated feeling within many who inhale its scent. In general, we can say that the lesser known terpenes are not found in high amounts within the cannabis plant. Even in smaller amounts though, these terpenes can have some potential effect on the body and help in various situations. So, let's get into it.
The first terpene we're going to discuss is eucalyptol. This terpene is sometimes also referred to as cineole and has been described as having a camphor-like scent that can be quite strong when inhaled. Aside from being found in the cannabis plant, eucalyptol is also found in plants like wormwood, sagebrush, cardamom, rosemary, bay leaves, sage, and of course eucalyptus. Eucalyptol has been used in the past most commonly as a food and/or medicine flavoring, due to its minty and refreshing taste. The scent of eucalyptol is a fragrance as well as a component in bug repellant. It's been shown to help relieve sinus and nasal congestion, specifically when consumed orally. When eucalyptol is inhaled it can help improve breathing issues associated with asthma, it can be anti-inflammatory and help relieve pain. A really interesting research study followed a group of adults with dementia who were given daily inhaled doses of eucalyptol and found that they scored better on cognitive function improvement tests than those who did not receive eucalyptol daily. There is also developing research reviewing eucalyptol's potential use as an anti-septic and anti-cancer medicine. While there are several amazing possibilities for use when it comes to the terpene eucalyptol, there are also side effects to be aware of. Symptoms of eucalyptol poisoning can be stomach pain, muscle weakness, dizziness, feelings of suffocation, seizures, drowsiness, and a coma. Symptoms like this are exceedingly rare and only occur when taking large and consistent amounts of the isolated terpene. Cannabis cultivars that will have higher amounts of eucalyptol are: Headband, Girl Scout Cookies, Dutch Treat, and Super Silver Haze.
The next terpene to discuss is a rather well known one. Geraniol derives its name from the geranium plant as it shares the same signature citrus and floral scent. The scent of geraniol has been described as a sweet, floral fragrance with a hint of citrus. This terpene can also be found within plants like: roses, lemongrass, citrus fruits (like lemons and grapefruits), coriander and some berries. Something I found really interesting, is that there are some animals that actually produce geraniol. In particular, the honey bee is able to produce geraniol in their scent glands and they use it to mark their territory as well as to notify other hive members of food locations. The scent of geraniol is so well received by a variety of people, that it is commonly used in deodorants, detergents, and cleaners. The terpene geraniol, also has multiple potential health benefits that are being researched. Some studies have shown that geraniol has disinfectant, anti-microbial, and insect repellant properties. Research on geraniol has shown that it has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal properties, and that it could help manage diabetes and atherosclerosis (some of the most common issues Americans face). Again, because these are less well known terpenes and exact research has not yet been completed, we will continue learning more about this terpene as time goes on. This terpene is a relatively safe one to ingest, per the FDA, but can cause potential dermatological sensitivities if applied in high concentrations to the skin. Interestingly enough, geraniol is typically found in cultivars that produce the terpene linalool. Other cultivars that will have higher levels of geraniol are: Agent Orange, Harlequin, Purple Punch, Black Cherry Soda, Strawberry Diesel, Kimbo Kush, and Dutch Hawaiian.
The last terpene to discuss is going to be guaiol. Honestly, this was the first time I had truly paid attention to this terpene as I thought it was not native to my area. During my research for this post, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the scent of guaiol has been described as having pine, rose, wood, and fruity notes. Some of the potential health benefits that guaiol has to offer are: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-parasitic, cancer fighting, and insect repellant properties. The list of potential benefits is quite long, but there are some potential side effects as well to be aware of. Researchers have found that cultivars that have higher levels of guaiol tend to be ones that may actually induce anxiety in the consumer. Cultivars that are higher in guaiol (and that should definitely be avoided if you're dealing with anxiety) are: Golden Pineapple, Blue Kush, Agent Orange, ACDC, Sour Diesel, and Liberty Haze.
To wrap up, there are several amazing possibilities when it comes to health benefits and the terpenes eucalyptol, geraniol, and guaiol. Much more research is needed, still, to be able to say definitively that these terpenes will do the exact thing for every person who consumes it. I hope that this little bit of info about terpenes is useful to you readers! There are so many different compounds within the cannabis plant that can offer symptom relief, but there is also so much information available everywhere you turn giving information about the terpenes that it can be overwhelming to wade through. If you or a loved one has questions about how to consume cannabis in a safe and appropriate manner with your current prescriptions, feel free to reach out to me! We can discuss the various mechanisms of action that cannabis might have on your symptoms. I hope everyone has a great weekend!
References
1. Mączka, W., Wińska, K. and Grabarczyk, M. (2020) ‘One hundred faces of geraniol’, Molecules, 25(14), p. 3303. doi:10.3390/molecules25143303.
2. Leafwell (2023) What is eucalyptol? benefits, uses, and where to find it, Leafwell. Available at: http://www.leafwell.com/blog/eucalyptol/ (Accessed: 15 August 2023).
3. Eucalyptol (no date) Leafly. Available at: http://www.leafly.com/learn/cannabis-glossary/eucalyptol (Accessed: 17 August 2023).
4. Leafwell (2023b) What is Geraniol? benefits, uses, and where to find it, Leafwell. Available at: https://leafwell.com/blog/geraniol/ (Accessed: 17 August 2023).
5. Bennett, P. (2020) What is guaiol & what does this cannabis terpene do?, Leafly. Available at: https://www.leafly.com/news/science-tech/guaiol-terpene (Accessed: 19 August 2023).
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