Terpenes offer incredible therapeutic benefits to humans. And lucky for us, cannabis contains a lot of them… what a bud!
Terpenes, or terps, are responsible for the bright, citrusy notes of lemon. The sweet, floral aroma of roses. And the pungent, diesel sting of cannabis. They’re what give plants their smell. And they play a role in the color, flavor, and effects of cannabis.
Scroll through our terpene library for details on the top terps found in cannabis.
Found In: mint, rosemary, citronella, lavenderFlavor/Aroma: earthy, camphor, woodyCannabis Strains: Golden Haze, Banana Kush, Ghost Train HazeCharacteristics/Effects: Natural insect repellent. Studies suggest sedative, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Found In: chamomile, Brazilian candela treeFlavor/Aroma: fresh, floral, sweet, herbalCannabis Strains: Mandarin Dream, OG Kush, ACDC, HeadbandCharacteristics/Effects: Used in the cosmetic industry for years. Studies suggest it may act as an antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agent.
Found In: camphor, citronella, sage, gingerFlavor/Aroma: earthy, woody, musk, camphorCannabis Strains: Ghost OG, Strawberry Banana, Banana KushCharacteristics/Effects: Often used as a fragrance in skincare. Rodent studies suggest it can reduce triglyceride and plasma cholesterol levels as well as pain and inflammation.
Found In: allspice, basil, cedar, pine, turpentineFlavor/Aroma: sweet, citrus, muskCannabis Strains: Super Silver Haze, Lemon Haze, Skunk #1Characteristics/Effects: Believed to promote memory retention and alertness. Studies suggest it may boost bone health and act as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Found In: basil, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, hopsFlavor/Aroma: spicy, pepper, muskCannabis Strains: Purple Punch, Girl Scout Cookies, Sour DieselCharacteristics/Effects: Unique terpene that behaves like a cannabinoid by stimulating the CB2 receptor in the Endocannabinoid System. Rodent studies suggest it has pain-relieving properties.
Found In: eucalyptus, bay leaves, sage, tea treeFlavor/Aroma: camphor, spicy, mintCannabis Strains: Thin Mint GSC, Mint Chocolate Chip, Bubba Kush, Super Silver HazeCharacteristics/Effects: Also called Eucalyptol. Studies suggest anti-anxiety, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, including the potential to help with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Found In: green apples, sandalwood, cedarwood, patchouli, potato, gardeniaFlavor/Aroma: sweet, fruity, berry, spicyCannabis Strains: Cherry Punch, White Rhino, Dutch Treat HazeCharacteristics/Effects: Reported effects include sedation and relaxation. Studies suggest it may have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial effects.
Found In: rose, lemongrass, citronellaFlavor/Aroma: sweet, floral, citrus, fruityCannabis Strains: Strawberry Diesel, Tahoe OG, Afghani, Amnesia HazeCharacteristics/Effects: Used in the food and cosmetic industries. Studies suggest it may impart calming effects and may have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.
Found In: guaiacum plant, weeping paperbark, cypress pineFlavor/Aroma: piney, woody, floralCannabis Strains: ACDC, Plushberry, Fruit Loops, ChocolopeCharacteristics/Effects: Natural insect repellent. Studies suggest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It was used to treat syphilis and regulate menstruation in the 16th century.
Found In: hops, sage, ginseng, corianderFlavor/Aroma: herbal, spicy, earthy, woodyCannabis Strains: White Widow, Bubba Kush, Super Lemon Haze, Skywalker OGCharacteristics/Effects: Used in ancient Chinese medicine as an energy booster, natural antibiotic, and appetite suppressant. Studies suggest it may have anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties.
Found In: citrus fruit rinds, juniper, chamomileFlavor/Aroma: citrus, turpentineCannabis Strains: Banana OG, Berry White, Do-Si-DosCharacteristics/Effects: Can help the body better absorb other terpenes. Studies suggest it may offer mood-boosting, antifungal, and antitumor effects.
Found In: lavender, rose, birch barkFlavor/Aroma: fresh, floral, sweet, citrusCannabis Strains: Scooby Snacks, OG Shark, Zkittlez, LavenderCharacteristics/Effects: Often used in aromatherapy as a mood booster. Rodent studies suggest anti-anxiety properties. Other studies suggest pain-relieving effects.
Found In: thyme, lemongrass, hops, mango, guavaFlavor/Aroma: fruity, earthy, musk, cloveCannabis Strains: OG Kush, Blue Dream, 9 Pound Hammer, Grape ApeCharacteristics/Effects: Most common terpene in commercial cannabis. Rodent studies suggest it has sedative and muscle relaxant effects. Other studies suggest antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Found In: jasmine, lemongrass, ginger, tea tree, lavender, neroliFlavor/Aroma: woody, earthy, floral, citrusCannabis Strains: Sweet Skunk, Sour Kush, Royal Cookies, GG4Characteristics/Effects: Rodent studies suggest anti-anxiety and sedative effects. Other research suggests antifungal, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties.
Found In: mint, parsley, basil, tarragon, lavender, orchidsFlavor/Aroma: herbal, woody, sweet, citrusCannabis Strains: Golden Goat, Strawberry Cough, Chernobyl, Space QueenCharacteristics/Effects: Studies suggest the potential for anticonvulsant, antifungal, and antitumor activity. Anecdotal evidence suggests decongestant and expectorant effects when inhaled.
Found In: green tea, green vegetables, limeFlavor/Aroma: earthy, floralCannabis Strains: Cheese, Sour DieselCharacteristics/Effects: Less aromatic than most terps. It’s produced from the degradation of chlorophyll. Potentially relaxing and sedative, with research suggesting anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effects.
Found In: pine, orange rind, rosemary, dill, parsleyFlavor/Aroma: piney, earthy, woodyCannabis Strains: Blue Dream, Cannatonic, Cotton Candy Kush, Grape ApeCharacteristics/Effects: Most common terpene in the natural world. Studies suggest anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and pain-relieving properties. May support focus and memory retention.
Found In: lilac, eucalyptus, pine, lime blossomFlavor/Aroma: sweet, fruity, citrusCannabis Strains: Jack Herer, White Widow, Girl Scout Cookies, OG KushCharacteristics/Effects: Studies suggest antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-seizure properties. Rodent studies show pain-relieving effects.
Found In: celery, nutmeg, oregano, cilantro, sage, gingerFlavor/Aroma: fresh, floral, herbal, piney, citrusyCannabis Strains: Dutch Treat, Jack Herer, Golden Pineapple, Orange CookiesCharacteristics/Effects: Studies suggest antibacterial and antifungal qualities. Other research suggests it acts as a sedative on its own but a stimulant in the presence of THC.
Found In: grapefruit, tangerine, nectarine, mango, Valencia orangesFlavor/Aroma: sweet, citrus, herbal, woodyCannabis Strains: Agent Orange, Tangie, Clementine, JillybeanCharacteristics/Effects: Natural insect repellent. Studies suggest it may relieve allergies and act as an anti-inflammatory agent and skin protectant.
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