By Fred Hernandez
If you love the smell of lilacs, cloves, citrus, or any floral and earthy aromas, then you’ll probably like the scent of terpineol, a terpene that is commonly found in cannabis plants and plenty of other plant species. Apart from its pleasant smell, research suggests that terpineol has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and, most importantly, anti-cancerous properties.
Terpineol Is An Effective Antioxidant
The journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology published a study in 2011 that claimed that alpha terpineol had “the highest antioxidant activity” among the compounds tested. When compared with other terpenes in essential oils in another study in 2014, terpineol had the strongest antimicrobial effect against “pathogenic and spoilage forming bacteria.” Terpineol essentially altered the cell membrane of bacteria weakening it and making it vulnerable to immune defenses.
Terpineol Can Help Treat Inflammation
A study was publishedin the Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology journal citing that terpineol “might be potentially interesting in the development of new clinically relevant drugs for management of painful and/or inflammatory disease.” Terpineol is one of the contributors to the feeling of sedation when consuming cannabis. For patients with severe dysfunctional pain and inflammation, terpineol can provide therapeutic effects to reduce the severity and consistency of flare-ups.
Terpineol Can Inhibit Tumor Growth
In one breakthrough study, terpineol was found to inhibit tumor cell growth, especially in with small cell lung carcinoma cells. Terpineol helps by suppressing NF-kB signaling. Chronic NF-kB activation leads to cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders. Some laboratories are testing for terpenes in a variety of cannabis strains to determine their exact terpene composition. Many laboratories confirm that terpineol is present in strains like Jack Herer, J-1, and most “OG” strains.
Terpineol can be a great addition to a treatment regimen for many illnesses, although more research is needed to definitively prove it’s effectiveness as a treatment. Terpineol, like many terpenes found in cannabis, is susceptible to degradation and deterioration if stored improperly reducing its medicinal effects. Keep your terpenes plentiful and fully aromatic with humidity-controlled storage containers.
