Terpinolene

What is Terpinolene? In this chapter, we discuss the flavor, aroma, and potential benefits of this complex and complicated terpene.

What is Terpinolene?

Pronounced “terp-in-oh-leen,” terpinolene is of the more complex and difficult to understand terpenes. Terpinolene is found in spices like nutmeg and cumin, as well as flowers like lilacs. While more prominent terpenes like humulene, myrcene, and limonene are often found in abundance in many popular cannabis cultivars, terpinolene is relatively rare.

Terpene Flavor and Aroma Profile: Terpinolene

Terpinolene’s uniquely complex flavors and aromas are an inviting mixture of earthy, piney, citrusy, herbaceous, and even a little citrusy or floral. These flavors and aromas give depth to cultivars and to other food and plants that contain this unique terpene.

Unlike other cultivars that have a very specific flavor and taste like limonene, terpinolene is more complex and based on the individual cultivar. Terpinolene is perhaps the least common of the primary terpenes found in cannabis, usually found in only small amounts.

Cultivars with the Terpene Terpinolene

Cultivars containing terpinolene are about as diverse as the terpene itself. Terpinolene isn't as prominent and rarely plays a leading role as do its relatives like myrcene and caryophyllene. However, you may recognize its presence in many of your favorite kinds of cannabis.

As we know currently, terpinolene mainly shows up in cultivars that are THC-dominant, meaning few, if any high CBD cultivars will feature terpinolene as its primary terpene. Some of the most popular cultivars containing terpinolene include Dutch Treat, Golden Pineapple, Ghost Train Haze, Orange Cookies, J1, and Jack Herer.

Does Terpinolene Get You High?

No, since terpenes are non-psychoactive, Terpinolene does not get you high. As we’ve mentioned in other chapters of our Terpenes Guide, however, Terpinolene may play a role in the entourage effect.

This means that Terpinolene may have a subtle impact on the consumer when combined with other compounds in whole-plant cannabis like cannabinoids and other terpenes. As is the case with so many other aspects of cannabis, more research is needed to determine this, and each consumer responds differently.

Potential Benefits of Terpinolene

Terpinolene may have antibacterial and antifungal qualities and combined with its pleasant smell, make it a common ingredient in many cleaning products and soaps, according to research. Studies also show that terpinolene is effective as a pest repellent, warding off insects like mosquitoes and beetles.

Preliminary research also shows that terpinolene, in conjunction with other terpenes as well as cannabinoids may reduce the risk of heart disease. There is a small amount of evidence to also suggest that terpinolene works in concert with other terpenes to help inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors.

What We Learned: Terpinolene

As we continue to see cannabis research progress forward, we could see the known benefits of terpenes like Terpinolene increase. Here’s what we learned about Terpinolene in this chapter:

• Terpinene is less abundant in cannabis than other terpenes in our guide.
• Terpinolene’s uniquely complex flavors and aromas are an inviting mixture of earthy, piney, citrusy, herbaceous, and even a little citrusy or floral.
• Terpinolene is found in spices like nutmeg and cumin, as well as flowers like lilacs.
• Some of the most popular cultivars containing terpinolene include Dutch Treat, Golden Pineapple, Ghost Train Haze, Orange Cookies, J1, and Jack Herer.
• Terpinolene may have antibacterial and antifungal qualities and smells great, which is why it is found in many soaps.
• Studies also show that terpinolene is effective as a pest repellent, warding off insects like mosquitoes and beetles.
• Preliminary research also shows that terpinolene, in conjunction with other terpenes as well as cannabinoids may reduce the risk of heart disease.

The future is bright for the wonderful world of terpenes, and only time will tell how much more we can learn about these valuable natural compounds.

Only one more chapter to go to complete this Guide! Well done. By now, you know the drill. See you in the next chapter.