Common Sense Explanation
The chemical compounds that give cannabis its distinctive taste and smell do so much more
By Rev. Dr. Kymron de Cesare
Terpenes, the same chemical compounds that give flavor and odor to fruits, flowers, candy and incense, are also essential elements in cannabis. They provide the tastes and aromas of the different strains and most importantly, a wide variety of medical benefits too. Because terpenes have a wide variety of medicinal benefits, and each terpene has many different properties, there are overlapping synergies between them. This fact is well known to herbalists, who take advantage of these synergies to greatly increase the effectiveness of their treatments.
An example of overlapping synergies can be found in the combination of ß-Myrcene with D9-THC for pain, with THCA for inflammation, with CBD and Linalool as an antipsychotic and with THC, THCA and CBD in the treatment of muscle spasms.
Since different combinations of terpenes and cannabinoids produce such different results, it’s important for patients to know which are found in which strain, and in what amounts.
Rev. Dr. Kymron de Cesare manages and operates the general chemistry laboratory courses at UC Davis and is the lab manager at Halent Laboratories in Sacramento.
Here are some examples of terpenes that most patients will often run into:
LIMONENE:
The three forms oflimonene are abundant in cannabis too, second only to ß-Myrcene. They have a sweet, fresh, citrus aroma and provide numerous medical benefits, such as relieving depression and anxiety, fighting tumors and bacterial infections, stimulating the immune system and treating gastric reflux and esophageal ulcers. Limonenes are used in antiseptic ointments and insect repellents.
PHYTOL:
Phytol is another interesting terpene found in cannabis. The aroma is floral and balsamic in nature. Its health benefits include suppressing the immune system and impeding the activity of aflatoxins, toxins produced by mold and fungus. It’s used in preparations to reduce itching and treat slow healing wounds. Phytol is a non-toxic yellow pigment used in food dyes.
B-MYRCENE:
ß-Myrcene, the most common terpene in cannabis is also found in hops, aged mango, bay leaves, and lemongrass. It is often described as having an herbal, balsamic, rooty, or spicy aroma. ß-Myrcene is well known for its medicinal properties, such as treating pain and inflammation.