Known as a “jack of all trades,” terpinolene is one of the most versatile yet least common cannabis terpenes. Other terpenes such as limonene and pinene carry well-known and distinctive aromas. Terpinolene, on the other hand, could be present in a CBD hemp strain without drawing too much attention to itself.
This terpene is subtle, complex in its flavor, and carries potential wellness benefits. Terpinolene may not be a common terpene, but it’s certainly worth experiencing. Here’s everything you need to know about this terpene!
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes, which are found in almost every plant, are frequently linked to cannabis strains due to their role in defining aroma and flavor. If you’ve ever wondered why strains like Grape Soda and Northern Lights each have distinct flavors, terpenes are the key.
Related Article: CBD and Terpenes [Why They’re Important]
Many believe that terpenes are the plant’s way of deterring herbivores and predators. Some plant-eating animals or insects may not enjoy the smell of these compounds, but we humans love them (for the most part). Terpenes are used in lotions, perfumes, cleaning materials, and wellness products for their lovely fragrances.
Terpenes are extracted from the essential oil of plants. For those interested in their pure form, bottles of terpene essential oils like limonene are sold independently. However, terpinolene is a special terpene, so you are more likely to find its oils mixed with other products rather than by itself.
What is Terpinolene?
What makes terpinolene so special? Many terpenes offer a particular flavor or smell, such as the aroma of hops or the smell of citrus. Instead of carrying a distinct aroma, Terpinolene has a complex flavor profile that boosts other terpenes’ effects.
You can certainly recognize specific scents in terpinolene, but they range from sweet to earthy. Terpinolene’s woody flavors amplify cannabis strains that have dominant pine-smelling terpenes. On the other hand, a woody-smelling strain overpowers terpinolene’s sweeter side.
This terpene’s subtle profile is the reason there are few terpinolene-dominant strains. If you’re searching for a flower with a high level of terpinolene, you may be hard-pressed to find many options.
Instead, look for strains that have some amount of terpinolene while also carrying other flavors you enjoy. The stronger flavors will accentuate this multifaceted terpene.
Where is Terpinolene Found?
Besides its uses in essential oils and hemp strains, terpinolene can be found in food and drink flavorings, air fresheners, and cleaning products. Terpinolene also naturally occurs in lilac, sage, rosemary, apple trees, tea trees, and conifer trees.
It may not be widely available as an essential oil on its own, but it can be found in other oils. Terpinolene plays a role in the essential oils of apple, cypress, pine, cumin, hemp, lilac, sage, marjoram, rosemary, lemon, and tea tree.
All of these different flavors speak to terpinolene’s vast array of scents and flavors. It vaporizes at 366 degrees Fahrenheit, which is similar to most other terpenes.
What Does Terpinolene Smell & Taste Like?
This terpene has a broad flavor profile. It has a woody aroma with notes of citrus, flowers, and herbs. One word that applies to all of terpinolene’s scents is fresh.
Terpinolene can be found in coniferous trees. If you’ve ever purchased a pine tree-flavored air freshener, placed a Christmas tree in your living room, or walked through a forest of cedar or fir, you’ve experienced this refreshing terpene. However, you might experience stronger citrus or flowery flavors if the strain is dominated by fruity or floral terpenes.
The taste and smell of terpinolene are subject to change. For example, it is also partially responsible for the aroma of insect repellents. If you aren’t a fan of a strain that contains terpinolene, it may not be this versatile terpene’s fault. Keep experimenting and search for a taste and scent you enjoy that terpinolene can enhance.
Terpinolene Effects
High terpinolene levels are most commonly associated with a soothing sedative effect. If you use CBD to start your day, this terpene’s relaxing properties aren’t strong enough that you’ll suddenly feel tired on your drive to work. Instead, it’s tranquil benefits relieve tension in the morning, inducing clear-headed and alert effects.
If your CBD flower strain contains terpinolene and you take some at night, its sedative properties boost serenity and calmness. “Boost” is the keyword when talking about this terpene, and the reason it’s considered the jack of all trades terpene. Depending on how much and when you use terpinolene, its sedative effects ease the mind and improve attention or send you into a restful sleep.
Terpinolene has also shown potential health benefits, though further research is needed. One interesting study examined this terpene’s effects on ulcers, headaches, tumors, digestive issues, and more.
Terpinolene is well-known for its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. This is one reason it is used in cleaning products like pine oil cleaners. Its fresh scent also helps give sanitation supplies their crisp smell.
Popular Strains That Have Terpinolene Terpenes
Two of the best strains that have terpinolene are Grape Soda and Northern Lights. Grape Soda is a hybrid with flavors of citrus, pine, and grape. It has clear-headed and focused effects, making it ideal for winding down at the end of a long day.
Northern Lights is an iconic flower that has been bred as a CBD-dominant Indica strain. It alleviates discomfort and carries an earthy taste with sweet undertones. Locally sourced from Oregon, Cheef Botanicals’ Northern Lights CBD hemp is the best of the best!
All of Cheef Botanicals’ products are CBD dominant with THC levels at 0.3% or less. When THC is kept to a minimum, it enhances the flower’s benefits without carrying any intoxicating or “high” properties. Cheef Botanicals also offers a 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.
Final Thoughts
A wide variety of terpinolene-dominant hemp strains are still a few years away. However, there are plenty of options to experience one of the most adaptable cannabis terpenes. Cannabis strains that feature Terpinolene like Grape Soda and Northern Lights offer relaxing effects and delicious flavors. Since this terpene boosts so many flavors, experiment until you find the perfect strain for you!
