Caryophyllene: The Peppery, Inflammation-Reducing Terpene

Caryophyllene is a common terpene, or essential oil, that’s responsible for those peppery notes in your cannabis.

It also may hold powerful anti-inflammatory properties for those experiencing chronic pain.

The natural properties of the cannabis plant are widely varied from strain to strain. The most common difference is the type of essential oil, or terpene that a specific type of cannabis possesses. Each terpene has unique properties: Fragrance, taste and effect. Many of them have also been studied for therapeutic properties. Caryophyllene, commonly known for its peppery aroma, is among the terpenes that have qualities that may benefit those experiencing chronic pain by reducing inflammation. It has even shown a potential to speed wound-healing in a 2019 study.

Caryophyllene: How Does it fight Inflammation?

An article in Frontiers of Neuroscience highlights plants possessing Caryophyllene as having been for the treatment of pain since ancient times.

“Cannabinoids help in pain treatment through their action on CB1 and CB2 receptors. β-caryophyllene (BCP), an ancient remedy to treat pain, is a sesquiterpene found in large amounts in the essential oils of various spice and food plants such as oregano, cinnamon, and black pepper. It binds to the CB2 receptor, acting as a full agonist.”

In less scientific terms, these pain receptors are found throughout our nervous system and in tissues throughout the body, and regulate our response to pain. Caryophyllene acts as an agonist, or chemical binder, which then mitigates the pain response. For millennia, the various plants high in this terpene were administered through aromatic oils which practitioners had come to recognize for this powerful, pain-fighting effect.

Caryophyllene: Cancer-Reduction Studies

Additionally, Caryophyllene has been studied for its cancer-fighting potential.

“The anticancer properties of (Caryophyllene) are less recognized than those of traditional cannabinoids, however several lines of evidence have demonstrated that these natural compounds can be interesting candidates for complementary treatment of the cancer.”

This 2016 Polish study touts Caryphyllene for its pain-reducing properties, and acknowledges that it may hold merit for further research.

Myrcene: The Calming Terpene With A Peppery, Hoppy Aroma

All About Myrcene, The Most Commonly Found Terpene in Cannabis

The calming and relaxing Myrcene has demonstrated Sedative, Pain-Relieving, Muscle-Relaxing, Anti-inflammatory and Anticancer effects

Myrcene is the terpene, or essential oil, that’s best known for its ability to aid relaxation and is often most associated with Indica cannabis strains. It’s musky, peppery and hop-like flavor is found in varying levels in most other hybrid and Sativa strains too, but strains where it predominates exhibit the dulcifying characteristics. Elsewhere in nature, Myrcene is found in lemongrass, hops, thyme, cloves and most famously in mangoes. A little-known urban myth that consuming mangoes while smoking cannabis can multiply effects may actually hold some merit, though no formal studies have ever proven this theory. Simply put, plants and cannabis high in Myrcene possess a great ability to help you wind down. For this reason, medically-focused cannabis growers often look for high Myrcene strains to cultivate. Medical cannabis patients who need help sleeping and an edge taken off their symptoms often look for it when selecting strains.

Health Implications of Myrcene

Beyond the sedative effects that it’s so well know for, studies indicate a number of potential benefits of Myrcene. Dr. Ethan Russo, perhaps the most prominent cannabis researcher, cites Myrcene for it’s therapeutic qualities. He speaks about the sedative, anti-inflammatory and even anticancer effects in a far-reaching 2010 study in the British Journal of Pharmacology:

b-Myrcene is another common monoterpenoid in cannabis with myriad activities: diminishing inflammation via prostaglandin E-2 (PGE-2) (Lorenzetti etal., 1991), and blocking hepatic carcinogenesis by aflatoxin (DeOliveira et al., 1997). Interestingly, myrcene is analgesic in mice, but this action can be blocked by naloxone, perhaps via the a-2 adrenoreceptor (Rao et al., 1990). It is non- mutagenic in the Ames test (Gomes-Carneiro et al., 2005). Myrcene is a recognized sedative as part of hops preparations (Humulus lupulus), employed to aid sleep in Germany (Bisset and Wichtl, 2004). Furthermore, myrcene acted as a muscle relaxant in mice, and potentiated barbiturate sleep time at high doses. - Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects, Dr. Ethan Russo

Through the Entourage Effect, or the synergetic relationship between cannabinoids, terpenes and our body, Russo calls the study of terpenes a “pharmacological treasure trove.”

A 2015 Korean study found that isolated Myrcene “showed the most potent inhibition of tumor necrosis” in human breast cancer cells.

What Cannabis Strains are high in Myrcene?

Blackberry by by Washington Bud Co. | X% THC

Harley’s Moonshine by Heylo | 21% THC, 42% CBd, 1.3% CBG, .8% CBC, .8% CBDV

Rolexx by Eagle Trees 20% THC

Cherry Pie Hybrid by Lazy Bee Gardens | 20% THC, 2.4% CBG

Blueberry Trainwreck by Raven Grass | 17.2% THC

Limonene: The Terpene with a Fruity, Citrus Aroma

All About Limonene, An Essential Oil Found Commonly in Cannabis

The mood-boosting Limonene has demonstrated anti-anxiety, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-cancer effects

Limonene is the terpene, or essential oil, that’s most associated with those fruity, citrus-like smells and flavors often found in your cannabis. It’s bright and eye opening nature can be a welcome addition to a dark and cold winter day, and can play a role in elevating your mood, reducing stress and boosting your energy. It’s not present in every cannabis strain, but it’s among the most commonly found. Terpenes are produced by the plant and act as self-defense, or immune system, against would-be predators in nature. Environmental factors influence which terpenes are present.

With the advent of modern-day cannabis oil extraction, many producers have developed methods to capture and preserve the amount of cannabis-produced terpenes in a given product. Because of this, you’re more likely to find strain blends with high Limonene content in vape cartridges and other extracts that are formulated to elevate your mood. As our medical cannabis consultant Matt puts it succinctly, “Limonene makes things happy!” It’s important to note that Limonene doesn’t need to be the predominant terpene present in order to have possess these effects, even a small percentage can be influential.

Outside of cannabis, Limonene is most prominently found in the peel of citrus fruits and mint. The oils in the rind of an orange or grapefruit are 97% comprised of Limonene. It’s used in various applications, like cleaning supplies, food flavoring, and fragrance additives in cosmetics. Throughout your day, you may be interacting with Limonene several times and not even realize it!

Health Implications of Limonene

Isolated Limonene has antibacterial effects, and may be beneficial for fighting acne and other skin disorders. Internally, the anti-inflammatory properties of Limonene have been studied for the treatment of ulcerative colitis with promising results. There is also evidence pointing to its efficacy in reducing inflammation related to osteoarthritis.

A 2018 study by the National Institute of Health, Limonene showed an ability to inhibit lung cancer cell growth in mice. Numerous other studies have pointed to Limonene’s vast cancer-fighting potential.

What Cannabis Strains are high in limonene?

Dominion Skunk EVFO by Puffin Farm | 44% THC

Squirt Sativa Hybrid by Lazy Bee Gardens 17% THC

Guava Punch Hybrid by Eagle Trees | 22% THC

707 Truthband by Heylo | 59% THC, 3.6% CBG, 2.5% CBD, .6% CBC, .5% THCV

Wedding Cake Indica Hybrid by Lazy Bee Gardens

52% THC .15% CBD 1% CBG .46% CBC

Cannabinoid and Terpene Information: More is Better

The Benefits of an Expanded Cannabinoid and Terpene Profile

A lot has changed over the last decade with the transition from black market cannabis, to grey market medical cannabis, and finally to the legally licensed and regulated system that we have today in Washington state. One of the most important changes has been the testing that is required on cannabis products. There used to be no way of telling what you were buying, and more importantly, any indication of the strength and potency of the cannabis. These days everything is tested for at least THC & CBD, but something that we greatly appreciate at The Novel Tree Medical is when an expanded cannabinoid profile is provided by the grower. 

What we mean by expanded profile is any information beyond CBD & THC content or ratio. That can be the quantity of lesser cannabinoids like CBG or THCV, or it could include terpene profiles. Any extra information that can be provided helps us tremendously in finding what the most ideal product for someone will be. Much is still being learned about how lesser cannabinoids, even when found in small amounts, can enhance and alter the effects and benefits of a product. Making that information available to consultants, budtenders, and consumers helps people learn to look for things that they may like and may work best for their unique set of needs.

Many of the companies that we carry at The Novel Tree Medical provide additional information on their packaging. Skagit Organics and Puffin Farms are two cannabis growers that really go above and beyond in this respect. They include information on their packaging to help people make the most educated decisions, and to see how a cannabis varietal or strain can change from batch to batch and harvest to harvest. 

Skagit Organics and Minor Cannabinoids

Skagit Organics sources high quality, pesticide-free cannabis from licensed growers around Washington state. They then process this premium cannabis flower into amazing FECO, RSO, distillate, and other concentrates. These high-potency oils can be an amazing and cost-effective way for people with chronic conditions to achieve relief from pain, anxiety, sleeplessness, nausea and many other issues and ailments. 

Each batch of Skagit Organics CBD oil and RSO is tested for cannabinoid content, even minor cannabinoids like CBN, CBD, CBC and CBT.

Every harvest of cannabis, even the same plant from the same grower can have slight variances. So, while we will always have similar products, we might not have the identical product. Skagit’s expanded cannabinoid profile includes at least 10 different cannabinoids including THCV, CBDV, CBG, CBN, and CBT. While many of these lesser cannabinoids are found with less than 1% total quantity, these small amounts can have a major impact, influencing the effects of the THC and CBD. Over time, what you might find is that a product with a small amount of one of these lesser cannabinoids is significantly more effective for you. Going forward you can then look to see if a product has that cannabinoid and have a bit more confidence that it is the ideal product.

Puffin Farms and The Entourage Effect

Puffin Farms grows Clean Green, and Sun + Earth certified cannabis. This means they are going above and beyond what is legally required in Washington to show that they are producing high quality, clean, and ethically sourced cannabis. On both their flower and concentrates, Puffin provides information on dozens of cannabinoids and terpenes. The combination of cannabinoids and terpenes is what we experience as the differences between varietals or strains. If you were to just look at THC percentage, most cannabis varietals look pretty much the same, they mostly have somewhere between 15%-28% THC. However, as most people will tell you there is a huge difference between the effects of Dutch Treat that tests at 20% THC, and Blackberry Kush that tests at the same 20% THC. 

Puffin Farms lists a full breakdown of cannabinoid and terpene levels on their packaging. This kind of detailed information is very helpful when choosing a medical cannabis product for a specific issue or ailment.

This is due to something called the entourage effect, and how all the different constituent compounds work together to interact throughout the body to provide the different effects we experience. One of the primary differences between Dutch Treat and Blackberry Kush are their terpene profiles. Dutch Treat usually is high in a terpene called terpinolene, and this is why Dutch Treat has a bright piney smell. The way this interacts throughout our body, we perceive it to be more mentally stimulating. This is where the “Sativa” effects come from, the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes. 

Blackberry Kush is typically predominant in myrcene which can also be found in hops and may have small amounts of linalool which is also found in lavender. These properties tend to be more calming, relaxing, and sedating. This combination of cannabinoids and more relaxing terpenes is where the “Indica” effects come from. The expanded profile from Puffin Farms allows us to see aspects and numbers down a hundredth of a milligram. While very minor, it can still lead to a unique effect or benefit that people can begin to understand and look for when deciding on which cannabis to purchase. It is also the best way for a medical consultant or budtender to help you select the best cannabis.

More Informed Choices

The more information a grower provides us about a plant’s lineage, how it was grown, and especially an expanded cannabinoid and terpene profile will be the best way to find what cannabis product is ideal for different issues or ailments. It can also help people to figure out what cannabis product may be best for different times of day or different activities. While something stimulating and invigorating might be ideal for a big daytime pursuit, another strain with an opposite profile and calming, relaxing, and anti-inflammatory benefits may be more effective for helping with recovery. We pay very close attention to these details at The Novel Tree Medical. Our team of state-certified medical cannabis consultants can help you learn about the nuances of a strain, terpene or cannabinoid, and guide you towards the most informed choice.

By Matt Kovarsky

Categorizing Cannabis through Terpenes

With the cannabis market currently centered around classifying plants as Sativas, Indicas or Hybrids, terpene profiles allow us to make better-informed decisions when seeking out strain alternatives.

Cannabis Plant Taxonomy

Traditional Classifications: Indica and Sativa

Biologists refer to the science of naming, defining and classifying organisms on the basis of their shared characteristics as Taxonomy. The need to taxonomize cannabis arose with the discovery of different strains from different parts of the world. Some cannabis plants look short and stubby while others look rather tall and lanky; several are a combination of the two predominant visual queues. For example, Cannabis Sativa typically grows tall and lanky while Cannabis Indica typically grows short and stubby. However, thanks to modern day cannabis research that has been performed in the last decade, the need for us to evolve from this traditional nomenclature is apparent. 

Cannabis leaves contain naturally occurring essential oils known as terpenes. These oils are not exclusive only to cannabis, they occur in every living plant. The terpene profile of a given cannabis strain will inform the experience one has after inhaling or consuming it. See full breakdown of terpene attributes below.

Terpene breakdown on cannabis packaging

Research leads to a better understanding of cannabis Types

While several cannabis plants may look the same, they often vary in scents and aromas aside from their visual aesthetics. The smell of the cannabis plant largely depends on the essential oils of cannabis known as Terpenoids. Thanks to the research lead by great minds like Dr. Ethan Russo, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, Arno Hazekamp, Mark Lewis, and Matthew Geise, we now understand that Terpenoids share a vital role in the medical value and psychoactive effects when consuming cannabis. When taken in a non-isolated format, cannabis and its chemical constituents operate in concert to provide a sought-out consumption experience when the consumer is aware of the cannabinoid and terpenoid content. 

When traditional classification provides a misleading consumption experience

Have you ever tried an Indica strain that hit like a Sativa and/or a Sativa strain that hit like an Indica?

This is a prime example as to why making a purchase based on the terpene content is the best way to make an informed decision, (rather than whether it’s labelled Indica or Sativa).

The following provides a brief highlight of some of the most common terpenes found in cannabis, as well as some of the benefits they may provide. Please note that the FDA has not approved the use of Cannabis derived essential oils or terpenes to treat or cure any ailment.

What are different terpenes known for?

Myrcene:

• Analgesic (pain reliever)

• Anti-inflammatory

• Antimutagenic

• Sedative

Linalool:

• Analgesic (pain reliever)

• Antidepressant

• Anti-epileptic

• Anti-inflammatory

• Anxiolytic (Anti-anxiety)

• Sedative

Bisabolol

• Analgesic (pain reliever)

• Anti-inflammatory

• Anti-irritant

• Antimicrobial

• Antioxidant

Pinene

• Analgesic (pain reliever)

• Anti-inflammatory

• Anxiolytic (Anti-anxiety)

• Bronchodilator

• May help with short-term memory impairment experienced during consumption of cannabis

Caryophyllene

• Antidepressant

• Antioxidant

• Anxiolytic (Anti-anxiety)

• Anti-inflammatory

  • This is a unique terpene in that it is the only one known to mimic a cannabinoid and activate our endocannabinoid system to provide this reaction.

Limonene

• Antifungal

• Antibacterial

• Mood enhancer

• Stress reliever

Terpinolene

• Antifungal

• Antibacterial

• Antioxidant

• Mood enhancer

Ocimene

• Antioxidant

• Anti-inflammatory

• Antiseptic

• Decongestant

* While this provides a high level overview of the potential attributes these terpenes may have, it is important to note that additional research is still needed to provide conclusive facts. The research being performed is still in its infancy and we have room for improvement. Thanks to industry leaders and medically oriented producers/processors featured at The Novel Tree Medical through our Recognized Excellence Program, we have products that may provide a desired cannabis experience. Whether you are looking for relaxation or some temporary relief, seek no further than a visit with your friendly and knowledgeable Medically Certified Cannabis Consultant at The Novel Tree Medical. 

Heylo Elevated Education at The Novel Tree Medical

Learn all about cannabis extraction and more from an industry leader

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Lo, a chemist and founder/CEO of Heylo, will draw on an expansive background in medicine and botanical extraction to share insights on cannabis science and concentrates. Learn how CO2 extraction works and what makes Heylo's RawX oil unique in the marketplace. This event will be a great opportunity to discuss various extraction methods, how to pair product and desired experience, rare cannabinoids and terpenes, and the latest in cannabis.

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