List of Terpenes

This list is not exhaustive but is instead a representation of the terpenes and terpenoids which I have learned about personally. I hope it contains most of the terpenes you will encounter and offers some helpful information about them.

The 1 under each compound is a list of scents which are associated with it and the 2 is associated with therapeutic properties.

Some terpenes and terpenoids may be slightly or completely masked by other more dominant or overlapping scents.  

1. Alpha Bisabolol

   1. woody,tangy, floral, sweet

   2. Anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial 

2. Alpha Cedrene

   1. Fresh Cedar

   2. Anti-microbial, antifungal, anti-cancer

3. Alpha Phellandrene 

   1. Black pepper, spice, citrus, mint

   2. Anti-depressant, expectorant, anti-cancer 

4. Alpha Pinene

   1. Turpentine, pine, dill

   2. Asthma, bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory, aids memory

5. Alpha Terpineol 

   1. Pine, Smoke

   2. Anti-biotic, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, sedative, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, anxiolytic

6. Beta Caryophyllene 

   1. Pepper, Spicy, Earthy

   2. Epilepsy, anti-anxiety, chronic pain, muscle spasms, insomnia

7. Beta Pinene

   1. Turpentine, Pine, Dill

   2. Bronchodilator, asthma, anti-inflammatory, aids memory

8. Borneol

   1. Herbal, Woods

   2. Sedative, used for relaxation, antiinflammatory, antinociceptive, anticoagulant, drug potentiator

9. Cadinene

   1. Woody

   2. Anti-viral, anti-microbial, antifungal

10. Camphene

    1. Pungent, Musky, Earthy

    2. Pain relief, anti-oxidant

11. Camphor

    1. Pungent

    2. Readily absorbed through skin, cooling sensation, slight local anesthetic, antimicrobial substance

12. Caryophyllene Oxide

    1. Peppery, Spicy, Earthy

    2. Antifungal, anti-coagulant

13. Citral

    1. Citrus, Lemony

    2. Antinociceptive, acute chronic pain

14. Citronellol

    1. Floral

    2. Anti-microbial, antifungal, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant

15. Delta 3 Carene

    1. Sweet, Pungent, Woods

    2. Dry out excess bodily fluids (tears, mucus); central nervous system depressant, memory retention, anti-inflammatory

16. D Limonene

    1. Citrus

    2. Anti-depressant, GERD, assists with skin absorption of other terpenes

17. Elemene

    1. Floral

    2. Anti-cancer

18. Eucalyptol

    1. Minty, Earthy, Cool

    2. Antifungal, alzheimer’s, anti-inflammatory, asthma, anti-bacterial

19. Eugenol

    1. Spicy, Clove-like

    2. Anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, antiinflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotective and anti-stress, anti-diabetic, hypocholesterolemic

20. Farnesene 

    1. Woody, Citrus, Floral, Herbal

    2. Anti-inflammatory, calming, antispasmodic, anti-bacterial, antifungal, sedative properties

21. Fenchol

    1. Floral, Piney, Woods, Lemony

    2. antibacterial properties, antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics

22. Gamma Terpinene

    1. Woody, Lemon/Lime, Tropical, Herbal

    2. Anti-inflammatory

23. Geraniol

    1. Floral

    2.  Antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, antispasmodic, neuroprotectant

24. Geranyl Acetate

    1.  Floral, Fruity, Sweet, Rose

    2. Anti-microbial neuropathy, repellent

25. Humulene

    1. Hoppy, Earthy

    2. Anti-bacterial, pain relief

26. Isoborneol

    1. Herbal, Woods

    2. Antiviral, inhibitor of herpes simplex virus type 1

27. Linanool

    1. Floral

    2. Anti-anxiety, sedative, anticonvulsant, pain relief, anti-depressant

28. Menthol

    1. Mint, Menthol

    2. Analgesic, topical treatment of inflammation

29. Myrcene

    1. Hoppy, Herbal, Earthy

    2. Antiseptic, sedative, anti-bacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory

30. Nerol

    1. Sweet, Rose, Fresh

    2. Anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, seizures, menopausal symptoms, high blood pressure, antifungal, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant

31. Nerolidol

    1. Rose, Citrus, Woods

    2. Sedative, potent antifungal and antimalarial activity, anti-oxidant

32. Nookatone

    1. Powerful, Grapefruit, Citrus

    2. Repellent

33. Ocimene

    1. Sweet, Floral, Herbaceous

    2. Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, inhibit key enzymes connected to type 2 diabetes and hypertension

34. Para Cymene

    1. Orange, Carrot, Turpentine

    2. Anti-inflammatory, prevents acute lung injury, anti-biotic

35. Phytol

    1. Light floral, Jasmine, Green Tea

    2. Inhibits the enzyme that degrades the neurotransmitter gaba, relaxant, prevents vitamin A teratogenesis, immunosuppressant

36. Terpinolene

    1. Woods, Smoke, Herbal

    2. Anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, sedative 

37. Valencene

    1. Citrus, Sweet, Herbal, Woods

    2. Anti-inflammatory

This last can be paired with information regarding terpenes in cannabis from my “Terpenes: A Deep Dive” post to underscore the variety and applications of terpenes. 

These compounds are all found in various other plants in various quantities and you may even be familiar with their scents in your daily life. You may even be familiar with their therapeutic uses like the  anti-anxiety properties of linalool, which is associated most with lavender.

I hope that you feel more familiar and that this gives you a good understanding of some fairly common terpenes and terpenoids as we continue to learn and document these compounds as there is more cannabis and more testing.

Be on the lookout for more content from yours truly!