Cannabis plants and many other plant species, flowers, and fruits contain an aroma composed of different terpenes. Today, we’re going to delve deeper into one of the most common terpenes in cannabis plants, Caryophyllene.
What is Caryophyllene?
Caryophyllene, or β-Caryophyllene, is an organic compound primarily classified as a “bicyclic sesquiterpene”. This terpene is one of the main components of essential oils in many cannabis plants and other plants, flowers, and fruits such as peppers, clove, thyme, oregano, hops…
Caryophyllene is, in reality, composed of a mixture of three compounds, which can vary in their proportions:
- Alpha-Caryophyllene (Humulene), found in large proportions in plants such as hops.
- Beta-Caryophyllene, found in large proportions in the essential oils contained in black pepper.
- Caryophyllene Oxide, present in high proportions in plants like eucalyptus; this last compound is precisely what cannabis detection police dogs are trained to identify.
Its vaping temperature is around 199°C, making it one of the less volatile terpenes. Remember that Cali Terpenes’ cannabis terpene profiles (cannabis aromas) contain around 40 different terpenes and sesquiterpenes per profile.
Lemon Cookies is a strain with a high concentration of Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Myrcene.
What properties does Caryophyllene have?
Caryophyllene has numerous properties, both for plants and for people. In plants, it acts as a natural antifungal and insecticide to keep the plant free from pathogens.
In mammals, it can also have the following properties:
- Anti–inflammatory: Caryophyllene, like other terpenes such as Myrcene or Pinene, acts as an anti-inflammatory by interfering with the prostaglandin signaling pathway, which acts as what’s known as a “cellular mediator” in various contexts, reducing inflammation.
- It also acts as an agonist of the CB2 cannabinoid receptor that humans possess, being the first non-cannabinoid compound known so far to mimic the action of cannabinoids.
- Analgesic: There are studies indicating the analgesic power of beta-caryophyllene, particularly in cases of dermatitis.
- Antifungal: It has demonstrated high effectiveness in the treatment of certain fungi in numerous studies and trials.
- Additionally, it has other interesting properties such as blood anticoagulant and protection of the digestive system’s cellular makeup.
- Numerous studies also demonstrate the power of beta-caryophyllene to help alleviate periods of anxiety or depression.
Strains with a High Percentage of Caryophyllene
Caryophyllene is found in most cannabis strains, in varying concentrations. It’s often the high presence of other types of terpenes alongside Caryophyllene, such as Limonene, Terpinolene, or Linalool, that ultimately determine the effect of these strains.
5 examples of Strains High in Caryophyllene:
- Gorilla Glue: This one of the cannabis strains with the highest concentration of Caryophyllene, and terpenes in general, on the market. Its genetics come from a cross of Sour Dubb x Chem D x Chocolate Diesel, and it has an intense earthy flavor and aroma with a pungent pine undertone.
- OG Kush: This famous cannabis strain, known for its powerful effects, comes from a cross between Lemon Thai x Pakistan x Chemdawg. It has a strong fruity, cirtic, and spicy aroma and flavor. It also has a high concentration of Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Myrcene.
- Lemon Cookies: This exotic cannabis strain is a cross between the famous Lemon Haze and Girl Scout Cookies. It has an intense aroma and flavor due to its high concentration of Caryophyllene and d–Limonene especially.
- Grapefruit OG: This cannabis strain, a cross of Grapefruit x BC Kush, has an intoxicating aroma where Caryophyllene and Terpinolene stand out prominently above the rest.
- Gelato: This cannabis strain comes from a cross between Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. It has a pleasant, creamy aroma and flavor, with a composition that highlights its high content of Caryophyllene and d-Limonene.
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Until next time,
Cali Terpenes
