Featuring an uplifting and familiar fragrance, the pinene terpene is packed with therapeutic properties that extend far beyond its pleasant aroma. Learn all about pinene in our latest guide.
A walk through the forest can leave you feeling like you have just had an enlightening experience. You may indeed walk away feeling more at ease and less stressed, and this experience may be related to what you smelled along the way. Specifically, the pinene terpene.
Pinene has a telltale aromatic quality—it serves up that sharp pine-needle fragrance. In hemp, this particular odor can be easy to point out, but this terpene may have a lot to offer beyond aromatics.
What Is Pinene?
Pinene is actually one of the most prevalent terpenes found on the planet. Of course, you could find the pinene terpene in pine needles, hence the name, but you would also find this aromatic compound in rosemary, basil, eucalyptus, orange peels, parsley, turpentine, and dill. When it comes to cannabis, however, pinene is not one of the most abundant terpenes, even though it is one of the most commonly found among a wide range of strains in small amounts. in nature, pinene is thought to be used primarily as an insect or pest deterrent in plants and trees.
Pinene can be used in reference to either alpha-pinene (a-pinene) or beta-pinene (b-pinene), both of which are found in many of the same plants. However, a-pinene does tend to have a more substantial concentration level, is found in more plants, and is more noteworthy in certain hemp strains.
Due to its fragrant qualities, pinene has made its way quite prominently to the fragrance industry. The terpene can be used to add aromatics to everything from household cleaners to home-fragrancing products. And, the pinene terpene has been recognized by the Food and Drug Administration as generally safe for human consumption when used as a flavoring additive. Further, the therapeutic qualities and good safety profile make the terpene an agent commonly added to certain medications.
Pinene and the Endocannabinoid System
Pinene is not known to interact with the endocannabinoid system directly. Instead, pinene seems to interact with GABA receptors in the brain. However, more research is needed to determine how pinene may support cannabinoids that do interact with the receptors in the endocannabinoid system. It is speculated that most hemp terpenes support the functions of the cannabinoids in the ECS to encourage what is referred to as the entourage effect.
The Potential Pinene Benefits
The benefits of pinene are so profound that the terpene was dubbed by one study as “the miracle gift of nature.” Pinene has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to target an array of issues, and in some ways, pinene has been further studied than some of the cannabinoids found in hemp.
A few of the most noteworthy pinene benefits include:
- Gastroprotective properties – Both alpha and beta-pinene have been used to treat certain gastrointestinal disorders.
- Anxiolytic properties – In animal studies, a-pinene had similar anxiolytic effects as certain anxiety medications.
- Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties – In animal studies, a-pinene has shown to be effective for inflammation and propose analgesic qualities.
- Neuroprotective properties – The pinene terpene may reduce apoptosis with its antioxidant qualities, which means it could be an important protective agent for the nervous system and help with certain neuropathic diseases.
- Antibacterial properties – A-pinene and b-pinene may damage the cellular walls of certain microbes, which means it may act as an effective antibacterial agent against certain strains of bacteria.
- Anti-allergy properties – A-pinene was found to suppress symptoms related to allergies in animal studies.
- Anticonvulsant properties – In animal studies, pinene was determined to decrease convulsions and lower imbalances of oxidation thought to be linked to the convulsions.
High Pinene Hemp Strains
Even though pinene is commonly found in the cannabis family of plants, the terpene is not the most dominant one when lined up with others like myrcene and caryophyllene. With that being said, it is quite rare to find a hemp strain that has a really high concentration of pinene. But, what you will find is a lot of strains that do have some of the pinene terpenes in its makeup.
A few good examples of hemp strains that boasts a notable pinene concentration include:
When it comes to pinene cannabis strains, Big Smooth happens to be one of the few that is actually pinene-dominant. As you shop for hemp, however, be sure to take a look at lab reports for a list of the terpenes detected so you know just what amount of pinene you are getting with each strain. If you get the opportunity to shop for hemp flower in person, simply follow your nose—pinene can be relatively easy to sniff out because it is such a familiar smell.
Get to Know Pinene on a Personal Level with TIMBR Organics
Pinene has this welcoming aromatic quality that soothes the soul—just as some proclaim heading off into a pine-filled forest can do. Once your nose captures pinene in your smokable hemp, you’ll recognize it from that day forward.
Just like other terpenes, pinene benefits for the body are easy to point out. So, this is a hemp constituent worthy of getting to know on a closer level—you’re bound to have a pleasurable experience!
Ready to discover pinene effects for yourself? You can count on our products at TIMBR Organics for the full-spectrum experience, including pinene and a litany of other terpenes and cannabinoids beyond CBD. Take a look at our extensive collection of premium hemp flower, hemp cigarettes, CBD vape pens, and more!
This article is not intended to serve as a substitute for advice or consultation from a certified doctor or health professional. Before trying CBD or hemp flower products, it is strongly advised to conduct your own research and consult with a licensed doctor. While the World Health Organization considers cannabidiol to be “generally well tolerated with a good safely profile,” more research is needed to properly evaluate the safety and efficacy of CBD for general use.
TIMBR Organics products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
We hope that you enjoyed this article. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to post a comment, and don’t forget to check out our hemp blog for more articles and guides!
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