Welcome back to #TerpeneTuesday with Nature’s Care!
Ready to learn about Terpinolene? Also known as δ-terpinene (Delta Terpinene), Terpinolene is well known for it’s antioxidant and anticancer benefits. Unlike majority of other terpenes, Terpinolene is neither an analgesic or an anti-inflammatory. Responsible for many of the floral notes found in Jack Herer varieties, Terpinolene is said to have a sharp, woody scent with lemony-citrus notes and taste like pine and lemon-lime with a spicy juicy berry nuance. Wow.
Terpinolene is found in a wide variety of plants, flowers, herbs and spices. More commonly turpentine, apples, cumin, lilac and tea tree.
More on benefits though!
Terpinolene may possess antimicrobial properties but since studies have focused more on whole-plant oil extracts, there is little data to support Terpinolene being antimicrobial.
Studies conducted on a native Iranian plant whose oil was made up of 20% Terpinolene, found that it’s effective against e-coli and various other pathogens. In addition, a study conducted on the oil from a different Iranian plant found Terpinolene to be an effective antibacterial agent.
In 2014, a study seeking to see the potential oxidative damage caused by Terpinolene was surpised to find that Terpinolene is actually an antioxidant. This information was not new though. Aydin et Al discovered that Terpinolene acted as an effective antioxidant in 2013 when he conducted a study on the anti-proliferative properties of Terpinolene.
Terpinolene has shown it can downregulate certain cell proteins which would slow the growth of cancer and help the human body in other ways. Aydin et Al’s study showed that Terpinolene actually decreased the cancer cell proliferation of neuroblastoma (say that aloud – really, it’s fun!) cells.
Terpinolene is also known as an effective heart disease treatment. In concert with Vitamins A and E, Terpinolene prevents low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. LDL is the so-called bad cholesterol and a major contributer to heart disease – which is STILL the leading cause of death in America!
Finally – let’s talk sedative benefits… If you’re having trouble sleeping, Terpinolene, when combined with linalool, makes for an effective sedative. A 2013 study took a look at the sedative properties of Terpinolene and found the results notable. Though the study was done on mice, their findings are still valuable to those looking to treat their insomnia naturally.
Curious what strains might be high in Terpinolene?? Check out various Jack Herer strains, Pineapple Kush, Pineapple Jack, and J1!
