Your medical cannabis journey simplified: find partnered dispensaries, explore pricing options, earn rewards, and get answers to FAQs, all in one spot.
Many consumers rely on the cannabis classifications Indica or Sativa when deciding which products to buy. However, the problem with using this method is that the cannabis strains have been so crossbred that nearly all strains are hybrids. In other words, most cannabis strains are a cross between both Indica and Sativa. Fortunately for cannabis consumers, terpenes serve as a better indicator of which cannabis type would be best for you. So far we have uncovered the therapeutic properties of the more common terpenes found in cannabis, now let’s have a look at a terpene called Geraniol.
Quick Overview of Terpenes
Cannabis contains aromatic compounds, which are called terpenes or terpenoids (terpenes plus oxygen). The terpenes are what cause the cannabis flower (the bud) to have distinctive smells, tastes, and colors. They also offer up their own sets of benefits in addition to the benefits of the cannabis cannabinoids like CBD and THC. Terpenes can be found in many other plants and fruits such as lavender, pine tree cones, and even mango.
Linalool, humulene, caryophyllene, limonene, myrcene, and pinene have all had their turn in theterpene spotlight which highlights their anti-inflammatory, stress relief, anti-proliferative and relaxing effects amongst many others specific to each terpene. Just smelling these terpenes can offer up a small taste of their benefits. Now we get to benefit from another terpene, which may be less common but is definitely worth its own spotlight.
What is Geraniol?
Geraniol is an organic and aromatic compound found in cannabis as well as in other plant species, much like any other terpene. If you’re a fan of rose oil, then you’ll like this terpene as it is the main compound found in rose oil. It can even be found in lemon oil, geranium oil as well as in many perfumes. This aromatic compound is also colorless or a pale yellow and is an oil, which is not soluble in water. Concentrated geraniol by itself can be an eye, skin, or respiratory irritant if taken in excess so the concentrated oil by itself should probably be avoided.
Geraniol produces a sweet and floral aroma much like the scent of a rose and is often used in biosynthesis with the terpenes myrcene and ocimene. Scientists and cosmetic professionals have long held the belief that geraniol is one of the more attractive natural terpenes with a wide range of use. An example of one of its wide variety of uses includes something slightly unrelated to cannabis but cool nonetheless, is that bees make use of geraniol to mark the entrance of their hives as well as using geraniol to mark plants that bear good nectar.
See If You Qualify For Medical Marijuana -Select Your State!
Benefits of Geraniol
Geraniol has been found to offer insecticidal and repellent benefits and can be used as natural pest control. While those benefits are good, it’s probably not the medical ones you were hoping for. Luckily that is just one of its many benefits. This terpene has also been found to act as a promising chemopreventive for some types of cancer both in vitro and in vivo human cancer cell models (e.g. pancreatic, liver, lung, colon, and melanoma). This means that with more research geraniol can potentially one day be used to prevent cancer from occurring, especially in those that are most at risk of cancer. Geraniol has effects on certain human cancer cells as well as the aberrant tumor blood vessels that make them possible (1).
The same review study also found that this terpene performs biological activities including acting as an antimicrobial agent. Acting as an antimicrobial agent means that it is active against microbes (micro-organisms) which can put our health at risk leading to infectious disease and illness, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Additionally, geraniol is an antioxidant which means that it prevents or/and slows down the damage that may be caused to cells by free radicals (unstable molecules produced as a reaction to the environment or pressures). Its antioxidant activity in mice was neuroprotective in models of nerve damage and spinal cord injury. These should be considered for further study in humans.
Geraniol is also an anti-inflammatory which means that the terpene reduces inflammation and swelling in the body. In mice, geraniol prevented damage from an inflammatory model of ulcerative colitis and prevent further ulceration (2). The anti-inflammatory effects were also seen in mice in a variety of inflammatory disease models. Inflammatory damage from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis was reduced, as well as diabetes and subsequent nerve damage. Geraniol also reduced high cholesterol, arrhythmia, and the risk of heart disease in mice. Geraniol could be a hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and antidiabetic agent in humans if further studies are done to prove its potential benefits.
Another review study also found that geraniol has been receiving a lot of attention for its ability to act “as a penetration enhancer for transdermal drug delivery.” Transdermal drug delivery is when therapy or medication is being delivered through the skin as the main route of drug delivery. By being a penetration enhancer for transdermal drug delivery, geraniol is improving the patient’s ability to take in and use the transdermal drug(s). Some studies found that geraniol is also antibacterial and antiseptic. These potential benefits may be helpful for reducing acnebreakouts, skin irritation as well as infections when applied topically, although they haven’t been specifically investigated yet. Being anti-bacterial means that the terpene fights against bacteria that could be causing trouble or harm to your health. The antiseptic properties of geraniol mean that it can reduce the possibility of and fights against infection, sepsis, and putrefaction of wounds.
Potential Properties Include:
Insect repellant
Chemopreventive
Anti-microbial
Anti-oxidant
Anti-inflammatory
Hepatoprotective
Neuroprotective
Cardioprotective
Antidiabetic
Penetration enhancer for transdermal drug delivery
Geraniol is a terpene that smells like roses and offers so many benefits it sounds like something dreamt up, but the reality is that this lovely terpene is widely available and can boost the benefits offered up by cannabis and its cannabinoids. Most of the evidence surrounding geraniol is still preclinical and may not necessarily translate into humans, so clinical trials are required to determine true benefits and long-term effects. If you have any experiences with strains containing geraniol, let us know in the comment section below!
Chane Leigh, aka The Bud Fairy, is a South African cannabis advocate and enthusiast with a firey personality and a thirst for travel. She loves to educate people and to question the norms.
Getting comfortable with the most common weed weights and measurements can really come in handy when shopping for cannabis products. Gram, eighth, quarter, ounce—there are plenty of ways to measure cannabis, and just as many slang terms to go with them. Ultimately, these cannabis measurements can make shopping for marijuana by weight feel confusing fast….
Sometimes, your urine has a strange, weed-like, or other abnormal smell, and you might not be sure what’s causing it. This common experience often leads to online searches driven by curiosity or concern about potential health issues. This article explores some of the most common reasons behind a cannabis-like urine odor and other types of…
According to data recently released by Human Rights Watch, between 2002 and 2020, just over 127,000 people were deported for cannabis-related offenses. This number accounts for 35% of all deportations where drug-related charges were the most serious offense. Notably, this time includes several years when cannabis was illegal on both the state and federal levels….
Cannabis use for human athletes is increasingly popular because of its numerous therapeutic benefits. It’s a well-known and documented remedy used for centuries in both human and equine patients alike. However, it’s a newly revived trend for horse and rider athletes in the modern equestrian community. As the stigma and legalization of cannabis continue to…
One of the best things about cannabis is that it offers several benefits. However, most people use it strictly for fun – recreational purposes. But what if you could make another enjoyable activity even more pleasurable with cannabis? Well, according to multiple anecdotal and scientific reports, cannabis might help men put the ram in their…
The statements made regarding cannabis products on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cannabis is not an FDA-approved substance and is still illegal under federal law. The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. We strongly recommend that you consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before using any cannabis products. The use of any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk.