It’s the first Tuesday of the new year, which means it’s time for 2021’s inaugural Terpene Tuesday! We’re starting the year off with one of the most recognizable terps out there – linalool.
Linalool is often associated with lavender since it’s responsible for creating the plant’s unique floral scent. The next time you settle down for a relaxing soak at the end of a tough week and the calming aroma of lavender bubble bath fills you with contentment, thank linalool!
What is Linalool?
Linalool is a type of molecule classified as a terpene. In case you’ve forgotten, terpenes are aromatic compounds responsible for many of the smells we encounter every day. The sour, tangy smell of citrus, the sharp, earthy odor of a forest laden with pines, and nearly all the scents that tickle our nose hairs and trigger our olfactory senses are the result of terpenes.
One plant particularly teeming with various terpenes is Cannabis. Cultivators breed cannabis plants with terpenes in mind in order to grow buds with specific fragrances and effects. That’s right, these pungent molecules don’t just smell nice; they also have a myriad of health benefits. Check out our guide to terpenes to learn more!
Linalool Benefits
Linalool is known to possess tons of benefits. One of the most widely known of these benefits is the relaxing effect linalool produces when inhaled. This sense of calm induced by linalool’s aroma can be effectively utilized as a sleep aid. Some other linalool medicinal uses include:
- Stress-relieving properties: The calming effects of linalool are a great way to reduce stress naturally. One study even found that linalool had reduced anxiety at levels comparable to pharmaceuticals like Diazepam when used on rodents.
- Antimicrobial effects: Linalool has been shown to help prevent the buildup of bacteria in the mouth, which is why the terpene can be found as an active ingredient in some kinds of toothpaste and gargling solutions.
- Anti-inflammatory effects: Like several other terpenes, linalool has been shown to possess strong anti-inflammatory effects, which may make the compound useful in treating conditions caused by inflammation. \
What Products Contain Linalool?
The floral linalool aroma is remarkably pleasing to the nose and is often added to products for that very reason. Most notably, the beauty industry uses linalool to add a delightful fragrance to their creams and serums, which is why it’s common to find linalool in skincare and haircare products. Your shampoo and conditioner may very well contain linalool - take a peek and see if you spot this aromatically pleasing compound.
Unfortunately, those with sensitive skin frequently suffer from a linalool allergy resulting in irritation when oxidized forms of the terpene are applied topically to the skin. These reactions have some people asking, “Is linalool safe?” The good news is, apart from the allergic reaction, linalool is completely safe when used in small doses.
Linalool can also be found in many different essential oils. What essential oils contain linalool? Most commonly, lavender contains high levels of linalool, as well as other floral essential oils such as geranium and rose. You may be surprised to learn that more herby essential oils like basil and thyme can contain large concentrations of linalool as well.
Foods With Linalool
Several of the foods we consume every day are rich in linalool! Just open up your spice cabinet, and you can find the terpene in household herbs like thyme, basil, and mint. Linalool extract is also often used as an additive in alcoholic beverages such as gin and liqueurs and even in many different chewing gums.
Linalool in Cannabis
We can’t talk about linalool without talking about our favorite plant – cannabis! There are plenty of recognizable hemp and marijuana strains high in linalool, including our stimulating blend of hemp flower Stem Uplift. Linalool may be relaxing, but unlike the terpene myrcene, it doesn’t create a sedating effect.
Here are some other high linalool strains:
- Lavender
- Amnesia Haze
- Granddaddy Purple
- Master Kush
All in All
Linalool is an amazing terpene with tons of benefits! You can find it in food, beauty products, and, of course, cannabis. Modern science is just beginning to discover all terpenes’ therapeutic potential, but linalool is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting.
Tune in next Tuesday when we check out the tranquilizing terpene myrcene!
