Terpene of the Month: Ocimene | AusCannaReviews
Quick update of what’s happening behind the scenes here at AusCannaReviews…
I'm taking a well-deserved two-week break at the end of the year. So on Monday, Dec 25th, I'll be reposting my most popular review and on Monday, Jan 1st, I'll be doing a terpene recap. The reason for this is starting in February, I'll be transitioning into cannabinoids, kicking off with THC followed by CBD in March.
Something BIG is happening during this time so causal hint go back and read anything you might have missed since becoming a subscriber!!!
Podcast… I’ve been dragging my feet long enough on this and I’m at the point where I’ve just got to turn the mic on and hit record. So in the next few weeks, I’ll be dropping my pilot episode. Fingers crossed the pilot episode hooks you enough to come back for Season 1 Episode 1, which will be in January where I'll be bringing the show to you from on the road. Stay tuned!
On the topic of podcasts in case you missed it I made an appearance on two different podcasts last week. Give and Toke with Paul on Spotify and Apple and Higher Living with Chad on YouTube. Give them a listen/watch and show the boys some support. Oh and if you can think of a name for the AusCannaReviews podcast drop it below because that’s still very much a work in progress!
This month we’re taking a closer look at the terpene Ocimeme.
Ocimene is a terpene found in various plants such as mint, parsley, basil, orchids, marigolds, kumquats and cannabis.
Known for its diverse and pleasant aroma profile Ocimene typically carries a sweet, citrusy, and fruity scent with underlying notes of earthiness, woodiness, and herbs. In cannabis, Ocimene contributes to the overall aromatic complexity, and its scent can be reminiscent of tropical fruits, flowers, or even spices, depending on the cultivar.
Like several other terpenes, Ocimene has been investigated for its potential anti-inflammatory effects. Thai folk medicine influenced by Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, incorporates a wide array of herbs for their therapeutic properties. One such herb is the lesser galangal a plant in the ginger family whose major compound is Ocimene. A study from 2020 published in Pharmaceutical Sciences Asia demonstrated that Ocimene effectively inhibited COX-2 activity meaning that it could be used to manage symptoms and slow down the progression of diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s. The study also showed Ocimene lowered prostaglandin (PGE2) levels. For some women who experience menstrual cramps due to the release of PGE2, this means Ocimene could potentially be used to help alleviate pain associated with menstruation.
Ocimene has long been touted for its antimicrobial properties. A study published in the 2019 issue of Industrial Crops and Products investigated the antimicrobial activities of Euodiae Fructus, a type of shrub or tree that’s widely distributed in southern China, Bhutan, northeast India, Myanmar, and Nepal. Eudoiae Fructus which is high in Ocimene has been used for thousands of years in many traditional Chinese medicine to treat vomiting, headache, diarrhea, stomach ache, and dysmenorrhea. The study showed that Euodiae Fructus essential oils displayed antibacterial and antifungal activities that could be used as alternatives for controlling Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, two types of common bacteria.
Lastly, Ocimene has been identified as having antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help combat oxidative stress in the body by neutralizing free radicals, which are associated with various health problems, including aging and certain chronic diseases. A 2014 article published in Food Science & Nutrition assessed that an essential oil collected from Tagetes Minuta, a plant that belongs to the marigold family which includes ocimene in four different forms, is an effective antioxidant and could eventually be used in developing anti-tumour drugs.
If you’re looking for medicinal cultivars on the Australian market that are high in Ocimene**…
Endoca’s Apples and Bananas (Total Ocimene 0.80%)
Grandiosa’s Gorilla Gule (Total Ocimene 0.51%)
Promethean BioPharma’s Super Silver Haze (Total Ocimene 0.46%)
MedCan’s Strawberry Cake (SC01) (Total Ocimene 0.36%)
SatiVite’s Woomera 23 (Total Ocimene 0.34%)
Tasmania Botanics’s T23 Opal (Total Ocimene 0.32%)
MJ FLOWER’s (KOSHER KUSH aka 'Kosher OG') (Total Ocimene 0.30%)
Grandiosa’s Kosher Kush (Total Ocimene 0.27%)
Grandiosa’s Blue Cheese (Total Ocimene 0.27%)
PUREKANN’s TTr Dry Flower (Gorilla Glue aka GG4, Original Glue, Gorilla Glue #4) (Total Ocimene 0.27%)
**This data was provided by Catalyst by honahlee. The honahlee team requires all product suppliers to verify their terpene percentages beyond the suppliers’ brochure or health professional marketing claims via a Certificate of Analysis (COA) with measured terpene value for the products to be searchable.
This substack aims to provide anecdotal information from my personal experiences in hopes it will lead to meaningful conversations between my readers and their healthcare professionals about medicinal cannabis.
I have no formal training in medicine or science. This article does not constitute medical advice.
Being born with no sense of smell, its excellent how much your teaching me about aromas and smells with your reviews and terpene profiles. For decades I've been asking friends what my cannabis smells like, most tend to try and tell me how good or bad it smells, only a select few would give me a descriptive report of what the smells really reminded them of. Your descriptions are reminding me of those select few, so Thank You.
Great write-up, looking forward to the pilot episode of your podcast!