Get to Know a Cannabis Terpene: Ocimene

Basil’s genus name, ‘ocimum’ gives ocimene its name. Found in a variety of plants, ocimene is used in a variety of perfumery products for its relatively strong sweet smell. Ocimene has three isomers — an alpha isomer and two beta isomers (one and one ). Alpha-ocimene is found in green vegetables and contributes to the smell of unripe mangoes, while beta-ocimene is found in the leaves and flowers of a large variety of plant species. Highly volatile in air, the smell of ocimene has a lot of impact, but is not as long-lasting as other terpenes. The sweet, woody smells and flavors produced by ocimene complement many other terpenes in the cannabis plant.

In addition to adding aroma and flavor ocimene has been identified as one of the protective terpenes that assist in pest resistance. Ocimene is also a subject of study for its possible impact on pollinator syndromes (which is a way of describing how particular plants attract their pollinators). Trans -ocimene, more abundantly found in floral scents, is used as a pheromone in honeybee colonies to communicate food needs. In that context, ocimene is used to communicate to worker bees the need to increase food production for insect larvae.

In theory, this is how that viral video of ‘cannahoney production’ was made a few years ago. ( I only know of terpene-infused honey ). Ocimene was also identified as one of the chemicals involved in plant-to-plant signaling by tea plants.

Ocimene features in a large array of patents. A cannabis-based, moist- non-tobacco snuff uses ocimene. Ocimene is included in a sweetener. One patent describes a detective molecule and kit meant to detect scent in orchids — which includes the terpene ocimene.

As with other terpenes, ocimene is currently the subject of quite a bit of medical research — both on its own and within the context of the entire cannabis plant.

In research that cites Iranian folkloric medicine an essential oil containing large amounts of ocimene was found to be an effective anticonvulsant. Ocimene’s possible antiviral properties are currently being reviewed, along with other compounds in essential oils. The anti-fungal properties of the essential oil of angelica major , which has ocimene as a major component, have recently been studied and published in the Journal of Natural Medicines.

The essential oil of the hemlock water-dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) was found to have antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This essential oil has a total of over 40% ocimene ( -ocimene (31.3%) and — -ocimene (12.3%)). It was found to be very effective against dermatophytes (ringworm) and Cryptococcus neoformans.

Ocimene can be found in many varieties of cannabis. Some strain names associated with ocimene content are Jack Herer, Green Dragon,

Ocimene has already demonstrated a variety of uses and potential, and like many terpenes and cannabinoids, is worthy of more study.

Other Sources: Basil, mint, coriander, cotton, black currant, mango, marjoram, neroli, kumquats, parsley, mandarin, pepper, rosemary, tarragon, thyme, orchid, hops, bergamot, pine.

Green, sweet, citrus, herbal, terpenic, woody, floral, astringent.

Green, woody, tropical, clean.

Article Sources:

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5281553

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocimene

https://www.perfumersworld.com/view.php?pro_id=3QC00330

www.thegoodscentscompany.com/data/rw1017311.html#touses

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0013531

Originally published at https://oregoncannabisgazette.com.