It may not surprise you that there’s a lot more to a cannabis strain than just its cannabinoid content. When it comes to getting the most out of your strain, seasoned cannabis consumers will often suggest using your nose as a guide. Why? Because like many other herbs, fruits, and plants, cannabis releases fragrant oils from the flowers’ resin glands called terpenes, which give strains their diverse range of aromas. If you’re not yet convinced, just give your cannabis product a sniff!
As of March 2018, here are the ten most common terpenes found in Aurora’s strains.
- Limonene
You guessed it: limonene is derived from the rinds of citrus fruit like lemon and orange. It’s a naturally occurring terpene with a strong citrusy aroma, commonly used in perfumes, flavours, aftershave lotions, bath products, and other personal care products. It is often added to cleaning solutions – such as hand soaps – because of its ability to dissolve oil.
Aurora strains that contain limonene include Monarch, Thor, and Warwick #1.
- ẟ-3-carene
Also known more simply as carene, this pungent terpene is a constituent of turpentine, a fluid usually obtained by the distillation of pine tree resin. It has a sweet and slightly citrus aroma, and can be naturally extracted from bell pepper, basil oil, pine extract, grapefruit, and kumquats. Carene is most commonly used in perfumes, cosmetics, and as an additive for flavouring in many food products.
Aurora strains that contain ẟ-3-carene include Snow Dome, Odin, and Thor.
- α-terpinene
This terpene is a constituent of a number of essential oils, including eucalyptus and juniper. It is most commonly used as a flavouring agent, and can be found in the kitchen as an aroma in allspice and cardamom. Because of its aromatic properties, α-terpinene is often used as an additive to industrial fluids to give them a more pleasant odour.
Aurora products that contain α-terpinene include Sentinel, Warwick #1, and our THC drops.
- α-bisabolol
Also known as bisabolol or levomenol, this terpene emits a sweet and floral aroma that naturally occurs in chamomile. It is most commonly used in fragrances and cosmetics, and has been used for hundreds of years in skin care products due to its anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties.
Aurora products that contain α-bisabolol include 3 Sisters #2, and both our CBD and THC drops.
- 1,8-cineole
Also known as eucalyptol, this terpene (like α-terpinene) is a constituent of eucalyptus oil. It emits a fresh mint-like aroma and can be found in flavourings, fragrances, and cosmetics. Commonly, it is used to flavour baked goods, confectionery, and beverages, and as an ingredient in mouthwash and cough suppressant. 1,8-cineole is also associated with a number of items in your spice cupboard, including bay leaves, sweet basil, and rosemary.
Aurora strains that contain 1,8-cineole include Snow Dome, Ambition, and Tower.
- α-ocimene
This terpene produces a fruity aroma, naturally occurring in tropical fruit (like mango and kumquat) and berries (like blackcurrant). Because of its sweet, herbal scent, α-ocimene is often used in perfumes and fragrances. As for herbs and spices, this terpene has been linked to parsley, basil, and thyme; it’s also a component of hops.
Aurora products that contain α-ocimene include Snow Dome, Bonanza Borealis Blend, and our CBD drops.
- Caryophyllene oxide
This terpene holds a distinctly peppery aroma and can be found in food items such as cloves, basil, hops, rosemary, and perhaps most notably, black pepper. It is commonly used as a flavouring agent in food. Naturally occurring in such herbs as lavender and cinnamon leaves, this terpene is also a natural insecticide and antifungal that protects a number of plants species!
Aurora strains that contain caryophyllene oxide include Ambition, Odin, and Thor.
- γ-terpinene
This terpene naturally occurs in a wide variety of plants. It is a constituent of many essential oils and emits a strong lemon aroma. For that reason, it’s a major component in citrus-based oils such as cumin and lemon oil, as well as everyday food items like celery, coriander, grapes, and tea. Because of its citrus aroma, it’s also commonly used in soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes.
Aurora strains that contain γ-terpinene include 3 Sisters #2, Sentinel, and Bonanza Borealis Blend.
- Geraniol
This aromatic terpene has a rose-like scent and is the main constituent of both rose and citronella oil. Most commonly used in perfumes, it’s also a primary flavouring agent in such flavours as peach, raspberry, and watermelon. Not only that – this terpene is what gives citronella its ability to repel insects. (You know those mosquito repelling candles? That’s geraniol you’re smelling).
Aurora strains that contain geraniol include Tower, Warwick #1, and Thor.
- Linalool
The most common terpene among Aurora’s strains has a floral aroma with just a hint of spicy. Linalool occurs naturally in roughly two hundred plants, including mints and other scented herbs. Woody and herbal smelling, it’s a natural constituent of cinnamon, laurels, and rosewood. Because of its aroma this terpene is most commonly used in the cosmetics industry to add a pleasant scent to perfumes, soaps, shampoos, and lotions.
Aurora strains that contain linalool include Ambition, Monarch, and Odin #2.
