Hey everyone, I hope you're having an awesome weekend! It's been a busy week here, so I am especially glad that the weekend is here and we can rest. This week we're going to be looking at three terpenes that have interesting health benefits, but as I look through the list of terpenes, we've talked about almost all of them. My original plan was to just continue talking about the components of cannabis, flavonoids and cannabinoids, after finishing up talking about terpenes. But I would love feedback on what aspects of cannabis education would be most useful next. Feel free to comment on the post or send me a message on social media if you would like to see education related to a certain aspect of cannabis (dosing strategies, how to choose cannabis cultivars, etc.). I'm also still working on the excel file of prescription medications that might have interactions with cannabis. However, the sorting of those prescription medications into different categories that might be easiest to view, is not as quick as I was thinking but will eventually be completed. Stay tuned as that file will be coming in the near future. Today we're going to discuss three terpenes, nerolidol, pulegone and sabinene. These three terpenes have a lot of potential for helping with various symptoms, but also have some risks that we need to be aware of before starting to consume them. So let's get into it!
The first terpene we're going to talk about this evening is nerolidol. Nerolidol is a remarkable terpene that is found not only in cannabis but also in tea tree, rose, lemongrass, jasmine, ginger, lavender, and more1. It boasts a captivating aroma reminiscent of mixed fruit and apples, with subtle floral, woody notes accompanied by hints of citrus and melon1. Its wide array of uses extends beyond the world of cannabis, making it a versatile and valuable natural compound. One of its most notable qualities is its antibacterial properties, potentially assisting in the fight against malaria when used alongside other medications2. Additionally, nerolidol demonstrates impressive anti-parasitic and anti-fungal attributes, offering hope for those dealing with skin fungus issues2.
Furthermore, nerolidol's potential neuroprotective qualities have piqued the interest of researchers exploring its application in conditions like Parkinson's disease2. For those seeking relief from anxiety or sleep disturbances, studies on mice suggest that this terpene possesses sedative and anti-anxiety properties2. Its anti-cancer potential is equally fascinating, as it has demonstrated the ability to inhibit tumor growth and induce cell death in human liver cancer cells2. Moreover, nerolidol may aid in enhancing the penetration of topical medicines into the skin, making it a valuable addition to skincare products1. The most astonishing fact is that, as of now, there are no known risks or side effects associated with nerolidol, making it an intriguing option for those considering responsible cannabis consumption for medicinal purposes1.
The next terpene that we'll discuss is that of pulegone. Pulegone is a terpene with a fresh peppermint aroma, is a fascinating natural compound found in various plants, including catnip, pennyroyal, cannabis, and mentha piperita (mint)3. As a nurse dedicated to educating individuals interested in responsible cannabis consumption for medicinal purposes, it's crucial to explore the positive health benefits of pulegone as well as understand the potential risks that could come from ingesting this terpene, but we'll get to that in just a bit. One of the remarkable attributes of pulegone is its multifaceted therapeutic potential. In vitro studies have demonstrated its anti-inflammatory properties, making it a promising candidate for managing conditions characterized by inflammation and pain4. Moreover, pulegone exhibits antimicrobial effects, showing particular efficacy against salmonella bacteria3,4. It also boasts antiviral properties, alleviating symptoms of viral influenza infections3,4. Although it doesn't prevent viral infections, it helps reduce the severity of symptoms3. Additionally, pulegone serves as an analgesic (pain reliever) by inhibiting nociception, the process responsible for pain perception3,4. Furthermore, it has anti-convulsant and anti-anxiety properties, with animal studies indicating its usefulness in reducing anxiety symptoms3,4.
However, it's crucial to approach pulegone with caution, as it has moderate risks associated with ingestion and has been classified as potentially poisonous4,5. Animal studies have linked oral consumption of pulegone to carcinogenic effects, including hepatic carcinomas and pulmonary metaplasia4,5. Furthermore, pulegone is found predominantly in peppermint and pennyroyal, and there is limited data on its toxicity limits for inhalation or consumption5. As such, responsible and informed use of pulegone-containing products is imperative to maximize its therapeutic benefits while minimizing potential risks5.This terpene provides an excellent example of why we need healthcare providers to be more involved in cannabis as a medication. There is great potential for good health benefits, but just because it is a plant doesn't mean it is 100% safe.
The last terpene that we're going to discuss tonight is sabinene. One of the reasons that I love learning about cannabis is the fact that there could be health benefits that could be useful in everyday situations. Sabinene is a terpene found not only in cannabis but also in various plants like holm oak trees, spruce trees, juniper bushes, clove plants, black pepper and nutmeg6. Sabinene offers a distinctive sensory experience with its spicy, pine-like scent infused with citrus notes, making it an intriguing addition to the world of natural compounds6. One of the standout qualities of sabinene lies in its multifaceted health benefits. It serves as a potent anti-inflammatory agent, believed to inhibit the production of inflammatory compounds, which can be particularly valuable in managing conditions characterized by inflammation and pain7. Sabinene also showcases antioxidant properties, offering significant protection against oxidative damage according to a 2015 study6. Furthermore, it demonstrates anti-fungal properties, showing effectiveness against dermatophytes and Cryptococcus neoformans, two types of fungi6,7. Additionally, sabinene displays antimicrobial activity, with essential oils rich in sabinene exhibiting moderate effectiveness against bacteria like Streptococcus, Influenzae, Campylobacter, and E. coli. In a 2019 study, sabinene exhibited promise in enhancing oral health by reducing the growth and adherence of Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria associated with dental cavities, as well as reducing acid production and biofilm formation6,7. Remarkably, sabinene's use appears to have a high safety profile with no known specific side effects, according to the FDA, making it an intriguing option for those considering it as part of their wellness routine.
Moreover, recent research highlights sabinene's potential role in mitigating muscle atrophy, a condition characterized by the breakdown of muscle proteins7. Various factors like starvation, inactivity, aging, diabetes, and cancer can trigger muscle atrophy7. Sabinene's anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and potential antioxidant properties suggest it may have a role in controlling muscle atrophy, particularly when induced by malnutrition7. These findings underscore sabinene's versatility and the importance of responsible exploration of its therapeutic applications in cannabis and beyond. As a nurse specializing in educating individuals on the responsible use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, I'm eager to shed light on the therapeutic potential of sabinene and all the compounds within the cannabis plant.
I hope this information was useful for you. I would love to talk with you about your medical cannabis concerns. With my background as a nurse and my training in medical cannabis science, I can help answer questions such as: Is medical cannabis right for me? Will cannabis interact with the prescription medications I'm taking? How do I choose the right cultivar to take and how do I take it? If you or a loved one has any questions regarding cannabis as a medicine, let's set up a time to meet and discuss your particular situation. Until next week, stay safe!
Reference
1. Leafwell (2023) What is trans-nerolidol? benefits, uses & more, Leafwell. Available at: https://leafwell.com/blog/trans-nerolidol/ (Accessed: 07 September 2023).
2. Chan, W.-K. et al. (2016) ‘Nerolidol: A sesquiterpene alcohol with multi-faceted pharmacological and biological activities’, Molecules, 21(5), p. 529. doi:10.3390/molecules21050529.
3. Leafwell (2023a) What is pulegone? benefits, uses, and risks, Leafwell. Available at: https://leafwell.com/blog/pulegone/ (Accessed: 07 September 2023).
4. Razzaq, M.A. et al. (2023) ‘Pulegone prevents hypertension through activation of muscarinic receptors and cyclooxygenase pathway in L-name-induced hypertensive rats’, Cardiovascular Therapeutics, 2023, pp. 1–17. doi:10.1155/2023/8166840.
5. Jabba, S.V. and Jordt, S.-E. (2019) ‘Risk analysis for the carcinogen pulegone in mint- and menthol-flavored e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products’, JAMA Internal Medicine, 179(12), p. 1721. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.3649.
6. Leafwell (2023b) What is sabinene? benefits, uses, and risks, Leafwell. Available at: https://leafwell.com/blog/sabinene/ (Accessed: 07 September 2023).
7. Ryu, Y. et al. (2019) ‘Sabinene prevents skeletal muscle atrophy by inhibiting the MAPK–MURF-1 pathway in rats’, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(19), p. 4955. doi:10.3390/ijms20194955.
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