Your favorite strains are your favorite for a reason. Maybe they give you feelings of calm, or maybe they energize and invigorate your creativity. Some strains increase the appetite, while others put you to sleep. Whatever your needs, the multifarious world of cannabis can meet them.
If you’re someone who enjoys citrus or bright, aromatic foods like lemons, oranges, or fresh limes, you may be naturally drawn to limonene terpenes and this may show up in the way you shop for your cannabis. Read on to see if any of your favorites are limonene-dominant!
What Is Limonene?
Limonene is a monoterpene responsible for the aromatic scents of many coniferous trees and citrus fruits. It shows up in the resins of red maple trees, various pines, spruce, cottonwoods, juniper bushes, and of course, cannabis. But limonene is also found in orange peel and lemon rind and is most often associated with citrus. However some variations of limonene, like L-limonene, can present as more piny—think gin.
In nature, the limonene terpene is a very unique chemical, in that it belongs to a class of organic compounds known as “aliphatic” or “non-aromatic” hydrocarbons. These compounds, which show up in plants as essential oils, act as a defense mechanism to deter predators with strong aromas and bitter tastes.
While limonene odor acts as a deterrent in nature, these fresh scents are considered very pleasing to humans and appear in a variety of ways in our everyday lives.
Limonene Uses in Everyday Products
We already know that limonene terpenes show up in some pretty remarkable ways in nature, but what about in the products we use everyday? Common limonene uses include giving fresh fragrance to cleaning, personal care products, and odor removing sprays, flavoring medicine to cover up bitter taste, and it’s also used as a solvent to dissolve adhesives.
It may not come as much of a surprise that the terpene found in lemon and orange rind is used in cleaning products, but our association with citrus and cleanliness actually has some historical significance. One theory suggests that humans have been using citric acid to clean as early as the 15th Century—that’s approximately 4,000 years before citric acid production kicked off in the 19th Century.
As history suggests, limonene and citric acid is a very effective cleaning agent. It naturally dissolves rust and other alkaline stains like limescale. It’s naturally antibacterial and highly effective at absorbing odor from alkaline smells—think fish, rotting foods, garbage, etc. So it only makes sense that limonene uses today haven’t departed much from their cleaning origins of the past.
Limonene in Cannabis
Limonene also just so happens to be one of the most common terpenes in cannabis and shows up in a lot of popular strains currently on the market. If you suspect you’ve recently enjoyed a limonene-dominant strain based on scent alone, you might want to guess again. Cannabis strains with limonene don’t always have a bright, citrusy smell.
That’s because the combinations of cannabinoids, amount of THC, and terpene profile all play into the fragrance, appearance, and potentially effects of every strain. But that’s not to say that limonene terpenes don’t have some consistency when it comes to cannabis.
Which Strains Are Limonene-Dominant?
While there is still a lot of research that needs to be done on the relationship between the effects of certain strains and their terpene profile, studies on limonene odor suggest that this essential oil holds some promise in terms of reducing anxiety and uplifting one’s mood.
For instance, in a study published by the Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior Journal, researchers found that when rats inhaled limonene vapor, it reduced their anxiety. Additionally, one neurologist from the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago discovered a link between smelling citrus-scented cleaning products and good behavior in humans.
With this evidence, it’s hard not to see a connection between limonene terpenes and the anti-anxiety effects of some cannabis strains. Lemon OG, for example, is a limonene-dominant strain that creates a grounding, creative high great for combating feelings of anxiety and stress. Do-Si-Do, another popular limonene-dominant strain produces a long-lasting body high, known to cause restful sleep. Other limonene-dominant strains include:
- Banana OG
- Berry White
- Black Cherry Soda
- Cinex
- Do-Si-Do
- Lemon OG
- Purple Hindu Kush
- Purple Punch
- Strawberry Banana
- Tahoe OG
- Wedding Cake
- White Fire OG
While consuming limonene at low levels in cannabis may have some health benefits, it’s important to keep in mind that essential oils tend to have a higher concentration of chemicals and could cause negative side effects. Make sure to consult a doctor before using an essential oil for aromatherapy or topical purposes. And of course consult a budtender at your local dispensary if you want to hear more about limonene-dominant strains.
Why Is Cannabolish So Effective against Cannabis Odor?
Terpenes and cannabinoids could be the answer to curating a cannabis experience that is unique to every individual’s needs. Once you’ve found some of your favorite strains, you can keep odors at bay safely and effectively with Cannabolish.
We developed Cannabolish Odor Removing Spray and Candles with the power of plant oils and natural ingredients to fight odors from cannabis before, after, and even during your next session. Simply set an Odor Absorbing Candle in a discrete location in the room and allow the fresh essence to get rid of odors from your favorite, limonene-dominant strains.
Spray Cannabolish in closets and on fabrics to eliminate cannabis odor locked in garment fibers, or take Cannabolish on the go to eliminate odors in your car. Cannabolish is versatile, discrete, and effective against the unique stink of your favorite strains.
Keep Reading:
Best Terpene for Focused-Related Activities
Terpene Guide: What is Myrcene?
Terpene Guide: What is Terpinolene?
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