One of the terpenes frequently present in cannabis is ocimene. What precisely are terpenes? Terpenes are a group of chemicals found in plants that help sustain them and give them the flavors and scents we are familiar with.
Growing legalization of marijuana is increasing interest in these compounds in science and medicine. Ocimene is showing encouraging promise for use in industry, health, and people with many seeking guidance from an MMJ doctor to explore its potential benefits and get MMJ card online.
The breakdown of various terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids, including ocimene, in the plant is what gives each strain of cannabis its subtle scent.
This implies that the potential health benefits of each strain may vary. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD have received the majority of scientific attention, but terpenes and other substances are also showing promise as potent antioxidants, natural antibiotics, and analgesics.
What is the function of ocimene? The most recent studies on ocimene and its effects on cannabis flavor and health will be discussed in this post.
Ocimene: Everything You Need to Know
One of the most prevalent terpenes in nature, ocimene (also known as beta-ocimene) is found in a variety of flowery fragrances that draw pollinators.
Its name is derived from the Greek word for basil, ocimum. Ocimene is responsible for the sweet, herbaceous scent of basil, but not necessarily for its distinctively Italian taste.
In addition to being a chemical that can indicate danger in some plant and insect species, ocimene is a volatile pheromone that is crucial for the social control of honeybee colonies.
What is so intriguing about the way terpenes function in nature is the intricate way ocimene has co-evolved with other plants and insects.
Terpenes such as ocimene kick in to give plants certain benefits, and we can absorb some of these benefits by eating these compounds. Depending on their relationship with the plant, terpenes can have a variety of functions, including protection, attraction, and repulsiveness.
Terpene levels in plants are frequently determined by their biological requirements, and they will rise to satisfy those requirements. Your cannabis strains may exhibit this in an intriguing way.
Terpenes like ocimene, for instance, can mimic the actions of this compound in beehives by attracting pollinators like bees to spread pollen or by attracting species to eat their fruit to disperse seeds by giving them a delicious flavor.
One substance that aids in maintaining the homeostasis of bee colonies is ocimene. It’s no accident that plants can produce this chemical to draw them in and ward off other insects like aphids. If an aphid infestation is not controlled, it can completely destroy a plant or its surroundings.
Ocimene’s function as a communication chemical includes turning off aphids and on bees, but how does it work?
What Are the Effects of Ocimene?
All terpenes support biological functions in plants. They have antifungal and antioxidant properties, and eating them can improve our health. Terpenes have several benefits, including UV protection and a reduction in the growth of bacteria.
Ocimene is a crucial chemical messenger that plants use to communicate with one another about dangers such as pests or competition.
A plant will synthesize and release ocimene into the atmosphere when it is attacked by insects or becomes ill. This ocimene signal can be detected by nearby plants, which are then stimulated to initiate their own biological processes.
This frequently causes nearby plants to release volatile compounds that are poisonous to pests or predators or chemicals that repel pests.
“Infochemicals” are the term scientists use to describe chemicals that provide warnings. One of the most prevalent and effective infochemicals in the plant kingdom for alerting plant ecosystems to danger and triggering defensive responses is ocimene.
Pests face an increasingly toxic and hostile environment everywhere they go because they cause other plants to develop chemical defenses. In order to help ensure their mutual survival, this system enables plants to coordinate group defenses for protection. All of this is a result of ocimene raising its warning.
In essence, ocimene is a plant’s defense mechanism that is triggered to keep pests away. Although aphid infestation can be extremely harmful to cannabis crops, they will avoid strains that contain higher levels of ocimene, just as mosquitoes avoid certain oils like citronella.
Ocimene is fairly common in plants and is not only found in cannabis.
Natural Sources of Ocimene: Plants and Foods That Contain It
Numerous plants contain ocimene, including common flowers as well as some culinary herbs and spices. The following foods and plants have this sweet, herbaceous flavor:
- Mint
- Basil
- Parsley
- Pepper
- Mango
- Hops
- Orchids
- Kumquats
- Bergamot Oranges
- Lavender
- Tarragon
- Bay Laurel
Once more, because of our growing interest in terpenes, precise ocimene levels for the majority of foods and even some cannabis strains are not readily available. However, you might be consuming more ocimene if you include any of these highly aromatic foods.
We should discover more about ocimene and better sources of this extremely advantageous terpene as interest grows over time.
Top Cannabis Strains High in Ocimene
Although it is not always present in large quantities, ocimene is common and fairly ubiquitous in the kingdom of plants.
Though it’s probably between, these strains have high levels of ocimene.7%–4%, in contrast to other terpenes that are present in cannabis at higher concentrations.
Higher ocimene concentrations in cannabis strains include:
- Dutch Treat
- Amnesia
- Clementine
- Dream Queen
- Golden Pineapple
- Space Queen
- Golden Goat
- Purple Haze
- Green Crack
- J1
- Strawberry Cough
- Super Lemon Haze
- Golden Lemon OG
- Headband
- Sour Diesel
- Durban Poison
- Jack Herer
- Mandarin Dream
Ocimene Smell
Basil is the source of ocimene’s name, and it has a sweet, citrusy scent with floral and herbal undertones. Although basil is the source of its name, ocimene—particularly its sweet notes—is only partially responsible for its unique scent.
In addition to appearing in mangoes, orchids, and bergamot, ocimene is also present in related herbs like mint and parsley. Ocimene has a spicy, herbal effect at low concentrations. However, as concentrations rise, the scent may start to smell more like lemon and perfume.
Ocimene Taste
The flavor of ocimene contains sweet, herbal notes that are sometimes characterized as woody or citrusy. But compared to its scent profile, its flavor can be much simpler. It may just have a fruity flavor. It is present in mangoes, oranges, and kumquats, and its sweet, fruity flavor can help you understand the unique flavor of ocimene.
Ocimene Uses
Ocimene can be used in fragrances, just like many other terpenes with subtle, complex scents.
If you have ever bought an air freshener or household cleaning product with a “woodsy” or “outdoor” smell, it probably contains ocimene. Not to be confused with the piney scent of pinene, its fresh, sweet, herbaceous aroma lends itself to a forestry scent.
Because of this, it is widely used in cleaning supplies, soaps, deodorants, hair care products, and fabric softeners. It’s funny to consider how many of your favorite products’ artificial fragrance blends are actually sophisticated chemically engineered combinations of well-known terpenes.
Additionally, considering the thorough explanation of how ocimene causes alarms in plants, it is a natural pesticide. It can be used to protect plants and naturally deter the growth of pests.
The Ending Words!
Terpenes like ocimene are only a small portion of the hundreds of compounds that work together in cannabis to benefit people. It is to be hoped that this renewed interest will result in increased biological, medical, and commercial interest in using natural solutions to everyday issues. What could be more environmentally friendly than utilizing what nature already has?
Even though ocimene isn’t a major component of cannabis, it’s still important and can work in your medical marijuana to offer a variety of health advantages. Get your online medical card if you want to investigate terpenes and ocimene for yourself. Also, if you want to grow marijuana at your home for medical purposes then apply for CA cannabis grower license.
The procedure is made easy and clear by Online Medical Card, and staff members are happy to assist you in expediting it.
In addition to exercising your right to cannabis, which is at the forefront of both industry and medicine, this straightforward legal procedure can grant you access to all of the biological potential of these natural wonders.
