What Is Linalool and Why You Should Look For It In Your Hemp Flower Strain

Linalool terpene uses and benefits

Linalool is a terpene that gives hemp its refreshing smell — it has a pleasant lavender scent with a touch of citrus. This naturally occurring essential oil is known for its calming and stress relieving effects. 

Last Update: July 10, 2023

Article Summary

  • Linalool is a minor monoterpene naturally found in a variety of herbs and plants, including CBD hemp flower. 
  • This terpene exhibits a pleasant, complex scent, best described as floral with a hint of spiciness and a light citrus flavor. 
  • Several CBD hemp flower strains by Mr. Hemp Flower contain moderate levels of linalool, including Lifter Plus, Suver Haze, Special Sauce, and Cheese CBD flower. Although a minor terpene in these strains, linalool enhances their aroma and flavor profiles while contributing to their relaxing properties. 
  • This terpene has been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, and stress-relieving. 
  • Linalool can be found in a multitude of personal care items, cleaning supplies, and air fresheners. 
  • This terpene can be consumed via diffusing linalool-rich essential oils, applied directly to the skin through topical products, or by smoking or vaping hemp flower.

What is Linalool?

Linalool is a monoterpene alcohol found in a variety of flowers, herbs, and plants, including CBD hemp flower. This monoterpene is a colorless oil associated with CBD flower’s sweet floral and woody scent with a hint of spiciness.

Linalool is commonly found in lavender, jasmine, rosewood, mint, birch, pine, and basil. It can also be found in the essential oils of lemon, orange, and verbena. This terpene can represent a significant portion of cannabis essential oil or up to 6 percent.   

Two Forms of Linalool: Licareol and Coriandrol

In cannabis (and nature), linalool is present in two forms, S-linalool (coriandrol) and R-linalool (licareol).  

Coriandrol is a form of linalool found in lavender, sweet basil, and laurel. This type of linalool works great as a scent agent in different products. In food manufacturing, linalool may be known as coriandrol. 

Licareol is a form of linalool found in plants, such as palmarosa and sweet orange, and has multiple commercial applications. 

What Does Linalool Smell Like?

Linalool has a very pleasant, complex scent best described as floral with a hint of spiciness. Linalool’s smell resembles the flowering plants French lavender and lily of the valley. 

Each of linalool’s enantiomers evokes a different neural response and is classified as having distinct scents. 

S-linalool has more of a sweet floral scent with a bright and distinctive orange blossom accent. R-linalool, on the other hand, has a woody and lavender-like odor.  

What Does Linalool Taste Like? 

Linalool has complex flavor properties. It has a light citrus flavor and it’s sweet with notes of spiciness. 

This terpene is a common flavoring agent in foods and beverages and has widespread use in perfumed hygiene and cleaning products, including soaps, shampoos, detergents, and lotions. The FDA has recognized this compound as safe. 

CBD Hemp Flower Strains Rich in Linalool

Only a few CBD hemp flower strains contain moderate levels of linalool. This minor terpene is rarely within the top three primary or secondary terpenes in CBD flower. 

Here are some strains that contain a decent percentage of linalool you may want to try. 

1. Lifter Plus CBD Flower

A truly remarkable classic, Lifter Plus CBD hemp flower is hailed for its impressive terpene profile. This strain is rich in beta-myrcene (.13%) and linalool (.04%), which adds to its sweet and spicy flavor. 

Lifter Plus CBD flower has a complex aroma influenced by its wide terpene profile. Linalool contributes to the blend of sweet florals and subtle earthiness exuded by this hemp flower strain. 

It also gives the user a gentle uplift in mood and encourages focus and creativity while easing tension. There’s no doubt that linalool’s minuscule but essential presence adds to the strain’s flavor and relaxing properties.  

2. Suver Haze CBD Flower

Suver Haze CBD hemp flower is meticulously bred for its high CBD content (above 15%) and praised for its terpene concentration. Among the strain’s most common terpenes are alpha-bisabolol (.12%), beta-myrcene (.13%), and linalool (.04%). 

The bisabolol and myrcene in this strain lend an earthy taste with a subtle hint of sweet citrus. Linalool contributes to the strain’s relaxing properties that help alleviate stress, making it the perfect unwinding companion. 

3. Special Sauce CBD Flower

An extraordinary classic strain, Special Sauce CBD hemp flower is known for its captivating aroma and potent oil returns. This CBD flower has a robust terpene profile that contributes to its intriguing flavor and effects. 

Special Sauce’s terpene profile features beta-myrcene (.24%), alpha-pinene (.07%), limonene (.05%), and linalool (.04%). These terpenes create deeply relaxing sensations without inducing lethargy.        

4. Cheese Hemp Pre-Rolls

Our Cheese Hemp Pre-Rolls are celebrated for their distinctive aroma and relaxing effects. This strain emits a potent, sour scent and a slightly “cheesy” flavor that sets it apart. 

Cheese is an indica-dominant strain with a substantial percentage of total CBD content (15.17%), which makes it an ideal choice for those seeking deep relaxation without drowsiness.

Cheese’s terpene profile includes beta-myrcene (.31%), alpha-pinene (.11%), and linalool (.04%). Known for its ability to promote relaxation, linalool, combined with myrcene, contribute to Cheese’s powerful comforting effects. 

Our pre-rolls offer a pungent, sharp taste reminiscent of mature cheese, which creates a unique experience for the user.     

Natural Sources of Linalool 

This terpene naturally occurs in over 200 species of plants, including mint and cinnamon. You can find linalool in these natural sources:

  • Rosewood
  • Lavender
  • Laurel
  • Cannabis sativa
  • Sweet basil
  • Clary Sage
  • Patchouli
  • Bergamot
  • Birch trees

What Are Hemp Terpenes?

Terpenes are the main components of essential oils found in almost all plant life. 

These naturally-occurring compounds play an important role in the potency of the hemp plant. Cannabinoids, the main compounds in hemp, work together with terpenes to create a more potent healing effect, also known as the “entourage effect.” 

Hemp is rich in more than 200 terpenes, out of which over 10 occur in larger concentrations. Linalool is a minor terpene in cannabis that gives the plant a delicate floral aroma and a plethora of potential therapeutic benefits. 

How Does It Work? Linalool And The Brain

Terpenes directly impact the human brain when acting alone. There’s a link between our sense of smell and the brain’s memory and emotion centers.

One of linalool’s perceived mechanisms of action is blocking the receptors of the primary excitatory brain chemical glutamate. This could explain the compound’s potential antiepileptic properties [1].

It’s also believed that linalool has the potential to reduce the signaling strength of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a brain chemical that modulates muscle contraction and movement, so this could be linked to the potential of this terpene to relax the muscles and ease pain in mice [2]. 

Uses and Benefits of Linalool

Linalool has been researched for several of its potential benefits, including:

Pain and Inflammation

Animal studies show that linalool may act as a potential anti-inflammatory agent. 

According to a study published in the Journal of Phytomedicine performed on rats, linalool and linalyl acetate played a significant role in the anti-inflammatory activity displayed by various essential oils containing these two components [3].

Another study published in the Journal of Surgical Research examined the effects of linalool on an acute lung injury in a mouse. The study revealed that linalool inhibited inflammation and acted as a potential candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases [4].

According to a 2017 review on the analgesic-like activity of essential oil constituents, linalool has an antinociceptive (inhibits the sensation of pain) activity that has been well-researched in animals. This means that linalool has the potential for the treatment of painful and inflammatory disorders [5].

With that said, we need studies on humans to truly determine the impact of this terpene on pain and inflammation. 

Sedative Properties

Many essential oils, including linalool, may produce sedative effects. A study found that lavender oil rich in linalool could induce sedation in animals without affecting motor coordination [6].

Anxiety and Depression

A 2018 animal study that looked into the impact of linalool on mice discovered that linalool odor has an anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) effect on mice without motor impairment. 

The authors of the study recommend linalool to alleviate stress in preoperative patients and patients that have problems taking anxiolytics [7].

Insecticide Properties

Like many other essential oils, linalool presents insecticide properties, useful for controlling fleas and cockroaches. Linalool is safe for humans and doesn’t hurt animals, so it makes a great alternative to toxic insecticides.

Aromatherapeutic Effects

Aromatherapy or therapy with aromatic compounds is a popular method of relaxation. Many terpenes, including linalool, are thought to be great for aromatherapy because of their ability to reduce stress. 

One animal 2009 study looked into the sedative effects of inhaled linalool on anxiety, aggressiveness, and social interaction. The study found that inhaling linalool and essential oils can be useful to relax and counteract anxiety. According to the study, the inhaled linalool showed anti-anxiety properties in mice, decreased aggressiveness and social interaction [8].

Antiseptic and Anticonvulsant Effects

Linalool has shown anticonvulsant and antiepileptic properties in several experimental models. 

It’s believed that one of the causes of epilepsy is excessive glutamate levels in neurons. An animal study found that linalool inhibited glutamate uptake, which drastically reduced epileptic seizures [9].  

Antifungal and Antimicrobial Properties

A 2018 study analyzed the antifungal activity of linalool on various types of Candida isolated from patients with oral candidiasis. 

After being diagnosed with Candida albicans (37.5%), krusei (25.0%), and tropicalis (4.2%), 12 patients were treated with linalool. Linalool had the best fungal activity on Candida tropicalis followed by albicans and krusei. 

In conclusion, all of the Candida strains tested were susceptible to this terpene. Linalool has also shown antimicrobial activities [10, 11].

Stress Relief

Linalool can also improve the immune system’s resilience to stress, according to a 2009 study. The study found that inhalation of linalool represses stress-induced effects on blood cells and gene expression in mice [12].

What Is Linalool Used For?

Linalool, a widely prevalent terpene in nature, has found its way into an array of applications across multiple industries. This terpene is predominantly used in most products due to its delightful and sweet scent. 

Linalool essential oil can be found in a multitude of personal care items, cleaning supplies, and air fresheners.

Beyond its aromatic uses, linalool is instrumental in synthesizing other components in a lab setting, such as vitamin E.

List of Essential Oils High in Linalool

These are the most common essential oils that contain linalool [13].

  • Ho wood ( up to 95%)
  • Ho leaf (66.7-90.6%)
  • Rosewood (82.3-90.3%)
  • Coriander seed (59.0-87.5%)
  • Thyme (73.6-79.0%)
  • Magnolia leaf (78.9%)
  • Mint (24.9-55.2%)
  • Basil (31.7-50.1%)
  • Lavender (25.0-45.0%)
  • Sage (15.0%)

smoking linalool hemp terpenes from mrhempflower

How to Consume Linalool?

There are several ways to consume linalool, including diffusing linalool-rich essential oils or using it in aromatherapy. You can also apply this terpene directly to your skin through topical products. 

Smoking or vaping hemp flower is another way to consume this terpene and feel the benefits of the entourage effect. 

As mentioned earlier, linalool is used as an additive in food, cosmetics, and hygiene. So, you probably have a variety of products in your home that contain some essential oil rich in linalool or the terpene itself. 

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Linalool is considered a safe compound by the FDA. The amount of linalool needed to cause toxicity or death has not yet been determined.

Most people enjoy linalool’s floral scent. However, there are some adverse effects that exposure to this compound may cause, including allergies, eczema, and disrupting hormones. 

Some people develop severe allergies to repeated exposure to plants like lavender or chamomile, both of which contain higher levels of linalool terpene. 

As these ingredients have noticed a surge in popularity in natural beauty products, some states have regulated their use.

Therefore, it’s recommended for people prone to developing eczema or psoriasis to avoid skincare products that contain linalool terpene. The best option is to opt for fragrance-free or milder products.

Due to the presence of terpenes (or pollen), CBD flower can cause an allergic reaction in some people. To avoid this, you might need to try different strains of CBD flower to see which ones will work for you. 

Research shows that terpenes, particularly lavender or tea tree oil, can act as endocrine disruptors. This means that certain terpenes can affect hormones. 

According to research, lavender essential oil, which has 36% of linalool, has estrogen-like properties. As a result, young boys who used lavender-based topical products noticed abnormal breast development. Once they stopped using the product, the breast growth was hindered and reversed [14]. 

Terpenes are present in hemp flower in very low concentrations. So, it’s unlikely for them to cause an adverse reaction, but these potential side effects are something to be aware of when consuming this plant.  

FAQ on Linalool: Uses and Benefits

Cannabinoids and terpenes display unique therapeutic effects that together could produce synergy, also known as the entourage effect. This cannabinoid-terpenoid interaction could produce a more potent effect of cannabis in the treatment of pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression and more.

Terpenes are aromatic essential oils secreted in cannabis in various concentrations. Aside from giving the plant its smell and flavor, terpenes have plenty of therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, pain-killing, anti-anxiety, and are commonly used in aromatherapy. 

Linalool has a relaxing effect on the body. It is a potential anti-anxiety and antidepressant agent and muscle relaxant. This terpene contains powerful analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. 

There are no major risks to using linalool. But, the terpene may cause skin irritation and is not recommended for people with eczema. 

Linalool is used as a fragrance in different kinds of personal care products, including soaps, detergents, shampoos, and lotions. Also, it is used in household products, industrial products, and essential oils. 

Linalool is generally safe and non-toxic to humans, but it may cause allergic contact dermatitis. 

Yes, linalool can cause allergies if oxidized. According to some studies, oxidized linalool may cause contact allergy in some people with eczema. 

Skin absorption and inhalation of linalool can cause irritation, pain, and allergic reactions.

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