What Is Humulene Terpene? Aroma, Properties, Strains

Before we dive into the in-depth information about humulene terpene, let’s familiarize ourselves with the word ‘terpene’ first which we have already discussed about it here on our website.

A brief story of what terpene stands for is that it’s a natural aromatic compound found in most plants all over the world, including cannabis, of course. It makes plants smell and taste different just like roses and lavenders. Now, humulene terpene is another type of terpene that is commonly found in cannabis plants. Let’s explore more together, shall we?

Key Takeaways

• Humulene terpene was formerly named alpha-caryophyllene with another Latin name of Humulus lupulus, coming from hops which contain a high amount of humulene.

• Alpha-caryophyllene is a cousin of beta-caryophyllene due to its similarities in having the same number of carbon and hydrogen atoms.

• The difference between alpha-caryophyllene and beta-caryophyllene is that alpha-caryophyllene can be found in hop, ginseng, sage, and cannabis while beta-caryophyllene is a dietary cannabinoid that exists in black pepper and cloves.

• Like many terpenes, humulene is often discussed in research for properties such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic activity.

• There are potential risks for those who are on a certain medication and those who are sensitive to terpenes should take the precautions seriously before consuming.

• A list containing some cannabis strains high in humulene such as Ice Cream Cake, Girl Scout Cookies, and White Widow.

What’s Humulene?

Humulene terpene or alpha-caryophyllene appears to be similar but is not identical to beta-caryophyllene. It’s a natural compound with a woody and earthy scent along with its bitter flavor. Humulene, also known as Humulus lupulus, is a botanical name for hops which is one of the ingredients for beer production. It has a meaning in Latin for ‘Little wolf’.

Alpha-Caryophyllene VS Beta-Caryophyllene: What’s the Difference?

As previously mentioned, humulene was once called alpha-caryophyllene. Of course, when there’s an alpha-caryophyllene, then, there’s beta-caryophyllene. Let’s see what makes them similar and different at the same time.

Alpha-caryophyllene is humulene which can be found in essential oils extracted from the majority of plants, especially hop, ginseng, sage including cannabis.

Beta-caryophyllene has another distinctive feature to be known as a dietary cannabinoid due to the fact that it exists in several edible plants. This type of terpene delivers a spicy and musky aroma that generally can be found in black pepper, cloves, and oregano.

Some chemists described both humulene and beta-caryophyllene as ‘cousins’ as they shared some similarities. They have the same number of carbon and hydrogen atoms, except that the atoms are arranged differently within each molecule.

What Researchers Are Studying

Humulene exists in both cannabis and beer, and it is one of the terpenes researchers have looked at in early studies. Here is some more insight into the properties that are sometimes discussed in relation to humulene.

• Analgesic: Researchers have studied this terpene in relation to headache and joint discomfort, though findings are early and not conclusive.

• Anti-Inflammatory: This terpene is often discussed in research that looks at inflammation, including studies that mention conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and inflammatory bowel disease.

• Antibacterial: Some laboratory studies have looked at whether humulene affects bacterial growth. This is an area researchers are still investigating, and the results so far come from early research rather than clinical conclusions.

• Antitumor research: A 2016 study examined humulene’s antitumor activity in a laboratory setting. This is early research, and it does not show that humulene works as a treatment in people.

• Appetite: Some users report that humulene terpene seems to affect their appetite. This is anecdotal and has not been confirmed by clinical research.

Risks and Side Effects

Although humulene is anecdotally rich in its potential benefits, some potential side effects should be aware of:

Firstly this precaution goes towards those who are sensitive to terpenes or with some specific medical conditions. Humulene might cause allergic reactions such as skin irritation, respiratory irritation, and eye irritation, or negatively interact with certain medications. It is essential to consult with a doctor or a healthcare professional before consuming humulene terpene to make sure safety.

What Cannabis Strains Contain High Humulene?

Several cannabis strains are known to carry higher levels of humulene. The list below covers some of the strains that are often cited for their humulene content.

• Love Affair, A strain created by crossing GG#4 with Alien Rock Candy with its unique smell of cedar, creamy orange, and a little bit of sweet berry flavor.
• Ice Cream Cake, An Indica-dominant hybrid strain made by crossing Wedding Cake with Gelato #33. With its sweet sugary and vanilla flavor, it is well known among cannabis enthusiasts.
• Candyland, Another strain with popularity because of its sweet and candy-like flavor bred by the cross between Granddaddy Purple and Bay Platinum Cookies.
• Girl Scout Cookies, This strain is commonly called just Cookies. It’s an Indica hybrid with an OG Kush and Durban Poison cross.
• Headband, A three-way cross strain consisting of OG Kush, Master Kush, and Sour Diesel.
• White Widow, It’s from a crossing between Brazilian and South Indian strains, breeding in Amsterdam under the Green House Seed Company.
• Sour Diesel, It has a medium to strong odor. Some might say Sour Diesel tastes like peppermints or lemonade, and some might say it smells sourly like vinegar.

Conclusion

Humulene can be found in beer production responsible for the ‘hoppy’ taste with its important ingredient, hops containing both alpha-caryophyllene (humulene) which is an isomer of beta-caryophyllene. This terpene gives off the aromatic of an earthy and woody with a slight bitterness of taste.

Similar to other types of terpenes found in cannabis plants, humulene has been studied in early research that looks at properties such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity, along with some laboratory work on antitumor effects. It also comes with risks and side effects such as skin, eyes, and respiratory irritation.

Humulene terpene appears in cannabis strains such as Love Affair, Candyland, and Headband.

Explore More Cannabis Terpenes at Siam Green Co.com!