You may not have heard of Geraniol, but this lesser-known terpene plays a significant role in creating some deliciously sweet-smelling cannabis strains. This terpene is known for its delicate rose and floral profile, and it provides a sweetness to strains like Agent Orange and Black Cherry Soda. But did you know that Geraniol also has various potential medical uses? In this blog post, we’ll explore the potential health benefits of Geraniol, including pain reduction and anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties.
What is Geraniol?
The floral industry uses Geraniol as an additive to perfumes, cosmetics, and other products to give them a floral scent. It is also used in the food industry as a flavoring agent. It is a common ingredient in many insect repellents because it repels mosquitoes and other pests. It is also used in some skin care products to help protect against UV radiation.
Geraniol Uses in Other Industries
This terpene is used in a variety of industries. In the perfume industry, it is used to create floral scents. It is also an ingredient in some insect repellents. It is also a flavor additive in food and beverage products.
The Potential Health Benefits of Geraniol
Geraniol has long been used in various forms of traditional medicine. Its potential health benefits include pain reduction, anti-inflammatory properties, and anti-fungal activity. Let’s take a closer look at each of these potential benefits:
Pain Reduction:
A study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that Geraniol may effectively reduce neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the nervous system and is often resistant to conventional treatments like opioids. The authors concluded that “geraniol can ameliorate neuropathic pain via inhibition of voltage-gated calcium channels.”
Anti-Inflammatory Properties:
A study published found that geraniol “exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity” when applied topically to inflamed skin. The authors believe that Geraniol’s anti-inflammatory properties are due to its ability to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Geno-protective Activity:
Geraniol is a molecule that has been found to possess cytoprotective and genoprotective potential at nontoxic concentrations. This means that it can help to protect cells and DNA from damage, making it a potentially valuable tool for preventing the onset of diseases or conditions caused by cellular damage. Additionally, Geraniol has been shown to have strong antioxidant properties, meaning that it can scavenge harmful radicals and protect cells from their damaging effects. These properties make Geraniol an exciting prospect for disease prevention, and further research into its potential benefits is warranted.
Anti-fungal Activity:
Geraniol has also been shown to have anti-fungal activity against several different types of fungi. A study published found that Geraniol was effective at inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans—a kind of yeast that can cause infections in humans—as well as other types of fungi.
Anti-microbial Activity:
A 2020 article in the Journal of Essential Oil Research discusses the anti-microbial activity of Geraniol, a terpene found in plants. It was found to be synergic with standard anti-microbials against most strains and also showed antibiotic activity against the genus Staphylococcus. This suggests that this terpene has potential as a natural anti-microbial agent.
The anti-microbial activity of this terpene has potential applications in food preservation and human health. In food preservation, it could be used as a natural preservative to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. In human health, this terpene could treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms.
Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of Geraniol as an anti-microbial agent. However, the preliminary results suggest that it has excellent potential for use in food preservation and human health.
The Bottom Line
Geraniol is a lesser-known terpene with a plethora of potential health benefits. From reducing pain to exhibiting anti-fungal activity, this terpene holds a lot of promise for those interested in using cannabis for medicinal purposes. If you’re interested in trying a strain high in Geraniol, we recommend these strains:
