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A Primer on the Hemp Terpene Geraniol

A Primer on the Hemp Terpene Geraniol

CBD is the most dominant cannabinoid in hemp flowers, but it’s far from the only compound in this plant. Besides secondary cannabinoids like CBG and CBN, hemp has dozens of flavorful terpenes. These aromatic compounds give each hemp strain its unique scent. Currently, scientists estimate there could be hundreds of terpenes in hemp flowers, many of which we still haven’t discovered. 

Geraniol is one of the many terpenes found in hemp strains. Although geraniol isn’t as common as myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, or limonene, it can influence the “background” of many hemp strains. As people get more experienced smoking hemp flowers or using full-spectrum CBD oils, they may appreciate geraniol’s nuanced flavors. 

What Is The Geraniol Terpene?

As mentioned in the intro, geraniol is a secondary terpene in many hemp strains. Like other hemp terpenes, you can find geraniol in various flowers, fruits, and herbs. Indeed, gardeners may already know that geraniol is the primary terpene in the “geranium” flower (hence its name!).

Considering geraniol is associated with geranium plants, it makes sense that it has a predominately floral aroma. Many detect subtle notes of rose petals and earthiness when smelling pure geranium oil. It’s also possible to pick up sweet fruit notes when smelling this terpene. 

How Does Geraniol Affect Hemp Flowers?

Typically, geraniol plays a supporting role in a hemp strain’s flavor profile. It’s rare to find a hemp hybrid where geraniol is the predominant terpene. Therefore, it’s most likely a flower with some geraniol will exhibit subtle effects from this terpene. 

Customers usually don’t detect the nuanced notes of geraniol until they gain more experience with CBD hemp strains. As your nose and palate grow more accustomed to various hemp hybrids, you may pick up the subtly sweet hints of geraniol. However, new customers probably won’t notice a significant difference between a strain with and without geraniol until they have more experience. 

Does Geraniol Have Any Benefits?

There’s no evidence that geraniol has any unique effects on users. While a few studies suggest geraniol may have antibacterial and antioxidant properties, these tests are in the preliminary stages. It will take time for scientists to fully understand how geraniol affects users and whether it interacts with hemp cannabinoids and terpenes. 

Customers shouldn’t buy hemp products that have geraniol in it for specific benefits at this time. Until we have more data on how geraniol works, we can’t say anything conclusive about this terpene’s effects. 

See Full Terpene Reports On Real Tested CBD 

At Real Tested CBD, we want to give customers a comprehensive look into various CBD products. That’s why we post our third-party lab reports alongside our unbiased CBD reviews. If you have questions about the terpene percentages in your hemp products, we recommend scanning the resources on Real Tested CBD’s website.  

Please consider following Real Tested CBD’s blog to find out more about hemp terpenes. Our team has already written beginner-friendly guides for major terpenes like limonene and myrcene. You can find a wealth of free & fact-based hemp information on Real Tested CBD’s official blog.

Post Categories: Terpenes
September 25, 2023
Dr. Igor Bussel, M.D., M.S., M.H.A
Dr. Igor Bussel, M.D., M.S., M.H.A

Dr. Igor Bussel, M.D., M.S., M.H.A is a clinician-scientist and ophthalmic surgeon. Before attending Chicago Medical School, he worked as a Research Scientist in a Healthspan Pharmacology Laboratory at University of California, Irvine focused on investigating the impact of botanical extracts and dietary supplements that can slow the aging process and add healthy years to human life. He has served as a clinical/scientific consultant to multiple stage companies focused on developing interventions for age-related diseases. Dr. Igor started to learn about CBD through his research as well as from patient experiences and has since become an advocate for their efficacy.

About the Author
Dr. Igor Bussel, M.D., M.S., M.H.A

Dr. Igor Bussel, M.D., M.S., M.H.A is a clinician-scientist and ophthalmic surgeon. Before attending Chicago Medical School, he worked as a Research Scientist in a Healthspan Pharmacology Laboratory at University of California, Irvine focused on investigating the impact of botanical extracts and dietary supplements that can slow the aging process and add healthy years to human life. He has served as a clinical/scientific consultant to multiple stage companies focused on developing interventions for age-related diseases. Dr. Igor started to learn about CBD through his research as well as from patient experiences and has since become an advocate for their efficacy.

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