Ocimene: Occurrence, Measurement, Research and Limits
Ocimene is a sweet, floral terpene found in many plants and in some cannabis. This page covers its forms, measurement, the very limited research, and what is unknown.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
What ocimene is
Ocimene is an acyclic monoterpene, a chain-shaped terpene made of ten carbon atoms. [1] PubChem lists beta-ocimene with the formula C10H16 and the systematic name 3,7-dimethylocta-1,3,6-triene. [2] The name covers several closely related forms. Cannabis research most often names (E)-beta-ocimene, [3] and one gas chromatography study reports cis-beta-ocimene. [4] Beta-ocimene is a very common plant volatile released from the leaves and flowers of many plant species. [1] This page is information only.Evidence labels used here: preclinical (cells/animals only), insufficient evidence, and marketing claim. "Proper evidence not found" is used where searches turned up nothing usable.
Where it occurs in cannabis
In a study of one hemp variety, (E)-beta-ocimene was among the major terpenes made by the plant's terpene enzymes. [3] Of two strains analyzed by gas chromatography, one had (E)-beta-ocimene at 50 micrograms per gram while in the other it was below the detection limit. [5] That single result shows how uneven ocimene can be between plants. A study of six genotypes found that differences in their terpene composition were caused by minor terpenoids such as beta-ocimene. [6] Another study reported ocimene as higher in THC-dominant than in CBD-dominant varieties, [7] and a 33-sample study listed cis-beta-ocimene among the eight main terpenoids. [4]Across all of this, no typical percentage can be given. Reviewers note concern about inconsistent terpene and cannabinoid composition between cannabis "strains", [8] and cultivars in one class can differ substantially in terpenes. [9] Only batch-specific laboratory data can show a product's ocimene.
Why plants make it
Outside the medical question, ocimene has a plant-biology role. A review describes beta-ocimene as a common floral scent that may attract pollinators and is released from plant tissue after herbivore damage. [1] The review notes that direct behavioral tests with pure beta-ocimene on pollinators were not found. [1]How it is measured
Labs measure ocimene by gas chromatography with flame ionization or mass spectrometry. [5] A lab report that says only "ocimene" may not say which form was measured, so check how the report names it. Terpenes also differ between flower and extract: in one comparison, monoterpenes were lost in CO2 extraction. [10] See Terpene Testing: How Profiles Are Measured and Reported and How to Read a Cannabis Certificate of Analysis.What research shows
Research on ocimene is thin compared with other cannabis terpenes. The 2011 review of cannabis terpenoids does not list it in its abstract. [11]| Question | What was found | Evidence label |
|---|---|---|
| Parasite activity | In lab tests, beta-ocimene inhibited the Leishmania parasite at concentrations non-toxic to the macrophage cells tested. [12] | Preclinical (cells/animals only) |
| Arthritis in rats | In a rat arthritis model, orally given ocimene reduced paw swelling and several inflammation markers. [13] | Preclinical (cells/animals only) |
| Effects in people | Proper evidence not found. Searches of PubMed titles for ocimene returned plant biology, lab and animal studies, and no human trial. | Insufficient evidence |
| Cannabis effects tied to ocimene | Proper evidence not found. | Insufficient evidence |
Animal and cell findings are not shown to apply to people. A claim that ocimene-containing flower is "uplifting" or "decongestant" is a marketing claim: no source read tests it, and a 140-flower study found terpene profiles unrelated to estimated pharmacological effect. [14]
Safety and limits
- Human safety data. Proper evidence not found. No source read gives a human toxicity or allergy profile for ocimene, whether inhaled, eaten or applied to skin.
- Heated inhalation. In a laboratory test, adding terpenes to THC raised gas-phase breakdown products from vaping and dabbing. [15] The test did not isolate ocimene. See Smoking and Vaping Cannabis: Respiratory and Other Risks.
- Special groups. Pregnancy, children, older adults, and people with chronic illness: Proper evidence not found.
If a child or pet swallows a cannabis product, call US Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 in an emergency.
Quality and labeling
A laboratory paper noted that terpene profiling may help identify artificial adulteration, giving an added flavor ester as an example. [4] See Added Terpenes vs Naturally Occurring Terpene Profiles and Terpenes in Cannabis.Frequently asked questions
Is ocimene found in every cannabis plant?
No. In one comparison of two strains it was measurable in one and below the detection limit in the other. [5]
Does ocimene have health benefits?
Only lab and animal studies exist in the sources read. [12] [13] Proper evidence not found in people.
Why do plants make ocimene?
It is a common floral and leaf scent that may help attract pollinators and is released after herbivore damage. [1]
Is ocimene the same as myrcene?
They are different molecules with the same formula, C10H16. [2] [16] See Myrcene.