Your guide to geraniol, a terpene in cannabis

Geraniol is a terpene found in many cannabis strains and other plants. It gives plants a floral aroma, and may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other health benefits.

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What is geraniol?

Geraniol is an alcohol found in several plant species that’s produced to keep away insects. Plants that contain geraniol include:

• Geranium
• Roses
• Lemongrass
• Citronella
• Cannabis

Geraniol has a sweet, floral, and citrusy aroma that’s similar to roses. It’s a popular ingredient in fragrances and insect repellents.

What is geraniol used for?

Geraniol has several possible health benefits. But more studies are needed to confirm its effects.

Has anti-inflammatory effects

Geraniol has anti-inflammatory properties that may help with pain and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

Acts as an antioxidant

Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage your body’s cells. Antioxidants like geraniol, help reduce free radicals and minimize cell damage.

Has antimicrobial properties

One study found that geraniol, along with other cannabis terpenes, has antimicrobial properties that may protect against fungal and bacterial infections.

Has potential anticancer effects

Geraniol may play a role in cancer treatment in the future. One study found that geraniol may prevent colon cancer cells from developing. In a review of studies, geraniol prevented cancerous tumors from growing.

However, this early research was done in cells, and more human studies are needed to draw conclusions about geraniol’s anti-cancer effects.

Improves gut health

One study found that geraniol may improve the gut microbiome — the collection of bacteria that live in the intestines and influence overall health.

According to the study, geraniol may play a role in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Potentially helps with diabetes

A study found that diabetic rats given geraniol had lower blood sugar levels compared with the control group.

Geraniol terpene in cannabis

Cannabis contains over 150 terpenes, including geraniol. Terpenes affect the smell, taste, and effects of cannabis.

Cannabis users report that geraniol:

• Boosts mood
• Has energizing properties
• Enhances focus

In general, geraniol is found in smaller quantities in cannabis compared to major terpenes like limonene and myrcene.

If you’re interested in using cannabis containing geraniol, it’s best to look at product labels to see which terpenes are listed. You can also speak with a dispensary staff member, who can help you find the geraniol terpene in cannabis products.

High-geraniol strains

Some strains of cannabis contain higher levels of geraniol than others. High-geraniol strains include:

• Harlequin is a popular strain for pain and stress relief.
• Agent Orange may have uplifting effects that help with depression, fatigue, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Purple Punch is a powerful strain that may ease anxiety and insomnia.
• Black Cherry Soda is commonly recommended for migraine and chronic fatigue.
• Strawberry Diesel may produce euphoria and relieve stress.
• Kimbo Kush is a calming strain that might help with stress, anxiety, and insomnia.
• Dutch Hawaiian is a potent strain known for its hazy, euphoric effects.

To learn about these and other high-geraniol strains, talk with a Leafwell provider or your local dispensary’s budtender.

The bottom line: Geraniol plays a role in the health benefits of cannabis 

Geraniol isn’t the most abundant terpene in cannabis, but it still contributes to the plant’s benefits, smell, and flavor.

Strains containing above-average geraniol levels may improve your mood and health, but more research in humans is needed to confirm these health benefits.

To access high-geraniol cannabis strains and products, consider getting your medical card. Leafwell’s healthcare providers are on call to help you start the process.

Resources

• Antibacterial and antifungal activity of aromatic constituents of essential oils. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9218354/
• Free radicals and their impact on health and antioxidant defenses: A review. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41420-024-02278-8
• Geraniol, a component of plant essential oils: A review of its pharmacological activities. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/GERANIOL%2C-A-COMPONENT-OF-PLANT-ESSENTIAL-OILS%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%80%9CA-Aab-Tb/5c063e770bf7f2331d2bc738203df2260bf59303?p2df
• Geraniol, a component of plant essential oils, inhibits growth and polyamine biosynthesis in human colon cancer cells. https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/article/S0022-3565(24)29368-X/abstract
• Geraniol, a natural monoterpene, ameliorates hyperglycemia by attenuating the key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2017.1301494
• Geraniol profile. https://ecommons.cornell.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/e8082a42-96b2-4484-a73e-06aa9591ec53/content
• Geraniol suppresses oxidative stress, inflammation, and interstitial collagenase to protect against inflammatory arthritis. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.3c04684
• Geraniol treatment for irritable bowel syndrome: A double-blind randomized clinical trial. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/19/4208
• Terpenes in Cannabis sativa — from plant genome to humans. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168945219301190
• The antitumor effects of geraniol: Modulation of cancer hallmark pathways (review). https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/ijo.2016.3427

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