Linalool

Does this terpene sound familiar?

Linalool is familiar to people all over the world, even those who have never tried cannabis. It’s most commonly recognized in lavender, but this terpene’s signature floral aroma can be found in over 200 types of plants.

Linalool has been used for a variety of therapeutic purposes throughout recorded history. Lavender flowers were once believed to ward off evil, and were commonly used in perfumes, hung in doorways and worn in satchels around the neck. It was thought to protect those who used it from “evil spirits” and “demonic fits” – or, what we now know to be contagious diseases (like cholera) and mental health conditions (like depression and anxiety).

Linalool is known among the terpene family to have a wide variety of benefits, particularly to the mind. Animal studies have shown that it has anti-anxiety and anti-depressant qualities, works well as an anticonvulsant, and can relieve pain caused by inflammation. One study even showed that linalool was able to reverse the some of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s in mice, and restore their cognitive and emotional functions.

In aromatherapy, linalool is used to calm the body and mind, relieve inflammation and help promote restful sleep. It’s also been known to have antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.