Farnesene

There are two different types of farnesene, alpha farnesene (α-farnesene) and beta-farnesene (β-farnesene), which are isomers. Both of these can be found naturally in many plants and herbs, including the rinds of fruit. In fact, the very distinct aroma of green apples is due to the presence of α-farnesene stereoisomers in the skin! 

If you’ve ever had an apple start to spoil and you’ve seen the flesh bruise and turn brown, this is due to the oxidation of α-farnesene breaking down the cells of the fruit. With that in mind, if you ever come across a cannabis strain that has a strong odor of green apples, you’ll know that farnesene is present.

• Anti-Inflammatory: Turmeric is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and it has been shown to help people suffering from conditions such as arthritis. Farnesene, a naturally occurring component in turmeric, also has anti-inflammatory benefits, as demonstrated in pharmacology studies.
• Antifungal & Antibacterial: Similar to the terpenes limonene and ocimene, farnesene also has antifungal and antibacterial properties. β-farnesene, acting as an insect pheromone, is even released by aphids as an alarm pheromone to ward off predators. This characteristic is also demonstrated in plants like potatoes, which produce this compound to ward off insects.
• Anxiety Relief & Antispasmodic: Farnesene has calming and sedative properties that can relieve anxiety and relax muscles to reduce spasmodic episodes. Studies on neurodegenerative diseases have also demonstrated that it interacts with neurons and assists in muscle relaxation. Farnesene is commonly found in essential oils from natural products such as gardenia and basil. Additionally, a narrow-leafed indica strain from the Himalayan valleys has been found to have a strong presence of trans-β-farnesene.

If you’re interested in learning more about strains that contain farnesene and their benefits, our team of professionals is eager to help! As owners and operators of our grow facility and dispensary, our staff has direct knowledge of what goes into growing our plants and how they can help you.

For more information on farnesene, visit Verdes Cannabis or contact us to speak to one of our team members today!