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Terpene guide
Ocimene
Sweet, herbal, mildly citrus and woody
Ocimene is one of the lighter, more delicate terpenes in cannabis — sweet-herbal with a subtle citrus edge. It's less studied than the big five terpenes but shows up often enough in modern cultivars that it's worth knowing about.
Effects reported
- • Uplifting profile
- • Antiviral activity in preclinical research
- • Antifungal activity
- • May support respiratory function
Also found in
- • Mint
- • Parsley
- • Basil
- • Orchids
- • Mangoes
Boiling point
122°F (50°C) — one of the most volatile terpenes
Pairs with
- • Terpinolene for a complex, uplifting profile
- • Limonene for citrus-forward daytime cultivars
Deep dive
Ocimene is a delicate terpene that doesn't survive rough handling — its very low boiling point means poorly cured or over-processed flower loses ocimene fast. Its presence on a COA at meaningful levels is often a sign the product was well-cared-for through curing.
Patients don't typically seek out ocimene specifically, but when it's present alongside terpinolene or limonene it contributes to the light, uplifting quality of the resulting product.
On a Kentucky COA, any ocimene reading above the detection floor is a positive signal about product handling. Above 0.2% and you'll notice the sweet-herbal note in the aroma.
Educational information only. Terpene research is still evolving; effects are reported patterns from patient and preclinical literature, not medical advice. Discuss cannabis use with a licensed practitioner familiar with your medical history.