Beta-Caryophyllene

Aroma: Pepper, spicy, woody, cloves

Vaporizes At: 266ºF (130ºC)

Potential Effects: Stress relief

Potential Medical Value: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, analgesic, and antifungal properties

Also Found in: Black pepper, cloves, cinnamon

Caryophyllene (or β-Caryophyllene) is a spicy, peppery terpene found in many different edible plants. It is found in the spices black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon; and in the herbs oregano, basil, hops, and rosemary. Caryophyllene was found to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, analgesic, and antifungal properties. It has also been used as an efficient remedy to relieve toothache. Caryophyllene is the only terpene that binds to cannabinoid receptors.

A pain study demonstrated that phytocannabinoids in combination, especially cannabidiol (CBD) and β-caryophyllene, delivered by the oral route appear to be promising candidates for the treatment of chronic pain due to their high safety and low adverse effects. Another study suggests β-caryophyllene, through a CB2 receptor dependent pathway, may be an excellent therapeutic agent to prevent nephrotoxicity (poisonous effect on the kidneys) caused by anti-cancer chemotherapy drugs. Besides its analgesic and anxiolytic properties, some studies have found that caryophyllene has a very promising role in alcohol rehabilitation.