Guide to borneol, a cannabis terpene

Borneol is a terpene that exists in many plants, including cannabis. For centuries, borneol has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Its possible health benefits include anti-inflammatory effects and pain relief.

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What is borneol?

Borneol is found in many plants, including:

• Ginger
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Camphor
• Sunflowers
• Cannabis

Borneol helps plants defend themselves against insects and some types of infections. It has a minty, woodsy aroma, and is a common ingredient used in scented products like shampoos and household cleaners.

Borneol benefits

Borneol may have health benefits. But more studies, particularly in humans, are needed to confirm its effects.

Relieves pain

In one study, both borneol and menthol, another terpene, were applied to patients’ skin after surgery to compare their pain-relieving effects. The study found that borneol is more effective than menthol in providing pain relief.

Lowers inflammation

A mouse study found that borneol helps reduce inflammation. In another study done in mice, borneol was shown to help lower levels of inflammation that are related to acne, specifically.

Supports heart health

Borneol is commonly used to support heart health in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In a rat study, administering borneol helped reduce heart damage after heart surgery.

Eases anxiety 

In a mouse study, borneol helped lower feelings of anxiety and fear. Researchers have found that the terpene helps increase levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a brain chemical that plays a role in keeping you calm.

Supports brain health

Borneol may help strengthen your blood-brain barrier, which contributes to neurological health. The terpene has also been found to help reduce the death of brain cells that can be caused by an ischemic stroke.

Improves the effectiveness of some medications

Because borneol strengthens your blood-brain barrier, it can help certain medications absorb better into your body, making them more effective.

Has possible anticancer effects

According to a study in cells, borneol may kill certain types of cancer cells. Another study found that borneol may help the body’s ability to absorb cancer drugs, which can make them more effective.

Promotes respiratory health

Borneol may help lower lung inflammation, which can help fight respiratory disease.

What strains are high in borneol?

Borneol, like other terpenes, plays a role in the smell, taste, and effects of cannabis. Borneol is one of over 150 terpenes found in the plant.

Anecdotally, cannabis users report that borneol helps:

• Ease pain
• Promote calmness

Borneol is considered a secondary terpene in cannabis, which means that it’s usually found in lower amounts compared to primary terpenes like myrcene and limonene. Most cannabis strains contain 0.01 to .05% borneol.

Strains high in borneol

The amount of borneol in cannabis varies depending on the strain. Some strains contain above-average amounts of the terpene.

• OG Kush can help lower stress while lifting your mood, and may help relieve pain.
• Golden Haze is a popular strain to help with depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.
• K-13 Haze is a powerful strain that may make you feel euphoric.
• Amnesia Haze may help provide mood-boosting and energizing effects.
• Easy Haze can help produce a very powerful high, and may enhance creativity.

To find a borneol-containing strain that suits your needs, contact a Leafwell provider who can guide you in the right direction.

Borneol side effects

Consuming high concentrations of borneol can cause side effects, such as:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, or skin
• Irritability
• Seizures

Most cannabis strains contain a small amount of borneol, so consuming cannabis containing borneol is unlikely to cause side effects.

The bottom line: Even in trace amounts, borneol adds to the health benefits of cannabis

Borneol adds a minty, woodsy aroma and flavor to cannabis. While cannabis contains only trace amounts of borneol, the terpene offers health benefits like anti-inflammatory and calming effects.

To learn more about how borneol in cannabis can help you, contact a Leafwell provider to help guide you toward the best cannabis strains and products that suit your needs.

Resources

• (+)- And (−)-borneol: efficacious positive modulators of GABA action at human recombinant α1β2γ2L GABAA receptors. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006295205000341
• (+)-Borneol suppresses conditioned fear recall and anxiety-like behaviors in mice. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006291X17324105
• A clinical and mechanistic study of topical borneol-induced analgesia. https://www.embopress.org/doi/full/10.15252/emmm.201607300
• Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of action of borneol on photodynamic therapy of acne. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1382668920300053
• Borneol. https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0242.pdf
• Borneol, a bicyclic monoterpene alcohol, reduces nociceptive behavior and inflammatory response in mice. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2013/808460
• Borneol for regulating the permeability of the blood-brain barrier in experimental ischemic stroke: Preclinical evidence and possible mechanism. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2019/2936737
• Natural borneol, a monoterpenoid compound, potentiates selenocystine-induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by enhancement of cellular uptake and activation of ROS-mediated DNA damage. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0063502
• Recent progress on the synergistic antitumor effect of a borneol-modified nanocarrier drug delivery system. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.750170/full
• Secondary terpenes in Cannabis sativa L.: Synthesis and synergy. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9775512/ 
• Terpenes from forests and human health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5402865/
• Terpenes in Cannabis sativa — from plant genome to humans. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168945219301190
• The role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the regulation of oxidative stress in treating coronary heart disease. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2019/3231424

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