What Is Alpha-Pinene and What Are The Effects of The Pinene Terpenes?

Pinene is a terpene commonly found in conifer trees and has a lot of health benefits you want to take advantage of

If you’ve ever felt sharper and refreshed after a walk through the woods, you might have benefited from Pinene! Learn about the health benefits of alpha-pinene and how your brand can use them.

You shouldn’t need an entire article to explain where this terpene gets its name (hint: peep the name and think of Christmas). But chances are you’ve got no clue about alpha-pinenes health benefits or the ways you can use this terp in your products.

In the simplest sense, Pinene is a terpene commonly found in conifer trees that has a LOT of health benefits. These potential benefits range from simple anti-inflammatory properties to possibly stopping cancer growth. So it’s definitely worth looking into!

You don’t want to miss out on these therapeutic benefits for yourself or your customers. Let’s check it out.

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For those on the go, here’s a summary of what we’re covering today!

1. Pinene is a naturally occurring terpene found in rosemary, eucalyptus, orange peel, but most commonly in conifer trees like Pine trees.
2. Alpha-Pinene and Beta-Pinene have chemical structures that mirror each other, also known as enantiomers.
3. Alpha-Pinene can be used as a flavoring agent in oils and diffusers. It’s a popular addition in certain blends for its potential as a bronchodilator.
4. Just some of its potential health benefits include its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, cancer-fighting, anti-ulcerogenic, memory boosting, and gastroprotective properties. 

What is Alpha Pinene?

Alpha-pinene belongs to a broad family of chemical compounds called terpenes. You find terpenes around the world in plants, as they give plants their distinctive aromas.

Alpha-Pinene

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Alpha-pinene occurs in the essential oils derived from plants like rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), eucalyptus, and orange peel. But it’s most common in conifer trees like pine trees. No surprises here when you look at the name of this terp. It’s also unsurprising pure alpha-pinene is clear, colorless, and smells of pine trees.

We know your brain is exploding with ideas for using a pure pine scent in your products. Here are some of our favorites...

How Can Your Brand Use Alpha Pinene Terpenes?

Brands often use alpha-pinene commercially as a flavoring agent and in oil diffusers to mimic the smells of pine tree forests. The flavor profile of alpha-pinene is sharp with hints of cedarwood and pine.

In fact, we’ve included a-pinene in our Jack Herer blend, along with Terpinolene, Beta-Caryophyllene, and Myrcene, for a sweet and spiced tribute to this iconic weed activist.

Jack Herer

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Scientists believe terpenes help create a better cannabis experience through a phenomenon called the entourage effect. The entourage effect describes how a combination of two chemical compounds (here they’re terpenes and cannabinoids) may act together to produce a stronger effect than either compound alone.

Terpenes like alpha-pinene may combine with different cannabinoids to produce stronger Sativa strains and other strains as well. If you’re not interested in cannabis products, you don’t have to worry. Our terpenes are cannabis free and 100% legal. However, we do work very hard to isolate the specific terpenes so both cannabis consumers and non-cannabis consumers can enjoy and benefit from them. 

Historical Health Benefits of Alpha-Pinene

Healers have used a-pinene for centuries. They’d scrape bark from coniferous trees, make a resin, and use this to treat people with congestion or parasitic infections. The Dutch would also use alpha pinene-containing juniper berries to make healing tonics.

However, judging from the research, a small amount of alpha-pinene goes a long way today.

Studies suggest low-exposure levels of alpha-pinene possess anti-inflammatory properties, antimicrobial properties, antiulcerogenic and gastroprotective properties, and the ability to aid memory (1).

Let’s dive into each one.

Alpha-Pinene Has Anti-inflammatory Properties

Unleash the cooling effects of alpha-pinene to cool and soothe inflamed tissues.

In one study, using alpha-pinene decreased activation of mouse immune cells called macrophages that add to inflammation in body tissue (2).

Dealing with aching and inflamed joints? Alpha-pinene also seems to act on chondrocytes - the cells that maintain the matrix inside cartilage - to reduce inflammation (3). This research indicates a-pinene may help fight arthritis-related inflammation within the cartilage of joints.

Alpha-Pinene Antimicrobial Properties

Research suggests alpha-pinene has antibacterial activity against the dangerous antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain MRSA and against the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni (4) (5).

With the recent rise in antimicrobial resistance, it's important to develop alternative compounds to antibiotics capable of killing harmful bacteria. Alpha-pinene shows promise as an organic warrior capable of answering the call.

Alpha-Pinene Has Cancer Fighting Properties

Research has shown that this terpene seems to arrest cancer cell growth (6), reducing cancer’s ability to spread to other parts of the body. Scientists recognize the importance of testing the effects of alpha-pinene on other types of human cancer cells to see if it inhibits tumor growth in a similar way.

Alpha-Pinene May Have Anti-Ulcerogenic and Gastroprotective Properties

Pure alpha-pinene reduced gastric ulcers in mice (7). This type of gastroprotective effect may also appear in humans when we consume alpha-pinene at low exposure levels.

Alpha-Pinene Has Potential as a Memory Aid

We’ll let entourage effect expert Dr. Ethan B. Russo drop some knowledge for this therapeutic benefit:

Perhaps most compelling, however, is [alpha-pinene’s] activity as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor aiding memory (Perryet al., 2000), with an observed IC50 of 0.44 mM (Miyazawa and Yamafuji, 2005).

Alpha-pinene is active as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. If you’re a little lost, it basically means it reduces acetylcholinesterase activity to boost your memory. Many drugs used to treat dementia are cholinesterase inhibitors. This feature could counteract short-term memory deficits induced by compound-related intoxication.

The Perry study seems to suggest alpha-pinenes role with other terpenes (including Camphor, Geraniol, Beta-pinene, Limonene, Linalool, and terpineol) in the entourage effect may be the reason for its ability to protect short-term memory.

Potential Side Effects of Alpha-Pinene

While small amounts of alpha-pinene may result in health benefits, large amounts of alpha-pinene can be harmful (8). But large amounts of anything, even H₂O, can pose a threat to our health. So, it should come as no surprise that dosage is key.

The FDA has approved commercial alpha-pinene use in low-exposure levels in the cosmetic and flavor profile industries (9), so you won’t have to worry about providing healthy, safe products for your fans. Just follow our dosing directions and seek the advice of a healthcare provider if you are unsure about whether your alpha-pinene exposure levels are appropriate.

Start Experimenting with Alpha-Pinene Today!

If you’re looking for that special something to give your products a beneficial boost, look no further than the pinene terpenes! Between their powerful anti-inflammatory properties and their potential as a memory aid, these terpenes will help create unique aromas, flavors, and experiences that your customers will love.

Contact us today to talk about how you can start using this terpene in your products. And don’t forget to follow us on social media for all the latest updates!

Cheers to better health and better highs, packed with smells of luscious pines. Anyone else fancy a walk in the woods now?