2022 Update: 6 Amazing Linalool Benefits You Need to Know About

Explore Linalool's relaxing and anti-inflammatory effects

Perhaps Linalool is a terpene isolate you're considering adding to one of your signature blends. Maybe you've already got a few blends on hand, Linalool prevalent among them, and you want to know what Linalool benefits might apply to your product. Or maybe you just want some good ol' Linalool education. 

We're here to help. 

Here's the short and sweet of it for the skimmers under us:

6 Amazing Linalool Benefits You Need to Know About

1. Anti-Inflammatory and Pain Reducer: Linalool is useful for dampening overractive responses to injury or sickness.
2. Anti-Epileptic:  Linalool is "very powerful in it's anticonvulsant quality"
3. Stress Reducer: Linalool inhalation has been shown to act as an anxiolytic (anxiety reducer) and may boost immune system performance.
4. Vampire Deterrent: Linalool can deter mosquitos with 93% efficiency.
5. Sedative: Linalool can improve sleep and increase energy the following morning!
6. Anti-Microbial Modulator: Linalool may improve anti-microbial properties.

• Lamiaceae (lavender, mints, scented herbs)
• Lauraceae (laurels, cinnamon, rosewood)
• Rutaceae (citrus fruits)
• Fungi
• Birch trees

Linalool has a floral aroma similar to lavender with a touch of spiciness that lends to its many commercial applications in creams and oils.

One of the most common ways to ingest linalool is through inhalation of lavender oils containing the aromatic compound. It doesn't stick around like other substances because your body metabolizes it quickly (2).

Plus, studies suggest Linalool has many health benefits.

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Therapeutic Benefits of Linalool Terpenes

Researchers suggest linalool affects brain cells and receptors to influence our brain functions.

Many of the positive effects we experience likely stem from linalool's ability to dull the strength of brain chemicals involved with muscle contraction and arousal (3).

1. Linalool as an Anti-inflammatory and Pain-Reducer

Inflammation, characterized by redness, swelling, pain and a sensation of heat, is one of the body's self-defense systems. Although the inflammation response sometimes plays a beneficial role in our bodies, it can also lead to chronic inflammatory diseases when left untreated.

Studies suggest linalool has anti-inflammatory properties potentially useful for dampening an overreactive response to injury or sickness. In one study, scientists even treated edema in rats with essential oils containing linalool. Plus, research suggests it may help block pain signals to the brain.

2. Linalool as an Anti-Epileptic

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 450 million people in the world have suffered mental, neurological, or behavioral problems at some time in their life (7).

Luckily, researchers focusing on plants and their derivatives uncovered potential therapeutic benefits for terpenes like linalool when used to treat diseases of the central nervous system.

Epilepsy is one of these diseases. It's a group of disorders characterized by recurrent spontaneous seizures, and about 1–2% of the world's population struggles with them (8). Up until recently, pharmacological solutions seemed to be the only answer to these symptoms.

But researchers found linalool-present in plants that may help reduce seizures and convulsions by reducing the activity of brain chemicals involved in muscle contraction (3). A study on anticonvulsant activity of linalool in 2010 deemed linalool “very powerful in its anticonvulsant quality” (9) when used to treat seizures brought on by trans-corneal electroshock.

3. Use Linalool to Reduce Stress

Kick back and relax with this terp. 

In a study on the effects of linalool inhalation by rats, researchers found it acted as an anxiolytic (anxiety reducer) (10).

Scientists placed in stress-inducing restraints for two hours. After exposure to linalool through inhalation, the results showed the rats stress levels dropped near to healthy, non-stressed baseline measures. Results of reduced stress-expression in both blood profiles and genes suggests a healthier immune system better prepared to fight infection and disease, as well. (10)

4. Linalool as a Mosquito Repellent

Mosquitos are one of the most prolifically breeding insect species on the planet, but you can keep these pesky insects at bay using linalool for peace of mind to enjoy your fair summer night.

In a 2009 study testing the efficacy of various botanical repellents against mosquitoes, linalool served as an effective mosquito repellent both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, 20g of 100% linalool placed in a diffuser repelled mosquitos by 93%, while outdoor diffusers repelled the potentially harmful insects by 58% within a 6m distance of the diffuser (11).

5. Linalool for Sedative Effects

People tend to use lavender essential oils to help them sleep, as studies suggest it increases slow-wave sleep. This is instrumental in muscle relaxation and heart rate reduction, which you'll need to drift off. In a study of 31 American men and women, researchers found simply sniffing lavender oil before bed increased sleep quality and increased their energy the morning after. (12)

Peanut stems and leaves also have high concentrations of linalool, and studies suggest this terpene is one of the main components responsible for producing sedative effects. (13)

6. Linalool May Increase Anti-Microbial Properties

Cosmetics and medicines usually require high concentrations of essential oils to maintain their microbial purity. These high levels can cause users with sensitive skin or allergies to suffer reactions and become irritated.

But studies suggest when you increase the amount of linalool to an existing oil, you can increase its anti-microbial properties without causing these effects (14).

This study found that anti-microbial effectiveness of oils like S. aromaticum oil and T. Vulgaris oil increased against harmful bacteria like P. aeruginosa, A. brasiliensis, S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans when combined with additional linalool.

Researchers believe this is because of the synergistic entourage effect that occurs when effects are greater from combined compounds ( like terpenes ) than when we use compounds individually.  

Potential Side Effects of Linalool

Where there are benefits to any product, there are downsides if used incorrectly. But the potential negative aspects of linalool are minimal. Rare side effects of this compound include skin irritation or allergic reaction upon direct contact (1). Only 7% of people who underwent patch testing experienced irritation from oxidized linalool, however (15).

Bottom line:

Don't bathe yourself in undiluted linalool. Just follow our instructions included with each isolate and you're all good.

Conclusion: Is Linalool Worth Your Time?

In short:

Absolutely.

The potential benefits linalool provides far outnumber any potential negative aspects. This all-in-one terpene proves itself useful as an insect repellent, a stress reliever, an anti-inflammatory agent, and much more.

Stock up. We won't judge.