Carene is more commonly known as delta-3-carene

It’s one of the terpenes still hanging onto its chemistry-major name until cannabis terminology has more time to soak into the mainstream. Carene is found in a scattering of plants, usually in conjunction with other terpenes. It’s not a particularly notable terpene compared to the others, but it has its humble place here and in the following plants:

• Rosemary
• Basil
• Bell pepper
• Allspice
• Juniper
• Pine trees
• Cedar trees

Flavor and aroma:

The aroma is sweet and earthy, with cedar wood notes. Carene doesn’t appear in high enough concentrations to affect the taste of a strain much, but what you can taste is a mild citrus flavor.

What it does:

Carene is said by some to be the terpene which is partly responsible for cotton mouth. As far as we’ve been able to verify, cotton mouth is just a plain side effect of THC binding to the endocannabinoid system and not the responsibility of any terpene, but maybe more research will come along.

Very little is known and much is claimed about the medical effects of carene. Delta 3 carene is among several essential oils thought to help fight inflammation, and to act as a pain reliever

. It’s also believed to promote healthy bone growth. And as part of another essential oil, it may be antifungal. The problem appears to be that carene is difficult to sort out from other terpenes.

Industrially, carene is used as a flavoring agent and in perfumes.

Where to find it:

• Super Silver Haze
• Super Lemon Haze
• Arjan’s Ultra Haze
• Skunk #1

Most strains with “haze” in the name carry high amounts of carene.

Toxic advisory:

Delta 3 carene is flammable! It makes up as much as 40% of some formulas of turpentine, which should tell you to keep it away from open flame.

Carene has a number of cautions attached to it. It is hazardous to aquatic life, may be a skin irritant, or may cause allergic skin reactions.

Fun facts:

Cedar, the wood whose characteristics carene most resembles, is prized for its properties as a solid carpentry wood which keeps an aromatic scent. It’s popular for building chests.

You can find a hundred sites out there claiming that carene helps memory and may alleviate Alzheimer’s symptoms, without a single link to any clinical studies whatsoever.