There are more than 20000 terpenes throughout nature and humulene is one of the most common terpenes found in cannabis. Although not as common as myrcene or caryophyllene, humulene is found in many cannabis strains in moderate concentrations.
Humulene is an essential oil with earthy and woody aromas. This terpene is also known as α-humulene and it’s commonly found in hops, coriander or basil.
It is being researched for its potential anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and appetite suppressant properties. You can find this terpene in moderate quantities in a wide variety of cannabis strains.
Humulene was formerly known as α-caryophyllene (not to be confused with caryophyllene or β-caryophyllene). Both α-caryophyllene and β-caryophyllene have the same chemical formula but different structure.
What are the Effects of Humulene?
According to one study in Nutraceuticals, 2016, “humulene was shown to increase secretion of IL-8, a chemokine with various functions, including promoting angiogenesis, helpful in wound healing”. When used topically, orally, or by aerosol, humulene has both topical and systemic anti-inflammatory properties and is an important analgesic. In addition, humulene is also being researched for its potential anti-cancer properties.
Which Cannabis Strains are Humulene-Dominant?
Humelene is not commonly found in high quantities in cannabis. Most of cannabis strains with humulene have moderate levels of this terpene. The following cannabis strains are known to have humulene as one of their main terpenes:
10. Candyland
This cannabis strain is known for its high quantities of caryophyllene. However, Candyland has also moderate quantities of humulene. The combination of these two terpenes gives this strain a characteristic earthy and spicy flavor. Besides caryophyllene and humulene, Candyland has also moderate levels of limonene. In addition, Candyland is quite high in THC (18%) with 1% of CBG.
Candyland is an energizing cannabis strain, which makes it ideal for social gatherings.
9. Royal Cookies
This Indica dominant strain is a psychoactive strain with high THC levels (21 to 23%). Royal Cookies is perfect for relaxation and to relieve pain and headaches. Furthermore, this strain was developed by Royal Queen Seeds, which is one of the most important seed banks in the world.
Royal Cookies contains moderate levels of humulene and it’s also rich in caryophyllene and limonene.
8. Sugar Black Rose
This strain has a unique terpene profile. Sugar Black Rose is rich in caryophyllene, pinene and humulene. It’s a cross between Black Dominant and Critical Mass. Moreover, this Indica dominant strain is quite rich in THC (18%).
7. Headband
It’s a cross between the famous OG Kush and Sour Diesel. Headband is rich in myrcene, caryophyllene and limonene. However, it has also moderate levels of humulene. This strain is excellent for relaxation thanks to its pan relief and calming effects. Headband is moderate high in THC with 18% of THC.
6. Wedding Cake
This is another cannabis strain known for its tasty terpene profile. Wedding Cake has a characteristic peppery and earthy flavor and it’s rich in limonene, caryophyllene and humulene. In addition, this strain is very high in THC (22%) with 1% of CBG.
5. Thin Mint GSC
Also known as Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies, Thin Mint GSC has Durban Poison and OG Kush genetics. It’s a popular medical cannabis strain with excellent pain relief properties. Moreover, it is also an excellent antiemetic and efficient to combat insomnia. Thin Mint GSC is rich in caryophyllene with humulene and limonene as secondary terpenes.
4. Original Glue
Also known as Gorilla Glue, GG4 and Gorilla Glue #4. This strain is known for its high quantities of caryophyllene. It’s a cross between Chocolate Diesel and Chem’s Sister and Sour Dubb and it has a moderate-high level of THC (17%). Besides caryophyllene, Original Blue is also high in myrcene with moderate levels of humulene.
3. Death Star
This strain is known for its euphoric properties. Death Star is a potent and psychoactive strain (20% THC) with caryophyllene as its main terpene. In addition to caryophyllene, it’s also high in myrcene, limonene and moderate levels of humulene.
2. White Widow
We have listed this strain in “caryophyllene dominant strains”. White Widow is a very popular strain with moderate-high levels of THC (17%). White Widow is rich in myrcene and its secondary terpenes are caryophyllene, limonene and humulene.
1. Sherbet
This strain is also known as Sherbert, and it’s also listed in our blog post about caryophyllene-dominant strains. It’s known for its relaxation properties and because it offers a potent high (17% THC). In addition to caryophyllene, Sherbet has also moderate levels of myrcene, limonene and humulene.