In cannabis plants, phytol or phytosol is an acyclic diterpene alcohol that is present in small amounts. It is a diterpene alcohol that is derived from the cannabis plant. In addition, it has a very subtle odor that has been characterized as flowery. Furthermore, phytosol is utilized as a precursor in the production of synthetic variants of vitamin E and vitamin K1, among other things. Moreover, this terpene is being researched for its medical properties. For example, a study conducted in 2014 discovered that phytol has anxiolytic-like effects on mice.
In addition to having an oily viscosity, phytol contains a yellow pigment that is often employed in food dyeing procedures. Moreover, it has a grassy scent, but it isn’t as fragrant as other terpenes like phellandrene or geranyl. As with other terpenes, it’s produced during photosynthesis as a byproduct of chlorophyll breakdown. Moreover, phytol might have many potential medical properties. For example, according to a 2014 study published in the journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, this terpene may have the ability to treat parasites such as tapeworms.
In addition, according to a study published in 2002 by the Society of Toxicology, it has been suggested that it can help prevent birth abnormalities associated with vitamin A use.
Phytol: Potential Medical Properties
This terpene is being researched for its many potential medical properties:
Anticancer Properties
There are studies about the potential anticancer properties of phytol, especially in the treatment of liver cancer and breast cancer.
Reduce Anxiety
Phytol has been widely used in aromatherapy to reduce anxiety. Furthermore, phytol may also have anti-inflammatory and pain relief properties.
Antioxidant
As many other terpenes, phytol has antioxidant properties. According to one study, it “exerted antioxidant potential in our current non- and preclinical test systems and can be a good candidate for the development of treatments of oxidative stress mediated diseases”.
Cannabis Strains with Phytol
Phytol is a minor or secondary terpene (like sabinene and/or nerolidol) in cannabis. In short, you won’t find phytol in high concentration such as other terpenes like myrcene, linalool or caryophyllene. The following strains contain phytol as one of their secondary terpenes:
Banana Kush
This hybrid strain is rich in THC (18%) with 1% of CBG. Banana Kush is a cross between Ghost OG and Skunk Haze. Furthermore, this strain is excellent to reduce anxiety and depression. Its main terpenes are limonene, caryophyllene and myrcene. Moreover, Banana Kush has phytosol as one of its secondary terpenes.
Sour Diesel
This strain is one of the most popular ones. Sour Diesel, also known as Sour D, is rich in THC with 18% of this psychoactive cannabinoid. Sour Diesel is an energizing cannabis strain rich in caryophyllene, myrcene and limonene with phytol as one of its minor terpenes.
Cheese
Also known as Dinafem Cheese, this strain is moderate high in THC (16%) with 1% of CBG. Cheese is an Indica dominant strain very rich in pinene and with myrcene and caryophyllene as its two other main terpenes. Moreover, it contains phytol as a secondary terpene.
OG Kush
Perhaps one of the most popular strains ever, OG Kush is a potent strain (18% of THC and 1% of CBG). Its main terpenes are myrcene, limonene and caryophyllene with phytol as a minor terpene. OG Kush is a popular strain for both medical and recreational usage.
Strawberry Diesel
Last strain in this list is Strawberry Diesel. This cannabis strain is rich in THC as well (16% of THC). Strawberry Diesel is an energizing strain with myrcene, caryophyllene and limonene as its major terpenes. In addition, it contains phytol in low concentrations. A very versatile strain, Strawberry Diesel is very effective in combatting insomnia.