Valencene is a terpene that can be found in small amounts in some cannabis strains, and has the aroma of sweet orange, fresh herbs, or freshly cut wood. It is commonly found in Valencia oranges, for which it is named. Valencene has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic properties. Valencene can also be used as an insecticide.
“I used to think it was limonene that made me like the smell of Tangie, but now I know it’s valencene.”
What is valencene?
Valencene is a sesquiterpene, making it a larger and more complex type of terpene than monoterpenes like pinene, limonene, or fenchol. Valencene gets its name from Valencia oranges, where it is most commonly found in nature. Like limonene, it has a sour edge, but like an orange, it is also sweet.
Some people feel valencene has a scent reminiscent of fresh herbs or freshly cut wood. Valencene is a precursor to the terpenoid nootkatone, which is the main contributor to the aroma of grapefruit. Both Tangie and Agent Orange are strains rich in valencene, though theoretically any orange strain is likely to have some valencene.
Like limonene, valencene is known to produce euphoric, uplifting feelings. Valencene has also been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, and is noted to be a powerful insecticide, for repelling ticks and mosquitos, something cannabis cultivators could consider as a natural method of bug control.