Your guide to pulegone, a terpene in cannabis

Pulegone is a type of terpene, or chemical compound, found in certain types of plants, including cannabis. 

Terpenes like pulegone contribute to a plant’s flavor and aroma. It may also offer certain health benefits.

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What is pulegone?

In addition to cannabis, pulegone can be found in other plants, such as:

• Peppermint
• Spearmint 
• Catnip
• Black tea
• Blueberries
• Black currants
• Pennyroyal
• Chamomile

Pulegone has a minty flavor and aroma. In nature, the terpene protects plants by deterring insects and weeds. 

Pulegone is also a common ingredient in some types of commercial products, such as:

• Personal hygiene products
• Cleaning products
• Cosmetics

Pulegone benefits

Research shows that pulegone may offer several health benefits. But most studies have been done in animals or cells. To confirm the terpene’s benefits, more human studies are needed.

Relieves anxiety

Findings from a mouse study suggest that pulegone may help reduce anxiety in different ways compared to anti-anxiety medications. 

Lowers inflammation

One study in both cells and animals found that pulegone may help lower inflammation and pain sensitivity. 

Another mouse study found that pulegone may help reduce levels of cytokines, which are proteins in the body that trigger inflammation.

Fights infections 

Pulegone may help your body fight certain types of bacterial infections, including salmonella and listeria.

Eases flu symptoms

Pulegone may help lower the concentration of influenza virus in your body to ease symptoms, according to evidence from a mouse study. However, the study notes that the terpene likely doesn’t prevent you from getting infected with the virus.  

Relieves pain

Pulegone may help relieve pain, according to a mouse study. Researchers found that the terpene may help block pain signals in your nervous system to lower your perception of pain.   

Reduces seizures

Research in mice found that pulegone may help protect against seizure activity. 

Pulegone terpene in cannabis

Cannabis contains over 150 terpenes, including pulegone. But pulegone is a minor terpene in cannabis, which means that the plant produces very trace amounts compared to major terpenes like myrcene and limonene.

Pulegone side effects

The trace amounts of pulegone found naturally in cannabis are unlikely to cause harm. However, ingesting high doses of pulegone may be unsafe. If you have questions about your individual intake of pulegone, speak with your doctor or a Leafwell provider.

The bottom line: Pulegone may help with inflammation, anxiety, pain, and more

Pulegone has several potential health benefits, including anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties. While it’s only found in trace amounts in cannabis, the terpene still contributes to these medicinal effects.

Schedule an appointment with a Leafwell provider to learn more about how pulegone and other cannabis terpenes may help you address any health-related needs.

Resources

• Anti-hyperalgesic properties of menthol and pulegone. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.753873/full
• Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Calamintha nepeta and its constituent pulegone against bacteria and fungi. http://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10404547/
• Pharmacological activity of -(+)-pulegone, a chemical constituent of essential oils. https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/znc-2011-7-806/html
• Pulegone and related substances: Human health tier II assessment. https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/sites/default/files/Pulegone%20and%20related%20substances_Human%20health%20tier%20II%20assessment.pdf
• Pulegone inhibits inflammation via suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome and reducing cytokine production in mice. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08923973.2019.1588292
• Risk analysis for the carcinogen pulegone in mint- and menthol-flavored e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2751245
• Secondary terpenes in Cannabis sativa L.: Synthesis and synergy. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9775512/
• Study on effect and mechanism of volatile oil of shizonepetae herba and its essential components against influenza virus. https://europepmc.org/article/med/24010294
• Terpenes in Cannabis sativa — From plant genome to humans. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168945219301190
• The aversive, anxiolytic-like, and verapamil-sensitive psychostimulant effects of pulegone. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/37/5/37_b13-00832/_html/-char/en

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