What is Bisabolol?

When we talk about bisabolol, we refer to a viscous colorless substance with a weak sweet floral scent reminiscent of apples, honey, and chamomile. Bisabolol is a natural component of the essential oils from some plants, especially German Chamomile, Myoporum crassifolium, and of course, in the terpene profile of some cannabis strains. It can also be produced synthetically, but when created this way, it only performs 50% of the activity it does when extracted naturally. This substance is known for being used in cosmetics from hundreds of years ago due to its perceived skin healing properties. Moreover, bisabolol has proved to enhance the percutaneous absorption of specific molecules, and studies revealed it is anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. In case you are curious about what is in your cannabis strains, learn here what bisabolol is.

Key Takeaways

• Bisabolol has been used for centuries in cosmetics due to skin healing features.
• Bisabolol, or alpha-bisabolol, is an active ingredient responsible for providing the honey, apple, and chamomile odor nuances in some cannabis strains and other plants, such as chamomile.
• Bisabolol is a naturally occurring sesquiterpenoid that can also be synthesized in laboratories.

What Is Bisabolol Used For?

Bisabolol, or alpha-bisabolol, is an active ingredient responsible for providing the honey, apple, and chamomile odor nuances in some cannabis strains and other plants, such as chamomile. Bisabolol is used for skin and cosmetic products due to its pleasant odor and potential beneficial effects. This terpene is also used to complement aroma profiles in a variety of products. Some skin care products also use bisabolol to enhance their aromas, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic qualities. The cosmetics industry, especially the skincare sector, is the most widely used bisabolol. In the world of cannabis, the high bisabolol content of some strains can also find some potential therapeutic applications. For example, data suggest that the high content of camphene and bisabolol in the terpene profile of some cannabis strains could enhance their analgesic qualities. Some studies indicate that bisabolol may be especially effective in reducing the inflammation and pain related to certain neuropathies. There is also data suggesting that bisabolol might also have mildly relaxing qualities, thus putting it on the list of the best terpenes for anxiety. These same relaxing, non-couch-locking properties of bisabolol also earn it a place among the best terpenes for sex. This is because bisabolol has the ability to help you relax and help put performance anxiety aside without actually taking you out of the game.

What are the effects of bisabolol?

In addition to providing a naturally attractive essence to the cannabis strains in which it occurs, bisabolol can generate a number of effects on its own. In fact, data suggests that bisabolol carries a broad load of biological activity that triggers effects with potential therapeutic applications. This is why people have been using plants rich in this terpene, such as chamomile, to prepare remedies for different conditions. Among the most notorious effects of bisabolol is its inherent relaxing, pain-relieving, and moderately sedative qualities stand out. This is why bisabolol-rich strains are excellent for reducing anxiety, relieving the stress of a long day, and inducing a soothing tranquility that will put you in the ideal mood for a relaxing afternoon at home or sharing a memorable moment of connection with your partner. Although science understands bisabolol better and better with every research study, specific research on the effects of bisabolol in humans is still scarce. But, without a doubt, the data found so far regarding the impact of bisabolol, together with the enticing aroma of this terpene, are enough to continue investigating this organic compound's great medicinal potential.

What Type Of Ingredient Is Bisabolol?

The answer to this question can be somewhat complex to understand since bisabolol can enter into several classifications, depending on the point of view from which it is seen. From a scientific point of view, bisabolol is a naturally occurring sesquiterpenoid that can also be synthesized in laboratories. Therefore, it can be an organic or synthetic ingredient. But, if we talk about functionality, we could say that bisabolol is a cosmetic ingredient since the cosmetics and skin care industry are the ones that use this compound most widely to boost the therapeutic qualities or enhance the aromas of certain products.

What Does Bisabolol Do For The Skin?

As we just mentioned, bisabolol carries a particularly effective therapeutic charge for the skin. Therefore, if you wonder what bisabolol can do for the skin, the answer is “quite a lot”. Bisabolol can be an excellent reliever of different types of skin swelling thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects. Bisabolol's anti-inflammatory effects are especially effective in reducing the redness associated with rashes, acne, skin burns, and even psoriasis. There is evidence to suggest that bisabolol could boost wound healing, act as a pain reducer, and could even be a potent antimicrobial organic compound. These antimicrobial effects of bisabolol also make it an excellent skin disinfectant, as it kills bacteria and microorganisms and prevents their proliferation. In addition, bisabolol also has natural antioxidant effects that help combat skin aging. This is why there are a large number of skin care products and cosmetics that contain bisabolol since, in addition to a wonderful natural aroma, it offers a series of potential benefits for skin health.

Does Bisabolol Lighten Skin?

Short answer, yes. It seems that alpha-bisabolol can lighten the natural pigmentation of the skin. A study carried out on Asian women published in 2010 found that after eight weeks of treatment with alpha-bisabolol cream, there was a significant lightening of skin pigmentation in most treated subjects. Skin pigmentation is the skin's most important defense layer against solar radiation. But, hyperpigmentation is a common problem that can be caused by different inflammatory conditions such as allergic and irritant contact dermatitis and eczema. This study's results demonstrated that using a base cream containing bisabolol effectively lightened the hyperpigmentation spots on the subjects' skin. Therefore, the evidence found so far suggests that bisabolol creams could be effective as a lightning treatment for skin hyperpigmentation.

Alpha-bisabolol Skin Benefits

Although bisabolol can have plenty of applications in many health areas, skin health is where Alpha-Bisabolol has been more used. This substance performs the best of its qualities directly into the cutaneous cells, delivering various skin benefits we will describe a bit better now. Moisturizes: Bisabolol is a great natural source of panthenol, which is a form of vitamin B. Because of bisabolol’s ability to go into the deeper layers of the skin, it can transport this natural humectant all the way where the fine lines, wrinkles, or even acne breakdowns start—making moisture sticks to the skin better for a more extended period. Soothing agent: Thanks to the anti-inflammatory qualities of bisabolol, it can work significantly, calming irritation and inflammation caused by acne, rashes, sunburn, rosacea, and psoriasis. It has even proven to delay the redness skin gets after exposure to UV light. Boost healing: This miraculous terpene also can help heal wounds faster because it helps repair the skin barrier. This is why traditional medicine uses Chamomile (the most abundant source of bisabolol in nature). Protects and repair: Bisabolol protects from the damaging effects of free radicals thanks to its antioxidant properties. Disinfects and kills germs: This substance´s great features in fighting several microorganisms have made it popular among many skincare and cosmetic products. It prevents the contamination of these products by reducing the possibility of germ proliferation. Bisabolol has been demonstrating to fight well against different fungus and bacteria like staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans. A wonderful natural scent: Most of the time extracted from chamomile, bisabolol emanates a sweet and subtle floral aroma similar to apples and honey. It can add a pleasant smell to products without the need to add anything artificial. Hyperpigmentation fading agent: Bisabolol has proved to help inhibit melanin synthesis, responsible for age spots and imperfections as we get older. Inhibiting melanin synthesis is the intention of all synthetic products available on the market. The main difference between these products and bisabolol is that most synthetic products may contain potentially dangerous chemicals.

High Bisabolol Strains

In some strains of cannabis, bisabolol does not occur at all, and in other varieties, it only occurs in trace amounts. However, there are some cannabis strains in which bisabolol naturally occurs in higher quantities or even becomes the dominant terpene. Cannabis strains with a high bisabolol content bring out characteristic sweet, floral, and fruity aromas and usually have relaxing, soothing effects, perfect for releasing tension and promoting pleasant moments. Here we leave you a fine selection of the best cannabis strains with a high bisabolol content.

Ice Cream Cake Strain

This Indica-leaning cross between Wedding Cake and Gelato #33 results in a delicious strain with sweet flavors and aromas of sugary dough and vanilla that will invite you to continue tasting puffs from the first hit. Ice Cream Cake strain delivers relaxing effects that calm the body and mind. The high bisabolol content and Indica nature of Ice Cream Cake make it a perfect variety for improving sleep, reducing anxiety, and relieving pain.

Dolato Strain

Dolato strain is a mostly Indica strain that produces eye-catching buds bursting with purple, light, and dark green, wine-red, and orange colors, wrapped in a frosty layer of resinous trichomes packed with therapeutic power. This variety results from crossing the famous Do-Si-Dos with Gelato #41 and provides relaxing sedative effects that will sweep away all tension or stress. Dolato strain's buds exude the characteristic earthy aromas of Indica, complemented by sweet lavender-like floral hints generated by this variety's high bisabolol and linalool content.

Harle-Tsu Strain

Harle-Tsu, also known as Harlequin Tsunami, is an excellent, if not the best, non-intoxicating, high-CBD alternative on this list. Harle-Tsu is a hybrid hemp variety that comes from the cross between Harlequin and Sour Tsunami. The high CBD content of this strain, together with the relaxing effects of the high bisabolol content that the terpene profile of this variety carries, make it a perfect tool to combat stress, pain, and inflammation.

ACDC Strain

ACDC stems from a Cannatonic phenotype and is currently one of the most popular CBD flower strains worldwide. ACDC can carry up to 13% CBD content, enhanced by its high content of myrcene and bisabolol. Medical cannabis users use the combination of terpenes and CBD to relieve anxiety, pain, some chemotherapy symptoms, and even epilepsy-related seizures. The bisabolol content in this strain also contributes to its sweet woody aromas with herbaceous hints.

Bisabolol Terpene Effects

Although bisabolol provides an exquisite sweet and floral aroma in the strains in which it occurs, its wonderful smell is only one of its many qualities. Like the rest of the terpenes, bisabolol can generate effects on its own. Naturopathic medicine has been using bisabolol-rich plants such as chamomile as a remedy to alleviate different conditions. The effects of bisabolol carry several potential medicinal benefits and possible therapeutic applications. Bisabolol generates relaxing, calming effects that are perfect for boosting the anti-anxiety qualities of certain cannabis strains. This terpene can also generate anti-inflammatory effects that might help alleviate particular pains, including chronic pain associated with some neuropathies. Therefore, strains high in bisabolol may be ideal for reducing certain pains. In addition to these effects mentioned above, there is also evidence indicating that bisabolol could generate antiallergic, antibacterial, antioxidant, fungicidal, gastroprotective effects, potential anticancer effects, and outstanding beneficial effects for the skin that are widely known in the skincare and personal hygiene products industry.

Bisabolol Terpene Benefits

Great Anti-inflammatory: Bisabolol shows to reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines because, like some cannabinoids, it can link with some chemical messengers like inflammatory proteins. This makes bisabolol an excellent fighting different types of inflammation, especially those of the skin. Although it doesn’t work against inflammation caused by allergic reactions, bisabolol has also demonstrated lowing levels of perceived pain, a fact that suggests this substance works as an analgesic for relief from pain caused by inflammation. Anti-microbial agent: The bactericidal and fungicidal properties of bisabolol have recently gained popularity among researchers and commercial cosmetics brands. This almost miraculous terpene can work against Staphylococcus aureus’ bacterial infections, fights two Candida fungus species, and many other common fungal infections by reducing the risk of proliferation. It also has proved to combat certain liver and spleen parasites and kill the bacteria responsible for halitosis, indicating Bisabolol can also have oral healthcare benefits. Cancer cells antiproliferative features: A 2011 study using ex vivo human cells showed evidence of bisabolol promoting apoptosis of leukemia cells, acting as a proapoptotic agent that causes direct damage to mitochondrial integrity of dysfunctional cells. Researchers observed this terpene derived from plants could enter cell tissues and bind to a proapoptotic protein family. In addition to this, bisabolol has also demonstrated antioxidative effects, making it very beneficial for preventing various oncologic conditions. Relieves venous injures and ulcers: This therapeutic terpene was tested in topical treatments of chronic venous leg ulcers, and scientists compare it to a standard ulcer cream. Another study on mice demonstrated that bisabolol performs gastroprotective qualities as it proved to help gastric mucosal with the oxidative damage of ethanol and indomethacin-induced ulcers.

Alpha-bisabolol Effects

Now that we have a good idea of what bisabolol is and the benefits it can deliver, let's review and make a quick list of all the effects that this terpene can generate:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Fungicidal and bactericidal
• Anti-allergic
• Anti-cancer
• Ulcer and venous legs ulcer reduction
• Pain-relieving
• Skin-healing
• Skin-whitening effect
• Antioxidative
• Oral healthcare
• Gastroprotective

Is Bisabolol Safe?

A short answer would be yes. Bisabolol is generally safe. This terpene promotes various particles’ absorption when used on topical skincare products, facilitating some beneficial substances to enter the skin and better performing its healing properties. However, when used in cosmetics, manufactures should be careful when combining bisabolol with ingredients that could be toxic when going through the skin. In their experiments, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel researchers observed that despite bisabolol having a well-absorption through the skin, it didn’t generate any toxicity.

Bisabolol Side Effects

A caution to consider with bisabolol is that, as with many essential oils, it can be irritant to some specific skin types with an identified allergy to it. Besides that, there is no other proven side effect caused by this plant-derived substance. Thanks for stopping by! Why not try savoring one of our balanced Hybrid CBD flower? if you enjoyed this read, check out our recipe for a soothing CBD Arnica Salve. Looking for more info on Bisabolol? Check out this video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLNrbANInfU