Δ-3-Carene – PatientsCann UK

Δ-3-Carene

Delta-3-Carene, 3-Carene

pronounced: KAIR-een

A sweet, piney, citrus scent from pine and cedar trees. Studied for calming and for excess fluid.

Monoterpene Boiling point: 169°C
Terpene type
Monoterpene
Boiling point
169°C
Primary aroma
Piney
Key effect
Calming

Aroma profile

How it Smells

The aroma of Δ-3-Carene is described as:

PineySweetCitrusCedarEarthy
Found naturally in: Pine, cedar, rosemary, basil, bell pepper, cypress

Effects

Linked Effects

CalmingBone supportDries excess fluid

These effects are based on early-stage research in animals and cells. They are not proven in humans. Do not change your treatment based on this information.

About

What is Δ-3-Carene?

Delta-3-carene is a terpene with a sweet, piney smell and a hint of citrus and damp earth. It is found in pine and cedar trees, in rosemary and basil, and even in bell peppers.

It is a light monoterpene, so its fresh, resinous scent lifts off quickly. In cannabis it adds to that classic forest-like smell that many people enjoy.

Effects in detail

What the Research Says

In animal studies, delta-3-carene has shown a calming, sedative-like quality (Nuutinen, 2018). Researchers have also explored whether it may help dry up extra fluid in the body, and some early work has looked at its possible role in bone health.

These are early laboratory findings. One thing to note is that, in large amounts, carene can be drying and may irritate the eyes or throat, which is why balance matters.

Everyday sources

Where You Find it in Daily Life

You will find delta-3-carene in pine and cedar forests, in fresh rosemary and basil, in cypress, and in sweet bell peppers. Pine and cedarwood essential oils are rich in it.

Its piney, woody smell makes it popular in cleaning products and air fresheners that aim for a fresh-forest scent.

Research

Key Studies

The review by Nuutinen (2018) summarised the laboratory evidence on delta-3-carene, including its calming effect in animal tests and early interest in bone health.

Its chemical make-up is listed in public databases (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2025). As with other terpenes, careful human research is still needed.

Back to full Terpenes Guide
Important: The information on this page is for education only. It is not medical advice. Terpene research is still in its early stages. Many studies have been done in animals, not yet in people. Always speak to your doctor before changing your treatment. PatientsCann UK does not recommend any specific cannabis product.

References

  1. Nuutinen, T. (2018) 'Medicinal properties of terpenes found in Cannabis sativa and Humulus lupulus', European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 157, pp. 198-228. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.076.
  2. Booth, J.K. and Bohlmann, J. (2019) 'Terpenes in Cannabis sativa: from plant genome to humans', Plant Science, 284, pp. 67-72. doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2019.03.022.
  3. National Center for Biotechnology Information (2025) PubChem Compound Database. Bethesda: U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (Accessed: 11 June 2026).
  4. Russo, E.B. (2011) 'Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects', British Journal of Pharmacology, 163(7), pp. 1344-1364. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x.
  5. Cicada Jersey (2020) Terpene Wheel. Available at: https://cicada.je/terpene-wheel/ (Accessed: 11 June 2026).