Valencene

Valencene – PatientsCann UK

Valencene

(+)-Valencene

pronounced: VAL-en-seen

Smells like sweet Valencia oranges. A larger terpene studied for easing swelling and protecting skin.

Sesquiterpene Boiling point: 274°C
Terpene type
Sesquiterpene
Boiling point
274°C
Primary aroma
Citrus
Key effect
Anti-inflammatory

Aroma profile

How it Smells

The aroma of Valencene is described as:

CitrusSweetOrangeFruityFresh
Found naturally in: Valencia oranges, grapefruit and other citrus fruit

Effects

Linked Effects

Anti-inflammatorySkin protectionInsect repellent

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 Valencene?

Valencene is named after the Valencia orange, the fruit it was first found in. It carries a sweet, juicy citrus smell and is the terpene behind much of the lovely aroma of fresh oranges and grapefruit.

Unlike the lighter citrus terpenes, valencene is a sesquiterpene, which means it is a larger and heavier molecule. Its boiling point at normal pressure is high, around 274 degrees, although it is often measured at about 123 degrees under reduced pressure in the laboratory (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2025).

Effects in detail

What the Research Says

Early research has looked at valencene as an anti-inflammatory, meaning it may help calm swelling, and as a substance that could help protect skin from sun damage in laboratory tests (Nuutinen, 2018). It is also studied as a natural insect repellent.

These uses are promising but early. Most of the evidence comes from cell and animal studies rather than trials in people.

Everyday sources

Where You Find it in Daily Life

You meet valencene every time you peel a sweet orange or a grapefruit. It is concentrated in the oil of the peel, which is why citrus zest smells so strong and sweet.

It is also used in the food and drink industry to add a natural orange flavour, and in some skincare products.

Research

Key Studies

Reviews of plant and cannabis terpenes, including Nuutinen (2018), describe valencene mainly for its anti-inflammatory and skin-protecting activity seen in laboratory work.

Its chemistry, including the way its boiling point changes with pressure, is recorded in public databases (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2025). Human evidence is still limited.

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).