Geraniol is the terpene behind the smell of a rose. It is one of the most distinctly floral compounds in the plant world, sweet and perfumed with a soft citrus edge, and it is a cornerstone of the fragrance industry. In cannabis it is a minor terpene, but an unmistakable one wherever it appears.

Where you find it in nature

Roses and rose geranium above all, plus citronella, lemongrass, lemon, and even peaches and blueberries. Honeybees even produce it in their scent glands. It is one of the most widespread floral aroma compounds in nature.

Aroma and flavor

Sweet, rosy, and floral, with gentle citrus and a soft peach undertone. It is refined and perfume-like, closer to a fragrance note than to the earthy or gassy terpenes, and it adds elegance to a profile.

What the research says

• A 2020 review by Maczka and colleagues in Molecules, titled One Hundred Faces of Geraniol, summarized its documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and the many in vitro and animal studies that have explored it.
• Geraniol holds FDA GRAS status as a food flavoring, and is used to add rosy, fruity notes to beverages, confectionery, and gum.

As with the others, this is research on the compound and its long use as a flavor and fragrance ingredient, not a claim about a chew.

Geraniol in the terpene world

Geraniol is a monoterpene alcohol that often occurs alongside linalool, and the two together create soft, floral profiles. It is the terpene most responsible for true rose notes in perfumery. Explore the full lineup in our Terpene Library.

Frequently asked questions

Does geraniol get you high?

No. Geraniol is the rose aroma compound, not a cannabinoid, and it does not produce a high. See do terpenes get you high.

Is geraniol safe to eat?

Geraniol holds FDA GRAS status as a food flavoring and is used in candy, drinks, and gum at normal flavoring levels. More in are terpenes safe to eat.

What does geraniol smell like?

Sweet rose and floral with a soft citrus and peach edge.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. Maczka W, Winska K, Grabarczyk M. One Hundred Faces of Geraniol. Molecules. 2020;25(14):3303.