Terpene Series: camphene

The camphene terpene has a damp, pungent, herbal aroma with undertones of pine. Camphene is a colourless crystal that can be used as a substitute for camphor, as a fragrance or to texturize resins and lacquers.

This terpene may also be also used as a food additive to enhance flavours. Essential oils, such as cypress and valerian, may contain trace quantities of camphene. Camphene's historical uses include fuel for lamps in the 19th century. However, due to the terpene's potential flammability, it is no longer used in this capacity. After the mid-19th century, kerosene replaced camphene as the fuel of choice for lamps. But at one time, camphene was the primary source of fuel for lamps and preferred as a cheaper alternative to whale oil.

As a growing plant, cannabis uses camphene and other similar terpenes to repel herbivores. On the flipside, the cannabis plant channels terpenes to attract pollinating insects. Camphene, then, is a vital partner to cannabis throughout the plant's whole life cycle.

If you've ever been to a summer party where a citronella candle was burning on the patio, then you have probably encountered camphene without realising it. Employed as a mosquito repellent, citronella oil contains camphene and has controversial usages as a minor ingredient in bark collars for dogs. The camphene in these collars is said to calm the dogs and discourage barking, but many veterinarians warn against the use of citronella oil with any pet as it may be toxic to them.

Finally, like bisabolol and certain other terpenes, camphene can be a component of skin-care products such as ointments and creams.