Terpene Series: Sabinene

Sabinene is a natural bicyclic monoterpene. It has a strained ring system with a cyclopentane ring fused to a cyclopropane ring. Sabinene is a terpene found in holm oak trees, spruce trees, juniper bushes, clove plants, and spices like black pepper and nutmeg. Sabinene has a spicy, pine-like scent with notes of citrus, and it brings this scent to the plants where it is found. It’s also found in certain cannabis strains, where it contributes to both the taste and aroma of the bud.

With its distinctive warm and peppery scent, it’s no surprise that this terpene is often used in aromatherapy. Sabinene’s pine and woody undertones can help evoke being in the woods, surrounded by fragrant trees. Sabinene is one of the chemical compounds that contributes to the spiciness of black pepper and is a major constituent of carrot seed oil. It also occurs in tea tree oil at a low concentration. It is also present in the essential oil obtained from nutmeg, bay tree, and horsewood.

The boiling point of sabinene is 163 to 165 degrees Celsius.