Stressed? Here’s Why You Need The Benefits Of Linalool

• The benefits of linalool include tons of pluses for your health and wellness—most importantly relaxation.
• Linalool is the terpene that’s responsible for the gorgeous aromas of lavender, lilacs, and some cannabis, too.
• To up your relaxation this spring, check out our recipes for  linalool-rich entertaining.

7-minute read

Your Summer of Wellness With the Benefits of Linalool

If you’ve ever slept on hotel sheets that are lightly scented with lavender, you already know the benefits of linalool. Its soothing scent can help calm anxiety, ease depression, and even help you get a good night’s sleep. Sweet and floral with a hint of woodiness, it’s the same terpene that gives lavender and lilacs their intoxicating scent. But, get this, the benefits of linalool may also contribute to the health of your cells. One study shows that this terpene reduced the damaging effects of stress by preventing shifts in white blood cells. Another suggests that linalool is also an anti-inflammatory. Lots of cannabis strains include linalool, too. While it isn’t normally the dominant terpene, that doesn’t mean you won’t feel its effects. If, like most of us, you turn to cannabis to unwind, look for strains with high concentrations of linalool.

Side Effects of Linalool?

That’s a trick question. While the benefits of linalool are apparent even in low doses, there aren’t any side effects unless it’s super concentrated in a lab. Overall, we humans respond incredibly well to this terpene. Case in point, linalool is used in 60%-80% of the perfumed hygiene and cleaning products you’ll find on the shelves in your local drugstore.

What’s a Terpene Again?

Terpenes are found in all plants. They’re responsible for every plant’s distinct fragrance. Cannabis is especially gifted in the terpene department—with at least 100 of them. They affect us because our sense of smell connects to the brain’s memory and emotion centers. But there’s also some evidence that, like other cannabinoids, the benefits of linalool and other terpenes might directly affect our brain cells, too.

The Benefits of Linalool for Anxiety and Depression

Linalool can have a lot of positive effects on your mental health. The benefits of linalool have been proven to include calming effects on the mind and body. Of course, that helps reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, too. Also, it’s effective in easing the symptoms of depression. That makes this completely natural compound a great natural alternative to prescription medications.

Linalool on the Brain

The benefits of linalool extend beyond simply calming your mind. Linalool could help you keep your brain healthy. Some studies suggest that this terpene could improve cognitive function and memory. So, linalool could be a useful natural protector against conditions like dementia. On top of that, many studies suggest that one of the most significant benefits of linalool could be in preventing seizures.

Pain Management With Linalool

One of the primary benefits of linalool is pain management. It has anti-inflammatory properties. So, it can help reduce pain and inflammation in the body. One of our favorite ways to incorporate linalool is through aromatherapy or fragrant topicals to soothe pain.

Our Favorite Cannabis Strains With Linalool

If you’re like us, though, one of the most important parts of your evening is your cannabis. According to a 2023 study from New Frontier Data, a whopping 82% of us use cannabis to unwind. In fact, it’s the most common reason for consuming cannabis in the US. Happily, loads of strains include linalool. Not shockingly, that includes Lavender. But so does Girl Scout Cookies (GSC), Do-Si-Does, Scooby Snacks, Zkittlez, Amnesia Haze, Master Kush, Pink Kush, Special Kush, OG Shark, LA Confidential, Chem Dawg, and Skywalker OG.

Capitalizing on the Benefits of Linalool

Warmer weather is here, and summer’s on the way! So, it’s the perfect time to use beautifully fragrant terpenes, like linalool, to set the mood for your summer entertaining. Cannabis isn’t just CBD and THC. Its terpenes also contribute to how each strain can make you feel. You know how champagne can sometimes make you giddy, while red wine might mellow you out? Understanding the benefits of linalool and other terpenes helps you choose the right cannabis strains to set whatever mood you want.

Linalool-Infused Foods

Do you want to create a relaxed mood for a summer meal? Then, go all the way and plan your menu with the benefits of linalool in mind. Whether you make an infused menu or not, take your pick from basil, cilantro, guava, peach, plum, pineapple, and passionfruit.

Pair Lavender With the Right Flavors

Lavender, on the other hand, might seem like a risky flavor for entertaining. Most of us rarely think to add it to our dishes. But it’s an incredibly popular ingredient in tons of products that you probably already use. Because this flavor can be strong, pair it with other equally strong flavors. Lavender works well with acidic notes. That means it complements tart and fruity ingredients like citrus—juice or zest. You can also pair it with creamy ingredients. It’s a great way to gourmet up ice creams and custards. In savory dishes, try using lavender to season meats with strong flavors, like lamb or venison. Most of all, soak up that linalool, relax, and enjoy!

Lavender Cocktail

If you’re not feeling daring enough to add lavender to food, you can always introduce the relaxing benefits of linalool to your entertainment arsenal via cocktails. Here’s a gorgeous drink to de-stress your guests and make the evening with them feel even more special. It’s a stunning way to get everyone into a mellow mood before they sit down at your table. Bonus, this drink will look amazing on your table, too.

Lavender Gin Cocktail Ingredients

1½ ounces Hendricks gin, 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice, ½ ounce Creme de Violette, soda water, and ice.

Lavender Gin Cocktail Instructions

Add gin, lemon juice, Creme de Violette, and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake for 20 seconds. Then strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with a splash of soda water. Garnish with lemon slices.

Maximize the Benefits of Linalool With Your Tablescape

We love going all-in on a lavender-themed tablescape to celebrate the return of warm-weather socializing. Here’s our tips for a linalool-inspired dinner party. It’ll give you and your guests the ultimate experience in relaxed, summer conviviality.

Our Linalool Tablescape

One of our favorite benefits of linalool is that it’s soothing. So, luscious tones of lavender are perfect for anchoring a tablescape. You can offset this ultimate spring hue with touches of bright white, crystal, and a hint of blue. We love starting with a fantastic tablecloth. The one pictured here is a geometric herringbone pattern that’s perfect for keeping our floral-themed plates modern. Since we went with such a strong pattern on our tablecloth, we opted for simple white napkins. Then, we built on our lavender and white theme with a rustic vase full of the aromatic flower itself. We layered purple cabbage canapé plates on top of vintage floral dinner plates. To top it all off, we went with textured champagne flutes to contrast with the clean lines of our clear crystal water goblets. This simple setting packs a big punch of summer style.

What Do You Need for a Cannabis-Friendly Tables?

For a cannabis-friendly meal, include elegant smoking accessories. We set this table with our Barrow Street Herb Bowls—in Adela Lavender, natch! They’re great for guests because they hold just enough flower for one guest and then double as their personal ashtray. We also laid out matching purple Le Pipes. These ceramic one-hitters are especially good for cannabis-curious friends. They make trying cannabis elegant and easy. They hold just enough flower for 2-3 hits. They’re also super simple to pack and light. Plus, they’re a snap to clean. For the rolling pros, we added coordinating rolling papers. If you’re hosting outside, hemp papers can also double for guests as oil blotting sheets in the heat. To complete our setting, we added a vintage crystal table lighter.

Where We Got It

Ssshhh, don’t tell, but we snagged the herringbone tablecloth on Wayfair. We got the flatware from Lenox Portola and the champagne flutes, in amethyst, from Godinger Alba. We picked up the canapé plates, in blue purple, are from House of Hampton’s Orr collection. The floral dinner plates, the vase, and the Ronson crystal lighter are vintage.