Fact Checked by Doctor NameCannabis plants are green because chlorophyll contains phytol, an organic alcohol.
When heated, phytol gives cannabis an earthy, herbal smell from chlorophyll breakdown. Phytol does not cause psychoactivity but gives cannabis its characteristic smell and taste.
Cannabis flowers spontaneously convert phytol to vitamin E while curing and drying. Phytol is non-hallucinogenic but has nutritional advantages.
Cannabis that was improperly dried and cured after harvest has high phytol contents. Well-cured cannabis has less phytol.
Overall, phytol is not used for any particular health benefits but is rather a natural byproduct of chlorophyll that contributes to the sensory experience of cannabis.
The earthy, plant-like smells from heating phytol provide part of the aroma profile that consumers expect from marijuana varieties.
What is Phytol Used for?
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No health or wellness application uses phytol. Instead, a naturally occurring component called chlorophyll gives cannabis its green color and earthy scent when cooked.
How effectively cannabis was cured after harvest is shown by phytol.
How to Use Phytol?
There are no specific uses or consumption methods for phytol itself.
Its aroma and sensory qualities emerge when cannabis-containing phytol is heated, such as during smoking or vaporizing a flower. Well-cured cannabis contains less phytol, providing a smoother sensory experience.
