Geranyl acetate, also known as geranyl, is a terpene that is found in the cannabis plant and other plants such as coriander, carrots, citronella, geraniums, lemongrass, and sassafras. The scent of geranyl has been described as a fruity, floral aroma and is used in many perfumes. Like many other terpenes, geranyl has shown promising therapeutic effects.
Traditional Chinese medicine would treat various complaints such as inflammation, swelling, and digestive problems with geranyl. Emerging evidence from Western research is catching up and showing therapeutic uses for geranyl, and one study from 2018 even shows that geranyl could provide powerful anticancer properties. According to a report published by the National Library of Medicine, Geraniol and geranyl acetate induce potent anticancer effects in colon cancer Colo-205 cells by inducing apoptosis, DNA damage and cell cycle arrest, geranyl acetate demonstrated antitumor effects on colon cancer cells. Geranyl and geraniol terpenes together attacked colon cancer cells and induced cell death using a range of mechanisms.
Geranyl provides other benefits, such as analgesic properties showing promise for pain relief and other antifungal properties to fight infection.