Exploring The Unique Flora (and Terpenes!) of Berkeley

I take a step forward; hear the trees sway gently in the breeze.

I close my eyes and

breathe in deeply.

And with that,

I know I am finally

home.

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When I first took in that breath of clean, crisp air on the UC Berkeley campus, I was transported to a time and place from long ago…

A tiny me looks up at a great, big, imposing tree. It juts forth proudly into the air, taller than tall, tall as the sky itself, taller than my eyes can track, its scent blooming across the forest floor. My mouth opens as I stand there agog, staring, breathing it in…

As I take in that breath, a feeling comes over me.

A deep, profound sense of wonder; of calm; a feeling that I was at peace; connected to my surroundings. I feel a wave of love that seemed to radiate from the trees themselves; feel my spirit soar as though I was flying.

This feeling, this warmth—this is what home was to me.

It’s no coincidence that the sense of smell should trigger such a powerful wave of feeling. The human sense of smell—our olfactory senses—are our strongest link to memory. As such, smells are capable of producing rich, internal experiences that evoke powerful memories and emotions.

I owed that first delicious breath my lungs savored on campus, and its effects on me, to the many complex flora and fauna that perfumed the city. So while I had always felt at home on campus since that first breath, I never quite understood the why until many years later.

Part of that effect was due to Pinene, the most abundant terpene in nature. Terpenes are a type of aromatic compound found in plants that can exert a number of therapeutic effects—and Pinene in particular boasts quite a few.

Found in a number of different trees as well as herbs like rosemary and basil, Pinene is a potent bronchodilator, or substance that helps open up the airways by relaxing muscles in the lungs. Pinene is such a potent bronchodilator that researchers have called it, “A Miracle Gift of Nature.” Many other therapeutic properties are also attributed to Pinene including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. These effects can also produce profound changes in mood, resulting in that uplifting, euphoric effect many experience when they step into a forest. This phenomenon is so well-known that it even has a name: forest bathing. Several studies have found that forest bathing can help reduce cortisol, promote cardiovascular healthand improve mood and memory, among other benefits.

Inspired by these findings, I sought out to learn more about the richly diverse flora and terpenes found in Berkeley.

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‘Flora’ is a term that refers to all of the plant life present in a certain area.

The city of Berkeley is home to a number of native and introduced species. A quick search on iNaturalist, an online social network of people sharing biodiversity information, yields 1981 confirmed species in the city.

The UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley is one of the most diverse plant collections in the United States, consisting of over 10,000 species of plants across 34 acres.

Let’s take a look at some of the most notable types of flora present in the city, and the terpenes they produce.

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Trekking through the Terpenes in Berkeley

Have you ever wondered why stepping into a wooded area feels so good on the lungs? Thank Pinene for that. Found in oak woodlands, Pinene is the primary terpene emitted by trees. A powerful bronchodilator, or substance that opens up the airways, Pinene also possesses, “....antimicrobial, apoptotic, antimetastatic, and antibiotic properties” and is a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases.

Much like Pinene, Campene is another terpene that packs a therapeutic punch. Commonly found in conifers like Douglas Fir and redwood trees, studies show Camphene may play a role in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Another terpene found in abundance is Limonene. Limonene is a terpene found in many plants, most notably citrus fruit. It has powerful analgesic (painkilling) effects as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Bonus: Limonene also has been shown to exert a slew of other therapeutic effects including gastroprotective properties.

So what’s responsible for the strong, camphoraceous smell associated with California Bay Laurel trees and Eucalyptus plants? Say hello to 1,8-Cineole, aka Eucalyptol. Pharmacological effects include use, “...in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases due to its antimicrobial, mucolytic, broncholytic, and antiinflammatory properties.”

If you’re craving a little relaxation, seek out some Linalool. Linalool is the primary terpene most notably found in lavender plants that possesses a strong floral aroma; it’s also present in a number of other plants that belong to the family Lamiaceae that includes mints, scented herbs and laurels including bay laurel. Linalool’s therapeutic effects include powerful anti-anxiety properties, making it the perfect scent to drape over Berkeley’s flora and caffeine-powered students.

Feeling stressed out? Walk through Berkeley, traversing through all of its unique woodland corridors, gardens and creeks. Take a deep breath in, close your eyes, and let the plants work their magic. Repeat until joy emerges.

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