All About Landrace Strains

Of the many categories of cannabis plants, landrace strains stand out as the OGs. These original weed strains continue to make a name for themselves even today.

What are Landrace Strains?

An untold number of cannabis cultivars exist today, each offering an array of varying flavors, aromas, and effects. And it all began with landrace strains.

Landrace cultivars are the original weed strains. These ancient flowers have grown for ages across some of the best cannabis-growing environments in the world. Today, they’re represented by approximately 30 or more cultivars grown across Asia, Central America, South America, and Africa.

Landrace cultivars are expressions of their geographic region, as each naturally developed over centuries of cultivation. In doing so, each landrace has become a testimony to their region's cultivation, culture, and plant breeding practices, dating back to Indigenous communities.

Landraces stand out in a modern world full of hybrids for their genetic purity and specific plant makeup. Over time, through early traders and explorers, landrace strains were crossbred with cultivars from other regions, beginning the modern-day plethora of cannabis the world produces. 

Terroir is a term that defines the environment in which a crop is grown. It represents a specific region known for its rich soil and environmental elements. These conditions create cannabis crops with distinct flavors, aromas, and effects. Each landrace grows in a terroir. Over a prolonged period long ago, these plants became naturally acclimated to their region's environment. In doing so, the strains developed traits allowing the plant to ward off pests and diseases and survive climate conditions.

What are the Reported Effects of Landrace Strains?

Landrace strains are a group of cannabis cultivars known for being the originals, the pillars of what we have today. This group represents slices of the rich terroirs that first produced the plant and set off crossbreeding and cultivar development eras.

Consuming landraces can result in various effects, flavors, and aromas. While their offerings are varied, landraces have some commonly reported effects.

Energetic and Uplifted

Popular landraces like Acapulco Gold and Durban Poison are often reported to produce energetic and uplifting effects. Similar results, such as increased focus and attention, make these landraces popular with many daytime consumers.

Relaxation

According to many, some landraces, including Afghani, may produce the opposite effect. In this case, some landraces may be ideal options for some nighttime consumers.

Creativity Increase

Strains like Thai and Lambs Bread are reported to produce a specific type of energy that may help consumers reportedly boost their creative levels and improve focus. 

While often positive, landraces are also linked to typical minor adverse effects, including dry eyes and mouth.

What Conditions Do Consumers Try to Treat With Landrace Strains?

Landrace strains may provide relief to several specific conditions or symptoms.

Stress and Anxiety

According to consumer reports, various landrace cultivars, including Lamb's Bread, Acapulco Gold, and Thai, have been associated with stress and anxiety relief. These effects are tied to the strains' reported uplifting and euphoric effects, which may improve moods and produce a sense of calm.

Still, consumers need to be aware of their dosage, as higher levels of THC might increase anxiety.¹ Since no uniform dosage for THC or any other cannabinoid exists, consumers should begin with a low dose and gradually increase their levels if desired. Doing so will allow consumers to gauge their ideal dosage while minimizing over-intoxication risks.²

Depression

Consumers often claim that landrace cultivars, including Durban Poison and Lamb's Bread, have mood-elevating properties. These reported effects could potentially increase positive emotions and mitigate feelings of depression. 

Much like how cannabis may help with stress and anxiety, consumers looking to alleviate their depression symptoms should be aware of the THC dosage. Consuming too much may result in increased anxiety and other adverse effects that could worsen depression symptoms.¹

Pain Relief

Strains like Afghani are associated with sedative effects that, according to consumer reports, may relieve a variety of physical pains and discomforts. Thus, individuals seeking pain relief and increased rest and relaxation may often choose these landrace strains. Select research suggests that strains with these types of effects may serve as an alternative to opioid-based pain medication.³

Main Terpenes in Landrace Strains

Terpenes are aromatic molecules found in many plants, including cannabis. With cannabis, terpenes play a role in shaping a strain's effects, aroma, and flavor. Landrace strains are often abundant in several different terpenes in varying ratios.

Myrcene

Myrcene is a terpene associated with sedation and relaxation properties, potentially relieving many physical and mental pains.⁴ This earthy terpene is found in nearly all cannabis cultivars, including landrace strains like Durban Poison, Afghani and Lamb's Bread. 

Caryophyllene

Another terpene present in nearly all cannabis cultivars, caryophyllene is linked to anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, showing the potential to improve anxiety and depression levels in some consumers.⁵ This spicy, peppery terpene with a touch of wood can be found in strains like Lamb's Bread.

Limonene

Limonene is often linked to uplifting moods. It potentially serves as a depression and stress relief option for some consumers while also demonstrating potential neuroprotective properties in some cases.^6,7 This citrusy sweet terpene can be found in landraces like Lamb's Bread.

Terpinolene

Terpinolene has been linked to relaxing and sedative effects, potentially providing mental or physical relief to consumers.^8,9 This piney, herbal terpene is found in landraces like Durban Poison and Afghani.

Linalool

Linalool has reportedly been linked to anxiety and depression relief, decreasing pain levels, improving sleep, and stimulating appetites.^10,11,12,13 A floral meets lavender with a hint of spice terpene. Linalool can be found in landraces like Durban Poison. 

Pinene

Pinene has been linked to inflammation relief and bronchodilator effects.⁹ This pine-rich terpene can be found in popular landrace strains like Afghani.

Ocimene

A less commonly discussed terpene in cannabis, Ocimene has been linked to energy boosts in various self-reports.¹⁴ It produces sweet herbal, citrus, and floral notes and can be found in popular landraces like Durban Poison.

The Top 5 Landrace Strains

Landrace strains consist of 30 or so species grown worldwide. As our write-up has shown, a few stand out.

Durban Poison

This landrace cultivar from the Durban Port of Africa is known by many consumers for its uplifting and energetic effects and sweet-meets-earthy flavors and aromas.

Afghani 

Hailing from the Afghanistan mountains, Afghani is associated with relaxation and sedation and earthy aromas underscored by spices and sweets.

Lamb’s Bread

A Jamaican landrace cultivar, Lamb’s Bread is often associated with uplifting moods and feelings of euphoria, all supported by sweet and herbal aromas and flavors.

Acapulco Gold

This landrace from the Acapulco region of Mexico is associated with uplifting moods and stimulating energies with a rich blend of Earth, nut, and spice flavors and aromas.

Thai

Originating in Thailand, this landrace is associated with uplifting energy and creativity levels, backed by herbal aromas and earth-meets-sweet citrus flavors.

References

1. Sharpe L, Sinclair J, Kramer A, de Manincor M, Sarris J. Cannabis, a cause for anxiety? A critical appraisal of the anxiogenic and anxiolytic properties. J Transl Med. 2020;18(1):374. Published 2020 Oct 2. doi:10.1186/s12967-020-02518-2 ↩︎
2. MacCallum CA, Eadie L, Barr AM, Boivin M, Lu S. Practical Strategies Using Medical Cannabis to Reduce Harms Associated With Long Term Opioid Use in Chronic Pain. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2021;12. ↩︎
3. Baron EP. Medicinal Properties of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids in Cannabis, and Benefits in Migraine, Headache, and Pain: An Update on Current Evidence and Cannabis Science. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. 2018;58(7):1139-1186. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/head.13345 ↩︎
4. Surendran S, Qassadi F, Surendran G, Lilley D, Heinrich M. Myrcene—What Are the Potential Health Benefits of This Flavouring and Aroma Agent? Frontiers in Nutrition. 2021;8. ↩︎
5. Francomano F, Caruso A, Barbarossa A, Fazio A, La Torre C, Ceramella J, Mallamaci R, Saturnino C, Iacopetta D, Sinicropi MS. β-Caryophyllene: A Sesquiterpene with Countless Biological Properties. Applied Sciences. 2019; 9(24):5420. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9245420 ↩︎
6. Eddin LB, Jha NK, Meeran MFN, Kesari KK, Beiram R, Ojha S. Neuroprotective Potential of Limonene and Limonene Containing Natural Products. Molecules. 2021; 26(15):4535. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26154535 ↩︎
7. Sommano SR, Chittasupho C, Ruksiriwanich W, Jantrawut P. The Cannabis Terpenes. Molecules. 2020;25(24):5792. Published 2020 Dec 8. doi:10.3390/molecules25245792 ↩︎
8. Johnson AL, Verbitsky R, Hudson J, Dean R, Hamilton TJ. Cannabinoid type-2 receptors modulate terpene induced anxiety-reduction in zebrafish. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2023;168:115760-115760. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115760 ↩︎
9. Ito K, Ito M. The sedative effect of inhaled terpinolene in mice and its structure–activity relationships. Natural medicines/Journal of natural medicines. 2013;67(4):833-837. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-012-0732-1 ↩︎
10. Weston-Green K, Clunas H, Jimenez Naranjo C. A Review of the Potential Use of Pinene and Linalool as Terpene-Based Medicines for Brain Health: Discovering Novel Therapeutics in the Flavours and Fragrances of Cannabis. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2021;12. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.583211 ↩︎
11. Nguyen NPK, Tran KN, Nguyen LTH, Shin HM, Yang IJ. Effects of Essential Oils and Fragrant Compounds on Appetite: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(9):7962. Published 2023 Apr 27. doi:10.3390/ijms24097962 ↩︎
12. Cui J, Li M, Wei Y, et al. Inhalation Aromatherapy via Brain-Targeted Nasal Delivery: Natural Volatiles or Essential Oils on Mood Disorders. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2022;13. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.860043 ‌ ↩︎
13. Liktor-Busa E, Keresztes A, LaVigne J, Streicher JM, Largent-Milnes TM. Analgesic Potential of Terpenes Derived from Cannabis sativa. Pharmacological Reviews. 2021;73(4):98-126. doi:https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.120.000046 ↩︎
14. Lewis MA, Russo EB, Smith KM. Pharmacological Foundations of Cannabis Chemovars. Planta Medica. 2017;84(04):225-233. doi:10.1055/s-0043-122240 ↩︎

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.