Discovering Terpenes: Secrets and Their Importance to Our Health

Terpenes are the fragrant chemical compounds that give plants their characteristic aroma. However, these substances may have much more to offer than just a pleasant smell. In fact, terpenes have been studied for years for their potential health benefits.

What are terpenes?

Do you love the smell of flowers, leaves crushed in your hand, freshly cut grass or a sprig of lavender hanging over your bed? Each of these plants gives off a completely different aroma. They are responsible for this. Terpenes.  

It is a group of organic chemical compounds found in plants that are responsible for giving them characteristic aromas and smells. Chemically, they are hydrocarbons derived from isoprene, a structural unit made of five carbon atoms[1]. Terpenes are present in various parts of plants, such as flowers, leaves, roots, and fruits, and perform a variety of functions, such as repelling insects, attracting pollinators, and providing protection against disease. There is a huge variety of terpenes (some say 20,000), which means they can occur in different combinations and concentrations, giving plants their unique aromas and properties.

Are terpenes the same as essential oils?

Not quite. Essential oils are volatile and concentrated liquids obtained from various parts of plants. On the other hand, terpenes and terpenoids are the main bioactive compounds contained in these oils[2] And they are among others responsible for the beneficial effects of oils. And this effect has a very broad spectrum: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, bactericidal, stress-relieving and many others. For this reason, terpenes are an integral part of aromatherapy (you can read the entry on this topic on our blog HERE). 

Variety of scents and effects

These compounds are divided into terpenes and terpenoids. The first group are simple hydrocarbons, while terpenoids are created as a result of their modification and the addition of oxygen molecules, e.g. in the drying or extraction process.

There are several types of terpenes:

• Monoterpenes: the simplest terpenes, consisting of two isoprene units. They are found mainly in the essential oils of mint, lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon.
• Sesquiterpenes: consist of three isoprene units, found in ginger, turmeric, cloves, and patchouli.
• Diterpenes: have two double isoprene bonds. They are found in peppermint, ginkgo biloba, and hemp, among others.
• Triterpenes: Terpenes made up of as many as six isoprene units. They are found in birch bark, ginseng, and olives, among others.

The most popular terpenes and their effects

Research conducted over the last few decades confirms that terpenes affect us in a similar way as they affect plants: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and even neuroprotective.[3]

The most frequently mentioned compounds from this group are:

• Limonene: characteristic of citrus fruits, gives them a fresh, lemony scent.

Action: immunostimulating, antibacterial, anxiety-reducing.

• Pinene: it is responsible for the characteristic, resinous smell you feel in the forest! It is emitted especially by pines and oaks.

Action: antiseptic, anti-inflammatory.

• Myrcene: found in hemp, mango and many other plants, gives an aromatic, earthy scent.

Action: anti-inflammatory, analgesic

• Linalool: it's what makes lavender smell so heavenly! You can also find it in lemon balm and jasmine flowers, it has a sweet, floral aroma.

Action: analgesic, calming and soothing

The wealth of terpenes in hemp

Did you know that hemp contains the most beneficial terpenes?

There are over 100 (some sources say even 200) different terpenes and terpenoids in hemp.[4], the most important of them are:

• pinene,
• myrcene,
• limonene,
• linalool,
• ocimen,
• terpinolene,
• caryophyllene,
• humulene.

But these are not the only important compounds found in hemp. In addition to terpenes, these plants also contain valuable cannabinoids and flavonoids. When these compounds interact with each other, we get the so-called entourage effect - an even stronger, beneficial effect of all compounds on the human body. And this effect is versatile: from anti-inflammatory to analgesic, calming, relieving many ailments, and even documented therapeutic effects as support for the treatment of serious diseases.[5].

Summary

Terpenes are another treasure that nature offers us. It is no wonder that researchers are trying to obtain as much information as possible about the plant genome of cannabis and the properties of terpenes.[6]

Currently, intensive work is underway to further use terpenes in the treatment and therapy of many diseases. Among others, advanced research is being conducted at the University of Arizona on the use of terpenes in pain therapy.[7].

Without a doubt, the results to date confirm that hemp and the terpenes, cannabinoids and flavonoids contained therein support human physical and mental health in a special and multi-dimensional way. That is why for centuries they have been considered one of the healthiest and most valuable gifts from the plant world.

[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590157522000153

[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590157522000153

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5402865/

[4] https://www.acta.media.pl/czym-sa-terpeny-terpenoidy#footnote_0_450

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7409346/

[6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168945219301190

[7] https://healthsciences.arizona.edu/news/blog/terpenes-cannabis-explained