Many of us have heard about the wonders of terpenes, and how they tend to play second fiddle to cannabinoids like CBD despite the fact that their properties can be just as exciting, unique and useful. In order to fully appreciate what terpenes have to offer on their own, we have to explore the properties that they possess, and what they can potentially bring to the table when ingested routinely.
By knowing what the most popular terpenes are capable of, you’ll be able to finetune your personal terpene experience based on your specific preferences, needs and goals.
What Exactly are Terpenes?
Terpenes are a class of compounds that exist in the cannabis plant, as well as every other plant in nature. We primarily recognize terpenes for the flavor and aroma that they give to each plant. Every plant has its own flavor and aroma notes, and these come directly from the unique composition of terpenes that each plant possesses.
Terpenes naturally occur in the essential oils of plants, and they are what make essential oils so useful in therapeutic applications. Each terpene has its unique variety of properties. For instance, some terpenes may have anxiolytic properties, while others can have analgesic properties.
When we extract terpenes from the cannabis plant, we end up with isolated chemical compounds that are free of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. On their own, terpenes can be quite useful, which is why more and more people are seeking out isolated terpene products.
The cannabis plant, as you may know, comes in a variety of strains. Each strain has its own unique chemical composition, meaning that it has its own variety and organization of terpenes. This is why different strains have different flavors. A lot of times, when we find that one particular strain is more useful to us than another, it’s because of the terpenes that are in the strain.
Most Popular Cannabis Terpenes
Now, let’s break down the most popular cannabis terpenes that are available.
Limonene
Limonene is a popular terpene that gives cannabis its citrusy smell and flavor, as it also exists naturally in citrus fruits. It’s known as an uplifting terpene that can provide euphoric and calming effects, with many finding that it improves their state of mind as well as their ability to focus and process stress.
Linalool
Linalool is a very floral terpene that is also found in lavender and other plants belonging to the mint family. We know that lavender has anti-inflammatory and sedating properties, and this mostly has to do with the high amount of linalool that’s present in lavender essential oil. Therefore, you can understand why cannabis-derived linalool is so desirable.
Myrcene
Another potentially sedating terpene is myrcene, which is also present in mangoes, basil and lemongrass. Myrcene is commonly sought out for its anxiolytic properties, meaning that myrcene-heavy strains may be good for those who are trying to experience a sense of calm.
Beta-Caryophyllene
Beta-Caryophyllene is a terpene that’s commonly found in spices, which is why it is capable of giving certain hemp strains a somewhat peppery aftertaste. This compound is known to have antioxidant properties, and besides that, it’s commonly used in topical pain products because of its potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ocimene
Ocimene is very abundant in tropical fruits, which is why it can give hemp tropical notes that are similar to pineapple or mango. This terpene has antibacterial and antifungal properties, and besides that, it seems to act as an anti-inflammatory.
Terpinolene
Terpinolene is a sedating terpene that’s also rich in antioxidant properties. It’s responsible for the pungent herbal aroma and flavor of cannabis, and so you can imagine that it tends to be very abundant in most strains.
Eucalyptol
Eucalyptol sounds a lot like eucalyptus, and this isn’t a coincidence. It’s the leading compound in eucalyptus, but it’s also very present in cannabis. It seems to be yet another compound with notable anti-inflammatory activity, and so it’s highly desirable.
Geraniol
Geraniol is a terpene that gives geraniums and roses their sweet, floral aroma. In cannabis, this terpene is also fairly abundant. It seems to have potential analgesic properties, and it may also have antioxidant properties.
Alpha-Pinene
This particular terpene is being studied for its effects on memory. We also know that it has antifungal properties that serve to protect its host plant from fungal infections that can threaten its survival.
Alpha-Humulene
This unique terpene is commonly associated with beer as its naturally prominent in hops. However, it’s also abundant in cannabis, and it’s most commonly known for potentially acting as a natural appetite suppressant.
The Terpene Store: Sourcing the Best Terpenes for Top-Notch Formulas
Now that you have a general understanding of popular terpenes, you can grasp what’s so unique about our products. We go to great lengths to carefully source and extract the best terpenes that naturally occur in cannabis. By knowing how each terpene is extremely useful allows us to place more effort into maintaining its chemical integrity throughout the manufacturing process.
We’ve been studying terpenes intensely for some time, which is why we’ve managed to develop formulations that give you the most bioavailable forms of these precious compounds.
Final Terpene Thoughts
Terpenes are a fascinating class of plant compounds that provide interesting properties when consumed. Besides that, terpenes are responsible for the flavor and aroma of plants, and so many people find that they prefer the tastes of particular terpenes over others. Use this guide to understand terpenes on a deeper level so that you can be a more informed consumer when shopping for them at The Terpene Store.
