What are terpenes?
As a superfood, cannabis (hemp & marijuana) shares a lot of the same properties as other healing plants. But unlike many of those plants, cannabis isn’t a one trick pony. Part of that is due its wealth of terpenes.
Terpenes are what gives certain plants, flowers, and fruits their identifying smell, and are the basis for essential oils used in aromatherapy.
Many plants have only a handful of terpenes that make up its signature scent – think of citrusy smelling terpene limonene in lemons. However cannabis is all about the extra, and scientists have found upwards of 200 different terpenes in the cannabis plant. Wow!
Terpenes, like cannabinoids (ex. CBD), interact with our endocannabinoid system and affect how cannabis influences our wellness.
Sources of Terpenes
Here are some examples of terpenes and their most commonly known sources + wellness benefits as identified via aromatherapy:
- Pinene – Pine Scent – Stress Relief
- Myrcene – Mango – Sedating
- Linalool – Lavender – Calming
- Limonene – Lemon – Energizing
You’ll find another terpene-rich superfood in our Ease Advanced Concentrate. With terpenes p-cymene, γ-terpinene, thymoquinone, β-pinene, carvacrol, terpinen-4-ol and longifolene, Black Seed Oil is known for its powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Go terpenes!
Terpenes & The Entourage Effect
Terpenes + cannabinoids + flavonoids comprise the majority of the 400+ compounds known in cannabis. Their ability to work in harmony for our wellness is known as the entourage effect. The idea here is that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Similar to whole food eating – that the orange is overall more nutritious than a Vitamin C packet – consuming the full spectrum of wellness in cannabis will yield the most wellness benefits.
Want to learn more about how hemp can elevate your wellness? Contact us – we’re here to help with product recommendations and usage guidance.
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