Terpenes | Terpenoids | Terps

Terpenes have become the new buzz word.

Terpenes, terpenoids and terps oh my! It is true that currently these terms are seeing a lot of hype around them, but why? As the cannabis industry grows and changes people are becoming more and more aware of these special compounds(cannabis meaning both hemp and marijuana plants, which are two distinctly different plants) . There is a lot of buzz around the many health benefits in both these plants. Studies are being done and new information is emerging daily about the health benefits.

What is a Terpene?

I started working for Green Wellness three years ago. Before I worked for GWL, I knew nothing about cannabinoids or terpenes. If you would have asked me what terpene is helpful for what, I would have thought you were discussing alien abductions! Since then, I have learned all about the hemp plant and what it is made up of. One of those key lessons included the word Terpene. So what are they and why are they important to learn about you ask? Lets take it from the beginning. 

You have been acquainted with terpenes your entire life, you just don’t know it. Terpenes are the naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants. They can be referred to as terpenoids, terpenes, and terps. These plant compounds are responsible for giving a plants their distinct aromas, flavors and sometimes pigment. What I thought was most interesting about terpenes is why they exist in plants. Plants actually “create terpenes to protect themselves from predators or to lure pollinators. Each different strain or chemical variety of cannabis, sometimes called a chemovar, has its own signature of terpenes and cannabinoids. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of these chemovars(chemical breakdown of the plant), each with random-sounding names that often allude to the kind of sensory experience a user may feel.” Many of these terpenes are gaining fame for bringing certain benefits to the user.

For instance: Here are some examples of terpenes and the corresponding known benefits:

• Linalool
  • Soothing aroma commonly found in lavender and known for stress relief and relaxation
• Limonene
  • 2nd most abundant terpene in cannabis that is used for enhancing properties of other terpenes, enhancing mood, antibacterial properties
• Tea tree
  • Antifungal, antibacterial properties
• Thyme, Myrcene, Citral, Beta-ionone, Geraniol
  • Antibacterial & Antifungal, Anti Inflammatory
• Lemon grass

Why do I care about terpenes?

All of this talk about terpenes, but the real question is – how does this impact me? There are several hundred terpenes and they are found in almost every plant. and they are we are beginning to be more familiar with them in the general public. When we are talking about cannabis and hemp it is well known that both plants have an abundance of terpenes and cannabinoids. Both of these compounds are found in different concentration levels due to where the plant is grown, how it is grown and the genetics of the plant. This is so important because not every CBD product is the same! What may assist someone may not be helpful for someone else.

At Green Wellness, we are strong proponents of whole plants. That is why when talking with people, we often recommend full spectrum products. That is because they have all the compounds of the plant including all the terpenes. There is a concept called the entourage effect. This is the idea that the molecules that are together in nature interact with one another in a synergistic capacity. In other words, they work better together than they do separately. Kind of like people.

If you are looking for products with the entourage effect then you are looking for a product that is considered full spectrum. The terpenes found in full spectrum products will have that synergistic characteristic due to the fact that they are keeping the entire plant together.  Terpenes can also be found in broad spectrum products but they are beginning to manipulate the plant by taking some of the plant matter out. Broad spectrum can also contain numerous compounds from the plant and can have a synergistic effect as well but will have less of an entourage effect because they are removing parts of the plant compounds.  If you are looking at an isolate product this form of processing will have the least amount of plant matter. An isolate product is isolating only the CBD in the product. Because they have removed most of the compounds from the plant you will not see the synergistic effect that you do with full or broad spectrum. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t benefits with isolated CBD products – there are – but you won’t get those terpenes.

The Green Wellness difference

There are so many options out there for buying CBD products. At Green Wellness Life, we are always happy to talk through your options and help you find the best product for your needs. We have a 30 day guarantee on all of our products and we pride ourselves on being different.

We only sell products that have been independently tested for quality. When you shop our online store, you can rest easy knowing that you are getting the highest quality products. While we aren’t doctors and cannot diagnose or treat any condition, we can offer you the latest research on CBD so you can make an informed decision for yourself. 

If you’d like to learn more about CBD or need help picking out a CBD product, give us a call anytime at 888-772-7875. You can also reach the Green Wellness Life team via email, or by pressing the live chat button. 

Sources