What are cannabis terpenes?

Cannabis terpenes are aromatic oils found in all plants. They are responsible for the characteristic smell and taste of cannabis and also have a significant role to play in the effects it has on the plant.  

Hemp contains approximately 100 different terpenes , and the most concentrated ones are geraniol, myrcene, and limonene.

Terpenes have medicinal effects and can help treat many ailments. Geraniol is a strong antioxidant and may help fight cancer.

Myrcene has antibacterial and antifungal properties and also helps reduce inflammation . Limonene is considered a powerful antiseptic and helps treat skin problems such as acne.

Terpenes are also responsible for the effects of cannabis on the nervous system. 

Myrcene has a calming effect and may help treat anxiety and depression. Geraniol and limonene have a stimulating effect and can improve well-being. Terpenes are also considered powerful antibacterial and antifungal agents.

Terpenes are also important to humans because they can influence how cannabinoids (such as THC and CBD ) interact with the body. Specifically, terpenes can increase or decrease the psychoactive potential of cannabis. Additionally, terpenes have medicinal properties and can be used to relieve many ailments such as pain, stress and insomnia.

To summarize, terpenes are chemical compounds that are present in cannabis and have a wide range of benefits for plants and humans. Terpenes can influence how cannabinoids work and also have medicinal properties. For this reason, terpenes are considered an important part of cannabis and its future as medicine.

Terpenes, or ichthyols, are organic compounds found in hemp. 

They belong to the group of plant essential oils. Their main task is to protect plants against pests and diseases, as well as influence their taste and aroma. Additionally, terpenes have medicinal properties, and their presence in cannabis may influence how cannabinoids work.

There are over 200 different terpenes found in cannabis, and each has its own unique properties. For this reason, it may be difficult to create one cannabis medicine for all ailments. Instead, doctors may recommend patients use different combinations of terpenes depending on the symptoms they have.

Clinically, terpenes have been studied for their effects on memory, depression, anxiety, insomnia, as well as pain and inflammation. The results of this research are promising, and their further conduct may lead to the creation of new cannabis medicines based on terpenes.

Research has shown that the cannabinoids and terpenes of a given cannabis strain allow the consumer to predict the experience they may have - either stimulating or calming - along with other therapeutic effects. In the case of hemp, the two most popular are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is responsible for the “high,” while CBD does not cause this effect.

However, it is worth remembering that there are many other cannabis terpenes that have their own unique properties and can influence the consumer's experience. 

Below is an overview of some of these terpenes:

1. Linalool

Linalool is an organic chemical compound, an unsaturated aliphatic alcohol, belonging to the group of terpenes. It has a scent similar to bergamot or lavender oil. It is a mixture of two stereoisomers: coriandrole and lycareol.

Linalool occurs naturally in over 200 plant species, including lavender, bergamot, mint, lily of the valley, jasmine, rose, geranium, lemon, orange, mandarin, grapefruit, ginger, coriander, basil, sage, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, menthol, camphor, sandalwood, patchouli, pink wood and many others.

Linalool is used in a wide variety of products, including:

• cosmetics such as perfumes, creams, shampoos and balms
• cleaning and disinfecting agents
• medicines such as sedatives, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicines
• food and drinks
• aromatherapy

Linalool has a number of properties, including:

• scented
• antibacterial
• antifungal
• soothing
• antidepressant
• anti-anxiety
• anti-inflammatory
• antioxidant

Linalool is considered safe for most people, but it may cause allergic reactions in some people.

Here are some of the specific uses of linalool:

• In cosmetics, linalool is used for fragrance and antibacterial properties. It is often used in perfumes, creams, shampoos and lotions.
• In cleaning products and disinfectants, linalool is used as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. It is often used in soaps, detergents, dishwashing liquids and other cleaning products.
• In medicines, linalool is used as a sedative, antidepressant and anxiolytic. It is often used in medications for insomnia, depression, and anxiety.
• In foods and beverages, linalool is used as a flavor. It is often used in ice cream, candy, soft drinks and other food products.
• In aromatherapy, linalool is used to relieve stress, improve mood and improve sleep. It is often used in inhalations, massages and other aromatic therapies.

2. Limonene

Limonene is an organic chemical compound, an unsaturated aromatic hydrocarbon, belonging to the group of terpenes. It has a scent similar to lemon or orange oil. It is a mixture of two stereoisomers: D-limonene and L-limonene.

Limonene occurs naturally in over 300 plant species, including citrus fruits, rosemary, mint, celery, and pistachios. It is the most popular terpene, it constitutes about 1% of the weight of all plants.

Limonene is used in a wide variety of products, including:

• cosmetics such as perfumes, creams, shampoos and balms
• cleaning and disinfecting agents
• medicines such as antibacterial and antifungal medicines
• food and drinks
• aromatherapy

Limonene has a number of properties, including:

• scented
• antibacterial
• antifungal
• anti-inflammatory
• antioxidant

Limonene is considered safe for most people, but it may cause allergic reactions in some people.

Here are some of the specific uses of limonene:

• In cosmetics, limonene is used for fragrance and antibacterial properties. It is often used in perfumes, creams, shampoos and lotions.
• In cleaning products and disinfectants, limonene is used as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. It is often used in soaps, detergents, dishwashing liquids and other cleaning products.
• In medicines, limonene is used as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. It is often used in medicines for bacterial and fungal infections.
• In foods and beverages, limonene is used as a flavor. It is often used in ice cream, candy, soft drinks and other food products.
• In aromatherapy, limonene is used to relieve stress, improve mood, and improve sleep. It is often used in inhalations, massages and other aromatic therapies.

In hemp, limonene is one of the most common terpenes, the content in the essential oil fraction reaches up to 16%. It is responsible for the characteristic citrus scent of marijuana. Limonene has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It may also help relieve stress and improve mood.

3. Humulene

Humulene is an organic chemical compound, a terpene belonging to the monoterpene group. It has a woody, spicy and earthy scent. It is a mixture of two stereoisomers: α-humulene and β-humulene.

Humulene occurs naturally in many plants, including hemp, hops, ginger, cloves, basil, sage, and oregano. It is the main ingredient of hop oil, which is used in the production of beer.

Humulene exhibits a number of properties, including:

• anti-inflammatory effect
• antibacterial effect
• antifungal effect
• antioxidant effect
• anti-cancer effect

Humulene can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

• arthritis
• bacterial infections
• fungal infections
• cancer

In hemp, humulene occurs in concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 2%. It is responsible for the characteristic woody, spicy and earthy smell of marijuana. Humulene has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It may also help relieve stress and improve mood.

Here are some of the specific uses of humulene:

• In medicines, humulene is used as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal agent. It is often used in medications for arthritis, bacterial infections, and fungal infections.
• In cosmetics, humulene is used for fragrance and anti-inflammatory properties. It is often used in perfumes, creams, shampoos and lotions.
• In foods and beverages, humulene is used as a flavor. It is often used in ice cream, candy, soft drinks and other food products.

Humulene is considered safe for most people, but it may cause allergic reactions in some people.

4. α-Pinene

α-Pinene is an organic chemical compound, a terpene belonging to the group of monoterpenes. It has a pine-like scent. It is a mixture of two stereoisomers: (+)-(1R,5R)-α-pinene and (−)-(1S,5S)-α-pinene.

α-Pinene occurs naturally in many plants, including pines, firs, cypresses, junipers, mint, sage, oregano, rosemary and thyme. It is the main ingredient of pine oil, which is used in aromatherapy.

α-Pinene exhibits a number of properties, including:

• anti-inflammatory effect
• antibacterial effect
• antifungal effect
• antioxidant effect
• anti-cancer effect

α-Pinene can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

• arthritis
• bacterial infections
• fungal infections
• cancer

In hemp, α-pinene occurs in concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 2%. It is responsible for the characteristic pine smell of marijuana. α-Pinene has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It may also help relieve stress and improve mood.

Here are some of the specific uses of α-pinene:

• In medicines, α-pinene is used as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal agent. It is often used in medications for arthritis, bacterial infections, and fungal infections.
• In cosmetics, α-pinene is used for fragrance and anti-inflammatory properties. It is often used in perfumes, creams, shampoos and lotions.
• In foods and beverages, α-pinene is used as a flavor. It is often used in ice cream, candy, soft drinks and other food products.

α-Pinene is considered safe for most people, but it may cause allergic reactions in some people.

5. β-Myrcene

β-Myrcene is a terpene that is also present in lavender and cloves. It is considered a sedative, helping with sleep problems and anxiety.

6. α-Bisabolol

α-Bisabolol is a terpene that is also present in chamomile. It has antibacterial and antiseptic properties and soothes inflammation.

7. δ-Limonene

δ-Limonene is a terpene that is also present in citrus fruits. It is considered an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic and also helps treat headaches and migraines .

8. Linalool

Linalool is a terpene that is also present in lavender flowers. It is considered a sedative and helpful in treating anxiety and depression.

9. α-Pinene

α-Pinene is a terpene that is also present in pine. It is considered an anti-inflammatory and helpful in the treatment of asthma and hay fever.

10. Humulene

Humulene is a terpene that is also present in hops. It is considered an antibacterial and antiseptic agent.

11. β-Caryophyllene

β-Caryophyllene is a terpene that is also present in cloves. It is considered an anti-inflammatory agent and helpful in the treatment of stomach and duodenal ulcers.

12. γ-Terpinene

γ-Terpinene is a terpene that is also present in lavender and sage. It is considered an antibacterial, antiseptic and antispasmodic agent.

13. Selinene

Selinene is a terpene that is also present in fennel. It is considered an antibacterial agent and helpful in treating gastrointestinal ailments.

14. α-Terpinene

α-Terpinene is a terpene that is also present in citrus fruits. It is considered an antibacterial, antiseptic and antispasmodic agent.

15. Phellandrene

Phellandrene is a terpene that is also present in mint and anise. It is considered a strong antibacterial and antiseptic.

16. α-Terpineol

α-Terpineol is a terpene that is also present in lavender and sage. It is considered an antibacterial and antispasmodic agent.

17. Terpinolene

Terpinolene is a terpene that is also present in mint and anise. It is considered a strong antibacterial and antiseptic.

18. α-Humulene

α-Humulene is a terpene that is also present in hops. It is considered an antibacterial and antispasmodic agent.

19. β-Caryophyllene

β-Caryophyllene is a terpene that is also present in cloves and coriander. It is considered an antibacterial and antispasmodic agent.