Why Are Terpenes Important?
Key facts
- Terpenes are fragrant oils that give fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs their distinct taste and smell.
- Cannabis has many terpenes specific to the plant. There are over 100 terpenes unique to the cannabis plant. These chemical compounds give cannabis its scent. For example, myrcene is solely found in the cannabis plant and is responsible for the prevailing smell of all weed varieties.
- Terpenes, like cannabinoids, are concentrated in the flowers of the female cannabis plant.
Generally, Cannabis is identified to have a musky aroma, but each strain has a different scent. This difference is attributed to the terpenes present in each type of cannabis plant– hence the definition of the scent of some other strains being floral, earthy, spicy, etc.
Why Are Terpenes Important?
Terpenes give the cannabis plant its aroma. Having the terpene profile of a product is important in choosing a scent and flavor profile you prefer.
In addition, the terpene profile is a reasonable consideration because some terpenes are perfect for pain and others for inflammation. For example, linalool is a good remedy for reducing symptoms of arthritis.
It’s not all about the smell, though; terpenes also have therapeutic properties on their own. However, they can work more efficiently in tandem with cannabinoids like THC and CBD for our holistic wellbeing, in a phenomenon known as the “Entourage Effect.”
Different Types of Terpenes In Weed
Here are the 12 most popular terpenes that are found in all the legal weeds in Canada. Also listed are other foods and organic materials where these same terpenes can be found.
- Caryophyllene: Also found in cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper.
- Bisabolol: Also found in chamomile, sage, and candeia.
- Humulene: Also found in hops, cloves, and basil.
- Myrcene: Also found in lemongrass, thyme, and mangoes.
- Limonene: Also found in lemons, oranges, and grapefruits.
- Linalool: Also found in lavender, roses, and neroli.
- Borneol: Also found in turmeric, thyme, and cinnamon.
- Geraniol: Also found in roses, citronella, and geraniums.
- Eucalyptol: Also found in wormwood, bay leaves, and eucalyptus.
- Terpinolene: Also found in apples, sage, and juniper.
- Pinene: Also found in pine, dill, and rosemary.
- Terpineol: Also found in pine, lilacs, and lapsang souchong.
