The word “terpenes” is heard a lot more these days, especially with the increasing popularity of CBD and other cannabis-related products. Here we’ll discuss how terpenes are specifically crucial to CBD, but first, let’s dive into what they are and the critical role they play in the natural world.
Terpenes are organic compounds that have significant and diverse jobs that help both plants and insects. Often, terpenes will emit a strong odor, which can help ward off predators but can also emit a pleasing aroma for us to enjoy and use for health benefits. Terpenes also determine the color and flavor of plants.
In their natural state, terpenes can be smelled in a variety of ways already familiar to you by oils that are released; some scents are even well known for their therapeutic benefits, such as the ones found in the following plants:
While these scents can be strong on their own when they are aerosolized at hotter temperatures, they are known to release more potent scents - thus, aromatherapy.
Hemp just wouldn’t be the same without the CBD terpenes that are responsible for the smell, flavor, and color of the plant. Hemp naturally contains up to 120 terpenes, all of them with their unique properties and scents.
Cannabis plant terpenes all contribute their different smells and potential health effects. When isolated, some of the most common terpenes found in hemp are:
Many people prefer to have terpenes as an active ingredient in their CBD products because they believe it contributes to the “entourage effect,” which is the balance of all parts of the cannabis plant that can lead to maximum health benefit potential. If you are interested in the effects any of the terpenes listed above can provide for you, there is CBD oil available for purchase with some of the terpenes mentioned above as active ingredients.