What Are Terpenes and How Do They Enhance CBD?

Why is everyone talking about terpene-infused CBD oils and you may be wondering: what are terpenes and how do they work with CBD? 

If you’re considering using CBD oils for therapeutic purposes, you may be wondering what kind of terpene infused CBD is best for your particular needs. For example, you may have read or heard about terpene-infused CBD oils and how they can enhance the effect of using CBD for therapeutic purposes, but found yourself wondering: what are terpenes anyway? And, should I use CBD that is infused with terpenes?

The aromatic compounds found in many plants (including hemp) that give them their characteristic flavors and aromas are called terpenes. Terpenes also have therapeutic properties and enhance their impact using CBD oils. Let’s meet this fascinating group of phytochemicals, and see how they can improve your CBD therapeutic experience. 

In this article we’ll discuss what terpenes are and how they enhance CBD oil for various therapeutic effects.

What Are Terpenes? 

Terpenes are the natural compounds that produce flavor and aroma in plants – they are found in all kinds of plants, including the flowers of the hemp plants from which we make CBD oils. As you can imagine, there are many types of terpenes. Some are familiar to you from the flowers, herbs, and fruits you encounter daily, such as lemons, rosemary, pine, lavender, and lemongrass. 

What makes terpenes interesting from the point of view of CBD oil users is that besides their flavor and aroma, terpenes also have therapeutic properties. For example, some terpenes have antifungal and anti-inflammatory qualities, which promote sleep and reduce anxiety and others that provide relief from arthritic pain.

Further, when combined with CBD oil, terpenes help to enhance their therapeutic effect. In fact, terpenes work so well with CBD oils that they produce an “Entourage Effect,” having a more significant impact than either would have if used singly. So, in addition to having therapeutic properties of their own, terpenes help make CBD oils more effective. 

What Therapeutic Properties Do Terpenes Have? 

In nature, terpenes play an essential role in the lives of plants. Their aromas attract pollinators and repel harmful insects and predators. They also help plants heal, recover from damage, and fight infections. Besides hemp, we can find terpenes in plants like rosemary, lavender, pine, citrus plants, peppers, lemongrass, and tea, among many others.

The most famous category of terpenes may be those found in different varieties of pine trees. The name itself is derived from turpentine, a resin found in the bark of pine trees. Turpentine has been long known to have medical uses, and it turns out that other terpenes are not far behind.

The therapeutic properties of terpenes work for humans, too, so they are widely used in aromatherapy. Research into the use of terpenes with CBD oils is at an early stage, but some types are already used to enhance therapeutic value. 

These are some of the most widely-used kinds of terpenes:  

Limonene has a citrusy flavor and is derived most often from citrus zest. It has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties and other therapeutic properties like reducing anxiety.

Myrcene has an earthy aroma and induces relaxation, producing a drowsy feeling. Its therapeutic benefits include pain relief and antibacterial properties.

Pinene has a fresh, piney aroma and is also used in traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, research has shown that it works as a bronchodilator, opening airways to help breathe in allergy attacks. It also is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.

Linalool has the soothing floral aroma found in lavender. It is an anxiolytic or anti-anxiety agent used as a sleep aid.

Caryophyllene has a spicy flavor, often found in plants like black pepper, cloves, hops, rosemary, copaiba, and cannabis. It is anti-inflammatory and analgesic and interacts directly with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is connected to various physiological and neurochemical processes in the human body.

Terpinolene is derived from rosemary and sage. It has a smoky aroma and is a sedative, as well as being antioxidant and antibacterial.

You may sometimes see terpenes referred to as terpenoids. Terpenes refer to the compounds in a living plant’s fresh, natural state. When the flowers or leaves of the plant are dried and cured, the compounds in that state are called terpenoids.

What Kind Of Terpene-infused CBD Oils Are Best?

Combining terpenes with CBD oils can help to enhance and extend their therapeutic effect. Based on the properties of terpenes, CBD formula producers like Saving Grace can combine them with CBD oils to achieve the desired result – for example, anxiety reduction, sleep, pain relief, etc.

With so many kinds of terpenes, deciding which ones best meet your therapeutic needs can be confusing. So what should you look for when choosing terpene-infused CBD oils? First, make sure that you buy from a quality seller who lists all ingredients and shares the Certificate of Analysis (COA) for each product. 

Further, it is always better to buy CBD oils where the ingredients come from plants grown organically or chemical-free. These will be more effective than if they are contaminated with chemical pesticides and fertilizers. 

Finally, while it might seem that a full-spectrum CBD oil with a wide range of terpenes may be the best choice if you want to maximize the impact, some terpenes cancel each other out. Therefore, it may be better to go with terpene-infused CBD oils with the specific properties you need. 

For example, CBD oil with linalool and myrcene will promote healthy sleep, while adding limonene and caryophyllene to CBD oil will improve focus and energy. On the other hand, linalool and limonene don’t interact well together and may cancel each other out, or they may not have the outcome you want. 

Using Terpene-infused CBD Oils For Enhanced Effects

Adding terpenes to CBD oils boosts their efficacy and helps achieve the therapeutic outcomes you need. For example, different terpenes and combinations can promote sleep, improve energy, provide pain relief, etc.

Choosing organic or chemical-free CBD oils will help to ensure maximum effectiveness and prevent any problems due to chemical contamination.