What Are Terpenes?
Terpenes (pronounced tur-peens), or terpenoids, are aromatic metabolites found in the oils of all plants. Terpenes are chemical oils produced by plants that create the unique flavor, scent and effect of herbs, fruit and flowers. When smelling a flower or herb, your nose actually registers the unique terpene profile of the plant. More than 30,000 unique terpenes have been identified in plants, animals, microbes, and fungi, which create aromas and flavors. Terpenes help carry out biological functions, can serve as vitamins, pheromones, and hormones as well as influence the immune system. When combined, terpenes produce complex profiles. For example, the herb lavender smells pleasant, tastes slightly sweet and floral, and has a relaxing effect.
Terpenes are secreted along with cannabinoids in the flower's sticky resin glands. They are responsible for cannabis' smell, flavor and contribute to its overall sensory effect. Terpenes give the Blueberry cannabis strain its berry smell, Sour Diesel its skunky smell, and Lavender its floral aroma. Over 100 different terpenes have been identified in the cannabis plant, and every strain tends toward a unique terpene type and composition. Terpenes play a key role in differentiating the effects of various cannabis strains. Terpenoid production evolved over time in plants, including cannabis, to attract pollinators and to act as defense compounds. Female cannabis plants produce glandular trichomes, which are glands that look like small hairs or growths that protrude from the flowers and leaves. Trichomes house crucial compounds, including cannabinoids (such as THC and CBD), flavonoids, and terpenes.
Terpenes and cannabinoids interact synergistically to promote relaxation and stress-relief, while others promote focus and acuity. The effect profile of a given terpene can change when combined with other terpenes and cannabinoids in a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. Research suggests that terpenes offer medicinal value as they mediate our body's interaction with therapeutic cannabinoids.
Technology has developed a method of distilling terpenes into highly concentrated forms that can be used individually or in conjunction with other terpenes. Terpene isolates are commonly used in cosmetic products, incense, food flavorings, perfumes, natural medicines and a wide variety of everyday products.
Pure, isolated terpenes are highly concentrated and may pose health risks if consumed or applied to the skin with out proper dilution. Working with terpenes is shaman-like, calling on an understanding the terpene to safely unlocking their amazing potential. For instance, certain varietals are more potent than others, meaning that one dilution method cannot be applied to every type of terpene. Achieving balance can be tricky but well worth the personal learning needed.
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Charlotte y Peter Fiell son dos autoridades en historia, teoría y crítica del diseño y han escrito más de sesenta libros sobre la materia, muchos de los cuales se han convertido en éxitos de ventas. También han impartido conferencias y cursos como profesores invitados, han comisariado exposiciones y asesorado a fabricantes, museos, salas de subastas y grandes coleccionistas privados de todo el mundo. Los Fiell han escrito numerosos libros para TASCHEN, entre los que se incluyen 1000 Chairs, Diseño del siglo XX, El diseño industrial de la A a la Z, Scandinavian Design y Diseño del siglo XXI.
A Basic Overview
Interest in terpenes has grown since cannabis legalization began. Between 2016 and 2018, internet searches for “terpene” jumped five percent thanks to its regular association with cannabinoids and other alternative medicines. What exactly are terpenes? Are they really as important as everyone seems to think?Terpenes are fragrant molecules that occur naturally in many plants—especially conifers—and even some insects. There are thousands of different terpenes, each with its own unique odor and flavor composition. Commonly used in aromatherapy and religious practices, terpenes are the aromatic oils that give pine trees, soil, and yes, even cannabis, it’s unique scent and appeal to the senses.
Terpenes refer to a large group of unsaturated hydrocarbons, which consist of at least one isoprene unit that is created by the formation of eight hydrocarbon and five carbon atoms—C5H8. Terpenes are classified according to how many isoprene units they composed of; monoterpenes consist of two isoprene units, diterpenes consist of four, triterpenes from six and so on. Though most cannabis-derived terpenes are classified as monoterpenes, some more complex—and less volatile—terpenes can be introduced into cannabis concentrates or otherwise consumed to improve flavor and act therapeutically on the body.
The word “terpene” is derived from the word “turpentine” because it is a major component of rosin and turpentine used as a solvent for paints, varnishes, and cleaners. Though turpentine was traditionally used in Chinese medicine to relieve things like tooth pain and breathing issues, it is more commonly used today as a thinning agent for paints and varnishes thanks to its powerful solvent properties.
Most turpentine is made from coniferous trees—particularly pine and spruce—an is created one of three ways:
Gum Turpentine: The oldest procedure for making turpentine involved tapping trees to extract the sap (gum) then distilling the sap using steam to create turpentine.
Wood Turpentine: Wood turpentine is made with wood ships that are steam distilled to produce a turpentine oil.
Sulphate Turpentine: The most common turpentine extraction process used today, sulphate turpentine is a by-product of paper-making. Sulphate turpentine is collected from the gas that is produced during the pulping of wood and is often burned on-site as a power source for paper-making facilities.
Difference Between Terpenes and Terpenoids
Though often used interchangeably, the terms “terpene” and “terpenoid” refer to slightly different chemical compounds. Basically, terpenes are the backbone, or the precursor, or terpenoids; they contain only their isoprene units—hydrogen and carbon—and nothing else. Terpenoids are terpenes that have been modified—either synthetically or organically—with heat, oxygen, or time. In terms of cannabis, this usually occurs during the curing process which immediately follows harvest.
Terpenes are also the precursor of steroids—like hormones—and other chemicals in the body. This explains their profound impact on the body, which will be discussed more in chapter two.
Terpenes are extremely volatile and evaporate quickly at moderate temperatures—which is why the morning air tends to smell “fresher” than the evening air, because plant terpenes are at their peak of fragrance in the morning before the sun has come out to evaporate them. Cannabis cultivation and extraction experts often choose morning hours to harvest—and in some cases flash freeze—their crops at peak terpene levels.
Preserving terpenes after harvest is a delicate procedure and absolutely necessary if growers hope to capture the best flavor and scent of the cannabis plants while extending the shelf-life of the products. The process requires careful temperature and humidity control, or direct extraction from fresh or flash-frozen flowers. Terpene and terpenoid extraction will be discussed in further detail in chapter eight.
The Discovery of Terpenes
Terpenes were used for religious purposes dating back to Ancient Egypt. In 12th Century Europe, terpene extraction via lipids—oils and fats—was perfected with a focus on herbs like rosemary and sage. By 1589, more than 60 different essential oils were outlined in the book, Dispensatorium Valerii Cordi by Arnaud de Villanosa—up from only three just 44 years earlier—which highlights the growing interest and understanding of essential oils at the time. Pharmacists spent years perfecting the distillation process after noticing the profound effects these essential oils seemed to have on over-all health and well-being.
In 1818, the oldest known essential oil of turpentine was submitted for analysis where the isoprene molecule—C5H8—was first discovered (it was later discovered that all terpenes have this same ratio).
The term “terpene” was first coined in 1866 by scholar, Fr. A. Kekulé. His work opened the doors to a major discovery by Otto Wallach who noted a pattern of carbon to hydrogen atoms in all essential oils. Though the number of hydrogen and carbon atoms varied, the ratio was always the same: five carbon atoms to every eight hydrogen atoms. This introduction of the “isoprene rule” later earned Wallach a Nobel Peace Price and landed him the title of “Messiah of Terpenes”
As more essential oils were discovered—and attention surrounding them grew, their applications also expanded. Though their medical properties were still of interest, essential oils became more frequently used as perfumes and food additives. This expansion led to a boom in popularity now referred to as the “Elizabethan Age” of essential oils. New essential oils were constantly being discovered followed by research into their composition, which helped researchers learn to isolate the aromatic compounds and synthesize them in laboratory settings.
Therapeutic Benefits of Terpenes
Terpenes, or more specifically “aromatherapy” has been used for centuries for medical and spiritual purposes. Though the term itself didn’t originate until 1937, archaeological discoveries suggest that the use of medicinal herbs predates history.
The earliest recoded history of aromatic plants being used in medicine dates back to 2800 BC China. Texts outlining the power of plants, herbs, and spices included the stimulating effects of orange and the healing qualities of ginger. Later, in Ancient Egypt, the first collection of medical knowledge included the benefits of aromatic plants and their extracts on the body—both internally and externally—and the mind. Plants were often burned as offerings to the gods and oil extractions were used to embalm their rulers.
Though aromatic herbs were well-known for their impact on the mind, much of this stemmed from the belief that it was the herbs various scents that exerted their effects, not their chemical composition. Because the olfactory receptors are connected to emotion, it stands to reason that stimulation of these receptors would have an emotional impact on an individual.
However, it has recently been discovered that terpenes interact directly with brain cells to regulate their activity (note three). This is largely due to their interaction with cannabinoid receptors—the same receptors that allow cannabinoids like THC and CBD to interact with the body. No wonder terpenes and cannabinoids seem to go so well together! In fact, it is the terpenes that give cannabis strains their unique scents and the terpenes that are responsible for the more intricate effects of a marijuana high. Terpenes and cannabinoids are produced in the same glands of the female cannabis plant, the “trichomes”, making those little crystals that coat cannabis buds all the more important and all the more appealing. This will be covered in greater detail in chapter four.
Looking Forward
Though their structure is simple, terpenes play a vital role in animal and environmental health. Terpenes are the backbone of all living things, contributing pigment and odor to biological organisms. They also serve an important role in the regulation of vitamin degradation and the biosynthesis of hormones in the body.
In this book, the many ways terpenes interact with the body will be discussed in detail, both directly and through biosynthetic activity, then expand on the subject by analyzing the evolutionary benefit of such behavior.
The unique ways terpenes interact with the endocannabinoid system to accentuate the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids through the “entourage effect” will be explored. We’ll look at other sources of terpenes, both natural any synthetic, and discuss the most effective ways to collect and preserve these volatile—fragile—substances.
Finally, terpenes and flavonoids will be compared, to analyze the most common—and effective—ways to ingest them for therapeutic benefit, offer tips for cooking with terpenes, and offer cautionary advice when dealing with these powerful—and sometimes toxic—compounds to ensure that everyone remains safe and healthy when using and ingesting terpenes into their daily regimen. So sit tight! Your adventure into the wonderful world of terpenes is just beginning.
Citations:
Note 1: Guenther, E. The Essential Oils – Vol II. 456 pg., Ulan Press, 2012
Note 2: Schmidt, B. M., & Cheng, D. M.. Ethnobotany: A phytochemical perspective. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell. 2018
Note 3: Janero, D. R., & Makriyannis, A. Terpenes and Lipids of the Endocannabinoid and Transient-Receptor-Potential-Channel Biosignaling Systems, ACS Chem Neurosci. 2014 Nov 19; 5(11): 1097–1106.
Interest in terpenes has grown since cannabis legalization began. Between 2016 and 2018, internet searches for “terpene” jumped five percent thanks to its regular association with cannabinoids and other alternative medicines. What exactly are terpenes? Are they really as important as everyone seems to think?Terpenes are fragrant molecules that occur naturally in many plants—especially conifers—and even some insects. There are thousands of different terpenes, each with its own unique odor and flavor composition. Commonly used in aromatherapy and religious practices, terpenes are the aromatic oils that give pine trees, soil, and yes, even cannabis, it’s unique scent and appeal to the senses.
Terpenes refer to a large group of unsaturated hydrocarbons, which consist of at least one isoprene unit that is created by the formation of eight hydrocarbon and five carbon atoms—C5H8. Terpenes are classified according to how many isoprene units they composed of; monoterpenes consist of two isoprene units, diterpenes consist of four, triterpenes from six and so on. Though most cannabis-derived terpenes are classified as monoterpenes, some more complex—and less volatile—terpenes can be introduced into cannabis concentrates or otherwise consumed to improve flavor and act therapeutically on the body.
The word “terpene” is derived from the word “turpentine” because it is a major component of rosin and turpentine used as a solvent for paints, varnishes, and cleaners. Though turpentine was traditionally used in Chinese medicine to relieve things like tooth pain and breathing issues, it is more commonly used today as a thinning agent for paints and varnishes thanks to its powerful solvent properties.
Most turpentine is made from coniferous trees—particularly pine and spruce—an is created one of three ways:
Gum Turpentine: The oldest procedure for making turpentine involved tapping trees to extract the sap (gum) then distilling the sap using steam to create turpentine.
Wood Turpentine: Wood turpentine is made with wood ships that are steam distilled to produce a turpentine oil.
Sulphate Turpentine: The most common turpentine extraction process used today, sulphate turpentine is a by-product of paper-making. Sulphate turpentine is collected from the gas that is produced during the pulping of wood and is often burned on-site as a power source for paper-making facilities.
Difference Between Terpenes and Terpenoids
Though often used interchangeably, the terms “terpene” and “terpenoid” refer to slightly different chemical compounds. Basically, terpenes are the backbone, or the precursor, or terpenoids; they contain only their isoprene units—hydrogen and carbon—and nothing else. Terpenoids are terpenes that have been modified—either synthetically or organically—with heat, oxygen, or time. In terms of cannabis, this usually occurs during the curing process which immediately follows harvest.
Terpenes are also the precursor of steroids—like hormones—and other chemicals in the body. This explains their profound impact on the body, which will be discussed more in chapter two.
Terpenes are extremely volatile and evaporate quickly at moderate temperatures—which is why the morning air tends to smell “fresher” than the evening air, because plant terpenes are at their peak of fragrance in the morning before the sun has come out to evaporate them. Cannabis cultivation and extraction experts often choose morning hours to harvest—and in some cases flash freeze—their crops at peak terpene levels.
Preserving terpenes after harvest is a delicate procedure and absolutely necessary if growers hope to capture the best flavor and scent of the cannabis plants while extending the shelf-life of the products. The process requires careful temperature and humidity control, or direct extraction from fresh or flash-frozen flowers. Terpene and terpenoid extraction will be discussed in further detail in chapter eight.
The Discovery of Terpenes
Terpenes were used for religious purposes dating back to Ancient Egypt. In 12th Century Europe, terpene extraction via lipids—oils and fats—was perfected with a focus on herbs like rosemary and sage. By 1589, more than 60 different essential oils were outlined in the book, Dispensatorium Valerii Cordi by Arnaud de Villanosa—up from only three just 44 years earlier—which highlights the growing interest and understanding of essential oils at the time. Pharmacists spent years perfecting the distillation process after noticing the profound effects these essential oils seemed to have on over-all health and well-being.
In 1818, the oldest known essential oil of turpentine was submitted for analysis where the isoprene molecule—C5H8—was first discovered (it was later discovered that all terpenes have this same ratio).
The term “terpene” was first coined in 1866 by scholar, Fr. A. Kekulé. His work opened the doors to a major discovery by Otto Wallach who noted a pattern of carbon to hydrogen atoms in all essential oils. Though the number of hydrogen and carbon atoms varied, the ratio was always the same: five carbon atoms to every eight hydrogen atoms. This introduction of the “isoprene rule” later earned Wallach a Nobel Peace Price and landed him the title of “Messiah of Terpenes”
As more essential oils were discovered—and attention surrounding them grew, their applications also expanded. Though their medical properties were still of interest, essential oils became more frequently used as perfumes and food additives. This expansion led to a boom in popularity now referred to as the “Elizabethan Age” of essential oils. New essential oils were constantly being discovered followed by research into their composition, which helped researchers learn to isolate the aromatic compounds and synthesize them in laboratory settings.
Therapeutic Benefits of Terpenes
Terpenes, or more specifically “aromatherapy” has been used for centuries for medical and spiritual purposes. Though the term itself didn’t originate until 1937, archaeological discoveries suggest that the use of medicinal herbs predates history.
The earliest recoded history of aromatic plants being used in medicine dates back to 2800 BC China. Texts outlining the power of plants, herbs, and spices included the stimulating effects of orange and the healing qualities of ginger. Later, in Ancient Egypt, the first collection of medical knowledge included the benefits of aromatic plants and their extracts on the body—both internally and externally—and the mind. Plants were often burned as offerings to the gods and oil extractions were used to embalm their rulers.
Though aromatic herbs were well-known for their impact on the mind, much of this stemmed from the belief that it was the herbs various scents that exerted their effects, not their chemical composition. Because the olfactory receptors are connected to emotion, it stands to reason that stimulation of these receptors would have an emotional impact on an individual.
However, it has recently been discovered that terpenes interact directly with brain cells to regulate their activity (note three). This is largely due to their interaction with cannabinoid receptors—the same receptors that allow cannabinoids like THC and CBD to interact with the body. No wonder terpenes and cannabinoids seem to go so well together! In fact, it is the terpenes that give cannabis strains their unique scents and the terpenes that are responsible for the more intricate effects of a marijuana high. Terpenes and cannabinoids are produced in the same glands of the female cannabis plant, the “trichomes”, making those little crystals that coat cannabis buds all the more important and all the more appealing. This will be covered in greater detail in chapter four.
Looking Forward
Though their structure is simple, terpenes play a vital role in animal and environmental health. Terpenes are the backbone of all living things, contributing pigment and odor to biological organisms. They also serve an important role in the regulation of vitamin degradation and the biosynthesis of hormones in the body.
In this book, the many ways terpenes interact with the body will be discussed in detail, both directly and through biosynthetic activity, then expand on the subject by analyzing the evolutionary benefit of such behavior.
The unique ways terpenes interact with the endocannabinoid system to accentuate the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids through the “entourage effect” will be explored. We’ll look at other sources of terpenes, both natural any synthetic, and discuss the most effective ways to collect and preserve these volatile—fragile—substances.
Finally, terpenes and flavonoids will be compared, to analyze the most common—and effective—ways to ingest them for therapeutic benefit, offer tips for cooking with terpenes, and offer cautionary advice when dealing with these powerful—and sometimes toxic—compounds to ensure that everyone remains safe and healthy when using and ingesting terpenes into their daily regimen. So sit tight! Your adventure into the wonderful world of terpenes is just beginning.
Citations:
Note 1: Guenther, E. The Essential Oils – Vol II. 456 pg., Ulan Press, 2012
Note 2: Schmidt, B. M., & Cheng, D. M.. Ethnobotany: A phytochemical perspective. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell. 2018
Note 3: Janero, D. R., & Makriyannis, A. Terpenes and Lipids of the Endocannabinoid and Transient-Receptor-Potential-Channel Biosignaling Systems, ACS Chem Neurosci. 2014 Nov 19; 5(11): 1097–1106.
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Softcover. Condición: Poor. Unterschrift / Widmung ohne Bezug; Sichtbare Flecken. Terpenes are fragrant aromas in plants, including in the little crystals covering cannabis flowers-trichomes-that give cannabis strains their unique scents. Often thought of as aromatherapy, terpenes can have a profound effect on health and well-being. They are for medical and spiritual purposes, as well as in perfumes. Nº de ref. del artículo: 89f342a5-04a0-4598-97ce-0881799be039
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