More Than Just Cannabinoids
As more people become aware of the positive attributes of full spectrum hemp products over isolates, research and interest is broadening to include all of the compounds found in hemp, and their interactions with each other, rather than just the cannabinoids.
Terpenes in hemp seem to be the talk of the town at the moment so we decided to write a short blog about terpenes and their role within the hemp plant?
What Are Hemp Terpenes?
Terpenes are organic compounds that are found commonly in nature and are largely responsible for the aroma and flavor of flowers, plants, and trees.
Terpenes also often act as personal defense mechanisms for flowers, plants, and insects.
Hemp terpenes are simply the terpenes that can be found within the hemp plant specifically.
When grown under ideal conditions by experienced farmers, hemp flowers (along with cannabis flowers), can be considered royalty in terms of terpene content.
Each strain of hemp flower contains a unique combination of terpenes that is referred to as the strain’s terpene profile.
The characteristically potent terpene profile of hemp flowers are the reason behind it being such an aromatic plant.
The Role of Terpenes Within Hemp
Terpenes do a lot more than just manipulate tastes and smells, however…
Their influence on the aromatics of the hemp plant is just one part of a threefold effect they have on the plant and its overall potential medicinal benefits.
The second role they play within the plant is that each terpene possesses its own unique therapeutic benefits.
Plant medicines are largely based on the therapeutic properties of the terpenes they contain and are widely extracted for use in aromatherapy in the form of essential oils.
The third and final known role they play is that, when it comes to hemp and cannabis terpenes, they have been found to work synergistically with cannabinoids in the plant.
In what has been termed as the “entourage effect”, the overall benefits that can be felt from cannabinoids such as CBD, are boosted by the presence of other plant compounds, such as terpenes. Research has shown that the sum of the whole plant is greater than its parts.
Primary Terpenes in Hemp
Although there are over 20,000 terpenes to be found in the plant world, only around 200 have been identified in the hemp plant thus far.
Some terpenes, however, are more prolific than others.
We’ve identified 13 terpenes that appear to be the most popular and abundant within the hemp plant and to see what these terpenes do, check out the chart below.
- Bisabolol
- Borneol
- Beta-caryophyllene
- Farnesene
- Geraniol
- Guaiol
- Humulene
- Limonene
- Linalool
- Myrcene
- Ocimene
- Pinene
- Terpineol
- Valencene
Terpene Chart
| Terpene | Scent / Flavor | Properties | Common use |
| Bisabolol | Floral |
Anti-inflammatory Anti-irritant Anti-microbial |
Cancer Skin lesions |
| Borneol | Mint |
Pain relief Eye health |
Anti-inflammatory Antinociceptive |
| Beta-caryophyllene | Spicey |
Anti-bacterial Anti-inflammatory Anti-fungal |
Insomnia Muscle spasms Pain relief |
| Farnesene | Wood |
Anti-cancer Anti-fungal |
Relaxation Insomnia Cancer |
| Geraniol |
Peach Rose grass |
Anti-cancer
Anti-oxidant
Neuroprotectant |
Cancer Pain relief |
| Guaiol | Pine |
Anti-bacterial Anti-inflammatory Anti-fungal |
Relaxation |
| Humulene | Earthy |
Anti-bacterial Anti-inflammatory Anti-tumor |
Cancer Infections Appetite suppression |
| Limonene | Lemon |
Anti-anxiety Anti-cancer Digestive Gallstones |
Liver detoxification Weight loss Insomnia |
| Linalool | Lavender |
Anti-anxiety Anti-epileptic Anti-psychotic Pain relieving |
Depression Convulsions Insomnia Pain relief |
| Myrcene | Cloves |
Relaxing Sedating |
Inflammation Insomnia Spasms Pain relief |
| Ocimene | Herbal |
Anti-inflammatory Anti-viral Anti-fungal Anti-oxidative |
Energy Focus |
| Pinene | Pine |
Anti-depressant Anti-inflammatory Anti-microbial |
Asthma Bronchitis Cancer Depression Memory Focus |
| Terpineol | Wood |
Anti-bacterial Anti-fungal Anti-insomnia Antiseptic |
Cancer Heart disease Insomnia |
| Valencene | Sweet citrus |
Anti-inflammatory Abti-melanogenesis Antiallergic |
Memory Skin lesion |
Which CBD Products Contain Hemp Terpenes?
The most reliable way of ensuring that your hemp derived CBD products include their natural array of terpenes is by buying it in its most pure form which will of course be the hemp flowers themselves.
Premium quality hemp flowers can be smoked or vaped and those that possess rich terpene profiles will go a long way in creating a unique, flavorful, and enjoyable user experience.
If you’re not a fan of smoking or vaping and are instead looking for CBD oil terpenes then you should avoid buying CBD isolate products.
Isolates contain pure CBD without any other plant compounds. Instead, look out for full spectrum hemp products that extract whole plant matter, or broad spectrum products if you need your CBD oils to be completely THC-free.
Our Top Terpene-Filled Hemp Products
For smokable flower, we like the products from Green Unicorn Farms. You can buy premium hemp flower in bags which offers maximum versatility, plus you have the option of pre-rolls which offer maximum convenience.
They pride themselves on having the cleanest, richest, and most aromatic hemp flowers available in the US and provide lab reports for each and every one of their strains.
For CBD oils, we recommend you take a look at the products from Green Flower Botanicals.
Their oils are strain specific so you can decide which hemp strain has the most desirable terpene profile for you and buy the corresponding full spectrum extract.
Sour Space Candy
A terpene rich, delicious CBD strain with flavors of sharp citrus and a sweet and smooth finish that reminds you of candy.
Like always, with Green Unicorn, you get great value for money. Premium quality outdoor CBD flower that packs an indoor punch.
The Importance of Terpenes in Hemp
More and more people are switching on to the fact that cannabinoids and terpenes work much harder together than they do on their own due to the terpenes threefold effect within the hemp plant.
The unique terpene profile of each strain offers the user a rich and quality user experience through the aromatics and flavors, contribute their own therapeutic benefits, as well as boost those felt by the cannabinoids within the plant.
To choose the right hemp strain for you, it’s as easy as following your nose. Identify the terpenes that you think can help you and then look out for strains that contain them.
Choose CBD products that offer terpene profiling to ensure the products you buy are working as hard as possible for you.