Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds, produced by plants, particularly conifers, and some insects. All plants have terpenes and often have a strong odor that may protect the plants by deterring herbivores (animals that feed on plants) but also by luring pollinators to reproduce.
The name “terpene” is derived from, the word “terpentine,” an obsolete spelling of the word “turpentine.”
What Are Terpenes?
These aromatic compounds create the scent of many plants, for example, pine, lavender, cannabis and fresh orange peel. Cannabis has distinctive flavors like citrus, pine, mint and with our own Cherry Wine, a cantaloupe aroma.
Many factors affect the development of terpenes: weather, climate, age of the plant, fertilizers and the type of soil.
There are over 200 different kinds of terpenes found in the cannabis plant which help speed up the absorption of cannabinoids into the bloodstream.
Terpenes that are found in the flower or bud may play a key role in differentiating the effects of various cannabis strains. Some terpenes may promote relaxation and stress-relief, while others potentially promote focus and acuity.
Terpenes such as linalool and limonene have direct physiological effects on the body: a calming effect, reduction in aches and mood elevating.
Caryophyliene is found in many of our CBD hemp strains as well as in black pepper, cinnamon, cloves and other spices. Beta-caryphyllene binds to CB2 receptors, which makes it an ingredient in anti-inflammatory topicals and creams.
Limonene, a terpene in SVR’s Cherry Wine hemp, is found in the rinds of citrus fruits and used in tinctures, ointments, and perfumes. A mood booster, limonene, helps the absorption of other terpenes.
Pinene, found in pine needles, conifers and some citrus fruits, has been a key ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine as well as in Scotch Valley Ranch’s new tinctures for a range of therapeutic benefits: NIGHT for better rest and DE-COMPRESS for stress.
According to Forbes, Israeli researchers found that a combination of CBD and terpenes was three times more effective in stopping coronavirus-related inflammation compared to dexamethasone.
Preserving Your Terpenes with Boveda
Inside the trichomes on the cannabis plant are where the terpenes and cannabinoids exist. Our partner, Boveda, works by producing a monolayer of water molecules around each trichome of the cannabis plant. Once you break open that trichome (upon grinding your cannabis flower for consumption) that’s when you release all the good stuff that’s been kept inside. Similar to peeling an orange or cutting open an onion (think of the strong smell!), you release the quality that’s been stored safely inside. We use Boveda’s terpene shields both in storing our large bags of bulk hemp flower as well as in our ⅛ ounce jars of hemp flower.
