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Higher learning: terpenes

The term terpenes and terpenoids maybe something new in most peoples vocabularies. Each and everyone of us have been in daily contact with terpenes all of our lives and use them for all sorts of reasons.
Terpenes
The term terpenes and terpenoids maybe something new in most peoples vocabularies.

The term terpenes and terpenoids maybe something new in most peoples vocabularies.

Each and everyone of us have been in daily contact with terpenes all of our lives and use them for all sorts of reasons.

Terpenes and terpenoids constitute the largest class of natural products which are the essential building blocks of complex plant hormones, molecules, pigmants, sterols and even cannabinoids.

All which are the naturally occurring hydrocarbon based combinations and compounds that are responsible for,and assist in such things as oxygen functionality on the level of the mitochondria, nucleus and chloroplast and influence the cytosol fluid which causes chemical reactions within the cell.

I know what your thinking. Whoa, slow down I thought you just told me I have daily contact with terpenes as if they are something that I use in my dish soap, in all my toiletries, and hopefully atleast 7-10 servings daily if we follow the Canadian food guide.

Yes. Terpenes essentially are the essential oils found in any and all plants. They are what offer the aroma that helps you recognize a rose or lavender. They are the reason you can tell the difference between the taste of an orange and a lemon.

They are the essence that makes up your perfume and the reason you appreciate your the scent of spring. However due to extensive scientific medicinal studies, the world of terpenes and terpeniods runs deeper than Deepak Chopra’s philosophy on our spiritual nature and human experience.

One of the latest and very well studied areas of medicinal values with this overly interesting cellular influencing, biosynthesizing, plant metabolite is with cannabis. In cannabis terpenes and terpeniods are responsible for the aromas, flavors and physiological effects associated with the plant, and are one of the reasons why we can tell the difference between strains.

Terpenes can be classified as hemiterpenes, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sesterpenes, triterpenes, tetraterpenes, and polyterpenes and each one of these have a great number of types with specific distinct characteristics and medicinal benefits.

Mycrene is a monoterpene and is the most common produced by cannabis and is most prevalent in indica strains. It is recognized for its ability to lower resistance across the blood brain barrier and works as an anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antimutagenic and blocks the action of many carcinogens.

It also acts as an inhibitor for gastric ulcers and has shown positive effects in preventing peptic ulcers. It’s sedative and calming effects make it ideal for the treatment of insomnia and pain relief. Pinene is a bicylic monoterpeniod and has a distinct pine and fir smell.

As a medicine it is used as an anti-inflammatory, a local antiseptic and a bronchodilator and has been used as an anti cancer agent in TCM for a very long time. Limonene as it suggests has a strong citrusy smell like lemons, oranges and limes. Limonene is highly absorbed by inhalation and quickly appears in the bloodstream and has been documented to suppress the growth of many species of fungi and bacteria and has shown to be promising against various cancers.

The plants that produce limonene use it as a natural insecticide. Beta Caryophyllene is a sesquiterpene found in clove, cinnamon, black pepper, thai basil and of course cannabis. It has proven to be an excellent benefit to prevent or replenish the kidneys from poisonous effects of anti-cancer chemotherapy drugs.

The chemical composition of oils that have this terpene present have high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive properties, which suggest cannabis strains high in Beta-caryophyllene may be useful in treating arthritis and neuropathy pain.

Linalool is what promotes the relaxing and calming effects of lavender. It has been used for centuries as a sleep aid and for anti-anxiety.

Studies have shown that linalool boosts the immune system and can reduce lung inflammation. It has also shown to be supportive in the restoration of cognitive and emotional function, making it useful in the treatment of alzheimers disease. This is just the tip of the terpene iceberg. 

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