How did we begin to understand the word aromatherapy?

Scientific studies on the chemical constituents of essential oils have just started in the 20th century, although the history of using essential oils as medical agents or for relaxation goes back to ancient times in Egypt. It was only early in the 20th century that the word “aromatherapy” was coined by the French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé for treatments using essential oils. He was a chemist working at his family-owned perfume company in France, and not a clinician of holistic, alternative medicine. An anecdotal story tells that he had accidentally burnt his hand because of an explosion in the laboratory and happened to use an essential oil of lavender, which suppressed the pain and scar formation. This experience led him to study the possibility of using essential oils for therapeutic purposes. His book “Gattefossé’s Aromatherapy” [1] is perhaps the earliest book published on aromatherapy by a scientist and it contains a substantial amount of description on terpenes.

What are Terpenes?

Terpenes are the compounds responsible for the way most plants smell and taste and form the major constituent of essential oils. The compounds are abundant in cannabis and other plants such as fruits and herbs.

What are the differences between Terpenes and Essential Oils (EO’s)

Essential oils are natural products with a complex composition. Terpenes are the most common class of chemical compounds present in essential oils. Terpenes and the essential oils containing them are widely used and investigated by their pharmacological properties and permeation-enhancing ability.

It might sound like essential oils and terpene extracts are the same thing. They are indeed similar, but there are some key differences. The main difference is that essential oils contain all the volatile components in each plant species, while terpenes are isolated and removed from everything else.

Why we choose Terpenes over EO’s

Among natural products that provide medical benefits, terpenes play a major and variety of roles.  Remarkably, there are more than 50,000 unique terpenes that have been detected, many of which we experience daily. To date, 250 unique cannabis terpene profiles have been identified. These terpenes are found in other plants just not in the same ratios leading to distinguishable effects and smells. 

The Science behind the Olfactory System

The Olfactory System is involved in the processing of our emotions, survival instincts, and memory function.  It connects senses, such as odors, to our memories and emotions.

Smells are handled by the olfactory bulb, the structure in the front of the brain that sends information to the other areas of the body's central command for further processing. Odors take a direct route to the limbic system, including the amygdala and the hippocampus, the regions related to emotion and memory.

Smell is the only fully developed sense a fetus has in the womb, and it’s the one that is the most developed in a child through the age of around 10 when sight takes over. Many terpenes possess strong associative properties, and work easily to alter the mood, promoting increased alertness and positivity, or creating feelings of calm, tranquility, and relaxation. They can be helpful in alleviating stress, easing insomnia, providing clarity and focus.

What makes Better Aromatherapy different?

Aromatherapy companies in the marketplace today are similar in one way, that is that the scents or profiles, chosen for inhalers, candles, and diffusers for example, are repetitive and lack innovation.  Lavender, peppermint, citrus, clove, pine, green tea, etcetera, are all beneficial and smell great, yet, are vastly the same across all product lines.

So, what makes us BETTER?  The difference is the aroma profiles and flavors that the cannabis plant naturally produces.  The moment you inhale our aromas your curiosity sparks and leaves you craving more. 

Imagine being able to change your thought process with one breath.  Our BETTER Aromatherapy line uses a combination of cannabis terpene profile blends to assist in changing your perspective, resulting in a balanced mind and body. 

How to use a Nasal Inhaler

One of the best things about nasal inhalers is how easy they are to use. All you must do is remove the cap, place the tube right under your nostril, and inhale. You can close your other nostril with your finger while inhaling, then switch sides.

If you’re using an all-natural product, it’s safe to use it as many times a day as you need to and on a regular basis. However, everyone does have varying levels of sinus sensitivity so it’s best to start with using it a few times per day and increase it as needed.

It’s important to close your nasal inhaler properly to prevent it from drying out. They work best if used within a couple of weeks of opening and have a shelf life of a couple of years if unopened.

What is a terpene profile?

Recall, that terpenes are the organic compounds that provide aroma and flavor in a plant.  Therefore, a “profile” further defines the distinct compounds that allow us to differentiate between a plant smell and taste.  For example, there are a total of 16 terpenes that constitute the essential oil of sweet orange; a-pinene, camphene, sabinene, b-pinene, myrcene, d-limonene, terpinolene, just to name a few.  Better Aromatherapy’s terpene profiles are patented and proprietary blends, involving generous varieties of terpene compounds that are formulated to achieve optimal wellness benefits for mind and body.