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.

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.    

Terpenes’ Sensitive and Volatile Properties

Terpenes are highly volatile molecules, meaning they can easily evaporate. Although their average boiling point is around 130 degrees Celsius (266 degrees Fahrenheit), terpenes begin evaporating at around 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit).

On a molecular level, terpenes contain 10 carbon units. By comparison, monoterpenes are comprised of 10 carbon units and are the most volatile form of these types of compounds. Sesquiterpenes (the sesqui prefix translates to 1.5) contain 15 carbon units while diterpenes (the di prefix translates to 2) have 20 carbon units, positioning the latter as the heaviest types of terpenes.

Terpenes are lipophilic, meaning they are “lipid lovers” and hydrophobic “water haters” which therefore do not mix well with water. Additionally, terpenes are extremely sensitive to light and oxygen, potentially resulting in damage to the compounds when they are not stored properly. Despite their exceedingly complex and delicate nature, terpenes are still incredibly influential molecules