Did you know that terpenes are what give cannabis plants their aroma? Terpenes are aromatic compounds that determine the smell of plants and herbs. They are also associated with cannabis extraction. If you’re interested in learning more about these compounds, keep reading to learn five interesting things to know about terpenes.

Terpenes Are Found in Many Plants

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that you can find in many plants. Many people associate terpenes with cannabis plants because of the cannabis plant’s high concentration of them. However, terpenes give many other plants their aromas as well, such as pine, lavender, oranges, and more.

They Are Different From Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids and terpenes produce similar effects in the body, which causes many people to group the two together. However, terpenes and cannabinoids are completely different plant parts. Cannabinoids are exclusive to the cannabis sativa plant, while terpenes can be found in many plants. Both occur naturally in plants, though terpenes are not specific to one plant as cannabinoids are.

There Are Many Different Types

Some sources say there are more than 200 distinct types of terpenes, though scientists have only studied a handful of these closely. The most common terpenes that we have studied include limonene, pinene, linalool, myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, humulene, and a few others. As noted, these types of terpenes are not exclusive to cannabis, and you can find them in all sorts of flowers and plant life.

They Hold Therapeutic Power

Terpenes are also great for those looking for therapeutic aids. They have many therapeutic benefits, including being anti-inflammatory. The caryophyllene levels in a type of terpene can act as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis, while those rich in linalool can help with pain relief. Each of the different types of terpenes will have different therapeutic effects and benefits.

Terpene Content Can Diminish

Terpene extraction is a timely matter, as terpene content can diminish with the freshness of the plant. The freshness and content of the plant terpenes can diminish due to several conditions, including time, temperature, and even an improper lighting setup.

Were you already familiar with these five interesting things to know about terpenes, or did you learn something new? If you are interested in extracting terpenes in your own lab setting, you can shop closed loop extractors for sale and more right at USA Lab Equipment.