Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds found in a wide variety of plants, including fruits, herbs, and flowers, and they are particularly abundant in cannabis and hemp. These aromatic compounds are responsible for the distinct scents and flavors of many plants, such as the citrusy smell of lemons (from the terpene limonene) or the earthy, pine-like aroma of rosemary (from pinene). Terpenes play a vital role in plants, helping to attract pollinators and protect against pests. In addition to being found in cannabis, terpenes are present in many common plants such as lavender, eucalyptus, and cloves.

Terpenes defined

[Tuhr-peens]

Now, when you mention terpenes, expect most people to look at you with a blank look on their faces. It's a weird-sounding word. It sounds very scientific, and many will ask: 'what are terpenes'? 'What are the benefits of terpenes'? But, while they mightn't have heard of them, you can bet that they've smelt them. Terpenes are everywhere and so commonplace that we take them for granted! Freshly mown grass. Terpenes. Nanna's prized rose bloom. Terpenes. A zested lemon. Again, terpenes. You're smelling the natural chemicals that plants (and some animals) produce and release into the air. Plants are clever. They do this to protect themselves from predators, attract pollinators, and cure their injuries.

Where do terpenes come from?

There are over 23,000 different terpenes out there in the plant world; many of them have positive benefits for humans. Some are rare, and some are common. You'll find common terpenes in all plants, but particularly those with strong aromas such as lavender, herbs, spices, pine and cannabis. 

What do terpenes do?

Well, besides smelling nice (most do), these clever compounds jump-start the body to do things. Think of the trolley at Aldi. To use the trolley, you must put the right sized coin in the lock to release the chain. Terpenes work like that. 

Terpenes serve multiple roles both in plants and in the human body. In plants, terpenes are primarily responsible for their distinct aromas and flavors, helping to attract pollinators and repel predators. Beyond these ecological functions, terpenes play a crucial role in human wellness by interacting with the body in various beneficial ways.

How do terpenes work in our bodies?

We all know the cardiovascular system moves oxygen and blood around the body. We can't live without it. But would you believe it was only back in the 1990s that some clever clogs discovered an unknown system in the human body that regulates how the other systems work? They called it the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). We have a great blog on the ECS to help you understand how it works in your body.

Knowing how this system works could hold the key to improving your health and wellness. The ECS stretches down from our brains into all the parts of our bodies. Generally, spanning our central nervous system. It's a series of receptors (coin slots, if you will) that affect our bodily functions like appetite, sleep, mood, and pain. These receptors zap into action when the right sized coin is available. Both Terpenes and CBD oil terpenes are the right sized coin! For example, let's look at lavender. Love it or hate it, lavender is known for its calming, sedating and anxiety-reducing properties. It's also an antibacterial and antifungal agent. Surprise! Lavender is rich in therapeutic terpenes. The most well-known is Linalool (Lin-uh-lool). So, if you're anxious and can't sleep, lavender (in some form or another) is often recommended. Why? Because its terpenes flood your body's endocannabinoid system, find those sleep and mood receptors and zap them into action. Lavender won't knock you out like an anaesthetic. Still, it calms the body and talks it into relaxing and chilling out a bit. Ah, terpenes! What else can they do?

How Do We Ingest Terpenes?

Terpenes can be ingested in several ways, depending on the source and the desired benefits. One common method is through the consumption of plant-based products like hemp oils, edibles, or herbal teas that contain terpenes. In these cases, terpenes are absorbed through the digestive system, allowing them to enter the bloodstream and interact with various receptors in the body. For example, hemp or cannabis oils rich in terpenes are often consumed sublingually (under the tongue), offering a faster route of absorption for therapeutic effects.

Another popular way to ingest terpenes is through inhalation. Aromatherapy, which involves diffusing essential oils that contain terpenes, allows the compounds to be absorbed through the lungs and quickly enter the bloodstream. Terpenes can also be inhaled through vaporizing or smoking products like hemp flower. Topical application is another option, where terpenes in balms or lotions are absorbed through the skin, offering localized effects. Depending on the method of ingestion, terpenes can provide a range of health benefits, from calming anxiety to promoting better sleep.

How do I get terpenes in Australia?

So, you're probably thinking that terpenes are something you might like to know more about – especially how to get them in your life? The good news is that they are readily available in many forms- some are even free! You can start by introducing terpene-rich foods into your life, such as herbs, spices, and herbal teas. But… if you really want to give your ECS a kick start, we've done the hard yards for you. (You're welcome!)

Where can I buy Australian terpene products?

We believe that you should be able to access the incredible benefits of terpenes for yourself. That's why we've developed our own blends of terpene infused hemp seed oil. We use natural plant terpenes (distilled to a food-grade level), and Australian hemp seed oil to create our range of Terpene Tonics, which are proving to be real winners!

In fact, our customer Steve had very nice things to say:

"Amazing product! As a former professional athlete I still exercise 2-3 hours per day (non-negotiable). Sleep and recovery is therefore essential for me, and I can confirm this is HANDS DOWN the best product I have ever used for pain management, sleep and overall mental well-being and clarity." Steve | Melbourne | 2021

There are four products in this range: Siesta, Soothe, Calm and Energise. So, if you'd like to read more about these blends, pop over and read how to use them, how they can work for you, and what our customers are saying about them.

Why do we love terpenes?

Vasse Valley is so excited to bring our new Terpene Tonics to you. We love that terpenes are safe to use with hemp seed oil and how they work together to give us fantastic health benefits. Using them (as per our guidelines) to stimulate your ECS is a wonderful way to improve the quality of your life– especially when used with other lifestyle changes such as exercise and a healthy diet.

We hope that this no-bull blog has been able to explain why terpenes are so significant to our health. Your input is valuable to us, and we'd love to hear what you think. Feel free to jump in our comments below if you have any other questions we can help you with. If you found this helpful, and you think others might too, please spread the word using these key points:

• Terpenes are natural chemicals that give plants unique tastes, flavours, and healing properties.
• Terpenes jump-start our bodies to do things like relax, regulate pain, sleep better, improve mood and deal with hunger cues.
• Terpenes and hemp seed oil used together magnify their health benefits.
• Together, they stimulate the body's endocannabinoid system to work better.

Thanks for reading. Pop over to our shop if you'd like to start your terpene journey to wellness.