What are Terpenes?

Our in-house expert on sensory analysis for flower breaks it down

Terpenes: Harnessing the Power of Plants to Enrich the Human Experience

While nearly all plants produce terpenes, the ones you’re probably most familiar with are found in citrus, aromatic herbs, and cannabis. The particular combination of terpenes are what give a plant its signature aroma, color, and flavor. (Close your eyes and think of the fresh scent of citrus zest, or the sharp pine hit of rosemary.) But they do more than that. For humans and animals, the positive effects of a terpene-filled experience in nature can be both sensory and physiological. From flavor to function, when we consciously and properly harness terpenes, we can use them to greatly improve our enjoyment and quality of life.

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are hydrocarbons produced by plants, animals, and even fungus. In plants, these aromatic molecules are found in essential oils, and they combine to create each plant species’ unmistakable scent and flavor experience. But that’s not all they do. Terpenes can also have a therapeutic effect on humans and animals when inhaled, ingested, or applied topically.

What Are Terpenes Used For?

As isolates or in blends, terpenes can be used to enhance and flavor food and beverages and add aroma and effects to natural medicines, cosmetics, and household products. Botanical and hemp-derived terpenes are also used to add flavor and effects to distillate, topicals, and edibles, and to enhance the flavor and effects of concentrate and flower.

Benefits of Terpenes

Chances are, you’ve already experienced the therapeutic benefits of terpenes in nature. Think of the sense of uplifting calm you feel while walking through a pine forest. It’s due in part to the fact that terpenes comprise the majority of the forest atmosphere. What you may not realize is that the benefits of inhaling the molecules go beyond relaxation. Our team of researchers and scientists are at the forefront of discovery and innovation when it comes to safely and effectively harnessing this natural health and wellness powerhouse. In fact, our Scientific Advisory Board was founded in part by Dr. Ethan Russo, whose work has advanced our understanding of the entourage effect of terpenes as it relates to cannabinoids.

The Entourage Effect

Terpenes are known for contributing to a phenomenon of amplified therapeutic benefit called “the entourage effect.” Simply put, when terpenes are combined with another phytochemical (or advantageous plant chemical), the benefit of each element is enhanced. This can be consciously used to optimize the benefit of individual terpenes or of other functional plants such as cannabis.

Live Resin Terpenes

Live Resin Hemp-Derived Terpenes are extracted from Farm Bill-compliant hemp specifically cultivated for its aromatic qualities and harvested at the peak moment of expression.

Live Resin Terpenes deliver the more effervescent, hard-to-capture aromatics that create the high quality experience connoisseurs look for. They’re a great way to elevate and add consistent character and flavor to your products in a scalable, 100% compliant package.

Use Live Resin Terpenes to:

• Elevate your brand portfolio with products confidently marketed as “Live Resin Infused” 
• Achieve consistency in flavor across products and suppliers
• Enhance the flavor and effects of your distillate, for a 100% cannabis-derived product 
• Add nuance and character to traditional botanical flavors for an elevated product with mass-market appeal 
• Capture your share of the rapidly growing infused pre-rolls market
• Amplify effects for an increasingly savvy consumer 
• Create a live resin line for your brand across edibles, topicals, pre-rolls, beverages, and tinctures

How to Buy Terpenes: Ensure Quality and Safety

True Terpenes was built on a commitment to industry-leading standards for purity and potency. We’re proud to be the first terpene supplier operating under ISO 9000, GMP, and FSSC 2000 certifications.

Safe Use of Terpenes

Terpenes are potent and should never be consumed, inhaled, or applied to the skin without proper dilution. The safe range for terpene use is a 1-5% concentration by volume, though this will vary by product, desired outcome, and user experience. For more information on terpenes and their safe use, visit TrueTerpenes.com/faqs.

From functional beverages to household products to a more targeted cannabinoid experience, the benefits of terpenes are here for the taking, and for sharing with your customers. Visit TrueTerpenes.com or call (888) 954-8550 to find out more, and to start your journey bringing intentional flavor and function to your own products.