Terpenes are an essential oil of everyday herbs, plants, and fruits they are not just isolated to cannabis. There are over 200 known terpenes and you can find them right in your backyard or fridge. Myrcene is found in Mangoes, lemon grass and bay leaves. Limonene is found in citrus fruits and peppermint. Linalool is found in Lavender, rose, basil, etc.
Terpene aromas are the natural compounds which are found in cannabis that gives the bouquet of smells, playing the major role in the plants essential oils. Aromatherapy treatments use terpenes because of their medical properties for the same reasons that you would choose your terpene profile in the best cannabis strains for your condition(s). By choosing specific terpenes you can enhance your desired cannabis therapeutic benefits. As an example, natural aromas that bring forward citrus nodes of lemon and orange, are often from the terpene limonene.
By just reading this it is obvious you cannot obtain all of these in only cannabis form to vaporize. There common every day herbs you can obtain the same terpenes as your cannabis. You can choose to blend the herbs into your dried cannabis inhaling via vaporizer or vaporize on their own.
Entourage Effect
The major terpenes play a major role in the effects we feel when using cannabis. Bringing forward therapeutic qualities such as memory retention, alertness, elevated mood, stress relief, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, pain killing and sedative effects. Each terpene in the cannabis plant can offer different therapeutic values. To date, there are many researchers testing different terpene profiles that can provide relief and breakthroughs in treating cancer, asthma, chronic pain and more. An example of the effects of one of our favorite strains, Blue Dream, contains a dominant terpene profile of myrcene which brings forward relaxing, calming onset of feeling. The effects that terpenes can have on us really show their magic when they work synergistically with other cannabis properties such as THC and CBD, also known as the entourage effect.
Optimal Terpene Temperatures
Were you aware that each terpene has an optimal temperature range for consumption? This is called the boiling point.
Setting your vaporizer at the recommended temperature range can provide you with the maximum benefit of the terpene profile from your favorite strains. If you are heating your strains under the recommended level, you aren’t withdrawing all the medicinal components available to you. If the strain is heated above the boiling point, you are destroying therapeutic benefits that the terpenes have to offer.
Doing your research on quality vaporizers is a necessity if you are looking to apply these tips to your cannabis consumption. Many vaporizers on the market don’t bring the ability to adjust your temperatures on the fly, however this is one of the top elements that should be considered when taking the plunge on a vaporizer purchase.
Best temperatures for getting the most out of your terpenes
- Beta-Myrcene – 332oF
- Alpha-Pinene & Beta-Pinene 312oF
- Linalool – 388oF
- Guaiol – 197 oF
- Limonene – 348oF
- Terpenolene – 3645oF
- Alpha-Terpineol – 426 oF
- Ocimene – 212 oF
- Beta-Caryophyllene – 266oF
- Alpha-Humulene – 222 oF
- Eucalyptol – 341 oF
- Alpha-Bisabolol – 307 oF
- Alpha-Terpinene – 345 oF
- Gamma-Terpinene – 361 oF
Blending Herbs and Cannabis
Do you know that cannabis is not the only herb you can inhale through a dried herb vaporizer?
For thousands of years a variety of cultures vaporize everyday herbs, using like an aromatherapy. Herbs contain some of the same terpenes as cannabis, so why not blend them with cannabis for optimal therapeutic effect? Not all herbs should be vaporized, but there are some that have been utilized and considered safe.
Common Herbs and their Terpenes
Basil: Pinene, Limonene.
Peppermint: Limonene and Pinene
Lemongrass: Nerol, Limonene, Myrcene, Geraniol
Sage: alpha- Pinene, Camphene, Limonene, Eucalyptol
Lavender: Linalool
The herbs should be ground and dried prior to use. Introduce only a small portion first to see if you love or dislike the flavors. It only takes a little to have an effect, less is more!
We will be featuring a new terpene for each month of 2021 beginning in February. Stay tuned for more in depth education on your favorite terpenes!