Essential Oils v. Terpene Oils
Everyone knows that essential oils have become mainstream over the past few years due to their healing properties. But, did you know terpene oils are just as effective and maybe even better? Today, we would like to discuss what makes terpene oils so different from essential oils and see what you think.
Knowing the differences:
Essential Oils- Non water soluble, easily evaporated compounds acquired by distilling, and cold compressing plant material. In turn, containing all the parts of the plant and hydrocarbons.
Terpenes- Every plant has terpenes, terpenes are the components in a plant that giving the plant the ability to produce scent. When making an oil they are selectively removed from a plant. This was very hard to explain so here is an example, pine contains alpha-pinene, gamma-terpinene, beta-pinene and many other compounds, however, your alpha-pinene isolate will most likely be made up of entirely alpha-pinene the main terpene in pine.
Things you should know:
Terpenes are produced for not only the aroma of a plant but is also recognized as a “pheromone” for pollination and to repel predators. In cannabis, due to them being “wind pollinators” this is not the purpose for terpenes but more importantly to protect itself from insects and micro diseases. They are found within the same glands as THC, CBD, CBG, and other cannabinoids encouraging different effects in certain strains. Also, soil, climate, weather, time of day, fertilization and maturity play huge roles in production. Pay attention to the buds that make you sleepy, or promotes stress relief as well as those that do the opposite like enhancing focus, or creativity, these effects can be caused by specific terpenes that are high in that strain. With over 100 different types of terpenes found in cannabis every plant leans towards 1 unique terpene type and configuration. However, the effects in cannabis can be compromised by the presence of other components in a phenomenon known as “The Entourage Effect” this is when all cannabis compounds synchronize working as one creating new effects and benefits. When removing terpenes from a plant, you do not destroy it. Plants are known to produce terpenes until their maximum maturity (point of harvest). Essential oils need a lot of yield to create small amounts. For example: In order to make 1 drop of rose oil it is said you’d need to use all the petals from 30-50 roses, for a pound of lavender it can take 150 plants. THATS INSANE!
Which is better?
In our opinion terpene oils are better. Not only do they take less out of a plant but they still have all the same healing factors as essential oils maybe even more due to the fact they aren’t as compromised by other components of the plant but the components only in the flower. What are your thoughts?
