There’s no perfect way to Extract Terpenes from organic sources. As with most things, it’s really a cost-benefit analysis – how do you eliminate impurities like fats, chlorophyll, and other plant metabolites without damaging the precious compounds you’re trying to preserve? There’s also the issue of time – the longer the process takes, the less efficient it is for commercial use and the more chances there are for impurities to work their way into the finished product. There are a whole host of methods and technologies that are used in pursuit of that goal. In order to isolate one needs to find a suitable source.
Basil
Aromatic Properties
Fresh, strong, pungent and often sweet smell.
Main Source
Caryophyllene
Terpenes Produced
Contains significant higher levels of the sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene and the monoterpenes linalool, 1,8-cineole and limonene. The following terpenes are also found; Linalol, Borneone, Methylchavicol, Camphor, Cineole, Citronella, Eugenol, Ocimene, Pinene, Limonene, Sylvestrene
Terpene Properties
Caryophyllene is a bigger molecule, the unique molecular structure of caryophyllene allows it to easily bind to CB2
Uses
Pain-relieving properties
Parsley
Aromatic Properties
Warm-spicy, heavy-leafy, yet fresh-herb-like odor.
Main Source
Myristicin
Terpenes Produced
Contains several important terpenes; α-Humulene14.2%, β-Caryophyllene13.8%, Dihydrocarveol 11.4%, α-Terpineol 11.3%, Terpinolene9.5%, α-Phellandrene9.1 %, β-Ocimene8.8%, p-Cymene8.8 8.4%, β-Myrcene 8.02%, Limonene8%.
Terpene Properties
Myristicin serves as an anticholinergic, blocking the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from binding to its receptors in nerve cells, consequently inhibiting parasympathetic nerve impulses and used for its pain alleviating and relaxing properties.
Uses
Parsley essential oil is used in aromatherapy and other similar applications due to its synergetic detoxifying, anti bacterial, anti fungal, digestive properties
Oregano
Aromatic Properties
Camphoraceous aroma and a slightly bitter, earthy/musty, and minty notes.
Main Source
Carvacrol
Terpenes Produced
Oregano oils to be found in laboratory tests are naturally distilled with an average concentration of 80% carvacrol present. Terpenes identified in the different species of oregano areThymol, γ-terpinene and p-cymene; while terpinen-4-ol, linalool, β-myrcene, trans-sabinene hydrate, and β-caryophyllene
Terpene Properties
A natural monoterpene derivative of cymene. An inhibitor of bacterial growth,
Uses
Carvacrol is used as a food additive. Potent activator of the human ion channels transient receptor potential
Mint
Aromatic Properties
Sweet, refreshing flavor accompanied by a cooling sensation and a distinctive scent with eucalyptus qualities.
Main Source
Menthol
Terpenes Produced
Dried peppermint typically has 0.3–0.4%m of volatile oil containing menthol 7–48%, menthone 20–46%, menthyl acetate 3–10%, menthofuran 1–17% and 1,8-cineol 3–6%. Peppermint oil also contains small amounts of many additional terpenes including limonene, pulegone, caryophyllene and pinene
Terpene Propreties
Menthol is used practically everywhere and is praised for the results it brings to its associated products.
Uses
Often used to relieve minor pain and irritation and prevent infection.
Lavender
Aromatic Properties
Complex yet delicate, herbaceous and soothing woody connotation often described as earthy floral scent,
Main Source
Terpenes Produced
Linalool, a-pinene, limonene, 1,8-eneole, cis-ocimene, trans-ocimene, 3-octanone, camphor, linalyl acetate, caryophyllene, terpinen-4-ol and lavendulyl acetate.
Terpene Properties
Uses
Linalool is a monoterpene, it has a role as a plant metabolite and is produced by an assortment of plants. Historically used in traditional medicine for its sedative and anti-epileptic properties
Cumin
Aromatic Properties
Woody, pleasant, floral, lemony, spicy, green, herbal, cooling, and earthy.
Main Source
Terpenes Produced
ρ-Cymene 23–39%, β-Pinene 22–27%,γ-Terpinene 11–27%, γ-Terpinene 26.36 27.73%, Cuminal 8–17%,ρ-Mentha-1,4-dien-7-ol 1.0–5.5%, β-Myrcene 1.3–1.75%
Terpene Properties
Pain-relieving due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Uses
Medicine and food purposes
Pepper
Aromatic Properties
Penetrating ,hot,woody and piney scent
Main Source
β‐Caryophyllene
Terpenes Produced
Terpene Propreties
The interesting thing about this terpene is that it is a full agonist of CB2 cannabinoid receptors while having no interaction with CB1 and thus does not exert any psychoactive effects.
Uses
β‐Caryophyllene & the Treatment of Neurological Diseases
Artichoke
Aromatic Properties
Delicate sweetness and a mild aroma of nuts.
Main Source
Cynaropicrin
Terpenes and Flavonoids
Quercetin, Silymarin
silibinin, isosilibinin, silicristin, silidianin
Proprieties
Cynaropicrin, a sesquiterpene lactone, as a strong regulator of CD29 and CD98 functions
Uses
Reduces nausea and vomiting and lowers cholesterol (LDL).
Silibinin to treat liver disorders
Aloevera
Aromatic Properties
Bitter, green herbal and leafy scent.
Main Source
Borneol
Terpenes Produced
Borneol should be used in concert with medication targeting hippocampus or hypothalamus to exert its synergistic effect.
Terpene Properties
Alkaloids, terpenes, saponins, tannins, steroids and flavonoids are believed to be responsible for the plant’s medicinal uses.
Uses
Aloe vera is most commonly used as a topical medication, rubbed onto the skin rather than eaten. Borneol has the unique ability to reduce both pain and inflammation.
Orange
Aromatic Properties
Sweet, fruity, fresh and tangy aroma
Main Source
Terpenes Produced
Limonene 94 Myrcene 2.1 Sabinene and β-Pinene 1 Octanal 0.4
Terpene Properties
Limone works on the endocannabinoid system and helps regulate cannabinoid uptake by the receptors CB1 and CB2. Though it revolutionized many industries, new research is uncovering how valuable Limonene is.
Uses
Oil is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory which makes it an ideal ingredient in your skin and hair routine.
Lemon
Aromatic Properties
Clean, tangy and zesty aroma
Main Source
Geraniol, beta-Pinene
Terpenes Produced
Geranial, Neral, gamma-Terpinene, beta-Pinene, Limonene, Citronellal, Sabinene and Linalool.
Terpene Propreties
Apple
Aromatic Properties
Sweet, estry, fruity and tangy
Main Source
Alpha-farnesene.
Terpenes Produced
α-Pinene; β-Pinene, eucalyptol [as 1,8-cineol], Limonene, Linalool, α-Cubebene, Caryophyllene, aromadendrene, α-Farnesene
Terpene Propreties
Grape
Aromatic Properties
Sulfureous topnote and herbaceous tones.
Main Source
Nerol
Terpenes Produced
Linalool, Geraniol, Nerol, Terpineol and Hotrienol.
Terpene Propreties
Nerol and geraniol are the same substance sharing molecular weight and formula but behaving differently.
Uses
Widely used as an analgesic to relieve pain and is also an effective topical drug enhancer.
Some studies also say that it is used as an ingredient in Coca-Cola even though there are not confirmed reports on this.
Mango
Aromatic Properties
Top notes of citrus accompanied by a tropical and deliciously sweet aroma
Main Source
Myrcene
Terpenes Produced
car-3-ene, Limonene, α-Pinene, γ-Terpinene, α-Humulene, β-Selinene, Acetophenone, Benzaldehyde
Terpene Propreties
Myrcene has powerful antibiotic, antimutagenic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative effects.
Uses
Myrcene is an important intermediate used in the perfumery industry.
Pineapple
Aromatic Properties
Juicy, nectarous, slightly sour and very fresh fruit note that evokes the tropical pineapple fruit.
Main Source
Many comercial terpenes are produced from pineapple.
Terpenes Produced
α-Muurolene 22.23-28.94%, Copaene 19.16% γ-Amorphene 10.87-19.65%, α-Cubebene 11%, δ-Cadinene 7.27%, β-Elemene 4.91, 3.92%, β-Selinene 3.66%, β-Caryophyllene – 2.58%, Sativene 2.35%, Cycloisosativene 1.55 2.28%, α-Terpineol 1.54%, Calarene 1.26%, Valencene 1.10%, α-Calacorene 0.99 1.32% β-Cubebene 0.65%, β-Guaiene 0.58%
Terpene Properties
The name is derived from that of the Cade juniper, the wood of which yields an oil from which cadinene isomers were first isolated.
Uses
This Sesquiterpene is lesser used with many potential new applications being explored
More Botanical Sources
There are many other Botanical sources and exotic terpenes out there. If you have been exposed to other interesting sources or extracted terpenes share with us so we can spread the knowledge.
