Whether you are looking for a therapeutic enhancement to your Cannabis remedies or whether you would like to unlock some of the healing and pain killing properties of Cannabis without using Cannabis itself, terpenes are a great addition to your wellness toolbox.
If you are using Cannabis medicine, supplementing it with additional terpenes, can be a great idea especially considering some if not most of the terpenes are removed through the process of decarboxylation.
Many of these Terpenes have pain killing properties and can be found
in the essential oils of various other plants other than Cannabis.
You are probably already familiar with aromatherapy and now you probably have a much better idea as to why aromatherapy using therapeutic grade oils can be so effective for pain relief management.
The easiest way to supplement your Cannabis remedies is by using a Diffuser. This is an electronic device that essentially vaporizes water and releases it into the air. It creates a pleasant aroma when essential oils are added to the water and a surprisingly significant amount will enter the bloodstream.
You could also add them to carrier oil such as coconut oil for massaging the oil into the skin. These oils can be added to Cannabis infused topical lotions (these will not get you high).
Another option is to simply add them to a warm bath to relax and relieve aching or inflamed muscles. Adding some Epsom Salts to your bath can help too.
Please do not ingest these oils. Some are regarded safe to ingest but many are not and it is never advisable to do so.
There are a lot of bad quality essential oils out there and many are not nearly as pure as they claim to be. This is not an aromatherapy guide so it is up to you to do your own research into brands.
We have recommended the Young Living or do Terra brands (where available) simply because we have had numerous endorsements of theirs being quality products. Please do your own research.
If you are interested in learning more about aromatherapy the Modern Essentials 9th Edition is a great book that explains things very clearly. It is sponsored by doTerra and ordinarily we would prefer to recommend a unbiased book but it is good enough to justify its inclusion in this guide.
Please be aware that a very small percentage of the population could be allergic to one or more of these terpenes and it’s very important to test a very small amount on the skin first with carrier oil. These essential oils are extremely concentrated so please follow directions very carefully and do not exceed recommended dosage.
Essential Oils With Terpenes also Found in Cannabis
Here is a list of essential oils containing significant amounts of the same terpenes found in Cannabis, click the name of the terpene to link to a reputable supplier:
Myrcene
Can be found in:
Limonene
Can be found in:
Grapefruit – (92% D-Limonene) est.
Wild Orange (90% D-Limonene) est.
Lemon (70% D-Limonene) est.
Lime (65% D-Limonene) est.
Bergamot (30% D-Limonene) est.
Linalool
Can be found in:
Pinene & Alpha Pinene
Can be found in:
Cypress (51% Alpha Pinene) est.
Cistus (50% Alpha Pinene) est.
Balsam Fir (50% Alpha Pinene) est.
Frankincense – (38% Alpha Pinene) est.
Beta Pinene
Can be found in:
Galbanum – (55% Beta Pinene) est.
White Fir – (25% Beta Pinene) est.
Douglas Fir – (20% Beta Pinene) est.
Caryophyllene
Can be found in:
Copaiba – (50% Beta Caryophyllene) est.
Helichrysum – (5 – 12% Beta Caryophyllene) est.
Clove (5-12% Beta Caryophyllene) est.
Eucalyptol
Can be found in:
Eucalyptus – (up to 80% Eucalyptol – Also commonly known as Cineole)
Humulene
Hops Essential Oil (Also contains significant amounts of Caryophyllene and Myrcene)
Terpinolene
Can be found in:
Curcuma (6% Terpinolene)
Tea Tree Melaleuca
Borneol
Can be found in:
Very Important Information:
This infographic has been designed to illustrate the potential benefits of terpenes. Sadly this is a vastly understudied field which is a crying shame considering how many of these essential oils have been used therapeutically for millennia. This information is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical conditions. While we do believe in the power of terpenes we also are of the opinion that Cannabis contains ”safe” volumes of these terpenes.
Not only that but terpenes appear to work synergistically with cannabinoids. This is often referred to as the ”entourage effect”. Essential oils are generally regarded as safe so long as they are ethically sourced and produced and the directions are followed diligently. Several terpenes can be toxic in excessive amounts and they should never be ingested. Essential oils are extremely concentrated and therefore extremely potent and should not be underestimated. Use them at your own discretion and please, if you choose to use them, use them responsibly.
The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from healthcare practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires
Terpene References and Studies
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12473382
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18711769
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24975100
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19267840
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/iwj.12385/abstract
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23488631
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3654274/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23700426
http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2015/FO/C4FO00807C#!divAbstract
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18274938
http://www.znaturforsch.com/ac/v60c/s60c0821.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20552523
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21425693
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24590926
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24084350
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16008117
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23339024
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16619365
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17559833
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18951339
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2785529/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12802719
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18053325
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24379109
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23126238
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10861965
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15064633
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23702424
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15019181
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23101510
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15477123
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12645832
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15477123
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22978309
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12066204
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24613879
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24641242
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25213443
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22257275
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24835194
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11482764
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24210682
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22717234
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24835194
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22326488
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24488604
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24930711
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18053325
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24370994
http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/papers/23747418
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21356367
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24488604
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x/abstract
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0024320512004870
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/np400828x
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC213895/
http://www.revistas.usp.br/rbcf/article/viewFile/44190/47811
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21350392
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22634841
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15740071
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22364736
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20492298
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22318307
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23665426
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20401670
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7948106
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7948106
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19465777
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8886131
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470060/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20661827
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9654110
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23665426
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1983154
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1983154
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1753786
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1753786
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12587690
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1753786
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1797273
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12587690
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15144499
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12587692
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12587692
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12535857
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16137709
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21299105
http://www.aana.com/newsandjournal/documents/anxiolytic_effects_0208_47-52.pdf