What Are Terpenes and How Do They Work? Chart

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Terpenes are aromatic compounds naturally found in  plants that give them their unique fragrances. They are the main ingredient of many essential oils

Terpenes are aromatic compounds naturally found in various plants that give them their unique flavors and fragrances. They are the main ingredient of many essential oils and are often used in aromatherapy or other alternative therapies.

In plants, terpenes play various roles in:

• Attracting pollinators
• Repelling predators, such as insects or foraging animals
• Helping plants recover from damage
• Keeping infectious germs at bay

What plants contain terpenes?

Plants that contain terpenes include:

• Cannabis
• Rosemary
• Peppermint
• Lemongrass
• Evergreen shrubs
• Tea
• Thyme
• Spanish sage
• Citrus fruit
• Pine
• Lavender

What are medicinal uses of terpenes?

Table 1. Terpenes and their medicinal properties Terpene Medicinal properties

Tea tree
Contains active ingredients to treat skin infections and acne

Thyme
Has powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties

Cannabis
Has psychoactive properties to help treat psychosomatic diseases

Spanish sage
Enhances memory and is used in antidementia drugs

Citrus fruits
Destroy lice and their larvae

Citral
Has antibacterial and antifungal effects

Lemongrass
Insect repellant

Other properties associated with terpene include the following:

• Insecticidal: Terpenes are effective against pests, such as lice or mites. Terpenes used in anti-insect formulations include:
  • Limonene
  • Beta-ionone
  • Geraniol
  • Eugenol
  • Myrcene
• Antimicrobial: Terpenes can kill or stop the growth of microorganisms. Terpenes used as antimicrobials include:
  • Pinaceae
  • Sage
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
• Antiviral: Terpenes that have antiviral properties include:
  • Carvone
  • Carveol limonene
  • Alpha and beta-pinene
  • Caryophyllene
  • Beta-ocimene
• Anti-cancer: Terpenes have been widely touted to have cancer-fighting properties. Examples include:
  • Limonene found in citrus fruits
  • Thymoquinone found in black cumin
  • Alloocimene
  • Beta-myrcene
  • Pinene
  • Terpinene
  • Thymohydroquinone
• Folk medicine: Terpenes are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or Ayurveda.

Table 2. Plants used in traditional medicine Plant Terpene present Uses in Ayurveda Uses in TCM

Lemon
Limonene
Oral cavities, digestive problems, abdominal colic pain, and cough
Digestive problems and cleansing the body

Orange
Limonene
Digestive disorders, abdominal colic pain, and worm infestation
Stomach ache and cough

Juniper
Limonene
Antiseptic, treat cellulite, pain, and swelling
Treat cold and urinary problems

Indian gooseberry
Phyllaembicilins
Boost immunity, strengthen hair follicles, cure acne and pimples, improve the circulatory system, and cure diarrhea
Treat diarrhea, jaundice, and inflammation

Cinnamon
Alpha-pinene, caryophyllene, linalool, alpha-phellandrene, cymene, humulene
Cold, diabetes, high cholesterol, digestive problems, bronchitis, and sinus congestion
Cold, diabetes, high cholesterol, digestive problems, control sweating

Ginger
Zingiberene
Digestive problems, joint pain, and air sickness
Cold, cough, wheezing, asthma

Garlic
Nerolidol, alpha-pinene, and terpinolene
Treat pimples, tumors, snakebites, wounds, headache, heart disease, gastric problems, ulcers, and measles
Food poisoning and digestive problems