T
GET A REAL
TREE THIS
Christmas
DID YOU KNOW THAT CHRISTMAS TREES HAVE TERPENES TOO? LOVE IT OR LOATHE IT, THAT
FESTIVE PINE SCENT OF A FRESH CHRISTMAS TREE COMES FROM THE TREE’S TERPENE PROFILE.
Terpenes are a type of organic compound found in
many different plants including both the cannabis
plant and pine trees. When consumed, pinene can cause alertness,
memory retention and counteract some of
the effects of THC.
Acting as aromatic oils, terpenes are responsible
for a plant’s natural scent and flavour, and over
20,000 different types have been discovered. Pinene has long been used in herbal
medicines as it is believed to be a strong
bronchodilator. This means it can dilate
bronchi and bronchioles by widening
the airways and relaxing muscles in
the lungs, making it easier to breathe.
The compound that causes your house to be filled
with the classic smell of Christmas is the pinene
terpene, which is most commonly found in pine
needles.
Pinene can be found in two varieties and it is the
alpha variation that causes this fragrant forest-like
smell.
Beta pinene has a different scent, and is present in
rosemary, parsley, orange peel and dill.
A combination of alpha and beta, or one variation
singularly can be found in a number of cannabis
strains.
Just like CBD and THC, different terpenes can have
varying effects on the body.
They interact with cannabinoids to produce the
entourage effect in whole plant products which
magnifies the therapeutic benefits.
Along with its anti-inflammatory
and antiseptic properties, there is a
potential medical value in pinene as
scientists believe it could one day
be developed into a treatment for
asthma.
A strong fragrance can divide
a room even more than a
singing Santa decoration.
But hopefully this insight
into one of the season’s
biggest icons will leave
you pinene for more
terpenes.