wellness
Terpenes in cannabis and the role they play in a new soda drink
Terpenes are the unique scent found in herbs, flowers and fruits including cannabis and now one NZ company, Good Herb Soda, has included these in two non-alcoholic sodas which provide two different benefits.
Terpenes are the highly aromatic compounds within each herb, flower or fruit that give them their unique scent or flavour such as rosemary and lavender, as well as some animals.
It's how many of our everyday products like perfumes, body products and even some foods get their scents and flavours through manufacturers using isolated terpenes. Playing a vital role in plants, Terpenes attract pollinators in some plants while others cause a strong reaction to repel predators, such as insects or foraging animals.
Because terpenes produce vibrant smells, they form the basis of many essential oils and are an integral part of many alternative therapies, such as aromatherapy. Inhaling the scents from some plants and essential oils may affect a person’s mood and stress levels.
Cannabis and Terpenes?
Many people commonly associate Terpenes with cannabis because cannabis plants contain high concentrations of them - it's known to contain more than 100 terpenes!
The cannabis plant contains terpenes as well as two other components:
- Cannabinoids (most notably THC & CBD)
- Flavonoids.
Each part of the cannabis plant synergistically works together. There are better therapeutic effects than when using isolated components such as CBD or THC alone. This effect is what's known as the 'Entourage Effect', which research indicates that combining specific terpenes (Limonene, Pinene, Myrcene, Linalool, etc.) with cannabinoids have shown efficacy in treating mood disorders, depression & anxiety.
Common Types of Terpenes
A couple of the better known terpenes include:
Linalool
Commonly found in the lavender plant, it gives the flower its rich scent and is commonly used in aromatherapy as it provides a calming effect. A study in Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces notes that linalool may affect the body in a variety of ways due to a range of properties, including:
- anti-inflammatory
- antimicrobial
- neuroprotective
- antidepressant
- anticancer
- anti-anxiety
Limonene
A common terpene that most people would recognise by its scent is Limonene. As the name suggests, limonene gives the rinds of fruits such as lemons and oranges their citrusy smell. A study in Chemico-Biological Interactions notes that limonene contains the following therapeutic properties:
- anti-inflammatory
- antioxidant
- antiviral
- antidiabetic
- anticancer
Myrcene
Commonly found in mango, lemongrass, thyme and hops, Myrcene has a more earthy, musky and herby smell. Myrcene is a powerful anti-oxidant which may help with treatment of insomnia, pain, and inflammation.
Terpenes in Good Herb Soda
Terpenes aren't used in their sodas only for their smell & aroma, but also their therapeutic effects. There are many known emotional and physical benefits that can come from inhaling, apply to the skin, or consuming certain terpenes.
Good Herb Soda is excellent as either a stand-alone wellness product or as an add-on to get more from your other cannabis products. We like to think of it as "rudder," whereby the terpenes are what guide your experience and the cannabinoids such as THC & CBD are what give you the thrust.
Here's what the two flavours do:
- InZone soda can provide you with the experience of focus and concentration during activities such as running, hiking, yoga or creative pursuits.
- Unwind soda can aid in relaxing both your mind and body after work, after workouts or whenever you feel like chilling out.
Good Herb Soda - A non-alcoholic range of terpene infused sparkling sodas. Carefully blended with a selection of natural botanical terpenes, each blend has been inspired by cannabis strains and recreated using terpenes extracted from natural plants. Each drink has its own unique subtle fruit flavour made with your well being in mind.
