What other terpenes might you find in essential oils and what are their effects on mood and cognition?

20240813 | Chat GPT| Category: wellness

Terpenes Explained

Terpenes are classified as organic compounds predominantly found in plants. They contribute to the unique aroma and flavor of different plant types, including fruits and vegetables. The effects of terpenes extend beyond mere scent; some terpenes are known to have therapeutic properties and can have an impact on our mood and cognition. Many of these terpenes are highly concentrated in essential oils, making them an effective source for reaping these benefits.

Popular Terpenes in Essential Oils

Limonene

One of the most commonly found terpenes in essential oils limonene. Often found in citrus-scented essential oils, like lemon and orange, Limonene is known to boost mood and reduce stress (Komori, Fujiwara, Tanida, Nomura, & Yokoyama, 1995).

Linalool

Linalool, commonly found in lavender oil is often used for its soothing effects and is a known anxiolytic -- reducing anxiety -- as well as a sedative (Woelk & Schläfke, 2010).

Pinene

Pinene is commonly found in conifer essential oils and rosemary. It has been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties and to help with memory retention (Ni, Yu, Bi, Ding, & Chen, 2016).

Myrcene

Myrcene, often found in essential oils like lemongrass and thyme, has been shown to have a sedative effect and is often used for its relaxing properties (do Vale, Furtado, Santos Jr, & Viana, 2002).

Conclusion

While terpenes are responsible for the unique aroma and flavor in plants, they contain numerous potential benefits for mood and cognition when heavily concentrated in essential oils. With their soothing, anti-anxiety, and memory-boosting effects, they represent a natural alternative to conventional treatments. However, more research is necessary to fully understand their potential.

References: Komori, T., Fujiwara, R., Tanida, M., Nomura, J., & Yokoyama, M. M. (1995). Effects of citrus fragrance on immune function and depressive states. Neuroimmunomodulation, 2(3), 174-180. Woelk, H., & Schläfke, S. (2010). A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder. Phytomedicine, 17(2), 94-99. Ni, X., Yu, H., Bi, A., Ding, T., & Chen, Z. (2016). Pinene inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth by inducing cell cycle arrest. Natural product research, 30(4), 464-468. do Vale, T. G., Furtado, E. C., Santos Jr, J. G., & Viana, G. S. (2002). Central effects of citral, myrcene and limonene, constituents of essential oil chemotypes from Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown. Phytomedicine, 9(8), 709-714.

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