How Terpenes Help Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation, as most of us are aware, is a natural defense mechanism of our body to prevent further damage or deterioration from any arising condition.

However, in certain cases like arthritis or bowel syndrome, inflammatory conditions have worsened many times. Multiple medical studies conclude how aging also brings in its trail certain disorders that show inflammation for an ever-increasing population globally.

Among other recommendations, terpenes for inflammation are now being recommended by health experts at large. Take CBD oils for instance. They have become quite a trend for people wanting to experience the benefits of terpenes in their lives. As a matter of fact, the presence of terpenes within CBD oil along with other botanical components have worked miraculously to bring relief from inflammation, anxiety, pain, and a host of other unwanted conditions.

In this post, we take a closer look at terpenes and how they help to bring relief from inflammatory conditions.

Understanding inflammation and Terpenes

Inflammation is accompanied by a range of biochemical processes controlled wholly by gene expressions and complex signaling. For the majority of inflammatory diseases, it’s the Nuclear factor-kB (NF-kb) that functions as the chief regulator for c.

Being a protein complex, NF-kb has the power to control multiple DNA transcriptions, especially the ones that deal directly with the body’s reaction to septic, immune responses, cancer, and inflammation. So, an ideal remedy to reduce inflammation for a range of diseases is to bring down the overactive NF-kb levels. That’s basically how a common aspirin works.

Nevertheless, the challenge remains in finding a remedy that doesn’t cause any side effects for other natural responses of the human body. It is this particular area where terpenoids found within cannabis have been promising.

The primary psychoactive ingredient Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is known to many cannabis users. What remains unknown for many is the presence of non-psychoactive chemicals. One such group, the terpenoids, are different from THC or Cannabidiol (CBD). Terpenoids are found in abundance across many plants, fruits, and even in some insects. The US Food and Drug Administration calls terpenoids safe for human consumption.

Terpenes are volatile, they evaporate fast. Hence, they are the ones that are responsible for a large number of smells and flavours that we experience coming from flowers and fruits. If you go by the numbers, there are over twenty thousand such chemicals present in nature, among which two hundred exist in cannabis alone.

Since both CBD and THC cannot be differentiated by smell, the terpenoids in cannabis are what lends each of them their unique fragrance that can be either like chocolate or citrus-like fruits. Besides, their medicinal value is what makes them distinctly different and demanding.

Some of the popular cannabis terpenoids known for their medicinal properties include:

• Alpha-Pinene — A terpene that’s mostly found in conifers, and is known to be a mighty inhibitor of the NF-kB system around cells, preventing inflammation.
• Beta-Caryophyllene — A gastroprotective terpene that brings relief from symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
• Limonene — One can almost tell by its name that Limonene is all about imparting citrus flavour. Medical researches suggest the derivatives of limonene can play a significant role as an inhibitor for the proliferation of certain cancers. Linalool from the Limonene family works like a charm when topically applied for skin irritations, burns, and acne.
• Myrcene — A muscle relaxant and a sedative, Myrcene carries great inflammatory properties to significantly bring down over expressions of NF-kB, and stimulate the body to offer relief from irritation.

One must know that quite a good number of terpenoids gets destroyed while preparing an extract. Owing to their volatility, the molecules escape rapidly into the atmosphere at a temperature that supports the extraction process. The edible kinds aren’t any different which makes the case for even fewer numbers of terpenoids.

Nevertheless, it is the topical and edible options of terpenes that are likely the best route for treating inflammations.

The role of CBD

For several years, people have used cannabis to fight pain and inflammation. It’s only recently that medical science has come up with several studies to back up the idea.

Now, unlike THC in cannabis, CBD isn’t psychoactive. The terpenes present in CBD carry a natural tendency to activate both CB1 and CB2 receptors that work its way to reduce or suppress NF-kB. As the level is brought down, the bodily responses to inflammation are normalised, thus offering relief to the patient. Further, it doesn’t bring in its trail any major life-altering side effects, unlike medicinal marijuana and a whole range of other pharmaceutical drugs. CBD oils are extracted from cannabis and further diluted with a carrier like hemp or coconut oil.

Wondering where to get terpenes to use? Fret not. Terpenes for pain in the shape of CBD oils can be purchased online from reputed manufacturers and retailers. Nutura Wellness is a highly recommended manufacturer and retailer of CBD oils from Australia, known for its proprietary CB2 terpene blend– a CBD alternative wellness formula for terpene natural products like CB2 oil and CB2 hemp oils.