Medical terpenes are a type of compound derived from plants. They’re used in many ways—from helping regulate mood to improving heart health.
Plants naturally produce terpenes, and they help give them their unique smell and taste. They’re why orange peels, pine trees, and lavender flowers have distinct aromas. They also have a variety of therapeutic uses, including the ability to reduce inflammation, calm anxiety, and protect the body from stress.
If you’re interested in the other effects they provide, below is a list that tackles the benefits of terpenes and the information you need to know.
Benefits of Medical Terpenes
1. Pain reliever
Medical terpenes are a relatively new form of pain relief. Terpenes such as linalool, β-myrcene, limonene, and α-pinene have anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects, which play a role in pain management.
Medical terpenes tend to be either synthetic or natural, unlike other pain relievers. They’re both organic and synthetic, making them unique in medicine.
They work by binding themselves to certain receptors in your body and preventing them from sending signals to your brain. The result is relief from pain without side effects like drowsiness or dizziness.
2. Anti-allergy components
Medical terpenes have been shown to have anti-allergy effects. These compounds are found in plants and have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Recent studies have shown that medical terpenes can also be used to treat allergies and asthma.
3. Anticancer treatment
Medical terpenes have several uses in the medical field, but an anticancer agent is one of their most exciting applications.
When it comes to treating cancer, there are two main approaches: chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Terpenes are effective alternatives to traditional treatments for cancer. Terpenes work by inhibiting enzymes that promote tumor growth, which can help prevent cancer from spreading throughout the body without damaging healthy cells.
4. Diabetes treatment
Medical terpenes are a very effective way to treat diabetes. They’ve only recently been recognized as a potential treatment for diabetes and have become known to help reduce inflammation, a key factor in the development of diabetes. Additionally, terpenes are known for their ability to regulate blood glucose levels.
5. Good for heart health and cardiovascular diseases
Medical terpenes are good for heart health and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases due to their high concentration of antioxidants, which help mitigate a heart attack’s effects.
They also help to prevent or reduce blood clot risks, which can lead to strokes. Medical terpenes’ weight-loss benefits help prevent hypertension and lower cholesterol levels.
Conclusion
Whether or not you use medical terpenes, it’s important to know their existence. Whole-plant extracts can be an excellent source of synergistic effects and are certainly worthy of consideration before turning to pharmaceuticals.
They may prove to be a viable alternative to harmful synthetic drugs, and as this exciting new industry grows, you’ll learn more about how these compounds affect your health differently.
If you intend on using whole plant extracts as a supplement, it’s equally important to moderate your consumption and work closely with your healthcare provider throughout the process.