Beneficial Terpene Effects Part 2
Staying Active – Excellent Terpenes For Mobility
As the world’s population ages, there’s never been a greater demand for mobility therapies. Thankfully, the anti-inflammatory properties found in many terpenes just might help address this global need.
Primary Terpene For Mobility
One of the most researched terpenes for mobility issues is citrusy limonene. Naturally occurring in fruits such as grapefruit and lemon, limonene is also one of the most abundant terpenes in many strains of cannabis. Although it’s most often associated with its mood-enhancing effects, Indian scientists in Chennai have shown that extracts of lemongrass significantly decreased pain levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
A team of researchers in Portugal has confirmed these findings in their own study on the effects of various terpenes on inflammation. Specifically, these Portuguese scientists were interested in how limonene, myrcene, and e-caryophyllene affect patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis. They concluded that limonene could be used as a potent anti-inflammatory agent.
Beta-Caryophellene
Both of these studies show great promise for the use of limonene in the treatment of issues like RA and osteoarthritis, but other terpenes also have impressive anti-inflammatory benefits. For instance, another study out of India found that arthritic rats exposed to the spicy terpene beta-caryophyllene experienced decreased swelling and pain symptomatology.
Delta-3-Carene
Yet another terpene with powerful anti-inflammatory properties is the woodsy delta-3 carene. Although little discussed nowadays, scientists have known of delta-3 carene’s incredible ability to reduce inflammation since at least the 1980s. Indeed, a study conducted out of Spain’s Granada University showed that a combination of the terpenes delta-3 carene and pinene exhibited strong anti-inflammatory abilities.
Speaking of pinene, researchers in Korea have recently suggested alpha-pinene might have such a substantial effect on the body due to its ability to reduce an inflammatory process known as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Since the less dominant beta-pinene has a very similar structure to alpha-pinene, it’s expected this terpene will have similar effects on the body.
Gamma Terpinene
But wait, there’s more! Scientists in Paraíba believe there’s great therapeutic promise for the turpentine-like terpene gamma terpinene. Like most of the terpenes listed above, gamma terpinene was proven to have an anti-inflammatory effect on a group of arthritic mice. More research is needed, however, to test how these terpenes interact with each other in patients with mobility issues.
Part 1 Beneficial Terpene Effects (Mood Support)
Part 3 Beneficial Tepene Effects (Sinus Support)