Glossary
Terpenes: what they are, plus a terpenes chart
If a strain smells like lemon, pepper or pine, this page tells you which terpenes are likely behind it.
The compounds that make an orange smell like an orange or a pine forest smell like pine also show up in hemp flower and full spectrum extracts. When a hemp lab report includes a terpene panel, these are the names you will see on it. This page explains where terpenes come from, gives you a terpenes chart of the ones that turn up most often and is straight with you about what research does and does not show.
What are terpenes?
Terpenes are a large family of natural compounds built from small five-carbon units. Plants make them for their own reasons, such as attracting pollinators and keeping insects away. You meet terpenes every day in food, spices, perfume and cleaning products.
In hemp, terpenes are made in the same tiny resin glands, called trichomes, that make cannabinoids like CBD and THCA. Researchers have identified well over 100 different terpenes in the cannabis plant, but most strains are dominated by a handful of them. The mix of terpenes is a big part of why one strain smells like lemons and another smells like pepper or pine.
You may also see the word terpenoids. The two words are often used the same way. Strictly speaking, terpenoids are terpenes that have been chemically changed, for example by oxygen during drying and aging.
Terpenes chart: common hemp terpenes
This chart lists terpenes that often appear on hemp lab reports, with their aroma and other places you can find them. Amounts vary a lot from strain to strain and batch to batch, so use it as a field guide, not a promise about any one product.
| Terpene | Aroma | Also found in | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myrcene | Earthy, musky, herbal, a little fruity | Mango, hops, lemongrass, thyme | Often reported as the most abundant terpene in many strains |
| Limonene | Bright citrus | Orange and lemon peel, juniper, peppermint | Widely used as a food flavoring and fragrance |
| Beta-caryophyllene | Peppery, spicy, woody | Black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, hops | Binds to CB2 receptors in lab studies, which is rare for a terpene |
| Linalool | Floral, like lavender | Lavender, coriander, basil, birch | Common in perfumes and soaps |
| Alpha-pinene | Fresh pine needles | Pine trees, rosemary, basil, dill | One of the most widespread terpenes in the plant world |
| Humulene | Earthy, woody, hoppy | Hops, sage, cloves | Gives beer some of its hop aroma |
| Terpinolene | Fresh, piney, floral, slightly citrus | Apples, lilac, tea tree, cumin | Usually a minor terpene, but dominant in a few strains |
| Ocimene | Sweet, herbal, woody | Mint, parsley, basil, orchids | Evaporates easily, so levels drop as flower ages |
Limonene: aroma, sources and what research says about effects
Limonene is the main aroma compound in citrus peel. It is one of the most common terpenes in the world, used in food flavorings, soaps and natural cleaners. In hemp, it gives some strains a lemon or orange note.
Many people search for limonene terpene effects, and you will find bold claims online calling it uplifting or energizing. Those descriptions mostly come from aroma, marketing and personal stories. Most published research on limonene has been done in cells or animals, or with doses and methods that do not match a hemp product. No terpene in a hemp product has been shown to cause a specific effect in people, so we describe terpenes by aroma and flavor only. If you are thinking about any product for a health reason, talk to your doctor first.
Myrcene, linalool and beta-caryophyllene
Myrcene has an earthy, musky smell with a hint of ripe fruit. It is often reported as the most common terpene in many cannabis and hemp strains, and it is also found in hops and lemongrass.
Linalool is the floral terpene best known from lavender. In hemp it usually shows up in small amounts, adding a soft, flowery note to the aroma.
Beta-caryophyllene brings a peppery, spicy smell. It is interesting to scientists because lab studies show it can bind to CB2 receptors, part of the endocannabinoid system. That finding does not mean it causes any particular effect in people, and research on that question is still early.
Terpenes, strain names and indica vs. sativa
Strain names are not regulated. Two products sold under the same name can have different terpene and cannabinoid profiles, especially from different growers. A 2022 study in PLOS ONE that analyzed commercial cannabis samples from six U.S. states found that indica, sativa and hybrid labels did not reliably match the plants' chemistry. If aroma matters to you, the lab report for the batch is a better guide than the name on the jar.
Terpenes in CBD oil, flower and vapes
- Hemp flower: terpenes are naturally present. Heat, light and air break them down, so store flower in a cool, dark, airtight container.
- Full spectrum and broad spectrum extracts: some terpenes carry through extraction, though part of them is lost during processing. Some makers add terpenes back for flavor.
- CBD isolate: contains no terpenes unless they are added later.
- Vape products: terpenes are often added for flavor. They may come from hemp or from other plants, so ask what is in the product.
You can learn how these extract types differ in our guide to full spectrum vs. broad spectrum vs. isolate.
How to read terpenes on a lab report
Some lab reports include a terpene panel that lists each terpene as a percentage or in milligrams per gram. Not every lab tests for terpenes, and a potency-only report will not include them. Terpene results are also less standardized than cannabinoid results, so compare products tested by the same lab when you can. Our explainer on the certificate of analysis walks through the rest of the report.
How Tahoe CBD fits in
Terpenes are one reason full spectrum products taste and smell like hemp. Our full spectrum CBD oil keeps the natural range of hemp compounds, and our hemp flower comes in named strains with their own aromas. Lab reports are posted on our Lab Reports page when available. Ask us about any product and we will send the most recent report we have for it, including any terpene results it lists, or tell you plainly that it is not available yet. Curious about the idea that terpenes and cannabinoids work as a team? Read our take on the entourage effect.
Sources
Related terms
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