Terpene temperature chart: Are you creating your own terpene mixtures? Or do you just love using terpenes in your daily life?
One of the many benefits of terpenes is that you can easily customize them to suit your needs and preferences. Some even mix different terpenes to take advantage of their combined effects, known as the “entourage effect.” Numerous studies have pointed to terpenes’ potential health benefits, whether to help stressed individuals relax or dispirited individuals improve their mood.
An effective way to get the most out of these aromatic compounds is to enjoy them at specific temperatures. The right heat setting can often boost their smell and effects. But, the wrong heat evaporates them quickly and can even damage their molecular structures.
Since they’re so sensitive to heat, familiarizing yourself with the temperatures at which they boil and vaporize is important to avoid ruining your mixtures. Check out the terpene temperature chart below for a quick run-through of their vaporization points and what they’re best known for.
Why Does Temperature Matter When it Comes to Terpenes?
Terpenes tend to be sensitive to heat; at a specific temperature, some terpenes may begin to break down, turn into gas, and disappear, considerably affecting their taste, scent, and effect. Certain terpenes begin to evaporate at temperatures as low as 70°F while others vaporize at around 100°F.
Hence, you need to pay attention to its heat to maximize your enjoyment of terpenes, whether for aromatherapy or cooking with terpenes.
Paying attention to the temperature terpenes experience is also crucial if you intend to extract the substance from plants. Terpene extraction processes such as hydrodistillation and mechanical extraction will typically subject terpenes to high temperatures, and too much heat can damage and dull them.
A terpene temperature chart is convenient if you often work with various terpenes. That said, it also helps to have basic knowledge about the most popular terpenes and their respective vaporization points.
13 Common Terpenes and Their Vaporization Temperatures
Regardless of how many terpenes you use, heating them past their vaporization temperature would make them useless. If you want to explore heating and mixing terpenes, keep reading to learn more about their vaporization temperatures and beneficial effects.
1. Pinene
Vaporizes at: 155°C – 156°C (311°F – 312°F)
The name Pinene hints at its scent: like a pine tree. This terpene is abundant in the forest; you can find them in pine needles, parsley, rosemary, basil, and even orange peels. Since it’s so abundant, it’s one of the most popular terpene products you can find.
Terpene enthusiasts know that pinene offers numerous benefits to users. Studies suggest that it can have numerous cognitive and mental benefits, especially for those suffering from anxiety and insomnia.
One potential benefit is that it can help calm and relax the user, which is ideal for those suffering from anxiety.
2. Linalool
Vaporizes at: 198°C (388.4°F)
If you’ve visited a spa, sauna, or therapeutic facility, you will have encountered linalool.
Many recreational centers use this terpene because it’s so soothing; many have found that it can relieve anxiety and manage inflammation and pain. Moreover, as one study noted, it also has antimicrobial properties, which could help to prevent microorganisms from growing in your body.
You can naturally find linalool from lavender, flowers, birch bark, and other spice plants.
3. Myrcene
Vaporizes at: 166-168°C (330.8°F – 334.4°F)
You can recognize myrcene‘s sweet and earthy smell in most commercially available strains. As one study points out, it’s well-known for its potentially anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. But that isn’t all it can do.
Many enthusiasts enjoy using myrcene because it can also act as a sedative and relaxant. These additional benefits could make it a great terpene to use if you suffer from insomnia or anxiety.
4. Limonene
Vaporizes at: 177°C (350.6°F)
Enthusiasts typically source limonene from citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges. However, you can also find this zesty terpene in spices, including chamomile, ginger, and rosemary. Many know limonene because it can help elevate their mood and overall well-being. These effects could also mean that it can contribute to relieving stress and anxiety.
Besides its mental and emotional benefits, studies on mice have found that it can potentially improve your heart health and reduce gastrointestinal problems, such as ulcers.
5. Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP)
Vaporizes at: 119°C (246.2°F)
Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is an aromatic, peppery terpene in rosemary, clove oil, black pepper, cinnamon, and hops. Its special molecular structure makes it easy to work with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), allowing users to enjoy its effects.
The ECS modulates mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and depression. As a study suggests, given that BSP can work with the ECS, it can potentially help users suffering from depression. BSP is also known to benefit liver, kidney, and brain health.
6. Humulene
Vaporizes at: 125°C (257°F)
It’s difficult to miss the smell of humulene because it has a unique, spicy, and woody scent akin to ginseng and ginger. You can find this terpene in different spices and herbs, such as basil, black pepper, coriander, and sage. It’s also found in hops, a common ingredient in beer.
Humulene is a promising terpene because recent studies point to its ability to help fight tumors and potential cancer cells. One study found that it could prevent the growth of tumors in rats; another study found that humulene in balsam fir oil can trigger reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, encouraging cancer cells to commit “cell suicide” or apoptosis.
7. Eucalyptol
Vaporizes at: 175°C (348°F)
As the terpene’s name suggests, you can primarily find eucalyptol in eucalyptus trees; these terpenes are also found in laurel, rosemary, and citrus. They have a recognizable, minty scent and a cool but spicy taste.
Research has found that eucalyptol has antibacterial properties, with one study mentioning it can be growth-inhibiting for certain bacteria, including E. coli and S. aureus. It can also help the skin absorb topical products better, potentially making oils and lotions more effective.
8. Para-Cymene
Vaporizes at: 177°C (350.6°F)
Para-cymene is terpene in many food-based plants, such as orange juice, tangerine, carrots, and grapefruit. It has citrussy, earthy, and woody aromatic notes that make a pleasant scent.
Recent studies have found that the terpene may have shown antioxidizing properties, which means it could protect users from harmful free radicals.
9. Terpineol
Vaporizes at: 209°C – 218°C (408.2°F – 424.4°F)
Terpineol refers to four monoterpene alcohols with distinct aromas:
- Alpha-terpineol: Reported to have a lighter smell with hints of lilac and peaches
- Beta-terpineol: Said to smell like freshly-cut trees, giving it a forest-like aroma
- Gamma-terpineol: Has a reportedly citrusy smell
- Terpinen-4-ol: Has a similar woody smell to beta-terpineol but with more earthy tones
Terpineol shows promise as an immunity booster; a recent study on piglets showed that terpene decreased the rate of diarrhea and alleviated intestinal injury, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
10. Borneol
Vaporizes at: 210°C (410°F)
Those new to terpenes may easily mistake borneol for eucalyptol because they have similar scents. However, keen terpene users can easily distinguish between the two because borneol has an earthier scent than eucalyptol.
Heating borneol allows people to use terpene to protect themselves against insects. Borneol’s composition protects plants effectively since its scent is toxic to parasites and insects. According to research, borneol can fend off disease-carrying mosquitoes.
11. Pulegone
Vaporizes at: 224°C (435.2°F)
You can encounter pulegone’s minty and sweet scent in plants such as catnip and peppermint. One of pulegone’s most popular uses is as a potential anxiolytic. Studies on mice suggested it can help relieve anxiety when mixed with menthol. Another study on a similar menthol-pulegone mixture suggested that it could be anti-inflammatory in vitro while anti-hyperalgesic in vivo.
12. Citronellol
Vaporizes at: 225°C (437°F)
You can find citronellol in citronella, ginger, eucalyptus, and basil plants. Many brands use citronellol to enhance the aroma of their fragrances with a rosy scent. Businesses in the food industry have also been known to use citronellol to add flavor to their products, such as ice cream and baked goods.
Besides its attractive aroma, citronellol also carries promising potential health benefits. A study suggested its health benefits include antibacterial, antiseptic, and antidepressant.
13. Phytol
Vaporizes at: 203°C (399°F)
Phytol is commonly found in tobacco, green tea, eggplants, potatoes, and tomatoes. It has a recognizably grassy aroma and taste, which can help enhance certain food products.
Researchers studying phytol’s effects on mice suggested that it can potentially act as an anticonvulsant. The terpene was found to have an effect on the mice’s neurotransmitter system, which is responsible for enabling the body’s system to function properly.
Heat it Up (but not too much)
Heat can play a crucial role in how you enjoy your terpene products. Since you may want to experiment with the different temperatures and mixtures of terpenes, it’s best to know how much you can heat a terpene before you lose its valuable flavor, scent, and effects.
As researchers continue to discover new benefits and enthusiasts keep innovating mixtures, it’s still best to look for high-quality products when you shop for terpenes. Medical Terpenes offers top-quality terpene products that you can heat and mix to enjoy.
