If you’re a terpene product retailer, it’s essential and strategic for your business to be aware of all the different kinds of terpene products available on the market. Being familiar with all these products allows you to market your stock more effectively to your buyers.
Of the products available, you may have seen something labeled as “botanical terpenes.” If you’re confused and wondering how there’s a different distinction when all plants are botanicals, the answer is no, not all plants are botanicals.
Here’s a guide on botanically-derived terpenes, what they are, where to get them, and if they’re safe for you and your customers.
What are Botanical Terpenes?
Botanical terpenes are terpenes derived from non-cannabis plants. These plants include grapefruits, oranges, basil, rosemary, and roses. Some sellers often compare botanical terpenes with cannabis-derived terpenes because botanicals can mimic the latter’s natural flavors and aromas.
These terpenes contribute to the Entourage Effect, which enhances the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids. Certain plants hold stronger terpenes than others, so anyone looking for a particular compound can look for the specific plant to extract the terpene they need.
Are Botanical Terpenes Safe?
Since sellers extract botanical terpenes from nature, they are generally safe for human consumption. There are also no significant concerns regarding quality and taste since they typically add the same quantity as cannabis-derived terpenes. It’s also essential to remember that the benefits you can get from botanical terpenes are the same as from another source. This is because producers can isolate the same compound from different types of plants.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deems most terpenes safe. However, there are still some safety practices that manufacturers need to adhere to when creating their products. Most manufacturers, like Medical Terpenes, employ standardization processes when creating formulas to ensure quality, safety, and consistency. Medical Terpenes’ products are botanically derived and have no adverse effects on your health.
How Do Botanical Terpenes Differ from Cannabis-Derived Terpenes?
There are differences between botanical terpenes and terpenes from native plants. These can affect how people view their value, marketability, and price.
1. Flavor and aroma
Manufacturers make products using terpenes to smell and taste like their source. On the other hand, manufacturers can mimic a particular native plant’s flavor and aroma using a combination of botanical terpenes. To achieve this, they need to know the specific concentrations of terpenes in the native plant.
Manufacturers can analyze a particular strain in a laboratory to recreate the taste and smell of what their customer is seeking.
2. Extraction process
Sellers typically derive botanical terpenes after the plants go through a distillation process. One of these methods is steam distillation, which many use to extract essential oils. On the other hand, the other source of terpenes has several methods, such as hydrocarbon extraction, hash washing, and carbon dioxide extraction.
Because botanical terpenes have a standard extraction method, it requires less study and legwork than using different techniques to maximize the quantity of terpenes derived from native plants. It’s also more cost-efficient.
3. Ideal applications
Terpenes extracted from cannabis tend to contain a psychoactive component that induces specific effects. People chasing after those effects use these terpenes since the taste and smell are close to their source. While many products contain terpenes, some are dermal irritants, making them unsuitable for topical applications.
Botanical terpenes don’t contain psychoactive components due to their sources. They’re also ingredients for different items, though you should watch out for certain terpenes when purchasing a topical product.
4. Cost
Botanical terpenes are typically more cost-effective because they’re more widely available than the other source. They also have one conventional extraction method, which can cut labor and operation costs.
On the other hand, growing and extracting terpenes from native plants is more costly because even the same plant can have different concentrations depending on its environment. Depending on the type of plant, a manufacturer may need to employ other processes before they can adequately extract the terpenes.
5. Availability
The sources for botanical terpenes are fruits, vegetables, and other plants that are not only legal but are more generally available. You can find them in farmers’ markets or supermarkets and use multiple sources for a particular terpene.
On the other hand, because native plants are more challenging to grow, they’re more difficult to obtain. It’s also important to note that plants containing more than 0.3% of a particular substance are illegal, so supply is even more limited.
It’s Time to Go Non-Native
Terpenes have various sources, though their concentrations and classifications may differ. If you’re selling terpenes products, it’s worth looking into botanical terpenes. Their sources are legal and more available, the extraction process is more cost-effective, and they can deliver the same smell and aroma as native plants.
