If you're just getting started with terpenes, odds are you're wondering how each isolate can be used. Terpene isolates can be used in hemp, CBD, and cannabis products as well as concentrates, vapes, foods, beverages, and aromatherapy infusions. This week, we're diving deeper into the pungent, musky, and earthy scented terpene isolate known as Camphene.
Camphene Isolate
Camphene is the terpene found in cannabis that smells like a wet forest. It’s pungent, earthy and musky with a delicate hint of pine. Camphene is often mistaken for Myrcene because they both smell so similar and promote many similar effects. They’re also usually found together in plants. If a plant contains Myrcene, it likely contains a small amount of Camphene, too.
Camphene terpenes haven’t been researched to the same degree that most of the other terpenes we’ve covered in this series have been. In fact, while it’s a common component of many foods and spices, no scientific studies have been conducted on Camphene with humans. However, it has been tested both in vitro (on lab rats) and in vivo (in living cells). Keep this in mind when considering using camphene terpenes as a supplement. Always talk to your doctor before beginning any regimen with terpene isolates.
While very little scientific study is available, we do know that Camphene terpenes emit acrid smoke and are likely the culprit when it comes to coughing heavily from smoking a cannabis strain or sage. It also burns well (in fact, it was highly explosive) and was used as lamp fuel before kerosene became the go-to lamp oil. It also makes an appearance in many fragrances, foods, oils, and topical creams today.
Camphene is completely safe to ingest in small concentrations and can be found in many earthy plants, herbs, and spices like rosemary, valerian, ginger, and pine. You should avoid strains high in camphene terpenes though. The acrid smoke can be dangerous in high concentrations.
All in all, there are many therapeutic uses surrounding camphene terpenes in small doses. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about the benefits and uses of Camphene terpenes.
Benefits of Camphene Terpenes
Camphene has been tested in a few animal models and cell cultures. Like most terpenes, Camphene is also antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal in nature. In fact, Camphene inhibits the growth of both bacteria and yeasts, according to this study.
Within the body, it promotes a number of health benefits and therapeutic effects. Two studies have shown that Camphene terpenes act as a powerful antioxidant. In the first study conducted in 2009, Camphene was shown to reduce oxidative stress and treat inflammation. The second study was conducted on mice in 2012. It pointed to antioxidant properties in camphene since mice treated with Camphene were able to more effectively manage free radicals in the body than the untreated controls.
In a similar study with rats, Camphene showed promise in treating and regulating conditions of the heart. Evidence suggests that Camphene terpenes help reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, which are the two most common contributors to heart disease. This evidence shows promise in the battle against heart disease in humans.
In another rodent model, scientists tested Camphene and other terpenes on the effects of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. It showed that terpenes can reduce inflammation and the release of apoptotic proteins. The evidence suggests that Camphene may help prevent kidney stones in rats.
Last of all is the effect camphene terpenes seem to have on pain and inflammation. The 2012 study we mentioned earlier showed that rats pretreated with Camphene terpenes showed significantly fewer signs of pain than the untreated control rats.
While there are a handful of studies, further study, including tests on human subjects, are necessary to prove the effectiveness of Camphene terpenes on the physical body. Anecdotal evidence and user reviews suggest that it promotes an alertness-boosting and energizing effect on people, but outside of that we know very little about Camphene terpenes.
Natural Sources of Camphene
Camphene terpenes are often mistaken for Myrcene terpenes as they’re similar in structure, aroma, and effects. Camphene can be found in cannabis strains that contain higher concentrations of Myrcene terpenes, such as Ghost OG, Strawberry Banana, and Mendocino Purps. It can also be found in many herbs and spices, like Nutmeg, Ginger, Rosemary, Dill, Fennel, and Turmeric. If a plant smells earthy, piney, or musty, odds are it contains both Myrcene and Camphene terpenes.
While there are many natural sources of Camphene terpenes, it can also be synthesized from Pinene terpenes. Pinene is a terpene that occurs a lot more frequently in nature than Camphene, so it’s usually produced for industrial uses when scientists rearrange the atoms in pinene to create camphene in a process known as catalytic isomerization.
TLDR; Camphene Terpene Benefits
Antibacterial
Antiviral
Antimicrobial
Antifungal
Antibiotic
Antioxidant
Anti-inflammatory
Reduces cholesterol
Reduces triglycerides
Reduces pain
May help prevent kidney stones
Common Uses for Camphene Terpenes
Whether through your favorite fruits and herbs or through a diffuser, Camphene isolate smells and tastes great and works wonders within your body.
Camphene terpenes can be safely added to all sorts of products to encourage focus and energy as well as a host of potential health benefits. It can safely be eaten, drank, infused, and inhaled with a little bit of mixing. It can also be used to improve cannabis products like vapes and concentrates that may have lost cannabinoid potency or terpene content during extraction
Add Camphene terpenes to foods and beverages to enjoy the anti-inflammatory, pain-reducing and energizing properties within the whole body. A few drops of Camphene terpenes in your favorite foods or beverages adds an alertness-improving flavor that can help you fight infections and keep your heart healthy.
Add Camphene terpenes to essential oil diffusers and aromatherapy infusions to enjoy a powerful earthy scent reminiscent of pine needles and damp earth -- just like the forest! It promotes long-lasting energy and helps kill airborne bacteria, viruses, microbes, and fungal spores.
Add Camphene terpenes to concentrates and hemp oils made from strains with higher Camphene content like ACDC, Banana Kush, and OG Kush. Camphene terpenes can make them smell and taste better and boost the potency of THC/CBD effects.
Just keep in mind that not all terpenes are created equal. Different terpenes will always have different effects, but they're not all made the same. We know you have a choice when it comes to terpene providers, but no other choice comes close to our level of quality.
At Peak Supply Co, our Camphene Terpene Isolates are extracted from all-natural food-grade fruit, flower, and nut oils in our state-of-the-art facility. With our proprietary extraction and refinement method, we remove plant materials and any leftover impurities, leaving behind the purest terpene isolates on the market. Best of all, we even offer sample packs so you can try them all.