@unsplash

When it comes to improving your health, many different options are available. You can eat healthy foods, exercise, and take supplements. You can also use essential oils and other natural remedies. A natural remedy that you may have never heard of is terpenes.

Terpenes are a diverse group of organic compounds found in plants and fruits. They are responsible for the unique scents and flavors of various plants. Terpenes may have beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic effects. Terpenes may also help improve mood and cognitive function.

What are terpenes, and what do they do?

Leaves and flowers of plants produce terpenes in special glands on their surface. When the plant is disturbed, these glands release the terpenes into the air, providing a defense against predators and pests. Terpenes are also responsible for the distinctive aromas of many fruits and spices. For instance, the fragrant oils giving cannabis its diversity are associated with the various types of terpenes found in each strain. 

The therapeutic effects of terpenes have been known for centuries. In traditional Chinese medicine, terpenes are used to treat various conditions, including pain, inflammation, and anxiety. In the United States, terpenes are increasingly used in natural and alternative medicines.

Four benefits of terpenes that you may not know about

Terpenes have been studied extensively in scientific literature over the past few decades. Here are four known benefits of terpenes:

01

The entourage effect

The entourage effect is one of the most exciting areas of study in terpenes. The entourage effect is the synergistic interaction between different compounds in cannabis that leads to improved therapeutic effects.

02

Anti-inflammatory effects

One of the most well-known benefits of terpenes is their anti-inflammatory effects. These effects might help treat conditions like arthritis and Crohn's disease.

Terpenes may reduce inflammation by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, terpenes may have the ability to modulate the body's immune response.

03

Antioxidant effects

Another important benefit of terpenes is their ability to act as antioxidants. Terpenes scavenge damaging free radicals and help to protect cells from oxidative damage. This property of terpenes is thought to be responsible for many of the health benefits associated with them.

04

Analgesic effects

Terpenes might also have analgesic effects. This means that they may help to relieve pain. Terpenes work by modulating the body's pain response and inhibiting the activity of pain-inducing enzymes.

How to use terpenes to improve your health

You can use terpenes to improve your health in several ways; You can take them orally in foods or drinks, inhale them by vaping or aromatherapy, or apply them topically in creams. There are many different types of terpenes, each with its unique benefits. Here are some of the most popular terpenes and their effects: 

• Limonene - Limonene is a terpene found in many plants and fruits. It has various beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic effects.

• Myrcene - When consumed in large quantities, myrcene may sedate and impair locomotion. Researchers discovered that myrcene has anti-inflammatory properties in cells, as well as the ability to slow damage and disease progression. Myrcene's anti-inflammatory properties may aid in the killing of cancerous cells.

• Linalool - Linalool is a naturally occurring essential oil found in many plants and is one of the most common terpenes in cannabis and lavender. It has calming properties, making it helpful in treating depression and anxiety.

Takeaways

In closing, terpenes are generally safe for most people. However, some people may experience side effects such as skin irritation and headaches. If you experience any adverse effects, stop taking terpenes and speak to your healthcare provider. By developing your knowledge of the different terpenes available and their properties, you will be well-equipped when shopping for products that contain them. You will be able to identify the positive effects that you would like to experience and narrow down the most beneficial terpenes for you.

@unsplash

Menopause is the medical term for the season in a woman's life when she goes through hormonal changes that cause her menstrual cycle to stop. It usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen at an earlier age such as your early 40s as well.

As women age, their ovaries stop releasing eggs and producing most of their estrogen, and they go into menopause. Menopausal symptoms can include hot flashes, mood swings and anxiety, loss of libido, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, and more.

There are different stages of menopause:

• Perimenopause is also referred to as “menopause transition,” and can occur up to 10 years before menopause actually begins.

• Menopause is the halt of a woman's menstrual cycle.

• Postmenopause is considered the 10 years that follow menopause.

The symptoms of menopause are different for everyone—some women have few or no symptoms, while others have many. It is important to address your symptoms so that you are able to identify ways that can help improve your quality of life during this transition. In this article, we will discuss several ways to treat and ease the symptoms of menopause, naturally.

01

Reduce stress

Stress is a major cause of many health problems. It can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression. It is important to reduce stress as it has a major impact on our overall health. Stress also has a negative effect on the way we feel and respond. It can manifest in the body as pain and inflammation.

There are many ways to reduce stress without having to resort to medication or expensive treatments and a plethora of side effects. Some of these ways include being attentive to the foods you are consuming, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and setting aside time for self-care and wellness practices.

02

Use food as medicine

We all know that a balanced diet is important for our health, but what is the ideal diet during menopause? To properly answer this question, we must first gain awareness that, to begin with (and since birth), we have been misguided in our understanding of the ideal diet. What has been considered a balanced diet is actually not; What we are eating is having detrimental effects on our health.

In light of this, we must relearn what nutrition is and learn how to use food as medicine. By focusing on nutrient-dense whole foods, fruits, and vegetables, we can discover that in terms of regulating our health, we are more in control than we think. We can create desirable health outcomes simply by being more educated about what we are eating.

A few key factors that have been found beneficial in treating menopause-related symptoms are: avoiding high-fat or sugary foods, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and drinking plenty of water every day. You should also avoid caffeine as there has been a link between caffeine intake and hot flashes.

03

Try cannabis to ease your symptoms

A great amount of research shows that cannabis has been found to be effective in treating symptoms of menopause. In a study published in the journal, Menopause, the top three menopause-related symptoms that women prefer cannabis to help with were sleep disturbance (67.4%), mood/anxiety (46.1%), and libido (30.4%).

When deciding on cannabis to treat menopausal symptoms, it is best to consider the different characteristics of products (e.g., mode of use, cannabinoid profile) all of which can yield different results and side effects.

For instance, a sativa strain will provide different effects and modes of relief than an indica strain. It is best to do your research and learn about the vast selection of cannabis products available. You can then decide on the best mode of use and cannabinoid profile for yourself, then go from there. Feel comfortable experimenting as this is the only way that you will discover what works best for you.

04

Stay active with regular exercise

Exercise is important for your health and mental well-being. It can dramatically help you feel better while you are going through menopause.

There are many benefits of exercise during menopause, including:

• Helps with weight loss and helps the body maintain muscle mass, which can be lost during menopause.

• Promotes a healthy heart and increases blood flow to the brain.

• Makes it easier to sleep better and have more energy throughout the day.

• Promotes mood stability, reduces anxiety, and improves memory.

Takeaways

Menopause can be a time of much stress, emotion, and change—all of which are already difficult to endure without hormonal factors involved. It is important to be attentive to the changes that your body is experiencing and to know that you can successfully manage your symptoms. As women, we are always evolving, so this is another season that we must embrace. In doing so, we can equip ourselves with the knowledge of how to best care for ourselves through this process.