What does “Terpene” mean?

An aromatic compound found in many plants, responsible for characteristic smells — including those of cannabis.

Terpene in plain English

An aromatic compound found in many plants, responsible for characteristic smells — including those of cannabis.

Terpenes are not unique to cannabis; the same compounds occur in citrus peel, pine, lavender and many culinary herbs, often at comparable concentrations.

They are widely claimed to shape the effects of a cannabis-based medicine. Most supporting work is in cells or animals at concentrations far above realistic human exposure, and no controlled trial has shown that varying terpene content changes clinical outcomes.

Frequently asked questions

What does terpene mean?

An aromatic compound found in many plants, responsible for characteristic smells — including those of cannabis.

Sources and further reading

Every factual statement on this page is drawn from the following public sources. Links open in a new tab and are not affiliated with Flora House.

  1. NICE guideline NG144: Cannabis-based medicinal products
  2. NHS: Medical cannabis (and cannabis oils)
  3. MHRA: The supply, manufacture, importation and distribution of unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use

Patient guide · Written by the Flora House editorial team · Last reviewed: 8 September 2026