In the ever-evolving world of cannabis, botanical-derived terpenes have emerged as one of the most intriguing elements influencing the experience, aroma, and potential benefits of cannabis products. While many people are now familiar with cannabis-derived terpenes, a new player is making waves: botanically derived terpenes, often referred to as (BDT).
These naturally extracted compounds are becoming increasingly popular in vape products, edibles, tinctures, and more. But what exactly are they, and how do they compare to their cannabis-derived counterparts?
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about BDTs, from how they’re made to why they’re used, and how to know whether they’re the right choice for you.
What are Botanical Terpenes
Botanical terpenes are terpene isolates extracted from legal plants such as cloves, citrus, lavender, and pine needles, offering a cost-effective and legal alternative to cannabis-derived terpenes. These terpenes are derived from plants that are terpene-dense, such as cannabis and industrial hemp, and can be used to produce highly purified and potent terpenes.
Botanical terpenes can be used to create terpene blends with authentic scents and aromas, recreating the scent, flavor, and effects of cannabis strains. The use of botanical terpenes is increasingly popular in the cannabis industry, with companies utilizing them to enhance the authenticity of cannabis products.
Botanical terpenes can be sourced from everyday plants and spices, making them a versatile option for manufacturers.
What Does “Botanically Derived” Mean?
When you see the term “botanically derived terpenes,” or “BDT,” it means the terpenes derived were extracted from non-cannabis plants, think citrus fruits, pine needles, rosemary, or lavender.
These botanical sources offer the same individual terpenes found in the cannabis plant but are derived from more common, often more cost-effective sources. The result is a product that smells and tastes like cannabis but isn’t sourced from the cannabis plant itself.
Because terpenes are naturally occurring aromatic compounds found in many plants, the same terpenes in cannabis, like limonene, myrcene, or pinene, are also abundant in other plants.
That’s what makes BDTs such a flexible and valuable ingredient in modern cannabis products. They provide the same familiar smells and flavors cannabis lovers know and love, without being limited to cannabis-derived sources.
Types of Terpenes
There are several types of terpenes, including botanical terpenes, cannabis-derived terpenes, and hemp-derived terpenes, each with its unique characteristics and benefits. Botanical terpenes are extracted from non-cannabis plants, while cannabis-derived terpenes are extracted directly from the cannabis plant.
Hemp-derived terpenes are extracted from industrial hemp, which is a type of cannabis plant with low THC levels. The different types of terpenes can be used to create various terpene profiles and blends, offering a range of effects and benefits.
Using these various types of terpenes is essential for manufacturers to create high-quality products that meet consumer demands.
How Are Botanically Derived Terpenes Made?
The extraction process for BDTs is precise and clean, usually involving steam distillation or cold-press extraction. Plants like lemons, oranges, lavender, or pine are used as the source, and through these processes, the volatile aromatic compounds, terpenes, are carefully pulled from the plant material.
Unlike cannabis-derived terpenes, which are extracted directly from cannabis flower, these botanical terpenes come from a wider variety of plant species, resulting in terpenes extracted through various methods.
This means producers can create blends that mirror the exact terpene profiles of popular cannabis strains, without needing to extract from cannabis itself. As a result, manufacturers can craft terpene-rich products that are both legal and accessible, especially in markets where cannabis regulation is still evolving.
How Are Botanically Derived Terpenes Used in Cannabis Products?
Botanically derived terpenes have become a staple in the cannabis industry, particularly in vape cartridges, tinctures, edibles, and topicals. They’re used to reintroduce or enhance flavor and aroma after the cannabinoids have been extracted or refined.
In addition to vape products, botanically derived terpenes are also used to enhance the flavor and aroma profile of concentrates, making them more suitable for vaping and allowing for greater innovation in product development. In vape products, for example, these terpenes play a major role in shaping the sensory experience, mimicking the smell and taste of specific cannabis strains like Sour Diesel or Jack Herer.
Beyond taste and smell, terpenes are believed to play a supporting role in the entourage effect, working alongside cannabinoids to potentiate the overall experience. For this reason, adding botanical terpenes to isolate or distillate-based products can help recreate the complexity of full-spectrum cannabis.
Common Botanical Sources of Terpenes
You’ve probably encountered botanically derived terpenes before—possibly without realizing it. These botanicals are extracted from a wide variety of plants, including:
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Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and limes, which are rich in limonene.
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Pine trees and pine needles, which are loaded with pinene.
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Lavender, a common source of calming linalool.
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Rosemary and basil, known for containing myrcene.
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Nutmeg and cumin, used for their unique earthy terpenes.
These sources make botanical terpenes highly scalable and sustainable, especially compared to cannabis-derived terpenes, which are more expensive and harder to produce in large quantities.
Why Use Bonaically Derived Terpenes?
One of the biggest advantages of BDTs is their accessibility. Because they come from a wide variety of plants, they can be produced at a lower cost and in larger quantities than cannabis-derived terpenes. This helps keep final product costs down while still delivering a terpene profile that mimics cannabis.
Additionally, botanical terpenes are legal under federal law when derived from non-cannabis plants, making them ideal for hemp-based products. Additionally, botanical terpenes are known for their potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can enhance the overall therapeutic effects of cannabis products.
For companies working with industrial hemp, they provide a way to infuse flavor and aroma legally and effectively. From a consumer standpoint, they deliver consistency and familiarity, often used to recreate the distinct terpene profiles of popular cannabis strains.
Botanical vs. Cannabis-Derived Terpenes: What’s the Difference?
The primary difference lies in the source. Cannabis-derived terpenes come from the cannabis plant, while botanically derived terpenes come from other plants that naturally produce the same compounds.
Chemically, these terpenes are identical, but some argue that the slight variations in accompanying compounds or the exact terpene spectrum from cannabis-derived extracts make a difference in effect.
Cannabis-derived terpenes can also carry trace cannabinoids and other minor compounds, which may contribute to a more nuanced entourage effect, leading to the ongoing debate of terpenes vs botanical-derived terpenes. However, for many users, the difference is negligible, especially when botanical blends are carefully crafted to replicate the original strain profiles.
Do Botanically Derived Terpenes Work the Same as Cannabis Terpenes?
BDT’s offer the same aromatic and flavor-enhancing properties as those derived from cannabis. In terms of chemical structure and how they interact with the body, they’re virtually identical. That means they can still help potentiate cannabinoids and contribute to the entourage effect when used in full-spectrum products.
However, since cannabis-derived terpenes may include tiny amounts of cannabinoids or other plant-specific compounds, some users feel they offer a more “authentic” cannabis experience with specific effects such as relaxation or euphoria. For most people, especially in hemp-derived THC products, BDTs offer a satisfying, cost-effective, and legal alternative with consistent results.
Therapeutic Benefits of Terpenes
Terpenes have been found to have various therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective effects. Specific terpenes, such as myrcene and linalool, have been shown to have potent therapeutic effects, including reducing anxiety and stress.
The entourage effect, which occurs when multiple terpenes and cannabinoids interact, could possibly enhance the therapeutic benefits of terpenes. Terpenes can also potentiate cannabinoids, increasing their effectiveness and providing a more comprehensive therapeutic experience.
Further research is needed to fully understand the therapeutic benefits of terpenes, but current studies suggest that they have significant potential for various applications.
The Entourage Effect
The entourage effect refers to the interaction between multiple terpenes and cannabinoids, which can enhance the potential therapeutic benefits and effects of cannabis products. This effect occurs when the different compounds work together to produce a more powerful impact on the body than any single compound could alone.
The entourage effect is thought to be responsible for the unique effects of different cannabis strains, which can vary significantly depending on their terpene and cannabinoid profiles.
Understanding the entourage effect is essential for manufacturers to create products that provide a consistent and effective experience for consumers. Further research is needed to fully understand the entourage effect and its implications for the development of cannabis products.
Pro's of Botanically Derived Terpenes
Botanically derived terpenes have carved out a solid place in the cannabis industry for good reason. They offer a lot of advantages, especially for hemp THC brands and consumers looking for consistency, accessibility, and flavor customization.
One of the biggest pros is that these terpenes are extracted from non-cannabis plants like citrus fruits, pine trees, lavender, and rosemary, which makes them easier and more cost-effective to produce at scale. Because they’re molecularly identical to the terpenes found in the cannabis plant, they can still deliver the same taste and aromatic experience when properly formulated. That’s a big win for cannabis products like vape carts, tinctures, and edibles, where flavor and aroma matter just as much as potency.
Another benefit is that botanical terpenes are often more widely available and easier to standardize. This means producers can dial in the exact terpene profile they want, batch after batch, without the variability that sometimes comes with cannabis-derived sources, allowing for the creation of many distinct terpene profiles. It also opens the door for more creative formulations, where specific terpenes can be added to enhance the flavor or effects of other cannabinoids.
Cons of Botanically Derived Terpenes
That said, BDT’s do have a few potential drawbacks. While they may replicate the individual terpenes found in cannabis, they don’t necessarily capture the full spectrum of minor compounds and nuanced complexity that cannabis-derived terpenes can offer.
Some consumers, especially connoisseurs who enjoy full-spectrum cannabis flower, argue that botanical terpenes fall a bit short when it comes to replicating the rich, layered aroma and experience of the cannabis plant itself.
Additionally, not all BDT blends are created equal. Some may come from synthetic sources or can be overly simplified, which can lead to harsh flavors or an unbalanced experience, making it crucial to distinguish between natural and synthetic terpenes. That’s why it’s important to buy from a trusted online retailer like Everyday Delta, which only carries brands that are transparent about their terpene sources and extraction process.
In short, botanical terpenes offer excellent versatility and accessibility for a wide range of cannabis products. But like anything in this industry, the quality and experience come down to the details, what’s in your product, how it was made, and whether it aligns with your preferences as a consumer.
Should You Choose Products with Botanically Derived Terpenes?
If you’re looking for reliable flavor, legal peace of mind, and consistent quality, then yes, products with BDTs are a great choice. They’re especially popular in hemp-based THC products, which rely on botanical terpenes to replicate cannabis experiences without crossing legal lines.
Whether you’re exploring Delta 8 edibles, Delta 9 vapes, or broad-spectrum tinctures, these terpenes offer a flavorful and aromatic way to enhance your cannabis journey, without requiring the use of cannabis-derived ingredients.
What to Know Before You Buy
Before adding a product made with botanically derived terpenes (BDT) to your cart, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First and foremost, transparency matters. Reputable cannabis brands, especially those in the hemp space, should clearly label whether their products use cannabis-derived terpenes or BDT.
This helps you understand not only the source of the aromatic compounds but also what kind of experience you can expect. If you’re after a product that mirrors the flavor and aroma of cannabis flower but want to stay on the right side of federal law, BDTs are an excellent option.
It’s also helpful to know that while the same terpenes can be extracted from non-cannabis plants, their effectiveness may vary slightly depending on how they’re blended, as research into terpenes is still in the early stages. Not all terpene blends are created equal.
Look for products from brands that highlight their terpene profiles and explain how those specific terpenes interact with cannabinoids. A carefully curated blend of derived terpenes can make a world of difference in flavor and overall enjoyment.