Want to boost the soothing, pain-relieving properties of your products?
Learn aboutthehealth benefits of Beta-caryophyllene your brand should betaking advantage of!
What if we told you one of the Beta-Caryophyllene benefits might have something to do with Wolverine from X-Men? Ok, maybe you won’t sprout adamantium from your knuckles, but it may make your bones stronger! In fact, beta-caryophyllene has several health benefits that you can use to infuse your products with soothing properties.
This terpene has been used for centuries for its pain-relieving and antimicrobial properties, but today we’re taking a closer look. Keep reading for 7 health benefits your brand should definitely be using!
Reading Time - 6 min
We know you’re busy, so here’s the short and sweet of what we’ll be talking about today:
- Beta-caryophyllene is a terpene with a spicy, woodsy smell.
- It’s found in black pepper, clove oil, basil, hops, rosemary, and cinnamon.
- This terpene is a powerful anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibacterial.
- Beta caryophyllene may improve your moodand possibly help prevent osteoporosis as well.
- Some research indicates thatcaryophyllene may protect against certain neurodegenerative diseases and cancers.
- On top of its pain-relieving properties, studies have shown that beta-caryophyllene may even extend lifespan!
- The unique aroma and properties of beta caryophyllenecan be utilized as a food additive, in cosmetics, creams, toothpaste, and other commercial products.
What is Beta-Caryophyllene?
Honestly, your brand cannot afford to ignore beta caryophyllene terpenes. But if you're still asking yourself, "what is beta-caryophyllene," here’s a rundown of the hard science:
Beta-Caryophyllene is a chemical compound in the terpene family. Terpenes are common compounds found in plants that are responsible for distinct aromas and flavors in your favorite essential oils. Each one also produces specific health benefits. Chemical building blocks called isoprenes make up terpenes, and bicyclic sesquiterpenes, like this one, have three isoprene building block units.
We have Beta-Caryophyllene to thank for the spicy, peppery taste of black pepper and the woodsy smell of plants and oils like clove oil, copaifera oil, basil, hops, oregano, lavender, rosemary, and true cinnamon.
People who research ways to make stronger cannabis products with specific health benefits think terpenes like Beta-caryophyllene may also act together with cannabinoid chemicals in a process known as the entourage effect (1). This effect describes when two chemicals act together to produce a chemical effect stronger than either chemical alone.
How the Health Benefits of Beta-Caryophyllene Work
See, your endocannabinoid system helps regulate various physiological and mental functions in your body. Two main cannabinoid receptors make this happen:
The CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Doctors say Beta-caryophyllene acts as a dietary cannabinoid because it binds to CB2 receptors to help provide therapeutic benefits for conditions like inflammation, pain, and osteoporosis (2).
Want specifics? Here’s how beta-caryophyllene benefits can supercharge your products to provide your loyal customers with the health benefits they’re looking for.
Beta-Caryophyllene Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Scientists found beta-caryophyllene reduced inflammation in the brain and reduced chemicals that cause oxidative stress associated with inflammation (3). These anti-inflammatory properties may also help protect the brain from swelling and inflammation during a stroke to improve stroke outcomes. Plus, you can help protect your gut, as treatment with beta-caryophyllene helped reduce gut inflammation in mouse models (4).
Beta-Caryophyllene has Antibacterial & Antimicrobial Properties
Your partner probably doesn’t appreciate your morning breath or germ-covered hands. Luckily, studies suggest beta-caryophyllene helps fight bacterial dental plaque build-up (5). This makes it a potential naturally-derived alternative to typical medications like chlorhexidine that often require a prescription.
Plus, it helped reduce microorganisms like Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, and E. coli - each of which can cause nasty infections and illness (6).
Beta-Caryophyllene May Improve Your Moods
Think happy thoughts... with some help from beta-caryophyllene!
That’s what the research suggests, anyway. In one study, mice treated with 50mg/kg of the terpene showed decreased numbers on tests measuring anxiety, depression, and compulsive activity (7). Harnessing this power for humankind offers exciting possibilities for natural alternatives to potentially addictive anxiolytics and antidepressants.
Beta-Caryophyllene May Help Prevent Osteoporosis
We’ve heard often enough about getting calcium and vitamin D to prevent diseases like osteoporosis that weaken the bones. But studies suggest β-caryophyllene may work as a therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. The theory is that it accomplished that by increasing the building (mineralization) of stronger bones while decreasing their breakdown (adipogenesis and osteoclastogenesis) (8).
Ok, you’ve got us-we’re not saying you’ll end up with an adamantium skeleton like Wolverine (too bad, right?). But the results are promising for beta-caryophyllene as an ingredient to potentially help prevent reduced bone density.
Beta-Caryophyllene May Protect Against Diseases like Cancer, Alzheimer's Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis
Cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Multiple Sclerosis are some of the most confusing, frustrating, and heartbreaking conditions to suffer from.
However, studies suggest beta-Caryophyllene reduces inflammation associated with multiple sclerosis and immune system dysfunctions (9). It also shows potent anti-cancer properties, slowing cancer cell growth (10). Beta-Caryophyllene reduces the inflammatory and plaque buildup associated with the PPAR pathway in Alzheimer's disease (11).
Beta-Caryophyllene May Relieve Pain
Look out, chronic pain!
Studies show this terpene may help provide reduce pain relating to the nervous system (12). Plus, beta-caryophyllene helps provide topical pain relief in creams and ointments because it acts as a local anesthetic (13).
Plus, here’s some good news for those worried about opioid addiction. Beta caryophyllene may help relieve pain by releasing the same endorphins morphine does (14). This enhances the effects of morphine, potentially allowing for treatments using lower doses of the opioid.
Beta-Caryophyllene Could Extend Your Lifespan
How’s that for a final health benefit?
Scientists tested Beta-Caryophyllene on a mouse model system made of worms and saw it increased the worms' lifespans by over 22% (15). The study suggests this terp reduces free radical levels, maintains cellular homeostasis, modulates feeding behavior, and regulates body size effectively to increase longevity.
Potential Beta-Caryophyllene Side Effects
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers Beta-Caryophyllene safe for consumption, even at high doses (16). Like many natural compounds, it may be a mild skin irritant if used improperly or for those who are allergic or have sensitive skin. Follow the instructions and you’re good to go.
How Can Your Brand Use Beta-Caryophyllene?
Due to beta caryophyllene benefits, smell, taste, and its ability to act as a dietary cannabinoid, studies suggest you can use beta-caryophyllene as a flavoring agent or food additive. On top of that, it can even be used in cosmetics, creams, toothpaste, and other commercial products to enhance their therapeutic effects.(17)
The Future of Beta-Caryophyllene Benefits is Bright
If your brand has been sleeping on this terpene, you’re missing out! Beta-caryophyllene has an impressive list of benefits, from relieving pain and reducing inflammation, to possibly extending your lifespan. We don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty dang amazing to us!
Contact us today to talk about how you can start using this terpene in your products. And don’t forget to follow us on social media for all the latest updates!
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