Sesquiterpene Lactones

Sesquiterpene lactones are a diverse group of naturally occurring plant compounds belonging to the larger terpenoid family. They are particularly common in plants belonging to the Asteraceae family, which includes dandelions, sunflowers, boneset, yarrow and many other flowering plants.

Thousands of different sesquiterpene lactones have been identified throughout the plant kingdom. Plants produce these compounds partly as natural chemical defences against insects, microorganisms and other environmental pressures.

For the Wellness Profiles, sesquiterpene lactones are interesting because researchers continue to investigate their relationships with inflammation, cellular signalling, oxidative stress, antimicrobial activity and other biological processes.

Much of this research remains laboratory, animal or preclinical research. Finding a sesquiterpene lactone in a plant does not mean that eating or drinking that plant will produce a particular medical effect.

What Are

Farnesene

Category: Terpenoids & Volatile Oils
Compound Type: Sesquiterpene

Farnesene refers to a group of naturally occurring volatile compounds belonging to the sesquiterpene family. The two main forms are α-farnesene (alpha-farnesene) and β-farnesene (beta-farnesene), with several structural forms occurring naturally.

Farnesenes are produced by many plants and contribute to aroma, plant defence, chemical communication and interactions with insects. β-Farnesene is particularly interesting because one form, (E)-β-farnesene, also functions as an alarm pheromone in many aphid species.

From a health and wellness perspective, farnesene is an interesting plant compound, but research into its direct effects in humans remains limited. Much of the available evidence comes from laboratory studies, animal research or studies of essential oils and plant extracts containing farnesene alongside many other compounds.

🌿 Potential Health & Wellness Interest

Anti-Inflammatory Research

Farnesene has bee

Ocimene

What Is Ocimene?

Ocimene is a naturally occurring monoterpene, a type of volatile organic compound produced by many plants. It contributes to the aroma of herbs, flowers, fruits, and other vegetation and is often associated with sweet, fresh, green, floral, and herbaceous scents.

The term ocimene can refer to several closely related compounds, including α-ocimene and β-ocimene. β-Ocimene can occur in different forms, including (E)-β-ocimene and (Z)-β-ocimene.

Ocimene is particularly interesting because its role extends beyond aroma. Plants can release β-ocimene as part of their natural chemical communication systems, including interactions involving insects, pollinators, neighbouring plants, and environmental stresses.

For the Wellness Profiles, ocimene provides another example of how the natural aromas produced by plants are connected to complex plant chemistry.

🌿 Ocimene and Health & Wellness

Research into ocimene itself is still developing. Compared with better-studied plant

Citral

Citral is a naturally occurring aromatic plant compound belonging to the monoterpene aldehydes, part of the larger family of terpenoids and volatile plant compounds.

It is best known for contributing a strong, fresh lemon-like aroma to many plants. Citral is particularly abundant in plants such as lemongrass, but it can also occur in smaller or more variable amounts in other aromatic herbs, including Sweet Basil.

Citral is actually a mixture of two closely related compounds:

• Geranial (Citral A) – generally associated with a stronger, sharper lemon aroma.
• Neral (Citral B) – generally has a softer, sweeter citrus aroma.

Together, geranial and neral are commonly referred to as citral.

Citral is interesting from a health and wellness perspective because researchers have investigated its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, much of this research comes from laboratory and animal studies, so potential therapeutic effects should not automatically be in