Natural Product Medicinal Value of Terpenes
Terpenes and terpenoids of many kinds are found in resinous plants such as the conifers. They are strongly aromatic and serve to repel herbivores. Their scent makes them useful in essential oils, whether for perfumes such as rose and lavender, or for aromatherapy. Some have medicinal uses: thymol is an antiseptic and was once used as a vermifuge(anti-worm medicine). Thymol is one of many terpenes found Thymus vulgaris The essential oil of common thyme (Thymus vulgaris), contains the monoterpenethymol, an antiseptic and antifungal.