Terpenes are phytochemicals that are used by plants in their primary metabolism that include hormonal, antioxidant and energy production systems. In addition to this, terpenes are used by plants for secondary functions that include important aspects of reproduction, such as the communication with insects, by attracting pollinators and repelling herbivorous predators. More than 25,000 terpenes have been identified to date and many of these may play important roles in human and animals health. Terpenes are made up of interlinked isoprenoid units and the number of these units determines their classification as hemi-, mono-, sesqui-, di-, sester-, tri-, tetra- or polyterpenes. Terpenoids are molecules with terpene moieties that are linked to other compounds from different metabolic pathways. Terpenoids also play a significant role in disease prevention in plants, being used to defend against pathogen attack. Terpenes and terpenoids are particularly concentrated in the essential oil of plants, which may explain their therapeutic effects.
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