What Are Phytocannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids?

When it comes down to it, the cannabis plant is made up of three components. These components are thought to be the reason why you receive benefits from the cannabis plant for discomfort, mood, sleep, and more.

Those components are terpenes, flavonoids, and phytocannabinoids. Let's discuss what each is in turn.

What are Terpenes?

You may not know what terpenes are, but you would be surprised to know that you've come in contact with terpenes on many occasions.

Terpenes are a part of our daily life and can be found everywhere. For example, think of the aroma of your favorite perfume, the flowers in your garden, or the smell of fresh fruit.

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that plants create to attract or repel insects. They are responsible for all smells, from the uplifting fragrance of lilacs to the pungent scent of Marijuana which is often referred to as skunk weed.

One of the reason's that terpenes are associated with cannabis is because cannabis is known for containing a high concentration of terpenes.

Both Cannabis Sativa (Industrial Hemp) and its cousin Cannabis Indica (Marijuana) are amongst the richest terpene producing plants.

However, when the cannabis plant is dried or cured, the terpenes are altered by a chemical reaction caused by UV rays and Co2.

That chemical reaction causes terpenes to become terpenoids. To produce Full or Broad Spectrum CBD oils, the plant must be dried or cured. These types of CBD oils will contain terpenoids.

What are the benefits of Terpenes and Terpenoids?

Terpenes do not produce the "high" associated with the phytocannabinoid Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Although, some terpenes can reduce unhealthy mood symptoms, promote sleep, reduce discomfort, and more.

There are several methods to access these benefits, one being aromatherapy and the other oral application. Listed below is a list of common Terpenes and Terpenoids and their benefits. 

Common Cannabis

• Myrcene: general relaxation, reduce joint and muscle discomfort, muscle relaxation, and mood support.
• Pinene: Energy boosting, Discomfort relief, Respiratory support, Stress relief, and Improved focus.
• Linalool: Anti-microbial properties, Stressed induced Immune support, Discomfort relief, and Mood Support.

Common Cannabis Terpenoids

• Caryophyllene: Anti-microbial, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-bacterial, and Anti-oxidant properties
• Eudesmol: Fights against free radical damage
• Guaiol: Respiratory support, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial

What are Flavonoids?

Just like terpenes, you have come in contact with flavonoids on a regular basis. Flavonoids are the plant compounds that give the plant its color, attract pollinating insects, filter out UV rays, and prevent plant diseases.

There are about 6,000 flavonoids found in herbs, fruits, vegetables, and other plants types grown worldwide. There are 20 different flavonoids alone that can be found in the cannabis plant. 

What are the benefits of Flavonoids?

There is a reason an apple a day will keep the doctor away or why you have always been taught the importance of eating your fruits and veggies.

The flavonoids found in fruit, vegetables, and other plants are highly beneficial for our overall health. The different flavonoids found in each have different and distinct benefits. 

Flavonoids found in the cannabis plant offer benefits for boosting our immune system and anti-inflammatory properties.

Flavonoids play a big part in the "entourage effect." The entourage effect is when terpenes, flavonoids, and phytocannabinoids work together to improve the benefits that each has to offer.

Common Cannabis Flavonoids

• Cannflavin: Powerful Anti-inflammatory, Pain management support
• Anthocyanin: Anti-diabetic, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Supports heart health
• Quercetin: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidant, Reduce swelling, Supports heart health, Assist blood sugar levels

What are Phytocannabinoids?

Phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids) are any cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant. Fun fact, did you know that humans and other mammals actually produce cannabinoids.

Our endocannabinoid system (ECS) produces these cannabinoids and allocates additional cannabinoids we give it through eating plants. 

When phytocannabinoids are extracted and consumed, these phytocannabinoids interact with the human body's endocannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) to produce therapeutic and psychotropic effects.

You can find more than 100 different cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.

What are the benefits of Phytocannabinoids?

Phytocannabinoids assist the human body in many different ways. You may not realize how vital cannabinoids are for our survival.

Without the body's endocannabinoid system, we wouldn't be able to achieve homeostasis. Cannabinoids play an important role in maintaining homeostasis.

For those who don't know what homeostasis is, homeostasis is how our body regulates itself to maintain stability and adjust to conditions for our survival.

It works much like your home's thermostat. When the thermostat senses a rise in temperature, it will blow cold air to lower it to the set temperature.

Our body works similarly to the thermostat reference. If we are experiencing high levels of stress or are in pain, our endocannabinoid system responds to assist the problem.

Eventually, it will rebalance when the problem is resolved, and homeostasis will be back to normal.

Because our bodies can use cannabinoids to regulate many body functions, introducing more cannabinoids allows our ECS many opportunities to utilize those cannabinoids.

Our ECS will allocate cannabinoids to assist our bodies comfort and mood levels, and sleep. 

Common Phytocannabinoids

• Cannabidiol (CBD): Soothe discomfort, reduce unhealthy mood symptoms, and improve relaxation. 
• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): Soothe discomfort, reduce unhealthy mood symptoms, feeling of euphoria and improve relaxation.
• Cannabinol (CBN): Improve relaxation, provide a sense of calm, and assist with sleep.
• Cannabigerol (CBG): Soothe discomfort, reduce unhealthy mood symptoms. 
• Cannabichromene (CBC): Reduce muscle and joint discomfort.

How do they work together?

Now that we know what each is and what they offer, how do they work together to deliver the benefits we love? The answer to that question is the entourage effect, and ECS discussed above.

The ECS allocates the Terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids throughout our nervous system to our CB1 and CB2 receptors to assist with balancing homeostasis.

Depending on the Terpenes, flavonoids, and phytocannabinoids present, the entourage effect will take place, amplifying the benefits of each.

To get the most out of our Cannabis products, make sure that all three are present.

Zatural CBD Products

Zatural Cannabis products contain high levels of Phytocannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids. Each product is lab tested by a 3rd party to back up our amazing line of products. 

CBD Products

Aromatherapy CBD Products

For educational purposes only FDA DISCLAIMER

*FDA DISCLAIMER -These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.