What are the Benefits of Terpenes and Flavonoids in CBD?

HEMP-derived CBD oil tinctures and topicals are commonly used for their promising potential as a wellness resource. But there’s more to the HEMP plant than just cannabinoids.

This article will cover two of the most interesting types of compounds present in the HEMP plant: terpenes and flavonoids. We’ll also discuss how Broad-Spectrum CBD products can support your full-body wellness goals. Check it out!

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are compounds found in most plants on our planet. They’re so abundant that we already know of more than 20,000 terpenes in the environment so far. These compounds are responsible for giving plants their scents: they make lemons smell citrusy, and pine trees smell like pine.

Not only do terpenes give plants their smell, but they also improve their immunity, help them heal from damage, and repel predators when needed.

In humans, terpenes are bioactive, meaning they affect the body when ingested. That bioactivity is often beneficial: terpenes are used in alternative medicines because of their potential antiviral, antimicrobial, and antidepressant properties, among others.

What Are Flavonoids?

Also found in fruits and vegetables are flavonoids. These compounds are similar to terpenes in that they have essential responsibilities in many plants, but their benefits are slightly different. Flavonoids affect the color, odor, and flavor of a plant, attracting pollinators and protecting it from damage.

Flavonoids are categorized into six subgroups based on their molecular profile: anthocyanins, isoflavones, flavanones, flavones, flavan-3-ols, and flavanols.

Several of the flavonoids in these subgroups have been studied for their pharmacological benefits. Researchers have found their potential to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Terpenes & Flavonoids Working Together in CBD

The HEMP plant, of which CBD products are derived, has a rich molecular structure that includes over 400 compounds. Of those 400, around 60 are cannabinoids, 100-150 are terpenes, and 26 are flavonoids. Some of those terpenes and flavonoids aren't found in any other plants, making them unique to HEMP.

In the HEMP plant, some of the most common flavonoids are:

• Apigenin
• Luteolin
• Kaempferol
• Quercetin

Additionally, HEMP has a notably higher concentration of terpenes compared to other plants, specifically the terpenes:

• Limonene
• Alpha-pinene
• Myrcene
• Terpinolene
• Caryophyllene
• Pinene

Not only do terpenes and flavonoids generate the smells and flavors of products made with HEMP, but like the compounds in other plants, they also offer potential benefits to the human body.

Terpenes in CBD products may be anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and more. Similarly, flavonoids could offer a wealth of potential benefits.

What's especially remarkable about these compounds is the phenomenon that they work in combination with cannabinoids to offer the most benefit. Several studies have researched the importance of terpenes and flavonoids for the effectiveness of CBD products - and research continues to grow.

Learn More about the Possible Benefits of CBD Products

At Science-Rite, we strive to offer CBD products that employ the resources present in the full HEMP plant. That’s why we incorporate not just CBD, but other cannabinoids and terpenes into our Broad-Spectrum CBD products. Take a peek at our blog and product list to learn more about why you should incorporate CBD in your daily routine.

Sources

• Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: Molecular Scaffolds for Chemical Wizardry: Learning Nature's Rules for Terpene Cyclases
• National Public Health Emergency Collection: Therapeutic and Medicinal Uses of Terpenes
• Annals of the National Institute of Hygiene: Flavonoids--food sources and health benefits
• Current Neuropharmacology: The “Entourage Effect”: Terpenes Coupled with Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders