AHG Advanced Webinar Intensives Presents: Cannabis: Ancient Medicine, Modern Marvel Jessica Baker, LAc, RH (AHG) Hosted by Michele Marlow
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Cannabis Aromatics PRESENTED BY JESSICA BAKER LICENSED ACUPUNCTURIST, DIPL. O.M., RH (AHG) BAKER BOTANICA WHEN ENERGY FLOWS, WELLNESS GROWS
Webinar 3: Cannabis Aromatics Outline I. Brief History of Evolution II. Limbic System III. Introduction to Aromatherapy IV. Extraction Methods V. Cannabis Aromatherapy VI. Herbal Allies VII. Synergy
I. Brief History of Evolution
Evolution 300 million years ago Seed ferns are the first gymnosperm (open seed) plants Gymnosperm trees evolve- pine, ginkgo 125 million years ago Angiosperm (flowering) plants evolve Plants contain digestible nutrients (proteins, carbs, fats, oils) and secondary metabolites (alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids) 2.5 million years ago Homo genus evolved Heterotropic- dependent upon nourishment by intake and digestion of organic matter
Human Evolution 200,000 years ago Homo sapiens evolve For human evolution to be possible, they were continuously forced to adapt to new environments and food sources. The secondary metabolites of plants were more or less toxic to mammals originally Over time mammals adjusted by developing enzymatic processes to safely eliminate these toxins Terpenoids are among the first agents responsible for the development of liver detoxification enzymes, especially those with the ability to remove lipophilic substances foreign to the body.
II. Limbic System
Functions of the Limbic System Limbic system lies above the brainstem and below the cortex. Plays a role in arousal, memory, emotions, feeding, sexual behaviors, and motivation Controls olfaction-sense of smell, detection of airborne molecules Controls autonomic nervous system-regulates involuntary activity of heart, intestines, glands, digestion, respiration, metabolism Regulates endocrine system- ductless glands that secrete hormones in the bloodstream.
Limbic System Anatomy
Limbic System & Olfaction
Limbic System & CB1 Receptors
III. Introduction to Aromatherapy
Understanding Aromatic Plants
What are Terpenoids? Terpenoids- any of a large class of organic compounds including terpenes, diterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. They have unsaturated molecules composed of linked isoprene units, generally having the formula C5H8 Terpenoids are secreted by special glands/ducts/cells in one part of several parts of aromatic plants Acts as defense against climatic and pestilent factors
Terpenes Terpene- any of a large group of volatile unsaturated hydrocarbons found in the essential oils of plants, especially conifers and citrus trees. Monoterpenes- antiseptic, bactericidal, analgesic, mucolytic, skin irritant in high concentrations; found in almost all EO pinene, limonene Sesquiterpenes- anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic b-caryophyllene Diterpenes- antifungal, antiviral, expectorant, purgative, contains phytosteroids for hormonal balancing; Rarely found in EO Vitamin A, retinene
Alcohols Alcohol- compound containing an OH group attached to a hydrocarbon group Anti-infectious, strongly bactericidal, antiviral, stimulates immune system Monoterpenol: compounds with a bicyclic structure Analgesic, antispasmodic, antiinflammatory Menthol, linalool Sesquiterpenols: compounds with a tricyclic structure Antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, heals skin Nerolidol, farnesol
IV. Extraction Methods
Distillation Overview Water distillation: flowers Water & Steam distillation: herbs and leaves Steam distillation: most commonly used method Hydro-diffusion/Percolation: steam from top rather than bottom; bark, seeds Expression/Cold pressing; citrus Enfleurage: Cold-fat extraction; jasmine, tuberose Solvent extraction: butane, ethanol, hexane, petroleum ether Concrete: 1 st product made from solvent extraction; contains waxes & fats Absolute: concrete mixed with alcohol Supercritical CO2: fairly new and may concentrate pesticide residue
Extraction Terminology Live Resin- freshly harvested and not wilted biomass that is used for extraction; processing technique Shatter, Budder, Diamonds, Wax- petrochemical extractions including butane, propane or CO2 Rosin- heat and pressure extraction from fresh biomass, kief, or water-extractions Water-extraction (Bubble Hash) Distillate- solvent extraction that then goes through winterization- extraction with alcohol, and then decarboxylation to activate cannabinoid; 70-85% of specific cannabinoid Isolate- further purification of a distillate (THC, CBD, CBG), up to 99% extract
V. Cannabis Aromatherapy
Aromatic Molecules in Cannabis Limonene- a clear, colorless liquid; cyclic monoterpene with a lemon-like scent; antidepressant, anti-anxiety, alertness Myrcene- a yellow oily liquid; acyclic monoterpenoid that is detected in multiple biofluids- feces, saliva; balsamic, musty and peppery; sedative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory Pinene- a clear colorless liquid; bicyclic monoterpene with a turpentine odor; antidepressant, bronchodilator, neuroprotective B-Caryophyllene- a pale yellow oily liquid; bicyclic sesquiterpene with an odor between cloves and turpentine; anti-inflammatory Humulene- monocyclic sesquiterpene (isomer of B-caryophyllene); anti-inflammatory Linalool- a colorless liquid; terpene alcohol that is floral with a touch of spiciness; anticonvulsant, analgesic, muscle relaxant, sedative
Terpenoid & Cannabinoid Potential Synergy Effect Terpenoids Cannabinoids Sedative Nerolidol, B-Myrcene, Linalool, Terpinolene CBN Antidepressant Limonene, B-Pinene CBG, CBC Anti-anxiety Limonene, Linalool CBD Anti-inflammatory Geraniol, B-myrcene, a-humulene, B-Caryophyllene, Linalyl acetate, Paracymene, Sabinene, Ocimene Bronchodilator a-pinene THC Muscle relaxant Linalool, B-myrcene THC Addiction B-Caryophyllene CBD CBC, THC Analgesic Alertness Linalool, B-myrcene, Linalyl acetate, a-pinene Limonene, a-pinene CBD, CBG, THC Anticonvulsant Linalool CBD, CBDV, THCV Neuroprotective a-pinene CBD, THC
Cannabinoid & Terpenoid Profiles from Analytical 360 & MCR Labs Sour Diesel THC 14.52% CBD 0.28% CBG 1.18% Linalool 8.66% Caryophyllene oxide 0.43% Myrcene 0.10% beta-pinene < 0.01% Limonene 3.62% Terpinolene < 0.01% alpha- Pinene 0.71% Humulene 0.30% Caryophyllene 0.49% TERPENE TOTAL 14.31%
Cannabinoid & Terpenoid Profiles from Analytical 360 & MCR Labs Sour Diesel Concentrate THC 71.32% CBD 0.43% CBG 1.37% Linalool 0.01% Caryophyllene oxide 2.74% Myrcene 0.10% beta-pinene < 0.01% Limonene 1.11% Terpinolene < 0.01% alpha- Pinene 1.69% Humulene 2.51% Caryophyllene 0.24% TERPENE TOTAL 8.29%
Cannabinoid & Terpenoid Profiles from Analytical 360 & MCR Labs GS Cookies THC 18.62% CBD 0.24% CBG 1.97% Linalool 1.64% Caryophyllene oxide 1.01% Myrcene < 0.01% beta-pinene < 0.01% Limonene < 0.01% Terpinolene < 0.01% alpha-pinene 0.78% Humulene 2.45% Caryophyllene 2.26% TERPENE TOTAL 8.14%
Cannabinoid & Terpenoid Profiles from Analytical 360 & MCR Labs Gorilla Glue THC 22.29% CBD 0.11% CBG 0.18% Linalool < 0.01% Caryophyllene oxide < 0.01% Myrcene 0.07% beta-pinene < 0.01% Limonene < 0.01% Terpinolene < 0.01% alpha- Pinene 0.86% Humulene 2.95% Caryophyllene 0.52% TERPENE TOTAL 4.40%
Cannabinoid & Terpenoid Profiles from Analytical 360 & MCR Labs OG Kush THC 20.28% CBD 0.08% CBG 0.39% Linalool < 0.01% Caryophyllene oxide < 0.01% Myrcene 0.09% beta-pinene < 0.01% Limonene < 0.01% Terpinolene 0.10% alpha-pinene 0.63% Humulene 0.97% Caryophyllene 0.34% TERPENE TOTAL 2.13%
Cannabinoid & Terpenoid Profiles from Analytical 360 & MCR Labs Lemon Kush THC 14.67% CBD 0.21% CBG 0.55% Linalool 2.72% Caryophyllene oxide <0.01% Myrcene 0.28% beta-pinene <0.01% Limonene <0.01% Terpinolene <0.01% alpha-pinene <0.01% Humulene 2.05% Caryophyllene 0.39% TERPENE TOTAL: 5.44%
Cannabinoid & Terpenoid Profiles from Analytical 360 & MCR Labs SFV OG Kush Concentrate THC 57.90% CBD 0.53% CBG 2.45% Linalool <0.01% Caryophyllene oxide <0.01% Myrcene <0.01% beta-pinene <0.01% Limonene <0.01% Terpinolene <0.46% alpha-pinene <0.01% Humulene 0.61% Caryophyllene 3.54% TERPENE TOTAL: 4.61%
Cannabinoid & Terpenoid Profiles from Analytical 360 & MCR Labs Durban Poison THC 14.67% CBD 0.21% CBG 0.55% Linalool 3.53% Caryophyllene oxide <0.01% Myrcene 0.20% beta-pinene <0.01% Limonene 5.00% Terpinolene <0.01% alpha-pinene <0.01% Humulene 1.83% Caryophyllene 0.36% TERPENE TOTAL: 11.11%
VI. Herbal Allies
Conifers Pinus sylvestris a-pinene 22-43%, limonene 0.7-4.1%, B-caryophyllene 0.7-5.5%, B-farnesene trace The analgesic properties of both pine and cannabis can be combined for both intestinal and arthritic pains. Conifers are some of the oldest organisms that contain aromatic molecules
Citrus Citrus limon limonene 55-80%, a-pinene 1.9-2.4%, B- myrcene 0.1-0.4%, linalool 0.1% Not only will citrus oils antispasmodic properties potentially strengthen those of cannabis and increase the treatment against painful intestinal conditions. It has been reported in traditional herbals that agua limon is an anecdote against cannabis intoxication.
Black Pepper Piper Nigrum B-caryophyllene 9-29%, B-farnesene 1-3%, a- pinene 2-9%, B-myrcene 1.6-2.5%, limonene 17% B-caryophyllene is a strong anti-inflammatory and the combination of black pepper and cannabis may prove to increase the antiinflammatory action. The combination of black pepper and cannabis may work synergistically to help with withdrawal symptoms and increase dopamine release.
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis ct. Verbenone a-pinene 15-34%, B-myrcene, limonene, B- caryophyllene Antispasmodic, expectorant, nervous system regulator, antibacterial The antispasmodic action of rosemary combined with cannabis may prove to reduce the mortality from cholera and other intestinal bacterial infections.
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia linalool 25-50%, a-pinene 0.2-1.1%, limonene 0.2-7%, B-caryophyllene 2.6-7.6%, B- farnesene 1% The calming and sedative effects of Lavender may be beneficial in aiding CBD to reduce the intoxicating effects of THC. With further research, lavender essential oil may prove to have an effect on CB2 receptors in the skin.
Sage Salvia officinalis a-pinene 3.2-6.4%, B-myrcene 04.-1.1%, B- caryophyllene 1-7%, linalool 0.4-12% The analgesic properties in sage may be enhanced by the pain relieving and antispasmodic properties in cannabis for ulcerative colitis or Crohn s disease.
Mint Mentha spicata a-pinene 0.2-0.9%, B-myrcene 1.2-5.5%, limonene 2-25%, B-caryophyllene 0.3-2.6% As a popular digestive plant, spearmint has already proven itself to be useful against nausea, vomiting and poor digestion. Synergistic effects with cannabis and its ability to reduce nausea and vomiting may increase both plants.
Frankincense Boswellia carteri a-pinene 21%, a-thujene 24%, limonene 8%, B-myrcene traces Research on frankincense and cannabis may show a synergistic effect with the antioxidant and analgesic properties of both.
VII. Synergy
Whole Plant Synergy The whole is greater than the sum of its parts We previously discussed the potential synergy of different cannabinoids (CBD reduces euphoric effects of THC) Terpenoids also play a role in the therapeutic properties in cannabis Working with other aromatic plants, may potentiate the therapeutic effects of cannabis and reduce some of the unwanted side effects of THC
References
References Cannabis and Cannabinoids, Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutic Potential, edited by Franjo Grotenhermen, MD and Ethan Russo, MD Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects, Ethan Russo, MD, 2011 Aromatherapy for Health Professionals 3 rd edition, edited by Shirley Price & Len Price Websites: PubChem, MCR Labs & Analytical 360
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