For years, I was up in arms over the acceptance and approval of cannabis. What were they thinking? Who paid what? What about other plants? My mind buzzed with endless questions.
Recently, I was invited to be a vendor at the New Mexico Pharmacy Convention. Among the sea of higher education representatives, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology therapies, and healthcare organizations, there were only two natural wellness professionals: me and a CBD company.
Although the turnout was good, the interest in aromatherapy ranged from seeing it as a joke to a genuine curiosity. For those intrigued, I blew their minds with scientific evidence, prompting questions like:
"Do you teach this online?"
"What are your thoughts on generalized recommendations?"
The Science Behind Plant Compounds
The science is not just in the plants and oils themselves but in the individual chemicals they contain. Cannabis research has significantly contributed to our understanding, exploring much more than just THC and CBD. Take myrcene, a monoterpene alkene found in cannabis:
Myrcene: Uses and Benefits
Sedative and Relaxant: Myrcene is known for its sedative properties, aiding in relaxation and sleep.
Anti-inflammatory: It has significant anti-inflammatory properties, helpful in managing chronic pain.
Clinical Evidence: A study published in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found that myrcene exhibited potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, suggesting its potential in pain management therapies.
However, myrcene isn't unique to cannabis. It's also found in various essential oils, including:
Rosemary (b-myrcene CT)
Cape may (a type of chamomile)
Celery leaf and seed
Parsley leaf
Juniperberry
Frankincense sacra (a-pinene CT)
Lemongrass (West Indian)
Lavender cotton
Tansy (blue)
Pine (white)
Mastic
Goldenrod
Ravensara leaf
Yarrow (chamazulene CT)
Sage (blue mountain)
Rosemary (a-pinene CT)
Frankincense frereana
Chaste tree seed
Angelica root
Rosemary (verbenone CT)
Understanding Chemotypes and Plant Variability
CT stands for chemotype. For example, the b-myrcene CT next to rosemary indicates that b-myrcene is the primary constituent in that particular type of rosemary. There are seven types of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), making it essential to know the chemotype.
Plants contain numerous monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, such as:
beta caryophyllene: A sesquiterpene alkene also classified as a cannabinoid because it influences the same endocannabinoid receptor as THC.
alpha and beta pinene: Monoterpene alkenes.
limonene: A monoterpene alkene.
linalool: A monoterpene alkene alcohol.
humulene: A sesquiterpene alkene and cannabinoid affecting the CB1 receptor.
terpinolene: A monoterpene alkene.
What Are Monoterpenes and Sesquiterpenes?
Monoterpenes are hydrocarbons made up of hydrogen and carbon, found throughout nature and commonly in essential oils. They are key ingredients in creating new biologically active compounds.
Sesquiterpenes are larger molecules than monoterpenes, known for their calming properties and potential to support the immune system. Some can cross the blood-brain barrier, assisting with neurological health.
The Unique Case of Myrrh
Myrrh is a great example of the unique properties of plant compounds. It contains constituents such as furanoeudesma-1,3-diene and furanodiene, as well as beta caryophyllene, elemene, cadinene, and germacrene—all found in cannabis. This blend of chemicals gives myrrh its unique properties, separate from cannabis, yet equally beneficial depending on an individual’s needs.
You can liken the interaction between constituents to combining ingredients in a recipe: rice has its own flavor until you add seasoning, sauce, or other ingredients, transforming it into a new dish. This is synergy. With cannabis, scientists call it the entourage effect.
The Challenge with FDA Approval
Despite numerous studies on plant chemicals, achieving FDA approval for natural remedies is challenging. Each plant must:
Undergo extensive research.
Provide consistent results.
Be strictly cultivated in a controlled environment to produce the same chemistry every growing season.
Natural remedies, unlike controlled lab products, vary because their chemistry changes with the environment. This variability ensures that no two plants are exactly alike, making standardized approval difficult.
The Synergy of Nature
Synergy in nature, often called the entourage effect in cannabis, cannot be replicated in labs. Plants adapt to their environment, producing chemicals in response to light, water, wind, soil nutrients, air quality, and microbial activity. This dynamic process is why natural remedies are unique.
Natural remedies are not concentrated enough to address many modern health conditions alone. The true gift lies in the science of plants and the knowledge to use them wisely alongside controlled doses of man-made replications.
Conclusion
Mother Nature’s variability makes it impossible for the FDA to approve plants and oils consistently. However, this variability is also what makes natural remedies powerful. By understanding and utilizing the chemistry of plants, we can support our bodies in adapting to the ever-changing environment. Embrace essential oils and herbs as part of your daily routine to relieve the pressure on your body and harness the graceful mystery of Nature.
Would you like to learn more OR take your wellness routine to an intentional level? Email me to schedule a call. It costs you nothing to see if this is a fit for you!
Natural remedies aren't approved by the FDA! So what?