By Leo Cora
The Beta-Caryophyllene family has been around for centuries. In Chinese herbal medicine the beta-caryophyllene has been found to have strong antibacterial, anti fungal, and anti inflammatory properties. It has been called by the native Chinese to be “The weed of heaven”. This is because it has many medicinal qualities and is extremely versatile for culinary and medicinal uses. In fact it has become an important ingredient for a large number of food preparations today.
The Beta-Caryophyllene found in black pepper, oregano, basil, and several other spices and herbs has a unique molecular structure; it has a rare aromatic cyclobutane ring not seen in any other beta-caryophyllene, which makes it more important than other naturally occurring beta-caryophyllene. This unique aromatic ring creates an energetic compound with two carbon atoms and one hydrogen atom. By adding a small amount of this aromatic terpenoid to a recipe for black pepper or a recipe for a cold drink such as tea, one can increase the therapeutic properties of that recipe. With regular consumption of CBD products one can experience a wide range of health benefits from these ingredients.
The University of Florida has recently concluded that the combination of CB2 receptor antagonists and cannabidiol, the main component of CBD, may help treat some forms of cancer. This is exciting news as using these two natural compounds in combination has been shown in clinical trials to be highly effective at combating breast cancer and reducing the growth of tumors. These findings were reported at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. Other diseases which may benefit from the use of CBD may include glaucoma, seizures, AIDS and Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, seizures, nausea, pain and inflammation.
Terpinen-4-ol, another important ingredient found in many of the popular CBD products, is the most abundant of all terpenoids. Terpinen-4-ol is produced from the pine bark and comes from the same chemical family as eucalyptus. It is thought that the terpinen-4-ol in the product works best when included during the production phase of marijuana strains, although research is still ongoing about the safety of these products when used in conjunction with medical marijuana strains. Other products that contain terpinen-4-ol are also being researched for use with Alzheimer’s and cancer patients. Since CBD is considered a “not approved” drug by the FDA it cannot be purchased over-the-counter and must be obtained through a valid medical caregiver.
