Decoding the Cannabis Plant:
A Closer Look at Flavonoids
When most people think about the cannabis plant, they usually focus on its cannabinoids like THC and CBD, or its terpenes that give each strain its distinctive aroma. Although there’s another important group of compounds quietly contributing to the therapeutic potential of cannabis and these are known as flavonoids.
Flavonoids are natural plant chemicals found in fruits, vegetables, and flowers, including cannabis. They play a major role in colour, aroma, health effects and may contribute to the entourage effect which is the idea that cannabis compounds work better together than alone.
What Are Flavonoids?
Flavonoids are a class of over 6,000 naturally occurring compounds that give plants their vibrant colours and help protect them from UV light, pathogens, and stress.
In cannabis, flavonoids can make up around 10% of the plant’s total chemical composition and are responsible for some of the purple, yellow, or green hues seen in different strains (Lewis et al., 2019).
Beyond their colour, flavonoids are being studied for their potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties all of which could play a role in the plant’s overall therapeutic profile (Ferber et al., 2022).
The Unique Flavonoids Found in Cannabis
While cannabis shares many flavonoids with other plants, it also contains unique compounds known as cannaflavins.
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Cannaflavin A and B were first identified in the 1980s and are exclusive to cannabis.
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Research has shown that cannaflavin A may have anti-inflammatory effects that can be up to 30 times stronger than aspirin, by blocking the same enzyme pathway (Barrett et al., 2020).
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Other flavonoids, such as apigenin, quercetin, and luteolin, are also found in cannabis and contribute to its possible antioxidant and neuroprotective effects.
While more research is needed, these findings highlight that flavonoids could be an important part of cannabis’ potential health benefits.
How Flavonoids Work in the Body
Flavonoids interact with the human body in multiple ways:
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Antioxidant activity - May neutralise harmful free radicals that can damage cells.
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Anti-inflammatory effects - Regulating inflammatory pathways like COX-2 and NF-κB (Barrett et al., 2020).
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Neuroprotection - Supporting brain cell health and potentially reducing oxidative stress linked to neurodegenerative conditions (Ferber et al., 2022).
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Entourage effect - Working alongside cannabinoids and terpenes to enhance overall therapeutic effects.
These compounds don’t act on cannabinoid receptors directly but instead modulate biological systems such as enzymes and signalling pathways that affect inflammation, stress, and cell health.
Conclusion
Flavonoids are a fascinating and often overlooked part of the cannabis plant. Alongside cannabinoids and terpenes, they may contribute to the therapeutic potential of cannabis through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective mechanisms.
Although still in early research stages, flavonoids could one day help explain why whole-plant cannabis extracts may offer broader therapeutic benefits than isolated compounds alone.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Laws regarding prescription medicines vary by region, and readers should always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any prescription medication.