Chatting cannabis with local business owner
“Every plant has CBD, terpenes, and flavonoids. If you look at broccoli, it has a very similar profile to that of CBD.”
The NEWS recently met with Eastleigh businesswoman Brenda Hutchinson to discuss the compounds of the cannabis plant. Brenda, the owner of the Central Avenue store Oil for Health, discussed the two main components of cannabinoids, and also the terpenes of the plant and flavonoids.
The 58-year-old is a registered traditional doctor who obtained a diploma in medical cannabis and CBD oil from the UK-based Centre of Excellence. All of the products she sells are registered with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, an entity of the national Department of Health.
Products Brenda sells in her store must meet the following requirements:
• Contain a maximum daily dose of 20 milligrams of CBD.
• Alternatively, if the CBD product is made from raw cannabis, it cannot contain more than 0.001 per cent of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and no more than 0.0075 per cent total CBD (cannabidiol).
• CBD products cannot be advertised as a cure or treatment for any disease.
The two main cannabinoids she spoke about were CBD and THC.
“Terpenes are parts of the plant, which give its fragrance and its smell while flavonoids are the part which gives it the flavour when you eat it.” “So, every plant has CBD, terpenes, and flavonoids. If you look at broccoli, it has a very similar profile to that of CBD. “You would probably have to eat a very large amount of broccoli to get any kind of high.”
She explained when you rub rosemary or spray lavender in a child’s room that is when you smell terpenes. “They are often used in aromatherapy.”
She said the four groups of terpenes of the cannabis plant are sweet, spicy, sour and earthy. “These four groups are broken down further into specific terpenes of the plant, each with its unique fragrance and medicinal effect.”
In Brenda’s store is a wheel chart on display that shows the groups and the breakdown of the various terpenes and their effects. Although Brenda believes in using full-spectrum products as they are more beneficial for the entire body, she said it is possible to make custom oils or capsules. This is done with the help of the biochemists and suppliers Brenda works with.
“There are certain individuals such as sportspersons who would get in trouble with a specific authority if specific cannabinoids like THC are found in their system or if the CBD is too high. “If the customer wanted a full-spectrum product the THC would be reduced to a micro-dose and then a specific terpene would be added to give the oil a specific flavour and added healing effect. “If the customer wanted a broad-spectrum product there would be no THC in the product.”
Brenda said support from the community, specifically its elderly members, has been amazing. She said many of the elderly patients inform her that they have tried the medication prescribed by doctors but they still sit with health problems. However, it’s not only the older generation taking advantage of alternative healing.
Brenda said community members of all ages are visiting her and speaking to her in hopes of learning more.
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In her opinion, the lockdown played a big role in the community’s interest in alternative healing.
“Many are now learning about cannabis and CBD oils, especially in times of so much anxiety. As their knowledge and interest grows, I think people want to see if products from alternative health shops work for them,” said Brenda.
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