Silymarin is a natural compound called a flavonoid, which happens to have antioxidant and liver protecting activities. Over many years, it has been proposed as a complementary medicine to reduce the liver injury produced by other medications. Interestingly, it happens to have anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to kill some bacteria. This flavonoid, Silymarin, is found in Milk Thistle… as well as Cannabis..and it seems to have “a significant therapeutic effect []administered alone, or in combination with chemotherapy, in [helping to treat] tuberculosis caused by drug-sensitive or drug-resistant strains[, findings represented here in both] in vitro and in vivo studies”
For many years, Tuberculosis (TB) has been a devastating public health problem, internationally. The treatment of this bacteria has been very limited and loaded with challenges. There is a constant cat/mouse chase between nature and human medicine, as the bacteria continually evolves to out-compete new drugs that are developed to treat it.
Here, yet another amazing potential breakthrough that cannabis brings to the table. Among the other flavonoids besides Silymarin: Orientin, Quercetin, and Kaempferol.
Of note: Silymarin happens to inhibit some liver enzymes, CYP-3A4 and CYP-2C9, which happen to be some of the liver enzymes which help break down cannabis metabolites.
I wonder if we should be spending as much time on flavonoids as we do on terpenes (including cannabinoids)?
There is little doubt that they play a powerful effect. Just as the minor cannabinoids tend to be overlooked by much of the general & scientific cultures… flavonoids are also largely passed-over.
This study, for example, indicates that some of the components of dark chocolate reduce the body’s production of the stress hormone, cortisol (not surprising to most who have every consumed chocolate, but… did you know that those components are also found all over nature, including inside cannabis?!)
I’ll start adding flavonoids to the list of info to start sharing!
