Entourage Effect

Why whole plant matters

CBD seems to have surpassed THC in popularity in the US. For years THC was the most popular and widely researched cannabinoid in cannabis science. Today, however, CBD is gaining momentum to surpass THC due to it's many many therapeutic applications; especially in children with intractable epilepsy such as Dravet Syndrome. If you have never watched any of the hundreds of videos on the internet from parents of these sweet children and the difference that cannabis has made in their lives then you absolutely should do that now. Story after amazing story of these babies getting a second chance at life when nothing else has even come close to controlling their hundreds of seizures a day.
With all this information swirling around at a dizzying pace, it's understandable that many people view CBD and THC as being in competition with each other, however this is far from the truth.
If you do a google search on the therapeutic benefits of CBD and THC, you will find hundreds of articles talking about the 
Entourage Effect , but what does that mean exactly? Why whole plant medicine is many times more therapeutically beneficial than THC and CBD only extractions. In this article we will be talking about not only THC and CBD, but many of the other compounds that make up the cannabis & hemp plants as well as the therapeutic indications of these lesser known compounds.

  • CBD : Cannabidiol (CBD) has gained popularity in leaps and bounds in the last several years, and is increasing in popularity every day. It is the 1st most abundant cannabinoid in hemp & 2nd most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis behind THC. One big and beneficial benefit of CBD when compared to THC is that CBD does not bind with the receptors in your brain, therefore is non-psychoactive and will not produce a "high", but still carries a wide array of health benefits. The non-psycho-activity of CBD makes it a preferred medicine for those who do not want the "high" feeling. Research has taken a hard turn from studying only THC to researching CBD for it's therapeutic applications including:
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-Anxiety
  • Analgesic (Pain Relief)
  • Anti-epileptic
  • Antidepressant
  • Anti-Cancer
  • Neuroprotectant
  • Antioxidant
  • THC : Delta(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been the most famous cannabinoid for many years, is the 1st most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis, and a favorite to people in recreational (or adult use) states that enjoy the psychoactivity or the "high". It needs to be said, and the reason I keep putting quotations around "high" is that it carrys none of the side effects or dangers of the multitude of drugs available, both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical. THC has been the most widely researched cannabinoid for many many years. This research has concluded that THC is beneficial in the treatment of:
  • Parkinson's
  • Alzheimer's
  • Neuropathic Pain
  • Cancer
  • Crohn's
  • PTSD
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • It's true that THC and CBD are the 2 most common cannabinoids that are in the cannabis and hemp plants, but there are a variety of other beneficial compounds in these amazing plants as well. In this article we are talking about the most common cannabinoids in the plant. (See my article on terpenes here) All of these compounds working together is what is known as the Entourage Effect. Let's take a look at some of the lesser known cannabinoids and their benefits.
    CBC : Cannabichromene (CBC) is the third most common cannabinoid in cannabis. The research into CBC has found that it is to be an anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, anti-fungal, anti-cancer agent, and may even promote the growth of new brain cells. Like CBD, CBC is non psychoactive (will not get you high).
  • THCa : Tetrahydrocannabinolic (THCa) is a precursor to Delta(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THCa slowly converts to THC as the plant dries. Heating (decarboxylation) THCa speeds up this process.
  • CBN : Cannabinol (CBN) Is created when THCa (a precursor to THC) breaks down over time. CBN has been found to be an appetite stimulant, antibiotic, analgesic, antiasthsmatic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-insomnia.
  • CBDv : Cannabidivarin (CBDv) is a slightly degraded form of CBD. Research into CBDv is in it's infancy, but is showing alot of promise as an anti-epileptic, anti-emetic (relief of nausea), and has been shown to have bone stimulating properties.
  • THCv : Tetrahydrocannabidivarin (THCv) is most often used along side of THC for maximum efficacy. Some studies show that, like CBD, THCv can actually mitigate the psychoactive effects of THC. It has been shown to be an anti-epileptic, neuroprotectant, and bone stimulant.
  • CBG : Cannabigerol (CBG) is gaining more and more attention in research. It has a significant amount of therapeutic benefits and is fairly abundant in hemp. CBG has been found to be an analgesic (pain relieving), antidepressant, & anti cancer agent. CBG is also known to mitigate the effects of THC which can be uncomfortable for some people.
  • CBGa : Cannabigerolic Acid is very important because it is a precursor to many of the cannabinoids mentioned above, and without it's presence cannabis would not hold near the medicinal benefits that it has.

Hopefully this clears up (at least a little) why whole plant matters & why the Entourage Effect is important to our bodies. All of the compounds (cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavinoids) in the plant work together to help your body to what it was designed to do. It's the Robin to your body's Batman!

Rustic Oils CBD Of Lee's Summit LLC Blog

By Rachel Crawford January 28, 2026
We’ve all had that moment.... . During a belly rub, you feel it—a new "lump or bump" that wasn't there last week. Your heart sinks, and suddenly, nothing else matters than the health of your fur baby This is where the ancient wisdom of mushrooms like Turkey Tail and Reishi steps in. Think of them as nature’s quiet protectors. I have given them to Abbey for a couple of years but I so wish I would have started from the beginning. Turkey Tail is the "Immune Architect." It’s packed with beta-glucans that help the body’s natural defenses recognize and respond to cellular changes. It’s like giving your dog’s immune system a pair of glasses so it can see exactly where it needs to go to work. Reishi is often called the "Mushroom of Immortality," but for our pups, it’s the "Mushroom of Zen." It supports longevity, helps manage the body’s response to occasional stress, and provides much-needed relief for those pesky seasonal allergies. When we combine these in our homemade treats or as a food topper, we aren't just feeding them; we’re fighting for more "zoomies," more tail wags, and more years of companionship. Why We Trust Verdant Leaf When it comes to our pets, "good enough" isn't an option. That’s why I’ve always been uncompromising about the brands I bring into the shop. Verdant Leaf is the gold standard for clean, reliable supplements for a few very specific reasons: Purity First: Their powders are free from the fillers, grains, and "fluff" that often plague commercial pet supplements. You are getting 100% functional mushroom power. Transparent Sourcing: They prioritize high-quality extraction methods, ensuring the beneficial compounds (like those vital beta-glucans) are actually bioavailable for your dog to absorb. Tested & Trusted: Every batch is held to rigorous standards, so you can feel confident that what’s on the label is exactly what’s in the bowl. Using a clean brand like Verdant Leaf ensures that your "fur baby" is getting the support they deserve without any of the junk they don't. Here are links to Verdant Leaf Turkey Tail & Verdant Leaf Reishi Recipes you can make at home! I actually use these powders as a topper for Abbey's food or I make a mushroom broth for her to drink, but you can also create these yummy treats at home for pups that are a little pickier "Immune-Boost" No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Best for: Quick prep and masking the earthy mushroom taste. Ingredients : 1 cup Oat flour (or blended rolled oats) 1/2 cup Natural peanut butter (ensure it is Xylitol-free) 1/4 cup Unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana. Verdant Leaf Powder: 1/4 {1/8 tsp each species, or 1/4 tsp if you are using only one species} tsp per 10 lbs of dog weight (totaled for the batch size) Instructions : Mix the mushroom powder into the peanut butter and applesauce until well-blended. Stir in the oat flour until a dough forms. Roll into bite-sized balls based on the dog's daily dosage needs. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer. Sweet Potato & Reishi "Cookies" Best for: Dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies. Ingredients: 1 cup Mashed cooked sweet potato 1 1/2 cups Brown rice flour (or whole wheat flour if tolerated) 1 Egg Verdant Leaf Powder: Calculate total dosage for the number of cookies (e.g., if making 20 cookies and the dog needs 1/2 tsp daily {1/4 tsp each species, or 1/2 tsp of any single species}, add 10 tsp to the batch). Instructions : Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).Mix all ingredients into a dough. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake for 20–25 minutes until firm. Golden Mushroom Bone Broth (Liquid Topper) Best for: Older dogs who might enjoy a warm topper on their meals. Ingredients : 2 cups Low-sodium beef or chicken bone broth (onion/garlic-free) 1/2 tsp Turmeric (for extra anti-inflammatory benefits) Dash of black pepper (needed to activate anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric) 1 tsp coconut oil, beef tallow, or fish oil Verdant Leaf Powder: Whisk in 1/4 {1/8 tsp each species, or 1/4 tsp if you are using only one species} tsp per serving. Instructions : Warm the broth slightly (not boiling).Whisk in the mushroom powder and turmeric until dissolved. Pour over kibble or freeze in ice cube trays for "pupsicles." MUSHROOM DOSING GUIDELINE * Daily Maintenance Dosage (Give once daily for general health) Under 20 lbs: 1/4 teaspoon 20 to 50 lbs: 1/2 teaspoon 50 to 90 lbs: 3/4 teaspoon Over 90 lbs: 1 teaspoon Therapeutic/ Loading Dosage (Give for "lumps and bumps" or the first 2 weeks of use) Under 20 lbs: 1/2 teaspoon 20 to 50 lbs: 1 teaspoon 50 to 90 lbs: 1 & 1/2 teaspoons Over 90 lbs: 2 teaspoons *The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act require this notice.
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