The two main species of cannabis, Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica, have distinct phytochemical profiles influencing their effects. Hemp is considered a subspecies and is also rich in compounds.

Cannabis Sativa: Typically higher in energizing terpenes like limonene and THC. Effects tend toward euphoric, creative, and uplifting. Used to relieve depression, nausea, headaches. Higher CBD varieties provide alert relaxation.

Cannabis Indica: Often contains more sedating terpenes such as myrcene and higher THC levels. Provides full body relaxation effects. Helpful for sleep, muscle spasms, pain. CBD-rich indicas provide relaxation without sedation.

While these trends hold, substantial crossover exists. Advanced breeding produces strains not readily categorized. Additionally, cultivation techniques alter chemical phenotypes through environmental impacts on gene expression. Effects ultimately depend on the unique phytochemical profile regardless of sativa/indica classification.

Maintaining Cannabis' Chemical Integrity
Many standard cannabis extraction methods selectively isolate key compounds like THC and CBD. However, whole plant philosophy avoids over-processing to retain the full suite of beneficial phytochemicals. Two techniques optimize whole plant integrity:

Cold Extraction
Gentle, low-heat plant extraction preserves fragile terpenes and flavonoids lost via combustive smoking or chemical processing using solvents at high pressure and/or temperature. Maintaining modest temperatures below 190°F retains volatile compounds and protects thermolabile molecules from structural alteration. Cold Extraction can be performed using solvents ranging from water to hydrocarbons like Ethanol and Butane, to CO2.

Minimal Refinement
The problem with most extraction methodologies is that post-extraction refinement often strips away terpenes, flavonoids and other compounds to isolate cannabinoids like CBD and THC. Using Ethanol as a solvent and minimizing post processing provides the best and most consistent approach to preserving non cannabinoid compounds. Whole plant preparations using this approach, undergo only minimal refinement to preserve native compounds. Both major and minor cannabinoids are preserved, together with their co-resident terpenes, flavonoids, and other phytonutrients.

The Potency of Minimally Processed Cannabis Oil Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a full spectrum cannabis extract containing all native cannabis compounds in their natural ratios. Made using food-grade ethanol, RSO retains chlorophyll, flavonoids, terpenes, phytosterols and other components alongside major and minor cannabinoids. Named after Canadian engineer Rick Simpson, RSO was developed in 2003 to treat Simpson’s own skin cancer. RSO’s potent anti-cancer effects have since extended to other diseases responsive to cannabis but resistant to purified extracts. Research identifies several key advantages of RSO compared to isolated preparations:

• RSO contains higher fractions of THC than CBD isolates. THC shows synergistic anti-cancer activity with other cannabis components.
• Phytosterols in RSO like beta sitosterol have direct apoptotic effects on cancer cells.
• Terpenes present in RSO but lost in isolates enhance bioavailability and maximize cannabinoid effects.
• The combination of cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds creates optimal therapeutic impact through synergy. For diseases benefiting from whole plant cannabis therapy, RSO represents an easily produced, minimally refined extract for harnessing cannabis’ full therapeutic potential.

Using Cannabis Flower in Topical Production
While most methods of consuming cannabis provide whole body effects, topical products allow for targeted, localized benefits. Traditional cannabis topicals utilize purified oils containing isolated cannabinoids like CBD and THC. However, a novel approach involves incorporating unprocessed, fresh cannabis flower into topical formulations.

Through an optimized intermediate decarboxylation process, a broad spectrum of cannabinoids are expressed in their active forms as well as their native acidic precursors, including THC, THCa, CBD, CBDa, and rare compounds like CBGa. This “dirty” oil harnesses the full phytochemical profile of cannabis flower into the final product. The result is magnified anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-microbial activity ideal for joint/muscle pain, arthritis, and skin conditions. Unlike topicals relying on CBD isolates, whole flower formulations provide the multidimensional benefits of minor cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and other cannabis flower components.

Intermediate Decarboxylation
Intermediate Decarboxylation is a novel method for extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis and hemp plant matter. It involves partially decarboxylating the plant material while directly infusing it into base oils, allowing better preservation of both cannabinoid precursors and activated cannabinoids as well as terpenes. Initially, cannabis contains cannabinoid acids such as THCa, CBDa, and CBGa. The application of energy in the form of heat causes the hydroxyl group to separate, converting these acidic precursors into the better-known activated forms THC, CBD, and CBG that provide euphoric and therapeutic effects. However, excessive heat degrades terpenes and converts all cannabinoid acids, leaving none of the beneficial precursors.

Halo Infusion’s proprietary Intermediate Decarboxylation Process (IDPTN) uses finely controlled, modest heating to induce only partial decarboxylation. Around 65% of the cannabinoid acids are retained, while about 35% get converted into their activated forms.  This strikes an optimal balance between getting some conversion to THC, CBD, etc. for therapeutic benefit while preserving levels of THCa, CBDa, CBGa, and other acids that exhibit their own therapeutic effects.

The moderate heat also helps retain terpenes and other plant compounds that are volatile and easily damaged. Maximizing terpene content is crucial for harnessing the Entourage Effect, and the synergy between cannabinoids and terpenes that enhances therapeutic impact. Overall, the IDP provides customized, partial decarboxylation that preserves valuable cannabinoid acids and terpenes for whole plant extracts with maximum cannabinoid diversity and rich terpene profiles. The method eschews excessive processing and heat exposure to create products mirroring the phytochemical wealth of the raw cannabis plant.

Halo Infusions' Test Results Show Diverse Cannabinoids
In contrast to products containing only THC and CBD isolates, Halo Infusions' whole plant preparations express a wide array of cannabinoids. Independent lab testing reveals our products consistently contain THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, THCV, and CBC. The diversity of cannabinoids mirrors the chemical variety of the raw cannabis flower. For example, testing of our Chronic Health lotion showed the presence of THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, CBC, and THCV. Rather than simply delivering CBD to localized receptors, the multitude of cannabinoids provides comprehensive therapeutic activity. This demonstrates how whole plant techniques like intermediate decarboxylation of raw flower enable finished products to mirror the phytochemical breadth of the cannabis plant.

The figures below illustrate the cannabinoid expression for a number of Halo Infusions- branded finished products. As shown, both major and minor cannabinoids are present.

Conclusion
Evidence suggests whole plant cannabis formulations provide enhanced therapeutic activity compared to isolated constituents, a phenomenon described as the Entourage Effect. While individual compounds have merits, Full Spectrum extracts better represent the intricate biochemical complexity of the Cannabis sativa plant. As analytical techniques continue elucidating this intricate phytochemistry, refinement protocols preserving native diversity will likely provide improved clinical outcomes. Gently preserving delicate terpenes alongside customized, partial cannabinoid decarboxylation retains acidic and activated cannabinoids integral to emerging models of synergy. Delicate balances struck during extraction and refinement seem to mirror nature’s ratios. Processes like Intermediate Decarboxylation provide key examples of biomimicry through nuanced thermal and mechanical energy inputs. The resultant whole-plant concentrates and distillates contain over a hundred phytocannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and lesser studied compounds.

While concentrations fluctuate between chemovars, whole plant products provide
concentrations on par with artisanal medical cannabis.
As hypotheses of ensemble effects evolve, gentle processing and holistic refinement seem poised to deliver efficient therapies congruent with nature’s intricate ratios. Companies integrating biochemistry with ethical extraction stand at research's cutting edge. Still in its early stages, this reintegration of traditional herbalism with modern analysis offers much promise.