Cannabis sativa

Cannabis sativa
Family:Cannabis sativa; Analgesic; Anodyne; Anthelmintic; Antibacterial; Antiperiodic; Antispasmodic; Cancer; Cholagogue; Demulcent; Diuretic; Emmenagogue; Emollient; Febrifuge; Hypnotic; Laxative; Narcotic; Ophthalmic; Sedative; Tonic.
Common name:Hemp
Hemp or more appropriately cannabis since the form grown for fibre contains much less of the medicinally active compounds has a very long history of medicinal use though it is illegal to grow in many countries since the leaves and other parts of the plant are widely used as a narcotic drug. The leaves and the resin that exudes from them are the parts mainly used though all parts of the plant contain the active ingredients. Cannabis contains a wide range of active ingredients perhaps the most important of which is THC. The principal uses of the plant are as a pain-killer sleep-inducer and reliever of the nausea caused by chemotherapy whilst it also has a soothing influence in nervous disorders. Although cannabis does not effect a cure for many of the problems it is prescribed to treat it is a very safe and effective medicine for helping to reduce the symptoms of many serious diseases. For example it relieves the MS sufferer of the distressing desire to urinate even when the bladder is empty. As long as it is used regularly it also greatly reduces the pressure in the eye to relieve the symptoms of glaucoma. The whole plant is anodyne anthelmintic antiemetic anti-inflammatory antiperiodic antispasmodic cholagogue diuretic emollient hypnotic hypotensive laxative narcotic ophthalmic and sedative. It is used to relieve some of the unpleasant side effects suffered by people undergoing chemotherapy for cancer - in particular it is very effective in removing the feelings of nausea and indeed helps to create an appetite and positive attitude of mind which is so important to people undergoing this treatment. It has also been found of use in the treatment of glaucoma and relieves the distressing constant desire to urinate that is suffered by many people with multiple sclerosis. Given to patients suffering from AIDS it helps them to put on weight. Since it strongly increases the desire for food it has been found of benefit in treating anorexia nervosa. It is used externally as a poultice for corns sores varicose veins gout and rheumatism. Few plants have a greater array of folk medicine uses. Cannabis has been used in the treatment of a wide range of conditions including alcohol withdrawal anthrax asthma blood poisoning bronchitis burns catarrh childbirth convulsions coughs cystitis delirium depression diarrhoea dysentery dysmenorrhoea epilepsy fever gonorrhoea gout inflammation insomnia jaundice lockjaw malaria mania menorrhagia migraine morphine withdrawal neuralgia palsy rheumatism scalds snakebite swellings tetanus toothache uteral prolapse and whooping cough. The seed is anodyne anthelmintic demulcent diuretic emollient emmenagogue febrifuge laxative narcotic and tonic. It is used to treat constipation caused by debility or fluid retention. The seed is an important source of essential fatty acids and can be very helpful in the treatment of many nervous diseases. A high content of very active antibacterial and analgesic substances has been found in the plant. It has bactericidal effects on gram-positive micro-organisms in some cases up to a dilution of 1:150

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 01:58 []