Cannabis sativa (Cannabaceae)

CANNABIS, GANJA, HEMP, HASHISH

Cannabis has a medical history in China and India of at least 1,500 years and it is still used today in many systems of medicine. For example, the seeds are given by Chinese physicians as a tonic, laxative, and emollient.

Known in Indian and Chinese herbals for more than 1,500 years, cannabis was brought to Europe by Napoleon after his Egyptian exploits. Popular as a mild but illegal narcotic drug, it is also useful as a source of fibres for making sacking, string, and rope. Cultivated in China, India and southern Russia, the wild plants are sometimes found in temperate Europe and North America. An annual, cannabis has leaves of long, deeply serrated leaflets. Separate male and female plants bear small inconspicuous flowers in late summer.

PARTS USED

Leaf, resin, seeds.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

A resin containing over 60 components called cannabinoids; volatile oil; flavonoids.

ACTIONS

Reduces muscle tension and spasm; relieves pain; narcotic; a cerebral sedative.

MEDICINAL USE

Used herbally for neuralgia, spasmodic cough, and migraine. Prescribed by doctors in the United States for the relief of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients on chemotherapy. A synthetic cannabinoid (nabilone) is also given in orthodox medicine for the same purpose. Chinese medicine uses the seeds as a tonic, laxative, and emollient.

PREPARATIONS

Resin, dried leaf, tincture, nabilone capsules.

CAUTION

Possession of cannabis is illegal in most countries.