Cannabis refers to the greek word meaning “hemp” which is where the term “canvas” is derived due to the plant’s fibrousness. A genus comprising one species of tall coarse annual which is commonly found in moist soils, and is particularly an herb in soils that are nitrogen rich near human-made habitations.
In Victorian gardening manuals, it’s described as a beautiful “dot-plant” to create summer borders. The Scythians were a people who lived in the north in the Black Sea 3000 years ago produced intoxicating vapours through throwing cannabis over hot stones. Cannabis has been cultivated in Asia and in the Middle East for over 4000 years and has been used as a fibre plant as well as as an ingredient in drugs. The therapeutic uses of cannabis were mentioned by Indian medical texts prior to even the time of the 5th century BC. The possession and use of cannabis today is illegal and subject to rigorous control and restrictions in many Western nations and Australia as well as New Zealand, but legal and accepted in numerous areas in Asia in within the Middle East, where the dried plant or resin typically consumed or smoked. The many names used for cannabis refer to particular products: haseesh is resin extracted from female plants typically piped into water pipes to smoke Bhang is dried plant that has been mixed into drinks, fruit or candy and charas, a resin that is consumed or smoked along with spices; ganja dried tops of female plants Pharmaceutical .
European herbals from the 16th century contain the plant that John Gerard called “Indian dreamer”. Cannabis was included in the pharmacopoeias of a variety of nations which included the USA prior to its prohibition in the year 1930. It contains more than 60 kinds of cannabinoids, including delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is largely responsible for the psychoactive effects. Research has proven the efficacy of cannabis for many medical procedures, however the fact that it is illegal has hindered its therapeutic value in the West. Cannabis is still widely used in traditional Chinese medical practices.
CULTIVATING (WARNING)
Harvesting, cultivation as well as processing cannabis plant is restricted by law in a variety of countries. The varieties that have been approved can be grown for their fiber (hemp). cannabis sativa has a strong odor perennial that is variable and has a long taproots, long branching stems that grow upwards, and palmate leaves. Flowers of small, green are seen in the summer months both male and female in separate plant.
Parts used: The whole plant, tops of oil flowering and seeds
Properties: Subsp. indica is analgesic, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory and sedative properties as well as being hypotensive and a laxative.
Uses for medicine: Internally to treat nausea and vomiting that are associated with chemotherapy for cancer. It can also reduce the pressure on the eyes in glaucoma. reduce muscle stiffness and tremors associated with MS, and assist AIDS sufferers increase their weight (subsp. indica). Externally, for sores, corns or varicose ulcers. Seeds (huo ma Ren) are utilized in traditional Chinese treatment for constipation due to debilitation or deficiency of fluids.
Uses for cooking: Seeds are an part of the whole food menu and beers. They are also utilized as an ingredient in Japanese cuisine, particularly in the spice mix called shichimi. Seed oil is utilized to cook. dried herb is used in Moroccan confectionery (majoun) and is used as a flavoring ingredient in Ital (rastafarian) food preparation.
Economic benefits: Provides fibers to make rope. Seed oil is used in cosmetics.