Marijuana is a member of the Cannabaceae family. An annual with a hairy stem and palmately divided long stalked leaves with serrate edges which may grow to 4metres and contains male and female flowers, it is native to the Caucasus region, China, Iran and Northern India, but is now cultivated world wide. Only the female plant produces seed. Apart from its recreational use this plant has a remarkable history, it was once acclaimed as the universal panacea and was a permanent feature of every physic garden from Peking to Edinburgh.
Crusader knights who had experienced its pain-killing properties carried the seeds from the Levant to Scotland and planted them in the herb gardens of monastic hospitals. In ancient Egypt it was used to treat conjunctivitis and uterine problems. It appears in the early Chinese medical literature as a treatment for gout, malaria, beri-beri, rheumatism, constipation, absent mindedness and “women’s weakness’’, whatever that might be. Galen, the physician to Marcus Aurelius, used it to relieve the pain following surgery. In India it is taken for insomnia, nervous exhaustion, glaucoma, high blood pressure, and is thought to promote longevity, in other Asian countries it is used to relieve asthma, menstrual pain and migraine. J.Russell-Reynolds, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Physician in Ordinary to Queen Victoria administered it to her as an analgesic. He was quoted in the “Lancet’’ following this incident as stating “ Indian hemp (cannabis syn.), when pure and administered carefully, is one of the most valuable medicines we possess’’.
It is perhaps not too surprising that such an esteemed plant should be outlawed.
It contains over 60 different types of cannabinoids and is the only plant to contain THC, (tetrahydrocannabinol) one of the main psycho-active constituents. It is the THC content that has given rise to current medical research.
Medical practitioners discovered that patients that consumed cannabis whilst undergoing chemotherapy were not subject to the distressing nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite experienced by their other patients. Research led them to discover that not only could THC suppress the side-effects of chemotherapy but benefit those suffering from multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease and other neuro-muscular illnesses. Parkinson’s sufferers claim that cannabis helps to overcome speech impediments and reduces muscular tremors. In 2004 a medical research team at a Canadian university produced a paper claiming that THC would overcome certain viral cancer conditions such as Kaposi’s sarcoma, a terminal condition of many AIDS victims, and herpes B, the research continues.
Now that medical proofs appear to support the ancient claims for the efficacy of cannabis, modern drug companies are investing in the production of the plant in various Western countries. These countries that criminalised production back in the 20’s through the League of Nations, are now issuing licences to the major drug companies to grow cannabis on a commercial scale. The French have hybridised a non-toxic form which may overcome the moral and legal arguments against it.
In addition to the foregoing, cannabis provides a tough fibre which can be made into ropes, sails, cords, clothing (original jean fabric),bow strings, paper and perhaps most importantly, bio-degradable upholstery. However it should not be forgotten the cannabis is highly toxic, hallucinogenic, euphoric and illegal to possess or grow in most countries in the world.
Next week: Rosa damascena
