Cannabis
Cannabis (Hou Ma Ren)
Botanical Name: Cannabis sativa
The use of cannabis (a.k.a. marijuana) by many of the world’s cultures to heal the mind and body dates back to ancient times. Here we explore the Eastern and Western history as well as the current usage of this important medicinal herb.
Below is an overview of cannabis, combining and interpreting the best of Western science, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), shamanism, folklore and more. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of cannabis.
Want to Find Out More about Cannabis?
Take full advantage of the healing power of Cannabis (Hou Ma Ren). What does Cannabis treat? Find out what you DON’T know about how and why Cannabis works. Find Out More…
Find Out More!
Take full advantage of the healing powers of herbs! What do they treat? How can they be used? Get an Eastern and Western perspective about how and why healing herbs works. Get recipes, gardening tips, insights, and much, much more.
Western
Western Name: Cannabis
Also Known As: Marijuana, Mary Jane, Weed, Pot
Organs/Systems: Nervous System, Stomach, Intestines
Key Actions: Relaxant, Orexigenic, Antidepressant, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Sedative
Medicinal Uses: Inhibits pain (back, injury, cramps, joint, muscle spasticity). Also treats insomnia, menopause, depression. Improves appetite, calms nerves, reduces nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.
Eastern
Pin Yin: Hou Ma Ren (Semen Cannabis sativa)
Also Known As: Fire Hemp Seed
Meridians: Large Intestine, Stomach
Key TCM Actions & Medicinal Uses: Moist Laxatives, Nourishes and Moistens the Intestines, Nourishes Yin, Clears Heat, Promotes Healing of Sores
Medicinal Uses: Constipation in the elderly and weak, aftermath of febrile disease, postpartum and cases of blood deficiency. Mildly tonifies Yin and is primarily used in cases of Yin deficiency with constipation, auxiliary herb for sores and ulcerations, taken orally or applied topically.
Parts Most Frequently Used: Seeds, Leaves, Buds. Dried flower buds are “marijuana”; resin is “hashish,” with various extracts collectively known as “hashish oil.” Fibers used for hemp production.
Flavors: Sweet, Neutral
Caution: Considered safe. Extreme usage has been shown to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness of limbs.
History/Folklore: Societies in Euro-Asia and Africa have used cannabis as a hallucinogen since prehistoric times. In 2007, British researchers used Delphic analysis to determine that cannabis has a lower risk factor for dependence than nicotine or alcohol.
Key Constituents:
Cannabinoids, with the main one being THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal psychoactive constituent in the cannabis plant), and terpenoids.
Etymology
The word comes from the Greek, though it has roots in Scythian, Thracian, Persian and Modern Hebrew, the people group that supposedly used cannabis in biblical anointing oil.
Smoke Producer
The Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonians translated this herb’s name as “way to produce smoke.”
Into The West
In 1545, cannabis spread to the Western Hemisphere when the Spaniards imported it to Chile for use as a fiber.
FREE Trial!
Get a NEW Healing Herb Fact Sheet each week!
Sign up for immediate access to your first Healing Herb Fact Sheet and a one month free trial. Find out for yourself why over 50,000 people have already signed up.
Choose the Right Herbs for You!
Take FULL Advantage of the Healing Powers of Herbs!
Our Healing Herb Library is a collection of How to Use Herb Health Sessions that guide you through individual herbs, helping you to take full advantage of each herb’s unique healing powers.
Flower Your World with Healing Herb Fact Sheets!
Get 300+ Fact Sheets,
Right Now!
Get IMMEDIATE access to Our Complete Collection of 6 eBook Volumes containing 300+ Healing Herb Fact Sheets.
Want to Learn More?
Join us for FREE to receive Special Offers and updates about our upcoming courses, FREE materials and more.Disclosure: If you purchase from some links on this web page, we may receive some kind of affiliate commission. However, we only ever mention products we would recommend whether we were being compensated or not. Thank you so much for your support of White Rabbit Institute of Healing!
