Marijuana Tea Is Not Immoral – It’s A Medicine
Marijuana Tea
Cannabis is a drug produced from the Cannabis sativa (commonly known as hemp) or Cannabis indica plant, which is related to nettles and hops. Also known as Cannabis, it has been around for a long time. It’s believed to have originated in the mountainous regions of India, and grows wild in many parts of the world. The Chinese documented its medicinal value more than 4,000 years ago, using seeds, leaves and sap as sedatives or painkillers and to treat fevers, nausea and ulcers. It is highly factual that some people have been using it for thousands of years for effective handling of various diseases. A number of cultures, including some tribes of Native Americans, Chinese and citizens of India have used cannabis as both the brewed tea and as an additive to other types of brewed tea.
Throughout the history, people have been using weed for effective handling of different diseases. A tea made from cannabis leaves and roots is a traditional household drink in Jamaica, brewed by “Roots Daughters” for their families. Ancient herbalists made unguents for burns and other wounds from its roots. Galen, and other physicians of the classical and Hellenistic eras, also noted cannabis as a remedy, and the Arabs started using the plant as early as the mid-1200s. In the UK, cannabis is a Class B illegal drug. The recreational drug cannabis comes in many forms – herbal (dried plant material), resin, powder and oil – and is known by many slang terms, including weed, pot, grass and hash. In India the process of brewing tea using parts of the cannabis plant is referred to as Bhang, which simply means a tea and cannabis mixture. Although there is evidence of cannabis use in Europe from the thirteenth century, after Marco Polo returned from his journey to the east in 1297, its medical use became more popular in the nineteenth century, when the British physician William B. O’Shaugnessy brought back an account of the remarkable effects of this plant from India. Even Queen Victoria is said to have sipped Cannabis tea prescribed by her court physician to treat menstrual cramps.
Though, there was a complete absence of scientific facts to support the negative traits of Cannabis, people chose to remain unaware about the benefits Cannabis tea. In 1937 during the fight against drugs, Cannabis acquired the tag of immorality and soon was declared illegal worldwide. Cannabis tea is sometimes called Tea pot and also weed tea. There is nothing new about brewing cannabis into a tea. Some consume it on regular basis, which has ignited curiosity in medical science to study the benefits of Cannabis Tea. The anecdotal claims of the healing properties of cannabis are now supported by modern research on the metabolism of cannabinoids—the active components of the plant—and their potential use in medicine. The many beneficial aspects of cannabis are not a new discovery—the plant has a long tradition in medicine that originated in oriental and Middle Eastern countries. The hemp plant as it’s called, Cannabis was first made to use in the form of fabric which is deemed to have been woven from its dried forms.
Plant Description
Cannabis is a plant that grows up to five meters. Its Latin name in botanical classification is Cannabis sativa L. but most people know it as Cannabis, grass, pot, dope or weed, mainly when referring to its recreational use. Weed is typically smoked, one of the best alternative and healthy way of taking weed involves vaporization or in a tea which is actually an alcohol-based tincture. The plant contains more than 400 chemicals, including cannabidiolic acid, an antibiotic with similar properties to penicillin. The different chemical derivatives of the plant can be used for medicinal or recreational purposes. The plant is often termed, ‘the aspirin of the new century’, reflecting hopes that cannabis could be used to treat a variety of ailments, ranging from migraine to cancer. The plant contains more than 60 active compounds, of which the most psychoactive ingredient is Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which was first identified in the 1940s and first synthesized in 1965. The essential questions are whether the active ingredient in Cannabis, the cannabinoid (chemical compound) known as THC, has any medicinal value; whether the risks associated with its use outweigh the benefits; and whether THC answers a need not currently met by any other medications on the market. THC mainly recognizes a receptor of the central nervous system called CB1, the cannabinoid receptor, which is involved in the regulation of synaptic transmission of excitatory and inhibitory neural circuits. The primary medical effects of TCH are due to its ability to mimic the body’s own pain fighting substances.
Preparation of Cannabis Tea
To make cannabis tea, first grind approximately 1 to 1.25 grams of high-grade Cannabis buds (should come out to around 1.5 tbsp of ground flowers). Set these ground up buds aside, as you will need them shortly. Next, boil an appropriate amount of water for the cup that you will be using. Bring this water to a boil, subsequently adding the ground cannabis buds, as well as no more than a tsp of softened butter or vegetable oil. If you do not add the butter or oil, then the medication will not be as potent. THC is not particularly water-soluble, even when boiled and adding butter or oil helps to release the THC. Once you have added the butter and Cannabis, turn the water down to a low simmer for 20 minutes and cover the pot. After this 20 minutes is up, turn the dial off, retaining the covered cannabis tea on the burner for the next 40 minutes (this is to keep it warm and help fully release all of the medicinal qualities of the Cannabis). Another favorite among patients is a tea similar to chai tea, using the same steps above, but adding a spice such as allspice, cinnamon, or mint when the cannabis and butter are added.
Health Benefits of Cannabis Tea
Cannabis can be smoked, but this in itself has health concerns, as Cannabis smoke has tars and toxins just like tobacco smoke. Cannabis tea is the best method of making use of Cannabis. The levels of psychoactive ingredients are dispersed when added to hot water. Typically it is prepared in a cup and served as it would be in a restaurant. The product can also be sold as a paste that can be used to make into your own tea at home. By discovering how the active ingredients of the plant exert their effect on the human metabolism, scientists think that cannabis could have great potential for the development of new drugs. The cannabis in the tea also contains fibers and enzymes that are nutritious and are shown to aid in a healthy life.
Despite the ongoing controversy regarding Cannabis as a medicinal plant, there is enough proof to show that is can help with certain conditions. One of the benefits to this tea pot instead of smoking pot is that it eliminates the need to smoke it. Cannabis is an illegal recreational drug but has increasing support of some U.S. states and European nations for its medicinal values. There are some of the major health benefits of Cannabis tea. Cannabis tea is a tisane, rather than a true tea. Medical Cannabis Infused Products are those products that are used for anything other than for smoking. Because of its smokeless form of ingestion, it is preferred by some as a method of using the plant for medicinal purposes. Medical-Cannabis Infused Products are any product, including but not limited to Teas, Tinctures, Hashish, Extracts, Balms, and Lotions that are ingested in any manner other than by smoking. Cannabis, also known as Cannabis, contains Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a substance that binds to the brain’s receptors. The chief medicinal effects of THC are due to its ability to mimic the body’s own pain-fighting substances, according to a 2009 article reported by Science Daily.
Although most of the current clinical use of cannabis concentrates on symptom management, researchers have increasingly become interested in the metabolic and neurological processes triggered by cannaboids. The greatest potential offered by cannabis lies in the glimpse it offers to a signaling system, the endocannabinoid system, which can be modulated pharmacologically in various selective ways and which may well open up a new generation of endocannabinoid-based therapeutic drugs. The biology of the cannabinoids suggests that there might be other benefits in the treatment of neurological disorders, especially in slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. For example, sustained receptor stimulation by cannabinoids can make up for the gradual loss of the CB1 receptor, which is associated with the onset of Huntington’s disease. Through understanding and exploiting the biology of cannabinoids, researchers may in fact be able to bypass the main problem with the use of cannabis as a medicine: the impossibility of dissociating the potential therapeutic activities from the adverse effects. Researchers are now trying to design drugs that might work as agonists or antagonists of the endogenous cannabinoid system without the side-effects, with some evidence emerging in the treatment of anxiety.
But whether or not the beneficial effects of Cannabis are further supported by biomedical research, those counting on them will nevertheless have to face the legal aspects of using the drug in their countries. Indeed, the negative aspects of the plant, mainly the risk of addiction, are the reasons why most countries have outlawed the growth, possession and consumption of cannabis. The debate about the health benefits of cannabis is thus lost in a bitter clash between authorities that enforce strict laws against its use and proponents pushing for its legalization. The benefits of Cannabis tea also find an innovative way in comparison to nicotine present in tobacco products. As a matter of fact, Cannabis is also less addictive when compared to nicotine as well as its effects are also less harmful comparatively to alcohol and other tobacco products. Dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to stimulate the appetite of AIDS patients and to treat their anorexia and associated weight loss. It has also been indicated for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.
Use of Cannabis should always be under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner.
For Relieving Pain
For those suffering from conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis or AIDS, cannabis relieves pain and the mental anxiety that comes with constant body pain. The main reason why patients take cannabis is for its ability to reduce chronic pain. Cannabis is very much instrumental in the treatment of nerve pain. The pain can be prolonged if the nerve fibers are damaged. They barely give you a break in experiencing severe pain with the constant recurring pain signals. It allows the neuropathic patients to become functional in normal ways again. A more healthful way to take medical Cannabis involves vaporization or in a “tea” which is actually an alcohol-based tincture. Ongoing research into the use of Cannabis also indicates that drinking cannabis made into a tea has the same pain relieving benefits that some terminal cancer sufferers receive when smoking cannabis. This method of ingesting cannabis yields low psychoactive effects, as tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive agent in cannabis, is not a water-soluble compound. Dissolving the active ingredient THC in lipids (for example vegetable oil or butter) or alcohol (as in Green Dragon) is more effective for psychoactive purposes. If the nerve fibers are damaged the nerve pain can be prolonged.
For Alzheimer’s Disease
Cannabis is used in the treatment of Alzheimer disease. THC ( Tetrahydrocannabinol ), one of the active ingredients of Cannabis is very promising in combating Alzheimer’s disease by inhibiting the creation of amyloidal plaque. These plaques if present in the brain are positive indicators to Alzheimer’s disease. THC inhibits the creation of amyloidal plaque.
For Anxiety
For patients dealing with chronic pain and end-of-life care, cannabis also can reduce anxiety and increase feelings of well-being.
For Multiple Sclerosis
Diseases such as multiple sclerosis may be modified by treatment with cannaboids, according to Paul Armentano, director of Norml, a group seeking to reform Cannabis laws. It effectively causes the growth of neurodegeneration (which initiates multiple sclerosis) to be sluggish. Also of great interest is the ability of cannabis to mitigate symptoms such as muscle spasms and spasticity.
For Nausea
Cannabis tea also reduces nausea, a debilitating side-effect of the drugs, including chemotherapy, used to treat life-threatening diseases.
For brain tumour
Injections of synthetic THC eradicated malignant brain tumours in rats, suggesting that cannabinoids may even protect against the development of certain types of tumours.
As a Compress
Make the preparation as you would tea made with water, or the tincture made with vodka. Thoroughly soak a compress in the mixture and apply directly to affected area. Allow the compress to remain for at least a half hour. Compresses are often used to alleviate the pain caused from bursitis and arthritis or sore and aching joints.
For Emotional Wounds
A cup of Cannabis Tea (sometimes known as Turtle’s Tea) helps to heal emotional wounds, alleviates sickness and makes cold weather more bearable, even enjoyable. Turtle’s Teas humanizes complete strangers and dissolves cultural barriers.
For Glaucoma
Cannabis also helps in the treatment of patients suffering from glaucoma, one of the most common causes of blindness, by reducing fluid pressure in the eye.
For Immunity
Cannabis Tea contains beneficial antioxidants that boost the immune system.
For IBS
Diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome may be modified by treatment with cannaboids, according to Paul Armentano, director of Norml, a group seeking to reform Cannabis laws.
For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Cannabis tea may be helpful in treating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
For Stress
Cannabis Tea contains beneficial antioxidants that increase mental alertness, lower stress, hormone levels, pain and can help you sleep.
For Weight Loss
While water-based tea is generally not very efficient, teas using milk, which contains fat, are more effective in preventing weight loss. Stimulating appetite is another related effect of cannabis tea, and can prevent weight loss of patients undergoing taxing chemotherapy sessions or suffering from AIDS. When under chemotherapy, the body loses the excessive fats and muscle build ups. The same condition is seen in HIV infected people; they entertain poor appetite and also linked with nausea, vomiting, etc. Cannabis tea overcomes this; it restores appetite and eradicates nausea.
For Relaxation
It has a good psychological impact on the body if consumed in decent amounts. It helps a person to experience utmost relaxation with him and the surroundings.
Adverse Effects
Although recent research backs the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, its adverse effects and the risk of addiction push against the legalization of the drug for medical use. Cannabis use has been recorded to date for thousands of years, and there has never been one death attributed to the overdose of Cannabis. There are some effects that sometimes occur and should be known so that you can more effectively use this powerful herb for its medical benefits.
Uneasiness
Try to use Cannabis when you are in a comfortable and secure environment. Lie down and relax. Often Cannabis has a soothing and comforting effect.
Drowsiness
The same warning that applies to any medication that causes drowsiness also applies to some varieties of Cannabis. If you feel tired then rest. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery or anything that might endanger your well-being or anyone else’s.
Addiction
The general opposition to Cannabis is comprised of the arguments that whatever medical value it has is already fulfilled by other, equally effective drugs on the market, and that Cannabis is highly addictive.
Uneasiness
On occasions some patients will experience feelings of anxiety instead of or in conjunction with a sense of heightened awareness. There is a view that, according to Harvard researchers, in the hour after having smoked Cannabis, one’s heart attack risk goes up five fold. Cannabis’s effects on blood pressure are complex and inconsistent as of yet.
Insomnia
Some patients found that they cannot sleep after using medical Cannabis or that the mind is active. Should this occur, try reducing your dosage and avoid using the medicine prior to going to bed. Try using an indica dominant strain. If insomnia continues to exist, try reading before going to sleep.
Memory Loss
Cannabis does impair short-term memory, but only during intoxication. THC has been shown to have a negative effect on memory, and chronic abuse of Cannabis will cause permanent impairment.
Thirst
Persistent ‘dry mouth’ or thirst is not an uncommon side effect. Drink plenty of water, which is something that should be done everyday. Add fruit juices or herbal teas and try to avoid drinks that dehydrate the body like coffee and soft drinks.
Red Eyes
This effect will not hurt you. Wear sunglasses or use a saline solution if you feel it is absolutely necessary.
Reduced sperm production
In animal tests, THC also lowered testosterone production and reduced sperm production, motility and viability.
Harder drugs
The biggest concern about the consumption of cannabis is the possibility of it constituting a ‘gateway’ to harder drugs.
Category: HERBAL TEAS
