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A Guide To Cannabis As An Alternative Medicine

 
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Pot, weed, herb, marijuana; we’ve all heard of these terms at least once before, but have we really taken the time to think about why such a seemingly controversial plant has now become an unorthodox approach to medicine. The cannabis plant has been used worldwide as an herbal medicine for thousands of years. The plant is thought to have originated from Central Asia. It has only been recently introduced into Western culture as an alternative treatment, with California being the first state to legalize the use of cannabis for medical purposes. With the rise in prices of prescription medications, in addition to the associated risks with taking strong drugs/painkillers, more and more people are turning to weed as an alternate remedy.

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Since moving to the state of Colorado, where cannabis use is legal for both medical and recreational purposes, I have gotten the opportunity to experience and learn about the effects and benefits of cannabis. Today I hope to spread a little more knowledge within the world of weed. I won’t go into whether or not the government should legalize marijuana, or if it is addictive, or even how effective it is for users. Instead, I will list why people find this plant beneficial and the common ways people can consume it. Let this document act as an introductory guide for those interested in further understanding the principles behind cannabis usage as alternative medicine.

Many cannabis users have reported using the plant to help alleviate a myriad of health conditions such as: 

  • Chronic pain

  • Anxiety

  • Epilepsy

  • IBS

  • Nausea

  • PTSD

  • Insomnia

  • Migraines

  • IBS

  • Inflammatory bowel disease

  • HIV/AIDS symptoms

  • Loss of appetite

  • Arthritis 

  • Parkinson’s disease 

 
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Cannabis itself can be transformed and consumed in a multitude of ways, including:

  • Tinctures - Tinctures can be either alcohol or oil-based extracts that are taken sublingually or infused into an array of recipes and edible goods.

  • Edibles - Edibles are considered any food product that contains cannabis.

  • Bongs and bubblers - Bongs and bubblers are types of water pipes used with cannabis flower. 

  • Joints - Joints are cannabis flower rolled in paper, which can be made of hemp, rice, or even bamboo.

  • Topicals - Topicals, such as lotions and creams, enable cannabis compounds to absorb through the skin, where they deliver localized effects for pain or soreness.

The American Cannabinoid Clinics is a medical marijuana physician service whose goal is to deliver personalized, integrative care by providing patients with direct access to industry-educated physicians for guidance on cannabis therapeutics.

Written by Tammy Nguyen

Citations:

American Cannabinoid Clinics. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2020, from https://www.theacclinics.com/  

Blaszczak-Boxe, A. (2014, October 17). Marijuana’s History: How One Plant Spread Through the World. Livescience.Com. https://www.livescience.com/48337-marijuana-history-how-cannabis-travelled-world.htm

Trumble, S. (2016, May 2). Timeline of State Marijuana Legalization Laws. Third Way. https://www.thirdway.org/infographic/timeline-of-state-marijuana-legalization-laws 

She Grows It CommunicationsHealth, Wellness, Cannabis, Alternative Medicine1 Comment