1. Description:
Cannabis sativa (Chinese Pinyin: Da Ma, Simplified Chinese: 大麻, 火麻, 黄麻, 汉麻, 山丝苗, 线麻, 火麻仁, 大麻仁), is a species of annual erect herbaceous plant in genus Cannabis (botanical Cannabaceae family). Originated from Sikkim, Bhutan, India and Central Asia, the plant can grow up to 3 m tall. The seed, leaves and flower of Cannabis sativa is used as aperitive, anticancer drug, emmenagogue and anesthetic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as lapse of memory, menstrual disorders and dysentery.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
The seed of Cannabis sativa is considered to have pungent, neutral and toxic properties and to be associated with the spleen and large intestine meridians.
The leaves of Cannabis sativa is considered to have pungent and toxic properties and to be associated with the spleen and large intestine meridians.
The flower of Cannabis sativa is considered to have pungent, warm and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the spleen and large intestine meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Cannabis Sativa & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Anticancer
Cannabinoids are active chemicals in Cannabis that cause drug-like effects throughout the body, including the central nervous system and the immune system. They are also known as phytocannabinoids. The main active cannabinoid in Cannabis is delta-9-THC. Another active cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD), which may relieve pain and lower inflammation without causing the “high” of delta-9-THC. Therefore, Cannabinoids may be useful in treating the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment (cancer.gov 2017).
3.2 Anesthetic
Datura stramonium flower and Cannabis sativa flower are powdered and taken with wine to act as anesthetic.
3.3 Reducing Inflammation, Swelling And Relieving Pain
Cannabis sativa flower and cattail pollen are powdered and taken orally with wine to treat knife wounds.
Bark of Cannabis sativa can be used externally to treat injuries from falls, fractures, contusions and strains.
3.4 Diabetes
A decoction of Cannabis sativa seeds can be taken orally and regularly to treat diabetes.
3.5 Skin Health
Juice extracted from Cannabis sativa seed mixed with honey can be applied externally to treat head sores in infants and children.
3.6 Wind Diseases
Cannabis sativa flower, Aconitum kusnezoffii root are powdered taken with honey to treat different wind diseases.
3.7 The Excretory System
Pills made with Cannabis sativa seed, peony root, Mangnolia officinalis, rheum officinale , immature bitter orange, almond and honey is taken orally to treat constipation.
A decoction of juice extracted from Cannabis sativa seeds and mung bean (Vigna radiata) is taken on an empty stomach to treat dysentery (diarrhea with viscid red or white grains).
Juice extracted from Cannabis sativa laves is taken orally to treat intestinal worms.
3.8 Gynecological Diseases and Disorders
Medicated wine with Cannabis sativa seed and walnut kernel is taken to treat menstrual disorders.
A decoction of Cannabis sativa root is taken orally to treat bleeding disorder with heavy bleeding during periods.
3.9 Hair Health
Porridge with Cannabis sativa seed is taken regularly to treat hair loss.
Cannabis sativa seed oil is applied externally to help grow hair naturally.
3.10 Lapse of Memory
Cannabis sativa flower and ginseng are powdered and taken to treat lapse of memory.
3.11 Scrofula
Cannabis sativa flower and Artemisia argyi leaves are use used in moxibustion (a heat therapy) to stop scrofula of the neck at the beginning stages.
3.12 Malaria
Fried Cannabis sativa leaves is powdered and taken orally to treat malaria.
4. Contraindication, Side-effects & Cautions:
Long term usage can cause negative consequences.
Overdose on Cannabis sativa may lead to depressive, anxiety and hallucination.
List of reference
cancer.gov 2017 Cannabis and Cannabinoids (PDQ®)–Patient Version [online] link: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/cannabis-pdq
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.