Cannabis is not the only plant
that contains medically beneficial cannabinoids, although it has driven
the research to understand the powerful therapeutic properties of these
plant compounds. In actuality, there are several plants that are also
rich in cannabinoids and benefit the body’s endocannabinoid system,
which is responsible for helping the body maintain internal balance, or
homeostasis, which is needed for attaining optimum health.
To
expand our understanding of cannabinoids and the
endocannabinoid system, scientists and botanists are exploring the
prevalence of cannabinoids in many plants, other than just cannabis,
that are used in natural remedies. Below are six plants found to contain
healing cannabinoids or affect the endocannabinoid system, and some of
their known therapeutic benefits.
1. Coneflower – Echinacea
This
plant is well-known for its ability to help the body fight off the
common cold. It is also used to relieve anxiety, fatigue, migraines, and
arthritis. Echinacea is a bit different than cannabis because it uses
cannabimimetics instead of cannabinoids to engage the endocannabinoid
system, particularly the CB2 receptor. Similar to THC in cannabis, the
N-alkyl amides (NAAs) in echinacea are responsible for regulating the
immune system, pain and inflammation.
2. Electric Daisy – Acmella oleracea
Native
to the Amazon region, the electric daisy is used to create
a painkilling gel. It successfully blocks pain receptors at nerve
endings, as per trials conducted by Cambridge University. The compounds
found the the electric daisy are called N-Isobutylamides, and similarly
to other connabinoid-like compounds they regulate pain and inflammation.
This natural remedy is emerging as a dental remedy for ailments such as
impacted wisdom teeth.
3. Helichrysum umbraculigerum
Native
to South Africa, this daisy has a strong mood-stabilizing
and anti-depressant affect due to a large amounts of cannabigerol (CBG),
also found in the cannabis plant.
Helichrysum
has been studied by Italian natural product chemist Giovanni Appendino.
He presented at the International Cannabinoid Research Society his
discovery that cannabinoid-like compounds are made by plants, starting
from an aromatic acid, which is different from the normal cannabinoid
biosynthtic route. Helichrysum is used in African ritual ceremonies to
make fumes with a potential psychotropic effect similar to other
cannabinoids
4. Liverwort – Radula marginata
This
plant, indigenous to New Zealand, contains large amounts of
perrottetinenic acid, which is strikingly similar to THC, the
psychoactive component in cannabis. It is believed to bind with the CB1
receptors, just as THC, although liverwort is not known to have any
psychoactive effects. What it is known for is its ability to treat
bronchitis, and historically it has been used to alleviate gallbladder,
liver, and bladder problems.
5. Cacao – Theobroma cacao
The
cacao plant has many therapeutic properties and it is known to be a
powerful, and delicious superfood. Cacao affects with the
endocannabinoid system by deactivating the enzyme called FAAH, which
typically breaks down the endocannabinoid known as anandamide. Since
anandamide is identified to be the body’s natural version of THC, eating
natural chocolate increases the amounts of anandamide in the brain
because the FAAH enzyme is less active.
The
result is similar to what many people experience when smoking cannabis –
a general feeling of being relaxed and happy – although the result is
nowhere near as potent as with THC. Researchers at the Neurosciences
Institute of San Diego were able to back up the claims that chocolate
does contain three compounds that act as healing cannabinoids.
6. Black Pepper – Piper nigrum
A
very common aroma molecule or terpene, called beta-caryophyllene (BCP),
found in plant essential oils and abundantly present in black pepper,
has been discovered to function as a cannabinoid. Similar to other
plant-based cannabinoids, BCP binds with the CB2 receptors, giving it
the therapeutic effect of reducing inflammation. Various research has
suggested that BCP could be used for the treatment of arthritis and
osteoporosis, and may potentially increase the effectiveness of certain
anti-cancer drugs.
Source(s):
wakingtimes.com
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