Chinese medicine holds a long history of treating mankind with their traditional expertise. And considering the facts and information we have of that time, their expertise also extended to the green herb that we know and love today – cannabis. In fact, the Chinese were one of the first people to advocate the medicinal use of cannabis.
Doctors from reliable clinics such as Online Medical Card, fully support the use of medical cannabis and help people get easy consultations for a medical marijuana card too. However, medical use of cannabis is not a recent development. The use of cannabis dates back to more than 2500 years. The Chinese always advocated using natural elements to manage health. Their technique was in practice long before modern medicine. Acupuncture, massage, and moxibustion are some of the revered techniques that have shaped the course of Chinese medicine. In this entire journey, cannabis was an important part.
Cannabis in Chinese Medicine
If we talk about modern Chinese medicine, the hemp seeds are used as mild laxatives. Well, this was not the case in ancient times. If we dive into the history, every part of the cannabis plant had a specific use. This means, the flowers, roots, and leaves were in heavy use. If we look at ancient Chinese texts, you can find references to the cannabis flower. This clearly points to the fact that the bud held an important part in Chinese medicine.
Materia Medica quotes the earliest use of cannabis in China. Written by the legendary emperor and herbalist Shennong, this book is still in clinical use today. The book presents cannabis in a completely different light.
Cannabis for Pain-Relief in Chinese Medicine
In the 6th Century AD, Chinese physicists added more records to the book of Divine Medica. According to the book, cannabis offers relief from pus, impediment, and accumulations. They have a word for impediment syndrome. It’s called bi-syndrome. The Chinese medicine advocates the anti-inflammatory effects of the herb. Sun Simiao, a famous Chinese physicist mentions that the juice of cannabis leaves is an effective remedy for pain. Another physicist quotes that cannabis seed wine has promising effects for managing inflammation.
Also Read : Why Do 420 Doctors Feel That Marijuana Is Better Than Opioids to Manage Chronic Pain?
Cannabis for Mental Illnesses
The Chinese detected the psychoactive properties of cannabis as early as the 1st Century AD. The earliest reference goes back to Sun Simiao’s book Formulas Worth of Thousand Gold. He mentions that cannabis is a great remedy for Wind Withdrawal. This is a condition in Chinese medicine that is similar to depression and insomnia. It mentions that cannabis is great for managing stress and it brings a sense of mental clarity.
This fact is parallel to the current use of cannabis. The herb is revered for its medical potential in relieving mental friction and depression.
Also Read: A Guide to Understanding Medical Marijuana for Depression
The Endocannabinoid System and Chinese Medicine
There is an endocannabinoid system that thrives within the human body. It’s a set of endocannabinoid receptors, enzymes, and cannabinoids that combine to produce the promising effects on the body. CB1 and CB2 are the two kinds of receptors that interact with the active compounds to produce beneficial effects on the human body. It’s this interaction that sketches the necessary effects for you.
Although the Chinese were not aware of the mechanism of the endocannabinoid system, they always advocated the theory that a balance within the body is important. This is similar to the traditional property of cannabis that it helps in establishing homeostasis. This means it helps in facilitating balance within the body.
The Use of Cannabis in Modern Medicine
In Chinese medicine, the only part of cannabis that is used now is the seeds. Also, fiber is something that is highly popular. The Chinese blend the seeds of hemp and drink it in the form of juice. It acts as a mild laxative or an ideal remedy for constipation. Well, the mentality is gradually changing. There is a transition from traditional use to mainstream medicinal use of cannabis and its derivatives.
Well, it’s not just limited to these health conditions. Chinese medicine mentions the use of cannabis for treating seizures and the possible use as an anesthetic. So, these facts clearly point to the fact that the Chinese understand the importance cannabis holds for the human body.
Today, medical use of cannabis has moved beyond the scope of Chinese medicine and is embraced by modern medicine too. Healthcare professionals are openly recommending cannabis for multiple conditions such as anxiety, PTSD, anorexia and more.
In the US, the legalization process has been like a breath of fresh air. It has made the medicinal benefits of cannabis accessible to all. People are increasingly becoming confident about using the herb. Now, though the states let people legally use cannabis, it is still required for patients to consult licensed professionals and get a medical marijuana card. Once you have the card, you have the legal right to purchase cannabis from dispensaries near you. Cannabis surely offers a way to enhance health without any side-effects. It’s a method that is natural and effective. The Chinese surely tapped on the benefits well ahead of time.
