Cannabis Roots: A Traditional Therapy with Future Potential for Treating Inflammation and Pain

Abstract

Introduction: The roots of the cannabis plant have a long history of medical use stretching back millennia. However, the therapeutic potential of cannabis roots has been largely ignored in modern times.Discussion: In the first century, Pliny the Elder described in Natural Histories that a decoction of the root in water could be used to relieve stiffness in the joints, gout, and related conditions. By the 17th century, various herbalists were recommending cannabis root to treat inflammation, joint pain, gout, and other conditions. There has been a subsequent paucity of research in this area, with only a few studies examining the composition of cannabis root and its medical potential. Active compounds identified and measured in cannabis roots include triterpenoids, friedelin (12.8 mg/kg) and epifriedelanol (21.3 mg/kg); alkaloids, cannabisativine (2.5 mg/kg) and anhydrocannabisativine (0.3 mg/kg); carvone and dihydrocarvone; N-(p-hydroxy-β-phenylethyl)-p-hydroxy-trans-cinnamamide (1.6 mg/kg); various sterols such as sitosterol (1.5%), campesterol (0.78%), and stigmasterol (0.56%); and other minor compounds, including choline. Of note, cannabis roots are not a significant source of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol, or other known phytocannabinoids.Conclusion: The current available data on the pharmacology of cannabis root components provide significant support to the historical and ethnobotanical claims of clinical efficacy. Certainly, this suggests the need for reexamination of whole root preparations on inflammatory and malignant conditions employing modern scientific techniques.

The Most Important Herbs Used in the Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Traditional Medicine

“…The S. marianum is rich in silymarin (a natural material that can destroy T. vaginalis), which makes the plant an ideal choice to fight against certain types of STDs. In addition, this substance is also used to boost the immune system of the body and therefore helps fight the parasite that causes infection in the body [78][79][80][81]. Soma, Soma is known as one of the effective traditional and herbal drugs as well as a home remedy for STDs due to its potent antibacterial properties.…”

Chemical and Biological Studies of <b><i>Cannabis sativa</i></b> Roots

“…To date, a total of 567 natural constituents covering several chemical classes have been identified from C. sativa [1, 2]. The most important classes are the cannabinoids, terpenoids, nitrogenous compounds, noncannabinoid phenols, flavonoids, and steroids [3]. The principal use of cannabis in medicine is for easing pain and in ameliorating nervous system disorders.…”

“…Throughout history, cannabis roots were documented in ancient Greek medicine, and a medical article in how Indians boiled them together with other leaves to make poultices for the treatment of inflamed skin surfaces and skin rash [3, 5]. There are numerous reports on the traditional use of cannabis root for the treatment of fever, inflammation, gout, arthritis, and joint pain, as well as skin burns and hard tumors [3]. Also, they were used to treat postpartum hemorrhage, difficult child labor, sexually transmitted disease, and gastrointestinal activity and infection [6].…”

“…Despite a long history of therapeutic use, the roots of cannabis plants have been ignored in modern medical research and practice. Cannabis roots have been reported to have many different compounds, including triterpenoids, monoterpenes, alkaloids, sterols, amides, and choline [3]. …”

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“…Protein content and size vary among every plant. As some people use different parts of Cannabis to prepare its decoction and tea and use it as a herbal remedy to treat many of the ailments, 12 estimation of protein becomes highly important in this case. In the case of Ricinus, the Castor oil is commonly used to prepare hair oils.…”