hemp

Of the hemp, also cannabis called, is one of the oldest useful plants in the world. The plant belongs to the hemp family and is also used medicinally, among other things.

Occurrence and cultivation of hemp

The original home of the Hemp lies in Central Asia. Today, both cultivated and wild hemp can be found worldwide. The hemp plant prefers temperate to tropical zones. The annual herbaceous plant can grow up to five meters high. Most types of hemp are gendered, meaning that male and female flowers do not grow on the same plant.

The male plant, the so-called femel hemp, is less developed than the female hemp. The female hemp (hemp hen) is also more densely branched and has more leaves. However, there are also intermediate forms. The hemp plant has a long, heavily woody taproot. Numerous side roots branch off from this. These can be up to two meters long. The green angular stem arises from the root. It has a diameter of about 15 millimeters. In the bark part of the stem there are bundles of fibers, the hemp fibers.

The leaves of the hemp plant consist of 5 to 9 leaf fingers. The individual leaf fingers are lanceolate and toothed on the edge. The female flowers grow in the form of false spikes in the leaf axils. The flowers of the male plants are in panicles. The female flowers are pollinated by the wind. From a botanical point of view, the fruit of the hemp plant is a nut. In general, however, the fruit is usually referred to as hemp seed. It is a dry and closed fruit that contains seeds. This seed lies in a fruit bowl.

Effect & application

The hemp plant contains so-called cannabinoids. THC is certainly the most famous cannabinoid. Other cannabinoids are cannabidiol or cannabigerol. C.

Cannabis products are said to have a positive effect on various diseases. The cannabis active ingredients are said to alleviate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis through their anti-tactic and anti-spastic effects. The disease is not cured, but the symptoms improve significantly. Medicines made from hemp can also be used for cancer. Chemotherapy patients often experience nausea and vomiting. Cannabis can relieve nausea and nausea and also stimulates the appetite.

Many chemo patients are emaciated, so weight gain is very desirable. The appetite-increasing effect is also the reason why cannabis is used in AIDS patients. Good results can also be achieved with cannabis in the treatment of spastic paralysis, chronic nerve pain and Tourette's syndrome. The American Institute of Medicine recommends cannabis for the treatment of chronic pain, musculoskeletal disorders, arthritis, anorexia, and depression.

Cannabis extracts are used therapeutically. These have a standardized active ingredient content and are made from the female cannabis flowers. Synthetic cannabinoids can also be used. In addition to the main cannabinoids, natural cannabis medicinal products also contain other ingredients, so that their effect can differ from the synthetic preparations. Hemp seeds play an important role in nutritional therapy.

They are rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and vitamins such as vitamins A, B, C, D and E. They also contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids and linolenic acid. Due to their ingredients, the hemp seeds and the hemp oil obtained from them are among the so-called superfoods. The fibers from the hemp bark are an important raw material for textiles. Hemp is also used as natural insulation, cigarette paper or for the production of lightweight panels and as a fuel.

Importance for health, treatment & prevention

Cannabis has been used as a medicinal plant for thousands of years. As early as 2737 BC, the then Chinese emperor is said to have recommended cannabis resin for the treatment of gout, rheumatism and gynecological diseases. The ancient Egyptians also made use of the medicinal properties of hemp. Hemp also had its place in the medicine of St. Hildegard von Bingen.

In the 18th century, cannabis was also used in European conventional medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, cholera and tetanus. In the 19th century, cannabis was still part of a popular over-the-counter sleep aid. The tide turned in the first half of the 20th century. On the one hand, apparently more effective and inexpensive preparations appeared on the market. On the other hand, legal restrictions followed, since cannabis was classified as an intoxicant. Many negative effects on the psyche have been attributed to cannabis use.

In 1944, the then mayor of New York refuted many of the postulated negative effects of cannabis use with a study. As a result, further studies on the hemp plant were prohibited under threat of punishment. According to the Narcotics Act, both the acquisition and possession of all parts of the hemp plant is punishable. An exemption for use as a medicinal product was made in 2009. Cannabis has been a prescription drug since May 2011.

However, only the finished drugs, usually drops or sprays, are marketable, not the individual plant components. However, patients can apply for an exemption for the purchase of cannabis flowers via the Federal Opium Agency of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. The prerequisite for this, however, is that the patients can prove that other therapies have not yet been able to alleviate their suffering.

In addition, it must be proven that therapy with the usual cannabis drugs is not possible because the costs are not covered by the health insurance, for example. Therapy with cannabis flowers is many times cheaper than therapy with the corresponding ready-made medicinal products. In 2014 the Cologne Administrative Court ruled that in individual cases patients with chronic pain should be allowed to grow cannabis themselves.