Grass


Grass

A genus containing a single species of tall, coarse annual, found on most soils, especially as a weed of nitrogen-rich soils near human habitation. The Scythians, who lived north of the Black Sea 3,000 years ago, produced intoxicating vapors by throwing cannabis on to hot stones. In Victorian gardening manuals it was listed as an elegant "dot plant" for summer borders. Cannabis is the Greek word for "hemp", from which the word "canvas" is derived, after the plant's fibrousness. Cannabis has been grown in Asia and the Middle East for over 4,000 years, both as a fiber plant and as a drug. Therapeutic uses were first described in Indian medicinal texts before 1000BCE and in the Chinese herbal Rh-ya in the 5th century BCE. Today its possession and use are illegal, or subject to strict controls, in most Western countries and in Australia and New Zealand, but legal and socially acceptable in many parts of Asia and the Middle East, where the dried plant or resin is commonly smoked or eaten. The various common names for cannabis refer to specific preparations: hasheesh - resin from the female plant, usually smoked in water pipes; bhang - dried plant mixed into water, fruits, or candy; charas - resin smoked or eatn with spices; and ganja - dried tops of the female plant. European herbals of the 16th century include the plant, which John Gerard called "Indian dreamer." Cannabis was listed in the pharmacopoeias of many countries including the USA, until its restriction in the 1930s. It contains more than 60 kinds of cannabinoids, including delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is largely responsible for the psychoactive effects. While modern research confirms the effectiveness of cannabis for a wide range of conditions, its illegal status has suppressed therapeutic use in the West. However, cannabis is still widely used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Marijuana, a relative of the hops plant, has been used since ancient times as a medicinal and psychoactive agent. The leaves, which are typically smoked but may be ingested, contain hundreds of chemicals, but the main active ingredient is tetrahydrocannibol (THC). Marijuana has been used to ease the paint, nausea, and vomiting associated with chemotherapy; relieve headaches; ease symptoms of glaucoma; and induce relaxation, among other things.

Strong-smelling, variable annual with a long tap root, erect, branched stem, and palmate leaves. Panicles of small, green flowers appear in summer, male and female on separate plants.


Common Name:
Grass
Other Names:
Cannabis, Hemp, Hasheesh, Indian Hemp, Marijuana, Pot, Weed
Botanical Name:
Cannabis sativa
Genus:
Cannabis
Family:
Cannabidaceae
Native Location:
C Asia
Cultivation:
Cultivation, harvesting, and processing of cannabis plants are subject to legal restrictions in many countries. Approved varieties for fiber (hemp) production, with no to low narcotic content, are permitted by liscense in producer countries. Subject to statuatory control as a weed in some countries, notably in various parts of Australia
Height:
90cm-5m (3-15ft)
Width:
30cm-1.5m (1-5ft)
Variations:
Subsp. indica
(Cannabis, marijuana)
Is rich in cannabinoids and essential oil.

Subsp. sativa
(Hemp)
Is hardier and lacks psychoactive compounds.
Hardiness:
Hardy
Parts Used:
Whole plant, oil (subsp. sativa); flowering tops, seeds (subsp. indica), Twigs tips.
Properties:
Subsp. indica has analgesic, anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties; it is also a laxative and hypotensive.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, to reduce ocular pressure in glaucoma, ease muscular stiffness and tremor in multiple sclerosis, and help AIDS patients gain weight (subsp. indica). Externally for corns, sores, and varicose ulcers (subsp. indica). Seeds (huo ma ren) are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat constipation caused by debility or by fluid deficiency.
To treat glaucoma, constipation, beriberi, gout, rheumatism, insomnia, cough, nerve pain, and asthma; to stimulate the appetite; to produce mind-altering effects.
Possible Side Effects:
Marijuana's side effects include impaired reaction time and motor coordination, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, panic, rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, and depression and other emotional disturbances.
Drug Interactions:
Taking marijuana with these drugs may increase the heart rate and the risk of delerium:
Amitriptyline, (Elavil, Levate)
Amitriptyline and Chlordiazepoxide, (Limbitrol)
Amitriptyline and Perphenazine, (Etrafon, Triavil)
Amoxapine, (Asendin)
Clomipramine, (Anafranil, Novo-Clopramine)
Desipramine, (Alti-Desipramine, Norpramin)
Doxepin, (Sinequan, Zonalon)
Imipramine, (Apo-Imipramine, Tofranil)
Lofepramine, (Feprapax, Gamanil)
Melitracen, (Dixeran)
Nortriptyline, (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)
Protriptyline, (Vivactil)
Trimipramine, (Apo-Trimip, Surmontil)
Taking marijuana with these drugs may increase the risk of excessive sedation and mental depression and impairment:
Amobarbital, (Amytal)
Amobarbital and Secobarbital, (Tuinal)
Butabarbital, (Butisol Sodium)
Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine, (Esgic, Fioricet)
Butalbital, Aspirin, and Caffeine, (Fiorinal)
Mephobarbital, (Mebaral)
Methohexital, (Brevital, Brevital Sodium)
Pentobarbital, (Nembutal)
Phenobarbital, (Luminal Sodium, PMS-Phenobarbital)
Primidone, (Apo-Primidone, Mysoline)
Secobarbital, (Seconal)
Thiopental, (Pentothal)
Taking marijuana with these drugs may interfere with absorption of the drug:
Amprenavir, (Agenerase)
Indinavir, (Crixivan)
Lopinavir and Ritonavir, (Kaletra)
Nelfinavir, (Viracept)
Ritonavir, (Norvir)
Saquinavir, (Fortovase, Invirase)
Taking marijuana with these drugs may cause symptoms of mania:
Citalopram, (Celexa)
Fluoxetine, (Prozac, Sarafem)
Fluvoxamine, (Alti-Fluvoxamine, Luvox)
Paroxetine, (Paxil)
S-Citalopram, (Lexapro)
Sertraline, (Apo-Sertraline, Zoloft)
Taking marijuana with these drugs may be harmful:
Disulfiram, (Antabuse)—may increase the risk of low-level mania (excitability, hyperactivity, talkativeness, quick anger, and other symptoms).
Theophylline, (Elixophyllin, Theochron)—may speed clearance of theophylline from the bloodstream, necessitating an increased dose of the drug.
Lab Test Alterations:
May decrease intraocular pressure and glaucoma test results.
Disease Effects:
  • May cause rapid heartbeat and temporarily elevated blood pressure.
  • May increase susceptibility to infections by suppressing the immune system.
  • May worsen respiratory ailments.
  • May encourage development of psychosis in both psychosis-free and psychosis-prone individuals.
Food Interactions:
Increased or synergistic central nervous system effects (for example, impaired reaction time, motor coordination, and visual perception) with concurrent ingestion of alcohol.
Drug Interactions:
May enhance therapeutic and adverse effects of herbs and supplements that have sedative properties, such as 5-HTP, Kava Kava, St. John's Wort, and Valerian.
Culinary Uses:
Seeds are an ingredient in wholefood cuisine and beers, and used as a condiment in Japanese cuisine, notably in the spice mixture shichimi. Seed oil is used for culinary purposes. Dried herb is an ingredient of Moroccan candy (majoun) and is important as a flavoring in Ital (Rastafarian) cooking.
Economic Uses:
Subsp. sativa is a source of fibers for rope making. Oil pressed from seeds of subsp. sativa is added to cosmetics.
Warning:
This herb is subject to legal restrictions in most countries.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited Pp 152-153
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.330-332