5 Healing Plants With Effects Similar to Cannabis
Cannabis research is now growing in popularity, and we love it. However, scientists seem to have forgotten about other healing plants that may also contain useful cannabinoids. Just to remind you that other plants also exist, MJ Wellness has created a list of five healthful plants that provide similar medical effects.
Though marijuana is a herb that can interact with the human endocannabinoid system, there are other common plants like black pepper or chocolate that perform the same function even though they do not contain cannabinoids. However, the following plants are full of these useful cannabis compounds and can benefit users in the same way marijuana does.
Helichrysum Umbraculigerum
This South African flower has surprised researchers. In this plant, they found the exact same chemicals as cannabis has. The herb appears to be full of both cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabigerol acid-like chemicals. CDG is considered to be the predecessor of such well-known cannabinoids as CBD and THC. In addition, CBG acts like a potential thymoleptic, antibiotic, and even chemotherapeutic drug. For many centuries, Southern Africans smoked this flower and did not even know that it was the first non-marijuana plant that included the CDG compound.
Rosemary
Like cannabis, this plant contains a terpene called beta-caryophyllene (BCP), which affects the human body similarly to cannabinoids. BCP has a great therapeutic potential, as it interacts with CB2 receptors, which are important elements in the human immune system. According to a recent study, BCP provides anti-anxiety and stress-relieving effects. In combination with such cannabis chemicals as CBD and THC, this terpene is potentially beneficial in the treatment of gastric ulcer and aid addiction recovery.
Maca
While other plants in this list have chemicals that directly cooperate with cannabinoid receptors, this plant includes compounds that act similarly to the non-psychoactive CBD. Maca or Lepidium meyenii contains special chemicals called N-benzyl amides that enhance the endocannabinoid tone in the human body. Scientists have also discovered that these compounds have strong analgesic, antidepressant, and anti-anxiety effects. The plant has been used as an important medicinal crop in Peru for many years to help people normalize hormonal levels, improve memory, and regulate metabolism.
Kava
Kava is well-known for its stress-relieving and calming properties. The roots of this plant have been traditionally used by Pacific island cultures for medical purposes. The kava plant allegedly acts as a sedative, painkilling, and uplifting agent thanks to the chemicals called kavalactones. Researchers found that these compounds, yangonin to be specific, could combine with the CB1 receptor like THC does.
Japanese and New Zealand Liverwort
Japanese and New Zealand liverworts contain a scientifically approved compound called perrottetinene, which is similar to THC. Researchers suggest that this chemical is cannabimimetic, which means that it interacts with the endocannabinoid system like the compounds in marijuana. Moreover, it also engages with the CB1 receptor like THC.
