Cannabinoids in Plants Other Than Cannabis

Now days we all know that Cannabis (Cannabis indica, Cannabis sativa) is the worlds most useful medicinal plant due to its abundance of miraculous healing cannabinoids (A cannabinoid is a substance that interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), a large regulatory system in the body that is responsible for maintaining the perfect internal balance for optimum health. What is not so well known is that these healing cannabinoid compounds are also found in quite a few other herbs and spices. Let's take a look at some of these lesser known cannabinoid bearing species.

Cone-Flower (Echinacea purpurea)

Echinacea has an ancient reputation as an immune system booster often used for fighting colds and flus. It is also used as a relaxant and anti-inflammatory. Echinacea  is loaded with cannabimimetics called N-alkyl amides (NAAs) which interact with the body's CB2 cannabinoid receptor. The CB2 receptor is involved with regulating the immune system and inflammatory response.

Electric Daisy (Acmella oleracea)

Also known as toothache plant, Electric daisy is used to make a pain-killing gel that is used by dentists. It contains N-Isobutylamides act on the CB2 receptor and may act as powerful pain-killers.

Helichrysum (H. umbraculigerum)

Helichrysum has been smoked and used as a trance inducing incense by various African tribesman. It has now been found to contain a compound amazingly similar to the cannabinoid cannabigerol (CBG), which has powerful antidepressant, mood stabilizing, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Liverwort (Radula marginata)

This New Zealand Liverwort has been used as a traditional remedy for the treatment of bronchitis as well as gallbladder, liver, and bladder problems. It contains a substance strikingly similar to THC called perrottetinenic acid, which is active on the CB1 receptor and expected to produce a psychoactive effect similar to THC.

Black Pepper

Black pepper contains beta-caryophyllene (BCP), an aromatic terpene that is active on the CB2 cannabinoid receptor and acts as an anti-inflammatory.

Kava (Piper methysticum)

At least one of the psychoactive kavalactones found in kava has shown an affinity for cannabinoid receptors.

Chocolate (Theobroma cacao)

It is well known that eating dark chocolate boosts the effect of cannabis. This is because chocolate boosts anandamide in the body. Anandamide is the body's natural THC. Anandamide is broken down by an enzyme known as FAAH. Compounds in chocolate block FAAH, increasing the amount of anandamide in the body. This makes us feel happy, relaxed, and mildly high. further, new reseach has discovered two more compounds in chocolate that are actual cannabinoids.

Thank You Cannabis

Its is only thanks to the wonderful cannabis plant that humans have become aware of the existence of healing cannabinoids or even the endocannabinoid system itself. Recent discoveries show that cannabinoids are much more widely distributed throughout nature than at first it was thought. With more being discovered all the time, we are only now beginning to understand how these amazing compounds can be utilized to benefit our health.

Do you have experience using any kind of alternative plant cannabinoids for healing or health or even psychoactive purposes? If so please share your experience below.

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