PDR for Herbal Medicines

500/MARIGOLD

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. AufL, Wiss. Veriagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Wilkomirski B, (1985) Phytochemistry 24(12):3067.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 1995,

Willuhn G, Ringenblumenbliiten (Calendulabliiten). In: Tagl

Praxis 33(3):685. 1992.

Zitterl-Eglseer K, Sosa S, Jurenitsch J et al., Anti-oedematous

activities of the main triterpendiol esters of Marigold (Calendula

officinalis L.). J Ethnopharmacol 1997; 57:139-144.

Marijuana

Cannabis sativa

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the twig tips of the

female flowers, with either flowers or fruit attached, the

flower-bearing twigs that have been dried; the ripe hemp

fruit and various homeopathic preparations of the fresh dried

plant-parts.

Flower and Fruit: Hemp is dioecious. The female flowers

are reduced to the perigone with one bract. The complete

inflorescences form a leafy, false spike. The male flowers

form panicles rich in pollen. Pollination is by wind. The fruit

is a gray-green, glossy achene, 3.5 to 5 mm long and 2.5 to 4

mm wide. The seeds have little endosperm, are white, oily-

fleshy and hooked.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Cannabis is an annual or biennial

plant, which is usually branched and grows up to 5 m. The

plant ha"s"s11ret^"rough-Jiaired and compressed bristles. The

leaves are lohg-petioled and 3 to 7 pinnate. The leaflets are

lanceolate and serrate.

Habitat: The plant probably originated in the Middle East.

Today it is grown worldwide in temperate and tropical

regions.

Production: Indian hemp is the dried flowering or fruiting

branch tips of Cannabis sativa var. indica. Production

depends on the origin. One method is by striping the leaves.

Another method is stripping the resin exuded from the

flowers and multiple fruit, which is shaped into balls or sheet

forms. The final method involves cutting 5 cm to 10 cm long

branch tips, which have just borne fruit, removing the leaves,

pressing the shooting tips and gathering them into bundles.

Not to be Confused With: Prior to being used as a narcotic,
marijuana was often combined with Nicotiana tabacum,
Lavandula officinalis, Nepeta catarina or Origanum vulgare.

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

It is possible to confuse Marijuana with varieties of Urtica,

Moraceae, Ulmaceae and Boraginaceae.

Other Names: Cannabis, Pot, Bhang, Grass, Indian Hemp,

Weed, Ganja, Kif

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY fl

COMPOUNDS

Cannabinoids: chief active agent 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-

THC = 1-THC), in addition to 60 additional cannabinoids

Volatile oil: of a very complex composition, with, among

other things beta-caryophyllenes, humules, caryophyllene

oxide, alpha-pinenes, beta-pinenes, limonene, myrcene, beta-

ocimene

Flavonoids: including canniflavone-1, canniflavone-2

EFFECTS

Psychotropic action: In most subjects the effect is registered

following an oral dose of 20 mg d-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or

after inhaling a cigarette with 2% d-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

The symptoms are mood swings, reduction in drive, inability

to think clearly, confusion, lack of concentration, impairment

of short term memory and perception of time. Sensory

impressions become heightened or experienced differently.

Complex tasks become more difficult, the capacity to M

understand or empathize is impaired. Negative reactions

such as anxiety, panic and psychosis can occur.

It is only possible to describe this effect in animal tests, on

the basis of free behavioral and controlled behavioral tests. A

stimulating effect has also been observed with lower doses.

Not all cannaboids cause the same effect. CBC, CBD and

CBG have no psychomimetic effect. Various interactions

occur in combination with d-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

Antiemetic action: has been reported in clinical studies

involving cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Anticonvulsive action: d-9-tetrahydrocannabinol reduces the

clinical and electrographic convulsion intensity in cats.

Analgesic characteristics: d-9-tetrahydrocannabinol displays

analgesic characteristics, while at the same time partially

increasing sensitivity to pain.

Body temperature: In animal tests, d-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

and other cannaboids reduced body temperature. The maxi-

mum reduction was relatively small. A stronger hypothermic ™

effect was observed in higher doses, which affected

behavior.

Respiratory tract: The inhalation of marihuana smoke

caused bronchial dilation in healthy subjects. Methacholine-

induced asthma attacks can be terminated by inhaling

marihuana, in this case only psychomimetic cannaboids are

active.