Rootwork

Hemp / CBD

Cannabis sativa

CannabaceaeCentral Asia, likely originating in the Hindu Kush and Himalayan foothills; cultivated globally for millennia

Description

overall appearance

An erect annual herb growing 1–5 m tall depending on variety and cultivation conditions, with a characteristic palmate leaf silhouette and a pungent, resinous aroma. Hemp cultivars tend toward taller, less branched growth with lower resin content compared to drug-type varieties.

roots

Taproot system with extensive lateral branching; primary taproot can penetrate 30–60 cm into well-drained soil, improving soil structure and sequestering carbon

stem

Hollow, ridged, and fibrous; 4–20 mm in diameter, covered in short stiff hairs; bark contains long bast fibers used historically for rope and textiles

leaves

Palmate compound leaves with 5–9 lanceolate serrate leaflets each 8–15 cm long; alternately arranged on the stem; upper leaves may have fewer leaflets; covered in fine trichomes on both surfaces

flowers

Dioecious; male flowers are small, yellow-green, clustered in loose panicles; female flowers are green, enclosed in bracts bearing secretory trichomes; flowers appear in summer to early autumn

fruits/seeds

Achene (hemp seed) 3–5 mm, grey-green to brown, covered by a persistent perianth; seeds contain 30–35% oil by weight and are nutritionally dense

Active Compounds

Cannabidiol (CBD) — major non-psychoactive cannabinoidCannabidiolic acid (CBDA) — precursor to CBDCannabigerol (CBG) — precursor cannabinoid with anti-inflammatory activityCannabichromene (CBC) — non-psychoactive with analgesic potentialTerpenes: myrcene, limonene, linalool, beta-caryophylleneFlavonoids: cannflavin A and B, quercetin, apigeninGamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in seed oilTrace THC (<0.3% in hemp varieties)

Traditional Uses

  • Ancient Chinese medicine (Shennong Bencao Jing): seeds used as tonic food and to treat constipation and wasting diseases
  • Ayurvedic tradition: 'Vijaya' used to stimulate appetite, relieve pain, and as a sleep aid
  • European folk medicine: poultices of seeds and leaves applied for skin inflammation and joint pain
  • Scythian steam baths (Herodotus, 5th c. BCE): burned seeds inhaled for intoxication and ritual cleansing
  • Medieval European herbalism: seeds and oil used for digestive complaints and as a nutritive tonic
  • Traditional Islamic medicine: anti-inflammatory and analgesic for headaches and neuralgia
  • Indigenous North American traditions: fiber and seeds as food and material culture; some groups used leaf preparations for pain
  • Traditional use across Central Asia for insomnia, anxiety, and muscle spasm relief

Modern Applications

  • FDA-approved CBD (Epidiolex) for treatment-resistant epilepsy (Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) — RCT evidence
  • Anxiety reduction: multiple RCTs showing CBD reduces anxiety in social anxiety disorder and PTSD
  • Anti-inflammatory and analgesic: topical CBD reduces pain and inflammation in preclinical and small clinical studies
  • Neuroprotective effects studied in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and multiple sclerosis
  • Hemp seed oil: favorable omega-6:omega-3 ratio (3:1) supports cardiovascular health
  • Sleep quality improvement: low-dose CBD studied for insomnia and sleep disorders
  • Antiemetic effects: CBD reduces chemotherapy-induced nausea (preliminary clinical data)
  • Acne reduction: CBD inhibits sebocyte proliferation and sebum production in vitro

⚠️ Safety Information

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: insufficient safety data; avoid CBD products
  • Liver disease: CBD is hepatically metabolized; elevated liver enzymes reported at high doses
  • Children under 2 years: except under medical supervision for seizure disorders
  • Known hypersensitivity to Cannabis species
  • Pre-existing psychiatric conditions (schizophrenia, psychosis): monitor closely; high-THC products contraindicated
  • Avoid high-dose CBD before or during surgical procedures due to platelet effects

Side Effects

  • Drowsiness and sedation, particularly at doses >150 mg CBD
  • Dry mouth (xerostomia) at therapeutic doses
  • Diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset reported in clinical trials
  • Elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST) at doses >20 mg/kg/day in epilepsy trials
  • Reduced appetite and weight changes in some users
  • Interaction with drug metabolism leading to altered plasma levels of co-medications

Drug Interactions

  • CYP450 inhibitor (CYP3A4, CYP2C19, CYP2D6): increases plasma levels of warfarin, clobazam, valproate, and many other drugs — requires therapeutic drug monitoring
  • CNS depressants (benzodiazepines, opioids, alcohol): additive sedation
  • Anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin): CBD inhibits warfarin metabolism, increasing bleeding risk
  • Antiepileptics (clobazam, valproate): pharmacokinetic interactions leading to dose adjustment needs
  • Immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, tacrolimus): CBD alters metabolism, monitor serum levels

Parts Used

  • Aerial flowers and leaves (CBD-rich extract)
  • Seeds and seed oil
  • Root (traditional decoction)
  • Fiber (topical applications, poultices)

Preparation Methods

CBD tincture (sublingual): 15–50 mg CBD per dose, 1–2× daily for anxiety/pain/sleep

CBD capsules/softgels: 25–75 mg CBD daily, standardized extract

Topical CBD cream or balm: 3–8% CBD concentration applied to affected area 2–3× daily

Hemp seed oil (culinary): 1–2 tablespoons daily in food for nutritional omega fatty acids

CBD isolate powder: 10–100 mg in water or food, precise dosing

Full-spectrum hemp extract (oral): 15–30 mg CBD equivalent twice daily; includes minor cannabinoids and terpenes for entourage effect

Related Plants

Hops

Humulus lupulus

Cannabaceae
European monastic brewing tradition used hops since 9th century CE to preserve beer and add bitterness; previously gruit herb blends were usedGerman folk medicine used hops in sleep pillows for insomnia since the Middle Ages; pickers noted somnolence from contact with lupulinEnglish herbalists including Nicholas Culpeper (1653) recommended hops for insomnia, nervous tension, and digestive complaints

Dill

Anethum graveolens

Apiaceae
Ancient Egyptian medical texts (Ebers Papyrus, 1550 BCE) mention dill as a soothing herb for digestive painAncient Greek and Roman physicians used dill as a carminative, digestive aid, and galactagogue (to promote milk flow in nursing mothers)Traditional Ayurvedic use (shatapushpa) for digestive complaints, hiccups, flatulence, and to increase milk production in nursing women

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

Apiaceae
Ancient Greek and Roman use: parsley was sacred to the dead, used in funeral rites; Hippocrates prescribed for kidney stones and as a diureticMedieval European monks used parsley for urinary tract complaints, kidney stones, and menstrual irregularitiesAyurvedic tradition uses parsley for urinary disorders, jaundice, and as a digestive carminative

Spearmint

Mentha spicata

Lamiaceae
Ancient Greek and Roman use: spearmint strewn on floors, used to flavor food, and prescribed by Hippocrates and Dioscorides for nausea and digestive complaintsMedieval European monks cultivated spearmint in physic gardens for digestive disorders, flatulence, and indigestionAyurvedic tradition uses spearmint (pudina) to treat digestive disorders, nausea, hiccups, and as a cooling agent for pitta

Horsetail

Equisetum arvense

Equisetaceae
Indigenous North American use (Cherokee, Iroquois): diuretic tea for kidney and bladder conditions and as a remedy for urinary infectionsNative American topical use: scraped stems applied to fresh wounds to stop bleedingTraditional European use (Dioscorides, Roman medicine): wounds, fractures, and bleeding; 'stanching blood' is among the oldest recorded uses

Alfalfa

Medicago sativa

Fabaceae
Traditional Chinese medicine: 'Mu Xu' used as a diuretic and for kidney stones, urinary infections, and edemaAyurvedic tradition: used as a nutritive tonic, diuretic, and to treat arthritis and digestive weaknessArab herbalism: first described as 'al-fisfisa' for horses but also used by humans for fatigue and vitamin deficiency
Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.