Hemp Roots-Not Just History

                                              Hemp's Roots - Not Just History

Posted by The Green Team                on January 24, 2018   

We're introducing new Kentucky grown Hemp Root products to the Carolina Hemp Company General Store,  featuring the hemp root! Thus, we have compiled some educational  content to teach consumers some additional value of hemp in its  entirety.

                                                      

The Hemp Root and its Nutritional Benefits

The humble hemp root is an extremely versatile part of the plant that  offers an array of health benefits but is often an underutilized and  underestimated part of the hemp plant. The roots can be employed in many  ways - from being mashed into a paste, dried into a powder, to boiled  and smashed. It contains phytocannabinoids and terpenes  that possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumor properties.  Historically, hemp roots have been used to alleviate toothaches and  ulcers, and to lower fevers and blood pressure. It contains a small  amount of choline, which  is an essential nutrient that has several vital functions in the body,  such as supporting liver health, nerve health, brain health, and  maintaining a healthy metabolism. One really important factor in understanding the nutritional benefits  of the roots, is that different root samples may contain different  nutrients depending on the soil and the microbes of the soil.  Understanding the different factors that affect the plant can help  determine the most beneficial use for each part of the plant.

                                                         

Historical Uses

Hemp roots contain too little THC and  CBD to be used for botanical extractions but an analysis of its  chemical compounds show why the root was considered such an important  healing and anti-inflammatory herb in ancient times. Hemp root was first recorded to be used for medicinal purposes in China approximately 5,000 years ago. The root was used in the form of juice as a diuretic and to stop hemorrhaging in women after labor. The Greeks and Romans boiled  hemp root in water and drank the contents, believing it reduced joint  stiffness and inflammation. It has been used as a treatment for burns,  as an antiseptic and as an antipyretic, reducing even the highest of  fevers. In the first century, Pliny the Elder described in Natural Histories that a decoction of the root in water could be used to relieve stiffness in the joints, gout, and related conditions. 

                                                                  

How to Use the Hemp Root

There are many ways that hemp root can be consumed or applied to maximize the various medicinal benefits. A  traditional way to prepare the cannabis root is to dry the roots and  grind them into a fine powder. The powder can then be used as a  supplement added to foods, beverages, or filled in capsules. The dry, powdered form of the root can be used as a poultice  to soothe skin disorders including dermatitis, cuts, and burns. It can  also be mixed with a carrier oil to improve absorption into the skin - such as coconut oil and olive oil - two of the most common household options. Cannabis  root used in salves, oils, and balms can also be used to treat herpes,  blisters, pimples, acne, arthritis, hemorrhoids, asthma, sore throat,  colds, headaches, tension pains, migraines, and chronic inflammation of  the larynx. Whole cannabis roots can be boiled to create a powerful tea. Cannabis  root 'tea' can be home-brewed, usually by slowly simmering the dried,  powdered root (often with cinnamon bark, anise, or other aromatics) in a  crock pot for twelve hours or more before straining and drinking. This  tea will be significantly bitter than tea made with leaves or flowers.  Adding a small amount of fat to the tea while brewing (via milk, coconut  oil, etc.) may potentially help release/extract some of the fat-soluble  terpenes and ketones present in the roots, though a plain tea is also  thought to be beneficial. Cannabis root tinctures and liniments can be made by slowly simmering  cannabis roots for an extended period of time. After several hours in a  slow cooker, the roots will create a goop that can be added into a  tincture or liniment. While alcohol is the most popular tincture base,  vegetable glycerin and apple cider vinegar are also commonly used. The  root can also be simmered in oil and water, after which the residual oil  is separated from the water and plant matter and used it as the basis  for topical medications.   

                                                      

The Science of the Root

There are two alkaloids found in the cannabis root. Pharmaceuticals  use these alkaloids as building blocks in medications. The first  alkaloid, piperidine, is used to create medicine used in psychiatry. The second is pyrrolidine, which is used to manufacture stimulant medications. There are small quantities of choline and atropine  present in the cannabis roots. These two alkaloids are also found in  the stems, seeds, pollen, and leaves. In small doses, these alkaloids  have been found to have various medicinal benefits, although, in high  doses, they can be highly toxic. When it comes to maintaining healthy  cell membranes, choline is an essential nutrient. Post-menopausal women  are at high risk for a choline deficiency, so they can benefit from  consuming cannabis root tea. Some of the best benefits from atropine are  that it’s great for increasing the heart rate during resuscitation, as  well as relaxing the eye muscles. Atropine has also been found to have  bronchodilatory properties, which help increase airflow to the lungs. There are three beneficial terpenes that are also found inside the hemp root. These three are friedelin, epifriedelanol, pentacyclic triterpenoids  Friedelin  has been found to have properties that are anti-inflammatory and  anti-ulcerative. Epifriedelanol has the potential as an anti-tumor  agent. And lastly is pentacyclic triterpenoid.  This triterpene is shown to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells  and induces apoptosis (cell death). This is especially a desirable  terpene because cancer cells stop responding to signals that tell them  to self-destruct and pentacyclic triterpenoid activates those signals to  do such.   As you can see, cannabis roots are  extremely versatile! They are not only beneficial for your everyday  health, but also a wonderful natural remedy for many pains and  illnesses. 

                                                  

Check out our original blog post HERE