An Indian Perspective on Cannabis for Treatment of Pain
Journal Title: International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharmaceutical Chemistry - Year 2017, Vol 0, Issue 0
Abstract
The history related to the use of medicinal Cannabis has been intimately intertwined with India since the beginnings of human civilization. Since its origin in the lower Himalayas, the diverse cultural, medical and religious uses of the Cannabis plant slowly disseminated around the world. After being outlawed as a narcotic drug in the 20th century, Cannabis has been rediscovered as a much needed medicine for chronically ill patients. Since 2000, a number of countries have initialized national programs to cultivate and distribute Cannabis for medical use, and to stimulate research and development to produce modern medicines from this ancient plant. Unfortunately and ironically, India has not benefitted from these developments, despite the countries’ claim to fame as a major source of information about the medicinal uses of Cannabis. In India untreated chronic pain is one of the major sources of patient’s sufferings and Cannabis medicine can prove to be a welcome alternative to the much more risky opioids derived from the Opium poppy. This review paper explores the origins of Cannabis medicine in India, its historical use as a treatment for chronic pain, and recent scientific developments with Cannabis and its main active constituents, the cannabinoids. Finally, the cannabinoids are compared to opioids for the treatment of pain, in order to make a recommendation for the reintroduction of Cannabis medicine for pain treatment in India today.
Authors and Affiliations
Arno Hazekamp
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP292019
- DOI -
- Views 66
- Downloads 0
Pharmacognostical and Physicochemical Study of Shitivarak (Celosia argentea Var. Spicata) Beej Churna
Aim: To standardize seeds of Shitivarak (Celosia argentea var. Spicata) . Materials & Methods: It is a pharmacognostical and physico- chemical study that includes collection , procurement, authentication, panchabhautikpa...
Pharmacovigilance -A Gateway to Safety and Efficacy of Ayurvedic Drugs
Pharmacovigilance is awareness towards adverse drug reactions. As per the guidelines of WHO to AYUSH department of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Government of India,implemented a pharmacovigilence program for Ay...
A Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Dashanga Taila Nasya Karma in Cervical Spondylosis w.s.r Vishwachi
Nasya karma, one among the panchakarma has both preventive and curative effect over the jatruurdhwa parts. Among the diseases affecting the jatrurdhwa pradesha, Vishwachi is one which presents with severe pain and functi...
Ayurvedic Management of Madhumeha – A Case Study
Diabetes mellitus is the disease afflicting mankind since a very long time. Over 30 million have been diagnosed with Diabetes in India and it is one among the cause for morbidity, which makes the life of individual miser...
Bronchial Asthma: An Ayurvedic View
Prevalence of Bronchial asthma is increasing globally; According to W.H.O statistics, bronchial asthma affects 300 million people; and 255,000 people died of asthma in 2005. Asthma prevalence increases globally by 50% ev...