Medicinal Pairings: Cannabis and Herbs

Medicinal plants are everywhere. We, as humans, have been utilizing these beneficial plants for centuries to either cure or lessen the symptoms from an ailment or illness. Pharmaceutical drugs originally were started by making medicine from plants, and although “big pharma” has advanced science enough to barely even need the original source of their medicine, many individuals prefer the natural medicinal remedies of the flora on our planet to the chemical concoctions that mimic them. Medicinal herbs are some of the most powerful, and are often so aromatic and flavorful, we use them regularly in cuisine and lifestyle products. The medicinal properties of most plants and herbs are actually from the terpenes and cannabinoids present in their plant structure.

Pairing herbs and plants is not a new concept, but with the added bonus of cannabis’ benefits and medicinal qualities, you can cure or ease many different ailments with homeopathic treatments made of just herbs and cannabis.

In light of National Herb Week, we’ve compiled some of the most beneficial and easy-to-find herbs that can help ease whatever ails you. You can use them to make powerful medicinal tinctures, oils and extracts to cook with, teas and tonics, and make some therapeutic and tasty edibles.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a common medicinal herb that is used to treat stress and anxiety. Its strong anti-depressant and anti-anxiety properties have proven to be as strong as lorazepam and imipramine in a clinical study, showing further support to the fact that this herb can be a helpful mood stabilizer. Ashwagandha has also been used to combat fatigue, lack of energy and difficulties with concentration.

You can find this herb in concentrate form, in capsule or in herbal form, and can be consumed easily with cannabis extracts to strengthen effects even further.

Lavender

Lavender is often used to relax and calm nerves and emotions. Lavender and cannabis both contain the terpene linalool, which has the potential as a depressant and as an anti-inflammatory herb. Linalool also has great power in reducing sensitivity to pain. When combined with THC, linalool’s muscle relaxant properties get heightened. When combined with CBD, linalool gets strong anti-convulsant properties as well.

Lavender is often used in aromatherapy and is very relaxing. You can find this herb in extract form, and it can be consumed in cannabis edibles or used as a topical to get targeted relief.

Tulsi

Tulsi is also known as Holy Basil or Ocimum Sanctum, and is used to combat stress and skin issues like acne. This herb reduces cortisol levels in the body and is helpful as an anti-diabetic.

This herb is often made into an extract or infused oil, and can be used in cooking, in combination with cannabis, and/or used directly on the skin as a topical to treat skin issues.

Rosemary

Rosemary contains a terpene called beta-caryophyllene, and it functions as a cannabinoid. It has a binding affinity with the CB2 receptor. Research has suggested that the anti-inflammatory compounds of this terpene make it therapeutically valuable for treating conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. It has also been proven to be a powerful anti-anxiety or depressive herb.

This herb can be combined in extract or in edible form to enhance the medicinal qualities in cannabis, with specific attention to all these properties; adding this to CBD has even been proven to treat addiction.

Black Cohosh

Black Cohosh is used to stabilize mood and aggression, and balances the endocrine system which regulates hormones, which makes it a great herb for people with hormonal imbalances. It’s worth mentioning that Black Cohosh contains phytoestrogen, which can help people who feel they are lacking estrogen (like those experiencing menopausal symptoms). Since cannabis enhances the endocannabinoid system that is partly regulated by estrogen, the two herbs combined can have an added boost of effects, helping to ease hormone-based discomfort in women experiencing menopause.

This herb is often made into an edible dust, extract, or nutritional supplement, and can be consumed orally.

Echinacea

Echinacea contains compounds that are similar to CDB called N-acylethanolamines, and they block an enzyme which breaks down endocannabinoids in the body, improving overall endocannabinoid tone. Echinacea’s specific N-alkylamides also engage the CB₂ receptor. Echinacea is used to combat the common cold. It’s been shown to boost immune function, reduce inflammation, act as an antioxidant, and relieve light pain.

You can find this herb in dried form, in extract or in edible dust to be combined with cannabis in any preferred method. Helping the endocannabinoid system flourish will make your whole body feel better, improving mood, decreasing inflammation, boost immunity, and relieve pain.

Ginger

Ginger has a large variety of terpenoids and contain anticancer, antiulcer, and antioxidant properties. Ginger is effective against symptoms of the common cold, fever, rheumatic disorders, gastrointestinal complications, motion sickness, diabetes and cancer. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities. Ginger juice can balance digestive process, cure nausea, fight against cancer and asthma, and cure joint pain.

Cannabis’ plethora of cannabinoids and terpenoids pair well with ginger and can fight any pain or ache that ails you, or fight most diseases with a vengeance. Consider adding ginger and cannabis to a savory edible, or to a topical to ease aching joints or muscles.

Catnip

Catnip is also known as catmint and its benefits are great for aches, pains and balance. It is a powerful detoxifier, and can help you expel toxic elements form your body through sweating. It is also a powerful medicine against headaches, toothaches and migraines, can calm down your nervous system and can balance your digestive system. It contains a terpene called Nepalactone that is antispasmodic, and can aid in treating indigestion and excess gas; it can help stimulate hormone secretion to aid in regulating menstruation, and can ease cramps. It has also been noted that catnip extract can prevent the loosening of teeth and teeth loss if used regularly. It is also very effective in curing insomnia, tension and anxiety.

It’s not just for cats. Try infusing catnip into your herbal concoctions, tinctures, topicals or edibles for overall better health.

Tea Tree

Tea tree oil is a common herbal remedy for infection of nail, skin, mouth and nose issues, and grows native in Australia. The tea tree oil has antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties. This herbal oil is nowadays used in soaps, lotions and shampoos. It’s most prominent terpene is terpineol, which has been proven as an antioxidant and is anti-inflammatory, and can prevent head lice, dandruff and can cure headaches, colds and toothaches. Tea tree oil has been used for hundreds of years to treat boils, acne and sores, and can mask any unwanted body odor as well.

Tea tree extract is a great addition to any cannabis salves, lotions, shampoos or hemp-based soaps. When applied topically, the extract can produce a tingling sensation, letting you know its cleaning and working hard with your other cannabinoids.

Thyme

Thyme is widely used as an aromatic plant. Its flowers, leaves and oil also has many health benefits. In Ancient Egypt, the thyme was used for embalming and to heal many other medical conditions. Thyme plant has anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-septic and anti-parasitic properties. Thyme has good amounts of terpenes myrcene and cymene. Myrcene is an effective anti-inflammatory agent, is a powerful sedative and muscle relaxer. Cymene is a secondary terpene that also contains great anti-inflammatory agents and can help treat lung injuries. Thyme has been used to prevent bacterial infections, balance blood pressure levels, prevent colon cancer and provides relief form colds and coughs. Thyme has also been shown to calm down the nervous system and offer relief from dry, red or swollen skin.

Combining thyme extract with cannabis extracts in edibles can be a great total body anti-inflammatory medicine, or just taking a thyme supplement can aid your cannabis therapies long term.

Sage

Sage’s soft leaves contain powerful herbal medicine. The stem, flower and leaves of sage can cure a number of diseases in an effective way. The sage is very rich in nutrients and antioxidants and have been proven to improve memory, reduce depression, balance gastrointestinal problems and heal topical wounds. Many people rely on sage to reduce toothaches and keep bad breath at bay, as sage is an antiseptic herb.

Sage is used in cooking a lot, and when combined with cannabis, can offer consumers a mood stabilizer that can keep your mouth healthy and prevent infection while relieving pain, inflammation and anxiety. Not to mention, the taste of sage and cannabis combined is subtle, elegant, and herbaceous.

Peppermint

Peppermint is a hybrid plant that can be eaten or used medicinally. The main terpene in Peppermint that makes peppermint what it is, is menthol. Applied topically or taken orally, menthol has been shown to help treat gastrointestinal problems, pain, inflammation and congestion. Peppermint oil is widely used in cooking for flavor, but it also has a calming effect and offers many other health benefits. Peppermint contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and can improve the digestive system and nutrient absorption power. The concentration of methanol in peppermint can prevent prostate cancer. Peppermint is often used to prevent sinus infections, relieve small amount of body pain, and can enhance memory and alertness.

Adding peppermint to your cannabis therapy can enhance the gut-healing powers of the peppermint plant, and the anti-inflammatory power of cannabis; plus, you can have minty-fresh breath and a spring in your step.

Marigold

Marigolds are edible flowering plants that are used in a number of summer recipes, mostly just to add color, but this plant is widely known to also cure many skin problems and can effectively reduce superficial scars. Many herbal patients have used marigolds to provide relief for fever and reduce intense swelling in body parts in a short amount of time. Marigold is often used for wounds, burns and tumors. Its anti-inflammatory properties help cure allergies, and it can be a reliable source for headache and toothache relief.

If you can find dried marigolds, marigold extract or marigold tincture, adding it into edible recipes with cannabis will heighten recuperation and decrease inflammation and pain. Adding it to topicals with cannabis will effectively shorten recovery time from superficial wounds, burns or scars.

Dandelion

Dandelions are edible flowering plants that have been utilized as medicine for decades. A rich source of vitamins and nutrients, the leaves, stems and flowers can be used medicinally, it can also be used to make wine and coffee substitutes. Many homeopathic patients rely on dandelions to cure liver problems, detoxify blood and blood vessels, balance blood sugar and cholesterol, prevent gallstones, decrease inflammation, and improve pancreatic function.

Dandelion tea, extract and tincture are common forms of this herb and can be found in most natural food stores. Paired with the medicinal healing properties of cannabis, and patients see greater improvement in decreased inflammation, detoxification and blood sugar stabilization.

Kava

The Kava plant is known for its calming effects and its potency to fight anxiety, pain, and depression. These effects are primarily produced by compounds called kavalactones. One kavalactone called yangonin interacts with the CB₁ receptor. This is the receptor that binds to THC and is predominantly in the central nervous system. This interaction may be partly responsible for the anxiolytic effects of the plant.

With the addition of cannabis’ anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, the powerhouse of cannabis and kava is a medicinal godsend for patients.

Maca

Compounds in Maca called N-benzylamines block an enzyme that breaks down endcannabinoids like CBD does. This powerful blocking by maca (or CBD) improves endocannabinoid tone, boosting the system overall, helping to decrease inflammation and to stabilize mood.

Black Pepper

It has been discovered that the peppery taste and scent in black pepper is a terpene called beta-caryophyllene, and it functions as a cannabinoid. It has a binding affinity with the CB2 receptor. Research has suggested that the anti-inflammatory compounds of this terpene make it therapeutically valuable for treating conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. Other research has indicated that it can increase the efficacy of anticancer drugs.