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Cannabis (Bhanga) in Classical Text of Ayurveda: An Evidence-Based Rationale

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Abstract

Ayurveda has delineated a unique classification entitled ‘Upavisha varga’ comprising of certain semi-poisonous medicinal plants. Bhanga (Cannabis) is one amongst them in this category depicting its narcotic nature from Sanskrit synonyms. Bhanga has been in use since the Vedic age under the controversial plant of Soma that had special importance due to its mystical effects on the brain. All the texts of Ayurveda have described Bhanga in detail of its pharmacological properties, indications, various dosage forms, doses, pharmacovigilance aspects, and its extensive use in Indian Alchemy. The following review throws light on the occurrence and usage of Bhanga in excerpts from classical texts of Ayurveda from a pharmacological and pharmaceutical point of view thus, providing a rationale for its safe medical usage.KeywordsAyurveda Bhanga CannabisClassicalEvidenceReviewUpavishaVijaya

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... The source of information on the use of naturally obtained cannabis (known as Vijayā in the Ayurvedic system of Indian Medicine and synonymously known as Bhanga in Hindi) for the management of a wide range of medical conditions by the traditional Indian medicinal practitioners' dates back to early 6000BC in the Vedas, 1500BC to 600AD in Samhitās and 800AD to 1900AD in Samgraha Granthās (Compendia of Ayurveda) [4,5]. The ancient lore of the use of this Vijayā in Indian system of medicine is also recorded from the medieval period and many extensive literature reviews of the natural bioactive compound also traces the accumulation of extensive evidences reported in the classical texts of Ayurveda [6][7][8]. ...
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Natural bioactives possess a wide range of chemical structures that can exert a plethora of pharmacological and toxicological actions, resulting in neuroprotection or neurotoxicity. These pharmacodynamic properties can positively or negatively impact human and animal global healthcare. Remarkably, Ayurvedic botanical Cannabis has been used worldwide by different ethnicities and religions for spiritual, commercial, recreational, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, and medicinal purposes for centuries. Cannabis-based congeners have been approved by the United States of America's (USA) Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and other global law agencies for various therapeutic purposes. Surprisingly, the strict laws associated with possessing cannabis products have been mitigated in multiple states in the USA and across the globe for recreational use. This has consequently led to a radical escalation of exposure to cannabis-related substances of abuse. However, there is a lacuna in the literature on the acute and chronic effects of Cannabis and its congeners on various neuropathologies. Moreover, in the post-COVID era, there has been a drastic increase in the incidence and prevalence of numerous neuropathologies, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. There is an impending necessity for a safe, economically viable, multipotent, natural bioactive to prevent and treat various neuropathologies. The ayurvedic herb, Cannabis is one of the oldest botanicals known to humans and has been widely used. However, the comprehensive effect of Cannabis on various neuropathologies is not well established. Hence, this review presents effects of Cannabis on various neuropathologies.
... Cannabis sativa L. is a dioecious plant of the Cannabaceae family and is perhaps most famous for its production of the psychedelic metabolite delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC). Cannabis has been used in traditional medicine for millennia across several continents; cannabis has been used in traditional Chinese medicine therapies for the treatment of gout, pain, convulsions, insomnia, cough, headache, itching, and anemia [1], while in traditional Aryuvedic practices, cannabis has been reported to stimulate digestion, function as an analgesic and sedative, and have aphrodisiac, anti-parasitic, and anti-viral properties [2]. Review articles covering the chemistry, pharmacology, botany, genomics, and ethnology of cannabis are regularly published as the plant's usage grows in prevalence [3][4][5][6][7]. ...
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Knowledge about the therapeutic potential of medical cannabis has greatly improved over the past decade, with an ever-increasing range of developments in human clinical applications. A growing body of scientific evidence supports the use of medical cannabis products for some therapeutic indications, whilst for others, the evidence base remains disputed. For this narrative review, we incorporate areas where the current evidence base is substantial, such as intractable childhood epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, as well as areas where the evidence is still controversial, such as PTSD and anxiety. We provide a high-level summary of current developments using findings from recent major reviews, as well as real world evidence (RWE), including global database registries and other patient reported outcomes (PROs). On the one hand, our strongest empirical data supports the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) for conditions with relatively small patient numbers. Yet on the other hand, the conditions, where the highest patient numbers present, often have debatable clinical evidence but good RWE, incorporating PROs of 1000s of patients. The discord between PROs and the respective strength of the evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) highlights the urgent need for further research. The scientific literature examining the efficacy of medical cannabis for many conditions is still developing, whilst large numbers of patients globally have been successfully using medical cannabis to treat a broad range of conditions. We conclude on the importance of systematically developing RWE databases to supplement RCTs and to bridge the current evidence gaps.
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Cannabinoids can be endogenous (endocannabinoids), plant-derived (phytocannabinoids), or synthesized (synthetic cannabinoids). They are being used for the management of several medical conditions. Laboratory and preliminary clinical studies suggest that topical cannabinoids may be beneficial for the treatment of acne and for skin rejuvenation. (SKINmed. 2021;19:-0).
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This chapter summarizes the potentially beneficial effects of using nutraceuticals for the most common eye diseases; such as cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, dry eye disease, and various inflammatory ophthalmic diseases. The nutraceuticals discussed include, but are not limited to: the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin; the polyphenols quercetin, resveratrol, and curcumin; polyunsaturated fatty acids; vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K; and the elements zinc and copper. We focus mainly on summarizing outcomes of human clinical trials of effectiveness instead of in vitro and in vivo animal studies, as often the beneficial effects reported in in vitro or in vivo animal studies do not translate to humans. Additionally, this chapter discusses briefly the mode of action, safety, and toxicity of nutraceuticals used for the prevention, delay, or treatment of ophthalmic diseases.
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Respiratory disorders are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality affecting people of all ages and are a major global health concern. The respiratory system is highly susceptible to a variety of pathophysiological insults which could be inflammatory, infectious, immunological, or traumatic in origin. Current treatment modalities are generally symptomatic, have safety concerns, and recently refractory cases have also been observed. Hence the onus is now on using disease-alleviating strategies where natural substances play a crucial role. Nutraceuticals like food supplements, vitamins, minerals, and herbal products are increasingly being used by healthcare providers as they are not only safer but also efficacious in some specific situations, particularly in chronic diseases. In addition to their efficacy and safety, the pharmacoeconomic viability of such agents has led to an increase in popularity in developing countries. Food and nutrients, probiotics and prebiotics, vitamins and minerals, polyunsaturated fatty acids, medicinal plant extracts and their important phytoconstituents, etc., are being extensively used by both traditional and modern systems of medicine for the treatment of various disease states including respiratory illnesses. This chapter provides an update on some of the issues relating to nutraceuticals and their applications in respiratory and allied diseases.
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Ayurveda uniquely describes health as a state of mental and spiritual well-being apart from physical well-being. It has imparted an etiology of mental origin to various diseases. The basic memory functions are regarded to be a combination of the power of acquisition (Grahana), retention (Dharana), and recollection (Smarana).
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The worldwide interest and push for the legalization of cannabis/marijuana, especially in the United States, are increasing with each passing day. The present article deals with the concise yet broad review of chemical, medicinal (neuroprotection), and adverse psychotic aspects of cannabis (marijuana or marihuana). The emphasis is made to understand the influence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on a broad spectrum of properties ranging from psychosis, neuroprotection, neurotoxicity to medicinal. The reason why THC shows psychoactivity, but cannabidiol (CBD) does not, has been elucidated based on the minor difference in their chemical structures inhibiting CBD to bind with cannabinoid receptors due to steric hindrance. The distribution of cannabinoid receptors (namely, CB1 and CB2) in the human body and the role of endocannabinoids (namely, anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol) throughout the human system are described. The effect of the method of consumption (inhalation vs. ingestion) on the psychotropicity of cannabis/THC has also been discussed. Additionally, the effect of the use of synthetic endocannabinoid receptor blocker (antagonist) as a drug molecule for a specific purpose, such as for reducing the appetite, to treat obesity, or for the treatment of tobacco, alcohol, and other hard drugs induced addiction, and their potential adverse effects are also the focus of the article. Both the benefits and the risks of consuming cannabinoids are mainly dose-dependent, just like any other legal or prescription pharma products or regulated/unregulated psychotropic substances. Moderation is the right old prescription for a healthy and long productive life, and it applies to the use of medicinal, cultural, and/or recreational products like cannabis/cannabinoids. The traditional use of cannabis leaves (bhang) in India for medical as well as cultural purposes has been discussed from the modern scientific perspective. Lastly, the rapidly growing trend of the number of the publication of both the scientific research papers and the patent applications on cannabis, along with the market trend of cannabis-derived products, has been provided, showing quite high and promising growth.
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Recent reports suggest that the global burden of neurological diseases is on a constant rise. These appear to result from various metal-containing anthropogenic environmental causes, herbal medications, and dietary factors. Many metals like mercury, arsenic, and lead have shown neurotoxicity. Similarly, many herbs also have been reported to be neurotoxic. Ayurveda drugs consist of either single drug or medicinal formulations of herbal and herbo-mineral and animal origin. The traditionally used bhasma (incinerated ash of organometallic compounds) preparations or formulations consisting of herbs from visha (poisonous) and upavisha (semi-poisonous) groups often pose a threat of toxicity. Medicinal plants are often a potential source of metals viz. mercury, arsenic, lead, etc. that cause neurotoxicity in modern toxicological parlance. In order to combat the harmful effects produced as a result of single drug or formulations containing the metal/herbal neurotoxicants, Ayurveda emphasizes a process, namely Shodhana (purification). It is stated in the various treatises that processing of the mineral drugs mentioned in Rasashastra (Indian Iatrochemistry) with classically prescribed traditional purification procedures consisting of medicinal herb juices/decoctions can help reduce poisonous effects and also potentiate their therapeutic value. After critically exploring the available literature on the effect of Shodhana in ameliorating neurotoxicity with drugs of mineral and herbal origin mentioned in Ayurveda, it has been observed that adopting scientifically validated traditional purification techniques for poisonous medicinal drugs of plant and mineral origin can ameliorate their neurotoxic effects and enhance their therapeutic efficacy.
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Objective: Reading this article will familiarize the reader with the mechanisms and causes of contact dermatitis. Data sources: Recent research articles, relevant review articles, and case series/reports in English from PubMed database mostly from 2010 onwards. Study selections: Most data was in the form of retrospective studies. Efforts were made to include clinical trials; however, for newer allergens and data on biologics, case series and case reports were included. Older studies regarding mechanism were included if they were of particular importance. Results: An understanding of this review should enable the reader to approach the patient with unknown dermatitis with a better understanding of cause and management. Conclusion: Clinical suspicion for relevant allergens combined with interpretation of patch tests are important in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with contact dermatitis.
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Cannabis, or marijuana, has potential therapeutic and medicinal properties related to multiple compounds, particularly Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. Over the past 25 years, attitudes toward cannabis have evolved rapidly, with expanding legalization of medical and recreational use at the state level in the United States and recreational use nationally in Canada and Uruguay. As a result, the consumption of cannabis products is increasing considerably, particularly among youth. Our understanding of the safety and efficacy of cannabis has been limited by decades of worldwide illegality and continues to be limited in the United States by the ongoing classification of cannabis as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. These shifts in cannabis use require clinicians to understand conflicting laws, health implications, and therapeutic possibilities. Cannabis may have therapeutic benefits, but few are cardiovascular in nature. Conversely, many of the concerning health implications of cannabis include cardiovascular diseases, although they may be mediated by mechanisms of delivery. This statement critically reviews the use of medicinal and recreational cannabis from a clinical but also a policy and public health perspective by evaluating its safety and efficacy profile, particularly in relationship to cardiovascular health.