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Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Hemp

Cannabis sativa

Family CannabaceaeParts used Flower, Leaf, SeedAlso known as industrial hemp, cannabis

This monograph compiles 4 pharmacological actions, 8 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 16 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Pharmacological Actions

Analgesic (pain relief)[1, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16]
Anti-inflammatory[6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16]
Antioxidant[5, 14, 15, 16]
Sedative / sleep support[14, 15, 16]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[14, 15, 16]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →
Back pain[14, 15, 16]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from analgesic action

more plants for back pain →detailed sources →
Cardiovascular / heart health[14, 15, 16]Moderate · 5/10
more plants for cardiovascular / heart health →detailed sources →
Headache[14, 15, 16]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from analgesic action

more plants for headache →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[14, 15, 16]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Insomnia / sleeplessness[14, 15, 16]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from sedative action

more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →
Skin irritation[14, 15, 16]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[14, 15, 16]Caution

Industrial hemp (low-THC cannabis) seed oil and seeds are generally safe as food. CBD products derived from hemp may interact with medications metabolised by cytochrome P450 liver enzymes, including common anticoagulants, antiepileptics, and immunosuppressants. THC-containing preparations impair driving and are regulated or prohibited in many jurisdictions. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Quality and cannabinoid content vary widely between hemp products.

Safety note[14, 15, 16]Caution

Duke (2002) rates cannabis as ++ and notes clinical evidence (score 2) for its antiemetic activity, especially relevant for chemotherapy-induced nausea. Score 1 activities include analgesic, anticonvulsant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Duke highlights the legal and pharmacological complexity, noting THC as the primary psychoactive compound. Medically, synthetic cannabinoids (dronabinol, nabilone) are clinically approved for nausea and anorexia. Duke cautions that while the plant has genuine therapeutic potential, psychoactive effects, legal restrictions, and risk of dependence with regular use must be considered (Duke, 2002).

References

REF-0758, REF-0759, REF-0760, REF-2132, REF-2133, REF-2134, REF-2135, REF-2136, REF-2137, REF-2138, REF-2139, REF-2140, REF-2141

References & Sources

  1. Rock, E.M. and Parker, L.A (2021) 'Constituents of Cannabis sativa', Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1264, pp. 1-13. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-57369-0_1 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57369-0_1
  2. Castillo-Arellano, J., Canseco-Alba, A., Cutler, S.J. and León, F (2023) 'The Polypharmacological Effects of Cannabidiol', Molecules, 28(7), pp. 3271. doi:10.3390/molecules28073271 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28073271
  3. Pagano, C., Navarra, G., Coppola, L., Avilia, G. et al (2022) 'Cannabinoids: Therapeutic Use in Clinical Practice', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(6), pp. 3344. doi:10.3390/ijms23063344 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23063344
  4. ElSohly, M.A., Radwan, M.M., Gul, W., Chandra, S. and Galal, A (2017) 'Phytochemistry of Cannabis sativa L', Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products, 103, pp. 1-36. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-45541-9_1 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45541-9_1
  5. Viana, M.D.B., de Aquino, P.E.A., Estadella, D., Ribeiro, D.A. and Viana, G.S.D.B (2022) 'Cannabis sativa and cannabidiol: a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases?', Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids, 5(1), pp. 207-219. doi:10.1159/000527335 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1159/000527335
  6. Alves, P., Amaral, C., Teixeira, N. and Correia-da-Silva, G (2020) 'Cannabis sativa: much more beyond delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol', Pharmacological Research, 157, pp. 104822. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104822 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104822
  7. Odieka, A.E., Obuzor, G.U., Oyedeji, O.O., Gondwe, M., Hosu, Y.S. and Oyedeji, A.O (2022) 'The medicinal natural products of Cannabis sativa Linn.: a review', Molecules, 27(5), pp. 1689. doi:10.3390/molecules27051689 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27051689
  8. Nuutinen, T (2018) 'Medicinal properties of terpenes found in Cannabis sativa and Humulus lupulus', European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 157, pp. 198-228. doi:10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.076 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.076
  9. Liktor-Busa, E., Keresztes, A., LaVigne, J., Streicher, J.M. and Largent-Milnes, T.M (2021) 'Analgesic potential of terpenes derived from Cannabis sativa', Pharmacological Reviews, 73(4), pp. 98-126. doi:10.1124/pharmrev.120.000046 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.120.000046
  10. Martinelli, G., Magnavacca, A., Fumagalli, M., Dell'Agli, M., Piazza, S. and Sangiovanni, E (2021) 'Cannabis sativa and skin health: dissecting the role of phytocannabinoids', Planta Medica, 88(7), pp. 492-506. doi:10.1055/a-1420-5780 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1420-5780
  11. Andre, C.M., Hausman, J.F. and Guerriero, G (2016) 'Cannabis sativa: the plant of the thousand and one molecules', Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, pp. 19. doi:10.3389/fpls.2016.00019 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.00019
  12. Bonini, S.A., Premoli, M., Tambaro, S., Kumar, A., Maccarinelli, G., Memo, M. and Mastinu, A (2018) 'Cannabis sativa: a comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 227, pp. 300-315. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2018.09.004 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.09.004
  13. Bergamaschi, M.M., Queiroz, R.H.C., Zuardi, A.W. and Crippa, J.A.S (2011) 'Safety and side effects of cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent', Current Drug Safety, 6(4), pp. 237-249. doi:10.2174/157488611798280924 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.2174/157488611798280924
  14. Cerino, P., Buonerba, C., Cannazza, G. et al (2021) 'A review of hemp as food and nutritional supplement', 6(1), pp. 19--27. Preclinical
    Find this source
  15. Devinsky, O., Cross, J.H., Laux, L. et al (2017) 'Trial of cannabidiol for drug-resistant seizures in the Dravet syndrome', 376(21), pp. 2011--2020. Randomized trial
    Find this source
  16. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
    https://powo.science.kew.org

Record last updated 2026-06-20 · Provenance: book+pubmed · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

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