Cannabis
Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana or hemp, is a versatile plant species with a long history of medicinal and industrial use. Rich in bioactive cannabinoids like THC and CBD, it is increasingly studied for its therapeutic potential in managing chronic pain, anxiety, epilepsy, and various other complex health conditions.
- Scientific name: Cannabis
- Family: Cannabaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Rosales and the family Cannabaceae. Ultimately, the medicinal species is identified by the genus Cannabis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Cannabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cannabis | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cannabis, is recognized by various names across different linguistic and cultural landscapes. In Chinese, it is referred to as 大麻属, while in the Quechua language, it is called Kañamu. In Scottish Gaelic, the name is expressed as Cainb, and in Tamil, it is known as கஞ்சா. Additionally, in Hungarian, the plant is commonly called kender.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 大麻属 | Wikidata |
| qu | Kañamu | Wikidata |
| gd | Cainb | Wikidata |
| ta | கஞ்சா | Wikidata |
| hu | kender | Wikidata |
| sw | mbangi | Wikidata |
| et | Kanep | Wikidata |
| bn | গাঁজা | Wikidata |
| sq | Konopi | Wikidata |
| el | Κάνναβη | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a notable presence across several regions within Northern Europe. In the coastal and mainland areas of Denmark, it can be found growing in various environments. It also extends its range northward into the expansive landscapes of Finland. Moving westward, the distribution includes the island territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, the plant's reach continues through the rugged terrain of Norway.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant possesses several distinct components that are utilized for various medicinal and industrial purposes. The most recognizable parts are the serrated leaves, which are often associated with its psychoactive properties, and the dense inflorescences that contain high concentrations of cannabinoids. Within these flowering structures, the flowers serve as the primary site for chemical production, particularly where the sticky resin accumulates on the trichomes to protect the plant. Additionally, the seeds are highly valued for their nutritional profile, offering a rich source of essential fatty acids and proteins.- Total parts
- 54
- Scientific sources
- 106
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| flowers | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| seeds | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| resin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| inflorescences | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| inflorescence | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cannabis flowers | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| trichomes | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| roots | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cannabis has 41 reported phytochemicals identified across 83 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cannabidiol, CBD, THC, cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol.
- Total chemicals
- 41
- Scientific sources
- 83
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cannabidiol | 15 | ★★★★★ |
| CBD | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| THC | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| cannabinoids | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| tetrahydrocannabinol | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cannabidiol | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| terpenes | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cannabinoid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| monoterpenes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cannabis has 13 reported activities identified across 35 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Psychoactive, Anxiolytic, Anticonvulsant, Neuroprotective, Analgesic.
- Total activities
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 35
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Psychoactive | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anticonvulsant | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiemetic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cannabis has 94 reported medicinal uses identified across 199 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include pain, epilepsy, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, cancer.
- Total uses
- 94
- Scientific sources
- 199
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pain | 16 | ★★★★★ |
| epilepsy | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| anxiety | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| multiple sclerosis | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| cancer | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| nausea | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| inflammation | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| depression | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| insomnia | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| vomiting | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |