CBD – a rediscovered active ingredient with potential! Susanne Hofmann and Alexander Ehrmann present the most important information on history, legal situation and medical application

Scientific passion and love for natural medicine have led the two Viennese pharmacists Mag. pharm. Susanne Hofmann and Mag. pharm. Alexander Ehrmann to summarize their knowledge about the positive aspects of hemp and especially CBD in the compact guide " CBD - the rediscovered natural medicine " . In it they explain the background and areas of application, but also the risks and side effects.

A breakthrough in alternative medicine

The SAINT CHARLES pharmacy, based in Austria and Germany, has been representing the concept of traditional European medicine for decades, according to which individual care for people is guaranteed according to the latest scientific findings and naturopathic methods, the body's own regulatory mechanisms are stimulated and recovery is positively influenced.

Against this background, the two experienced Viennese pharmacists Susanne Hofmann and Alexander Ehrmann want to take a closer look at the current scientific findings and research work on the hemp plant and its active ingredient CBD (cannabidiol) and explain them in an understandable way. Although not all questions about the mode of action have been scientifically proven, what has been confirmed is "in our opinion a breakthrough in the world of alternative medicine". A large number of studies, but also daily pharmacy practice, show an extremely broad area of ​​application and the positive support of conventional medicine for many diseases of civilization, such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, cancer or rheumatism. Even dogs, cats and horses can benefit from the diverse effects of cannabidiol.

The different types of cannabis

If you take a closer look at the topic of hemp, you will see an exciting history that shows the countless applications of the raw material. There are currently a large number of different types of cannabis. The two most popular, which are most often mentioned in connection with cannabis, are "Indica" and "Sativa".

Most Indica plants come from parts of India and Central Asia. This type of cannabis usually does not grow taller than two meters and looks different from the Sativa variety. The moisture required for ideal growth is mainly found in equatorial regions such as Mexico, Jamaica and Thailand.

The two types of plants have different spectrums of effects. Sativa varieties usually contain high levels of THC (the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol) and low levels of CBD, while Indica varieties have higher levels of CBD and lower levels of THC.

In contrast, industrial hemp contains only a small amount of THC and is mainly grown to produce hemp fibers. The robust fibers can be used to make ropes, sails and clothing. The hemp seeds are also very important, and they are used to produce hemp oil with an optimal omega-3 and omega-6 ratio.

Ingredients and areas of application

Around 600 chemical compounds have been researched in the last 60 years in various types of cannabis. These include the so-called phytocannabinoids, with their best-known representatives being THC and CBD. THC is responsible for the psychoactive effect and the reason why hemp and cannabis varieties are often viewed as pure drugs.

The cannabinoid that is currently being studied most frequently, apart from THC, is cannabidiol or CBD. CBD is not psychoactive in the body and has no addictive effect. Instead, it has various medically desirable properties. Taking CBD is considered extremely safe, although it cannot be assumed that CBD is completely free of side effects. Studies have examined side effects such as drowsiness, sleep disorders, malaise, reduced appetite and even rashes.

The popularity of CBD has not only been evident in human medicine in recent years, but has also found its way into veterinary medicine. The treatment of horses with hemp is documented in writings by the ancient Greeks and Romans. In ancient Greece, for example, cannabis was used to treat colic and to heal battle wounds.

Book tip:
Mag. pharm. Susanne Ehrmann / Mag. pharm. Alexander Ehrmann: CBD - the rediscovered natural medicine. What cannabidiol can do and how it is used correctly for pain, stress and sleep disorders, among other things. With extra: CBD oil for animals. Compact guide. Mankau Verlag, 1st edition October 2020, paperback 11.5 x 16.5 cm, color, 126 pages, 9.99 euros (D) / 10.30 euros (A), ISBN 978-3-86374-560-8

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