We’re not talking some garden weed, but a nutritional powerhouse known as “God’s Pharmacy”.
Hello. Can we interest you in a green smoothie or a vibrant green salad? Perhaps you’ve already dabbled in some beautiful green spinach/kale/swiss chard compilations with fragrant additions of basil and mint, and you’re familiar with their superfood reputation? But boys and girls, there’s another player on the scene, which happens to be one of the oldest domesticated crops and which trumps most dietary plants known to man. Throughout history, early civilisations have cultivated it to make a variety of foods, medicines, oils and textiles (such as rope and fabrics – who knew?), as well as cross-breeding with other plants (which led to creating a new breed called hemp). Other varieties, recognized for being psychoactive (known as marijuana) were bred selectively for medical and religious purposes. So yes, you guessed it – our smoothie ingredient du jour is none other than the CANNABIS plant. If you’re still reading this, rest assured: raw cannabis is NOT psychoactive (unless heated to 70 degrees Celsius), so it’s perfectly safe for regular RAW consumption, and makes a huge nutritional impact even in small doses – just one leaf fan adds a considerable health boost through its free radical scavenging polyphenols, flavonoids, 9 essential amino acids, essential oils and various minerals. One can only hope that this “dietary cannabis” will one day become a staple source of nutrition, as the persecution of this amazing plant is washed away. But if you’re still sitting on the fence about it, here are ALL the reasons why you should reconsider adding it to your diet…
VITAMINS: Like other green leafy plants, cannabis leaves contain a variety of vitamins and minerals. Leafy greens are filled with nutrients like:
Folate (essential for DNA repair)
Iron (essential for moving oxygen through the blood)
Calcium (essential for strong bones)
Vitamin C (essential for immune function)
Vitamin K (essential for blood clotting and calcium absorption)
CANNABIDOIDS: Did you know that there are over 400 distinct chemical compounds in the cannabis plant? Out of these, over a 100 are completely unique molecules called cannabinoids. These acid compounds have been found to offer protection against cancer development. One cannabinoid in particular – an antioxidant CBD – has been found to induce health effects of: pain relief, reduction of inflammation, anxiety, nausea, seizures, muscle spasms, blood sugar levels, risk of artery blockages, psoriasis, bacteria growth, fungal infections, tutor growths, improved sleep and efficacy of the immune system as well as appetite stimulation. Now, this must be WHY they call it “God’s Pharmacy”
FIBRE: Like all leafy greens, cannabis leaves are filled with the fibre needed for a healthy diet. Consuming high-fiber foods is needed to maintain proper digestion and to cultivate a healthy microbial community in your digestive tract. These microbes are essential for human survival, and recent research shows that caring for this internal ecosystem is vital for proper immune function and mental health. To get the most out of the fibre content, opt for a smoothie rather than juicing.
DAILY USE: Add cannabis fan leaves into a green smoothie, a homemade pesto, a salad, or use a couple of chopped leaves as a garnish for a pasta dish. Just remember: to get the most nutritional benefit from any herb, make sure you also include fat in your meal while consuming it. We suggest opting for hemp oil, flaxseed oil, avocado oil or virgin olive oil. You didn’t think you were going to get way with this one, did ya?