Raw Cannabis as a Superfood

Cannabis is one of the oldest domesticated crops known to man, dating back as far as 8,000 B.C. It should come as no surprise that with all the benefits cannabis contains, as well as the way it works in harmony with the endocannabinoid system, that many experts believe cannabis should be considered to be just as powerful of a superfood as other greens like kale, moringa, blueberries, and broccoli. What’s being discovered now is the nutritional power and overall beneficial health effects of raw cannabis.

Raw cannabis is not psychoactive unless heated, and it contains powerful disease-fighting compounds known as cannabinoids. Of these compounds, the most frequently studied are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).

From a nutritional perspective, cannabis is one of the healthiest foods you could possibly eat. It’s a leafy, green vegetable that’s loaded with protein, fibre, antioxidants, and a variety of vitamins and minerals.

It can be blended up into a smoothie with other fruits and vegetables, pressed into a raw juice, or even eaten in a salad. The possibilities are limitless and the nutritional content is impressive.

When used just as you would any other vegetable (in a smoothie, salad, juiced etc), cannabis provides some pretty awesome health benefits:

Cannabis Leaf/Flower:

• Rich source of fibre

• Flavonoids

• 9 Essential Amino acids

• Essential oils

• Magnesium

• Calcium

• Phosphorous

• Polyphenols (which are well known anti-oxidants that help protect the body from aging.)

• Chlorophyll (Before cannabis dries, it is loaded with chlorophyll, a pigment present in all green plants responsible for the absorption of light to provide photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is known to contain a variety of health benefits including: Anti-aging for skin, Fighting certain types of cancer, Detoxification, Treating inflammation, Improving iron content.)

Cannabis Seeds:

• Protein

• Carbohydrates

• Insoluble fibre

• Beta-carotene

• Phosphorous potassium

• Magnesium

• Sulphur

• Calcium

• Iron

• Zinc

• Vitamins E, C, B1, B3, B6 essential fatty acids.

When you consume raw Cannabis, you will not be consuming THC or CBD; instead, you will be consuming the acid forms of these components- Cannabidolic Acid (CBD-A) and Tetrahydrocannabonolic Acid (THC-A). Just like other components of raw cannabis, CBD-A and THC-A are also very good antioxidants. Recent research experiments show that these components can be powerful healers of serious medical condition, like cancer. In latest study conducted at Hiroshima International University, and published in 2017 January, the researchers discovered a possible way through which, CBD-A inhibits the COX-2 enzyme in aggressive breast cancer tumors. The study further talks about CBD-A’s ability to inhibit a proto-oncogene, c-Fos, which is an element involved in the cancer metastasis. Also, THC-A is known to be neuroprotective, antispasmodic, and an excellent pain-reliever.

CBDa has anti-inflammatory properties, it functions as an antibacterial, and it’s known to reduce nausea and vomiting. THCa protects against neurodegenerative diseases, treats epilepsy and muscle spasms, and provides relief for insomnia and pain.

The anti-cancer properties of raw Cannabis are potent and several compounds found in the raw plant material are being actively studied for their ability to initiate apoptosis in a variety of different types of cancer cells (without damaging the healthy cells).

Related research:

• How Cannabis Destroy Cancer Cells — by Dr Christina Sanchez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LSbCKXCgjI
• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41419-019-2001-7
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29992185/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19425170/

Cannabis will also hold on to a lot more of its beneficial terpenes when it’s not getting torched. Aside from producing the aroma and flavor profile, terpenes also have their own set of medicinal properties. They’re known to have antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-cancer properties.

Like many other green, leafy vegetables, cannabis is full of chock full of fibre, protein, fatty acids and iron. It can also give you a nice daily dose of vitamins such as vitamin C for immune function, vitamin K for calcium absorption, calcium for strong bones, and folate for DNA repair. Do you happen to have any purple-leafed cannabis? If so, make sure to add that to your diet as well! It’s full of antioxidants and anthocyanins, which help remove damaged cells from the body.

It is worth reiterating that eating raw cannabis will not get you high — as the aforementioned THCa has not been turned into THC through a heating (or drying) process. For some, this will be a turn-off, but for others, this may be a benefit. Know that THCa and CBDa do not have the same effects as THC and CBD. Both sets are being investigated individually for impressive benefits.

The cleansing properties of raw cannabis, cannot be emphasized enough. Like any other raw herb, cannabis is also rich in fibers and foliates. Toxic accumulation in the body may happen for different reasons; it might be either due to your poor diet habits, or your body’s inability to fight against the free-radicals. In either condition, your body will need fiber content, which kicks out the toxic substances, from your body.

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Here are some Herbs, Fruits, and Veggies that contain some of the same beneficial compounds (and/or very similar compounds) that are found in raw Cannabis:

For synergistic health benefits and delicious results try adding these ingredients to your raw cannabis salad, juice or smoothie:

Cannabinoids: Echinacea, kava, cacao, Camellia sinensis tea, electric daisy (Acmella oleracea), liverwort (Radula marginata), Black truffles (Tuber melanosporum)

Omega-3 fatty acids: walnuts, avocados, sage, flaxseed

Beta-caryophyllene: cloves, hops, basil, lavender, black pepper, rosemary

Pinene: pine nuts, makrut limes, sage

Myrcene: mangoes, lemon grass, thyme, verbena, bay leaves

Limonene: oranges, limes, lemons, and other citrus fruits

Linalool: sweet orange, sweet basil, lavender, coriander

Quercetin: cilantro, dill, blueberries, kale, red onions

Kaempferol: grapes, green tea, broccoli, peaches, berries

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I hope this inspires you to try adding Cannabis to your garden and diet (if you live in Canada or somewhere where it is legal). It is my hope that this information can bring many of you increased longevity and quality of life.