Treating inflammation with CBD and Moringa
Information on inflammation derived from an article by Christian Nordqvist. Article reviewed by Justin Choi, MD. Whole article can be viewed on www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248423
“Inflammation is a defense mechanism of the body.” When the body is affected by harmful or irritating stimuli (e.g. damaged cells, pathogens, etc.), it responds by trying to remove them, and then begins to heal itself. The signs and symptoms of inflammation indicate that the body is trying to heal itself. Symptoms of inflammation include pain, redness, swelling, heat and immobility. Inflammation forms part of the body’s immune response.
So, what exactly causes inflammation? The immune system triggers a number of physical reactions as a response to physical injury or infection. Inflammation can be caused by an infection, but does not necessarily mean an infection is present.
The onset of acute inflammation is rapid and it becomes severe in a short period of time. Acute inflammation lasts for a few days. Examples include acute bronchitis, sore throat as a result of cold or flu, scratch in the skin (can cause inflammation), dermatitis, tonsillitis, acute appendicitis, etc.
Chronic inflammation is defined as long-term inflammation. The onset of chronic inflammation is slow and it can lasts for months to years. It can be caused by the inability to remove whatever caused an acute inflammation. It can also be caused by an autoimmune disease that attacks tissue that is normal and healthy. If a person is exposed to small amounts of a specific irritant over a long period of time, chronic inflammation can also result. Examples of diseases and conditions in which chronic inflammation is included are asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, sinusitis, etc. Chronic inflammation symptoms may also present in a different way such as fatigue, mouth sores, chest pain, abdominal pain, fever, rash and joint pain. Chronic inflammation can lead to many diseases and conditions such as some cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis and hayfever.
Medications used in conventional medicine to treat or manage inflammation are NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and corticosteroids. Drugs, such as paracetamol or Tylenol, reduce pain but do not affect the inflammation.
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Cannabis and moringa hold promise for the treatment of pain and inflammation.
According to the executive summary, cannabinoids produce their effects by activating cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). These receptors are known as cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2). The cannabinoid system regulates the immune system. Cannabinoids reduce disease symptoms as they suppress the inflammatory response. Cannabinoids can give rise to multiple anti-inflammatory pathways and protect from the development of several autoimmune disorders. This has been shown by testing cannabinoids in several experimental models of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis and hepatitis. Chronic inflammation triggers certain cancers. Cannabinoids may be beneficial in these types of cancers, by directly inhibiting the growth of the tumor or by suppressing inflammation and tumor angiogenesis. Tumor angiogenesis occurs when new blood vessels form and provide the tumor with oxygen and nutrients.(www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/)
The findings of a study in 2015 support Moringa oleifera’s traditional use as an effective treatment for diseases or disorders associated with inflammation. (www.phcog.com/article.asp?issn=0973-1296;year=2015;volume=11;issue=44;spage556;epage=563;aulast=Fard)
According to another study, Moringa leaf extract may be useful in treating inflammation.*
(* Shaikh Alimuddin and V.N. Bonde. 2016. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Moringa oleifera plant in Albino Wistar rats. European Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research [online], 3(12):295-297. Available at : http://www.ejpmr.com [Accessed 30 March 2019].)
Another study found that Moringa seed extract, enriched with moringa isothiocyanate-1 (MIC-1), may be useful in preventing and treating ulcerative colitis. (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5602518/)
