Medical Marijuana: Holistic Treatment Centers Using Marijuana

In an earlier article, I gave my opinion on why medical marijuana should be legalized considering the pain management options such as OxyCotin and morphine. In reviewing the issues, I located a series of clinics that don't just dispense marijuana but offer a holistic program for a number of diseases.

What is Medicann?

Medicann is a group of 20 different integrative medical clinics that use holistic medicine and medical marijuana in the treatment of many kinds of diseases. They have been in business since 2004 under the direction of several doctors. The physicians give exams, then offer patients a holistic health program that may include herbs, diet and life style changes, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustment, body therapies, and marijuana.

My view on the use of marijuana in treating pain and disease:

As an herbalist, I don't believe in the use of drugs unless there is no other choice. If you must use drugs, use the drug with the least side effects and the least toxic effects on the liver and kidneys. Many of the prescription drugs help one symptom while creating more side effects and destroying the liver and kidneys over time. Haven't you ever really listened to the side effects on these drug commercials? If it stops your arthritis but kills your liver, have you really gained anything? Marijuana according to the research has less side effects and toxicity than most of the prescription drugs out there.

Marijuana is effective in a number of conditions: Many people are aware of its use in cancer and AIDS patients but it is being used in other diseases as well. According to physicians, marijuana is effective in treating different kinds of chronic pain issues, including back pain. It is used for pain management in migraine headaches and to relax muscles in diseases like Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries. It is useful in moderating the physical outbursts in dementia, Tourettes syndrome and alcoholism. It is being researched and is showing promise in treating the pain of peripheral neuropathy present in AIDS patients. The medicines such as Lamictal and Neurontin used in these diseases are often very poorly tolerated. Diabetics also suffer severe peripheral neuropathy and are often given drugs like morphine to combat the debilitating pain. Marijuana is a better alternative to morphine.

The side effects of Marijuana are less than many other heavy duty prescription drugs such as morphine. The main side effects are slowed reaction time both mentally and physically. Any heavy duty pain medication such as morphine would also affect you that way. You should never drive when taking pain killing medicine. Marijuana is milder than OxyCotin or morphine. Marijuana is not free of side effects, just less dangerous and toxic than what is usually prescribed.

Withdrawal from marijuana is put into the same category as nicotine. One of the main cons is that marijuana is not good for the lungs. Now marijuana is being put into many kinds of foods to get around that negative aspect. In the case of cancer or debilitating pain, where they are going to be on long term pain management drugs, it is less of an evil than OxyCotin or morphine. The withdrawal off both OxyCotin and morphine are hell according to patients with pain wrenching withdrawal symptoms.

Holistic alternatives that are not addicting and do not have side effects:

Ginger for the nausea of cancer and AIDS. Ginger has been shown to be as effective as drugs for nausea.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine for the treatment of pain and peripheral neuropathy. Lipolic acid and Evening primrose oil are used by German doctors to treat neuropathy with great success.

Biofeedback is used to help patients control their pain levels.

Valerian, skullcap and other herbs can be used in the treatment of pain and as muscle relaxants. Using herbs may decrease your need for the heavy duty pain killing prescription drugs.

The above mentioned herbs also may help in muscle spasms, anxiety and nerves; Kava Kava works well with anxiety; St John's Wort, an herb, works well with mild to moderate depression and pain; SAME works with some pain issues and Calcium and magnesium are used to help with muscle spasms.

Orthomolecular Medicine uses diet, vitamins, and amino acids to treat many health and mental conditions. Orthomolecular Medicine is useful in the treatment of anxiety, nerves, outbursts, and mental instability. Gaba is one of the amino acids used to calm down the brain when it is over agitated or overly stimulated abnormally. Orthomolecular medicine is used successfully in addiction treatment.

Chinese herbal medicine is very effective with pain, inflammation issues, and immune issues.

Moringa Use in the treatment of AIDS patients:

Moringa Tree leaf powder has been shown in outreach clinics to help AIDS patients regain strength, stamina, appetite, and improved overall health. Moringa powder is a super food consisting of dried Moringa leaves. It helps the body to heal and become stronger. You just add the powder to any dish that you would use spinach leaves. You can also use the fresh leaves in salads or drink it as a tea and in soups. It is being used to stop starvation worldwide.

This article is mainly to give you a view on how marijuana can be used in a legal way to avert pain and symptoms. It is also to give readers some guidance into other treatments and herbs that you might consider with your illness or disease. I would suggest you visit a holistic physician to see if there are alternatives for your illness and symptoms that are less toxic and addicting. Herbs and natural medicine heal the body, rather than just relieve symptoms. Please explore the links below to learn more on the topics covered in this article.

References:

http://www.echotech.org/network/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=194

http://www.whale.to/w/ortho.html

http://www.baptiststandard.com/2000/6_5/pages/moringa.html

http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/ma?f=102252161.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/02/060227184647.htm

http://www.poz.com/articles/761_11275.shtmlhttp://www.orthomed.org/