Current Applications, Approaches and Potential Perspectives for Hemp


Book Description

Current Applications, Approaches and Potential Perspectives for Hemp: Crop Management, Industrial Usages, and Functional Purposes presents the latest in the rapidly growing interest for hemp cultivation and its sustainable applications for humans. This book gathers research and review chapters that analyze research trends and current agricultural issues. It then proposes alternative solutions and describes current and future applications for this raw material. This book will be extremely beneficial for researchers, academics, policymakers, technicians and other stakeholders interested in this crop development and its applications. Cannabis sativa is considered as a proper and alternative crop because of its wide range of applications and marketability, especially when developed for biomedical applications. Thus, many producers and technicians are trying to find relevant information about this crop development and usages in order to be considered viable in the future. - Presents research and review chapters that analyze current trends and agricultural issues - Details the growing and diverse applications for hemp fibers, seed grain and essential oils due to its pharmacologically beneficial properties - Describes the current and future applications for this raw material




The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids


Book Description

Significant changes have taken place in the policy landscape surrounding cannabis legalization, production, and use. During the past 20 years, 25 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis and/or cannabidiol (a component of cannabis) for medical conditions or retail sales at the state level and 4 states have legalized both the medical and recreational use of cannabis. These landmark changes in policy have impacted cannabis use patterns and perceived levels of risk. However, despite this changing landscape, evidence regarding the short- and long-term health effects of cannabis use remains elusive. While a myriad of studies have examined cannabis use in all its various forms, often these research conclusions are not appropriately synthesized, translated for, or communicated to policy makers, health care providers, state health officials, or other stakeholders who have been charged with influencing and enacting policies, procedures, and laws related to cannabis use. Unlike other controlled substances such as alcohol or tobacco, no accepted standards for safe use or appropriate dose are available to help guide individuals as they make choices regarding the issues of if, when, where, and how to use cannabis safely and, in regard to therapeutic uses, effectively. Shifting public sentiment, conflicting and impeded scientific research, and legislative battles have fueled the debate about what, if any, harms or benefits can be attributed to the use of cannabis or its derivatives, and this lack of aggregated knowledge has broad public health implications. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids provides a comprehensive review of scientific evidence related to the health effects and potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis. This report provides a research agendaâ€"outlining gaps in current knowledge and opportunities for providing additional insight into these issuesâ€"that summarizes and prioritizes pressing research needs.




Nutraceuticals


Book Description

Nutraceuticals: Efficacy, Safety and Toxicity, Second Edition, brings together everything that is currently known about nutraceuticals and their potential toxic effects. The book introduces readers to nutraceuticals, herbal medicines, Ayurvedic medicines, prebiotics, probiotics, adaptogens, and their uses and specific applications. This essential reference discusses the mechanism of action for the judicious use of these nutraceuticals and the best tools for their evaluation before detailing the safety and toxicity of nutraceuticals and interactions with other therapeutic drugs. Finally, and crucially, regulatory aspects from around the world are covered. Completely revised and updated, this updated edition provides toxicologists, pharmacologists, pharmaceutical scientists, and those interested in medicinal plants and natural products with a comprehensive overview of the most effective tools upon which to evaluate the safety and toxicity of nutraceuticals, prebiotics, probiotics and alternative medicines. - Presents a completely revised and updated resource on the impact of nutraceuticals and various disease states such as diabetes and ophthalmic and dermal diseases - Grants an overview of the current state-of-the-science of nutraceuticals, their use and applications, and known adverse effects - Provides effective tools to evaluate the potential toxicity of any nutraceutical - Includes details of regulatory issues as written by international experts




Cannabis sativa L. - Botany and Biotechnology


Book Description

This book highlights current Cannabis research: its botany, authentication, biotechnology, in vitro propagation, chemistry, cannabinoids biosynthesis, metabolomics, genomics, biomass production, quality control, and pharmacology. Cannabis sativa L. (Family: Cannabaceae) is one of the oldest sources of fiber, food and medicine. This plant has been of interest to researchers, general public and media not only due to its medicinal properties but also the controversy surrounding its illicit use. Cannabis has a long history of medicinal use in the Middle East and Asia, being first introduced as a medicine in Western Europe in the early 19th century. Due to its numerous natural constituents, Cannabis is considered a chemically complex species. It contains a unique class of terpeno-phenolic compounds (cannabinoids or phytocannabinoids), which have been extensively studied since the discovery of the chemical structure of tetrah ydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), commonly known as THC, the main constituent responsible for the plant’s psychoactive effects. An additionally important cannabinoid of current interest is Cannabidiol (CBD). There has been a significant interest in CBD and CBD oil (extract of CBD rich Cannabis) over the last few years because of its reported activity as an antiepileptic agent, particularly its potential use in the treatment of intractable epilepsy in children.




Therapeutic Uses of Cannabis


Book Description

At the last Annual Representative Meeting of the British Medical Association a motion was passed that `certain additional cannabinoids should be legalized for wider medicinal use.'' This report supports this landmark statement by reviewing the scientific evidence for the therapeutic use of cannabinoids and sets the agenda for change. It will be welcomed by those who believe that cannabinoids can be used in medical treatment. The report discusses in a clear and readable form the use and adverse effects of the drug for nausea, multiple sclerosis, pain, epilepsy, glaucoma, and asthma.




Marijuana As Medicine?


Book Description

Some people suffer from chronic, debilitating disorders for which no conventional treatment brings relief. Can marijuana ease their symptoms? Would it be breaking the law to turn to marijuana as a medication? There are few sources of objective, scientifically sound advice for people in this situation. Most books about marijuana and medicine attempt to promote the views of advocates or opponents. To fill the gap between these extremes, authors Alison Mack and Janet Joy have extracted critical findings from a recent Institute of Medicine study on this important issue, interpreting them for a general audience. Marijuana As Medicine? provides patientsâ€"as well as the people who care for themâ€"with a foundation for making decisions about their own health care. This empowering volume examines several key points, including: Whether marijuana can relieve a variety of symptoms, including pain, muscle spasticity, nausea, and appetite loss. The dangers of smoking marijuana, as well as the effects of its active chemical components on the immune system and on psychological health. The potential use of marijuana-based medications on symptoms of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and several other specific disorders, in comparison with existing treatments. Marijuana As Medicine? introduces readers to the active compounds in marijuana. These include the principal ingredient in Marinol, a legal medication. The authors also discuss the prospects for developing other drugs derived from marijuana's active ingredients. In addition to providing an up-to-date review of the science behind the medical marijuana debate, Mack and Joy also answer common questions about the legal status of marijuana, explaining the conflict between state and federal law regarding its medical use. Intended primarily as an aid to patients and caregivers, this book objectively presents critical information so that it can be used to make responsible health care decisions. Marijuana As Medicine? will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, health care providers, patient counselors, medical faculty and studentsâ€"in short, anyone who wants to learn more about this important issue.




Handbook of Cannabis and Related Pathologies


Book Description

Handbook of Cannabis and Related Pathologies: Biology, Pharmacology, Diagnosis, and Treatment is the first book to take an interdisciplinary approach to the understanding of cannabis use and misuse. Recent worldwide trends toward decriminalizing marijuana for medical use have increased legal use of the drug and recreational use remains high, making cannabis one of the most commonly used drugs. Cannabis has a wide range of adverse neurological effects, and use and abuse can lead to physical, social, and psychopathological issues that are multifarious and complex. Effective understanding and treatment requires knowledge of the drug's effects from across scientific disciplines. This book provides an overview of the biological and pharmacological components of the cannabis plant, outlines its neurological, social, and psychopathological effects, assists in the diagnosis and screening for use and dependency, and aids researchers in developing effective treatments for cannabis-related issues and disorders. Fully illustrated, with contributions from internationally recognized experts, it is the go-to resource for neuroscientists, pharmacologists, pathologists, public-health workers, and any other researcher who needs an in-depth and cross-disciplinary understanding of cannabis and its effects. - Comprehensive chapters include an abstract, key facts, mini dictionary of terms, and summary points - Presents illustrations with at least six figures, tables, and diagrams per chapter - Provides a one-stop-shopping synopsis of everything to do with cannabis and its related pathology, from chemicals and cells, individuals and communities, and diagnosis and treatment - Offers an integrated and informed synopsis of the complex issues surrounding cannabis as a substance, its use, and its misuse




Advances in Hemp Research


Book Description

Offering up-to-date information on the uses and composition of the plant, Advances in Hemp Research provides growers, researchers, manufacturers, and suppliers with methods and data for the processing and cultivation of hemp for textile and paper products. You will learn how recent advances in germplasm resources, breeding methods, and the improvement of physiological, morphological, and biochemical characteristics of the plant can strengthen hemp fiber, making it a profitable and important crop to study and to grow for uses in the textile and paper industries. Providing you with a complete update on the advances in research in several different areas, this text covers the entire spectrum of recent international hemp research and technological developments. Advances in Hemp Research discusses many factors essential to the improvement of the crop and its uses, including: breeding techniques, agronomical practices, increased stress tolerance, and processing techniques that will enable the plant to produce high-quality fibers new cultivars to distinguish licit from illicit field cultivation the recent advances in crop physiology, such as radiation use efficiency, harvest index, and dry matter yields cultivation practices such as soil structure, manuring, harvesting, and crop rotation and how they contribute to optimal growing conditions for the plant current disease and control measures that lessen parasitic damage and loss of crops storing, processing, and marketing hemp as a component of paper, pulp, fiber, and oil Furthering the advancement of cannabis as an environmentally friendly and useful crop, this text supplies you with the information you need to successfully grow healthier and more resilient plants. Advances in Hemp Research will benefit your breeding studies or your business ventures by providing you with information and laboratory results that will help you successfully grow the cannabis plant for commercial use.




Sustainable Agriculture Reviews 42


Book Description

This book reviews recent research and applications, developments, research trends, methods and issues related to the applications of industrial hemp for fundamental research and technology.




Advanced Green Composites


Book Description

Most composites, particularly those made using thermoset resins, cannot be recycled or reused. As a result, most of them end up in landfills at the end of their useful life which is neither sustainable nor environment-friendly. Various laws enacted by Governments around the world and heightened global awareness about sustainability and global warming is changing this situation. Significant research is being conducted in developing and utilizing sustainable fibers and resins, mostly derived from plant, to fabricate 'Green' composites. The significant progress in the past 20 or so years in this field has led to the development of green composites with high strength or so called Advanced Green Composites. More interestingly, green composites have also acquired various different properties such as fire resistance, transparency, barrier to gases and others. The term 'advanced' which only included high strength and stiffness now includes all these special properties. The world is on the cusp of a major change, and once fully developed, such composites could be used in applications ranging from automobiles to sporting goods, from circuit boards to housing and from furniture to packaging. This book, by presenting the state-of-the-art developments in many aspects of advanced green composites adds significantly to the knowledge base that is critical for their success of expanding their use in applications never seen before. The chapters are written by world’s leading researchers and present in-depth information in a simple way. This provides readers and researchers the latest developments in the field of 'Green' resins (with ways of strengthening them), High Strength Green Fibers (including micro and nano-cellulose fibrils/fibers) and Green Composites in the first few chapters. The introductory chapter summarizes the consequences of using conventional, petroleum-based materials and the need for green composites as well as the progress being made in this field. After that the book delves in to Advanced Green Composites in a broader sense and includes chapters on High Strength Green Composites, Self-healing Green Composites, Transparent Green Composites, All-cellulose composites, Toughened Green Composites, Green Biofoams, Bioinspired Shape Memory Composites, etc. The chapters are written by the experts who are highly respected in their fields.