Beyond Cannabis: Echinacea and the Endocannabinoid System

It may be to your surprise that the Endocannabinoid system, while named for the infamous Cannabis, did not evolve so you can enjoy marijuana.

Every cell, human and nonhuman, is dotted with proteins known as receptors. These receptors interact with external molecules to initiate a response within the cell. This characteristic is one which has been well exploited throughout human history.

The earliest tribes of man learned that they could consume plants, animals and fungi which would alter their state of being. This principal is the same for kids taking MDMA in warehouse raves, and ancient shamans promoting healing by feeding plants to the sick.

While these chemicals we call drugs and medicines are highly praised, for all external response inducing molecules exists an analog that is produced naturally within. We would not be able to enjoy these stimuli if we did not have internal system evolved to respond to similar, but naturally internally produced molecules.

Next time you enjoy marijuana you can thank your Endocannabinoid system. The Endocannabinoid system is a complex lipid signalling network that controls many physiological processes. Cannabinoids are currently defined as the terpenophenolic compounds coming from the highly notorious Cannabis plant. However, relatively recent discoveries may be expanding this.

Echinacea and the Endocannabinoid system.

Echinacea is one such plant expanding this definition. Echinacea, also known as purple coneflower, is quickly becoming one of my most used herbs of my natural medicine arsenal. Extracts of this plant have a sensational effect that creates a great party trick. Placing the extract in the mouth creates a bizarre tingling sensation. I often spread the extract over my gums. This delivers the plants praised immune supportive effects, while also relaxing the jaw muscles and bringing noticeable anxiety relief.

This medicinal plant can be spotted all over North America for it's medium purple flowers. The leaves flowers and roots can be easily used in teas. Archaeological evidence supports that the Native Americans have used echinacea as a cure-all for over 400 years. This plant, which is commonly used to treat the symptoms of colds and flus, has also been used in treatments of such aggressive diseases as scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria.

While echinacea may not be as exciting to some as Marijuana, the active constituents of Echinacea seem to affect us in a similar manner. The alkylamides of echinacea are structurally similar to the endogenous can-
nabinoid anandamides. This allows them to bind with the CB2 receptors.

The activation of these receptors initiates and influx of Ca2+ into CB2 receptor positive cells. This activity has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Another anti-inflammatory compound Curcumin, a polyphenol found in Turmeric, has show selectivity to CB1 receptors.

Some medicinal plants do not interact directly with CB receptors, however, contain compounds that increase cannabinoid activity. One such delectable medical molecules is N-linoleoylethanolamide found in the chocolate precursor, cacoa!

Discovery of Δ9-THC may have only opened the doors to an entire class of medicinal plant activity. Many plants have coevolved with humans and express profound effects within our bodies. Perhaps next time you are craving a joint you will reach instead for an enriching cup of echinacea tea.

Integrating Steemit with my traveling life is being a rewarding challenge. I am thrilled that a social Media network is providing me an educational outlet. The communities I am finding on this richly biodiverse land are very integrated with natural medicines. I am able now to bring chemists mind into the alchemy and spirituality of the Columbian Amazon.

Im always excited for mindful comments if you have thoughts on anything I have shared. If your interested in supporting my journey and learning more with me I’m never opposed to a resteem, upvote and/ follow ;)

Happy Curiosity!

Gertsch J., Pertwee R., Di Marzo V., “Phytocannabinoids beyond the Cannabis plant – do they exist?” (2010)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2931553/#!po=64.7541

“Alkylamides from Echinacea Are a New Class of Cannabinomimetics”
http://m.jbc.org/content/281/20/14192.full.pdf-format=PDF

“Echinacea”
http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/echinacea

“History of a plant: the example of Echinacea”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/12808356/