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Khanya Medicinals – quality South African medical Cannabis products.

At Khanya medicinals we provide high grade, top shelf medical Cannabis products for the South African market. We strongly believe in the powerful healing benefits of medical Cannabis.

The oldest known written record on cannabis use comes from the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung in 2727 B.C. Ancient Greeks and Romans were also familiar with cannabis, while in the Middle East, use spread throughout the Islamic empire to North Africa. In 1545 cannabis spread to the western hemisphere where Spaniards imported it to Chile for its use as fiber. In North America cannabis, in the form of hemp, was grown on many plantations for use in rope, clothing and paper. The Cannabis plant has a history of medicinal use dating back thousands of years across many cultures. The use of medical cannabis is controversial. A number of medical organizations have requested removal of cannabis from the list of Schedule 7 controlled substances, followed by regulatory and scientific review.

The first written record of the plant in South Africa is by Jan van Riebeeck, who ordered officers of the Voorman to purchase “daccha” in Natal for trade with the Khoikhoi. The Dutch East India Company attempted to establish a monopoly on its sale, and to that end prohibited cultivation of the plant by Cape settlers from 1680. However, the ready availability of cannabis in the wild and through trade with indigenous peoples meant that there was little profit to be made. Consequently, the prohibition was lifted in 1700. Cannabis was wholly criminalised in South Africa in 1928 under the Medical, Dental, and Pharmacy Act, for political and moral reasons. Under the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act of 1992, people found in possession of more than 115 grams of dagga were presumed to be guilty of dealing. However, following the adoption of the interim constitution of South Africa, courts found that this unjustifiably infringed the constitutionally enshrined presumption of innocence, and consequently invalidated those parts of the Act. The legislation of marijuana in South Africa has been a topic of wide discussion last year with reports of the cultivation and use of it in regulated ways rendered permissible. In March 2017 the Western Cape High Court passed a ruling that allowed for the possession, cultivation and private use of marijuana at home. While the ruling had many divided on whether the legalisation of marijuana would benefit the country or not, various strides where taken to developing ways in which the plant could be used medicinally and industrially to grow the economy.

Medical cannabis can be administered through a variety of methods, including capsules, lozenges, tinctures, dermal patches, oral or dermal sprays, cannabis edibles, and vaporizing or smoking dried buds. The use of cannabis as medicine has not been rigorously tested due to production restrictions and other governmental regulations. Limited evidence suggests cannabis can reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, improve appetite in people with HIV/AIDS, and reduce chronic pain and muscle spasms. Currently, the two main cannabinoids from the Cannabis plant that are of medical interest are THC and CBD. THC can increase appetite and reduce nausea. THC may also decrease pain, inflammation (swelling and redness), and muscle control problems.

CBD-dominant strains have little or no THC, so patients report very little if any alteration in consciousness. Patients do, however, report many benefits of CBD, from relieving insomnia, anxiety, spasticity, and pain to treating potentially life-threatening conditions such as epilepsy. THC-dominant strains are believed to reduce pain. It has been found to be effective in a variety of conditions that cause pain, including arthritis, migraine, multiple sclerosis and cancer.

A few benefits of Cannabis when it comes to different medical conditions:

• Chronic Pain –  Chronic pain is one of the most common conditions treated with medical cannabis. Similar to over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen, marijuana can reduce inflammation and pain associated with inflammation. THC is the compound believed to reduce pain. It has been found to be effective in a variety of conditions that cause pain, including arthritis, migraine, multiple sclerosis and cancer.
• Anxiety – The relationship between Cannabis and anxiety is complicated. Although short-term anxiety after smoking Cannabis is common, it may be an effective treatment for chronic anxiety. CBD is associated with anxiety relief. One recent study found that CBD tinctures can be just as effective as prescription anti-anxiety medications, but without the side effects or potential for addiction.
• Skin Disorders (dermatitis, psoriasis, acne) – Cannabis and cannabis-based topicals can be beneficial for certain skin disorders. These products can easily be applied to and absorbed through the skin, providing a convenient way to use cannabis as a medicine. There is evidence that cannabis can help treat both acne and itching associated with dry skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis may also be useful for treating dermatitis. There is also growing evidence that cannabis can treat psoriasis and even slow the development of some types of skin cancers. However, most of this evidence comes from animal models and not human studies.
• Arthritis – Some people may find that Cannabis greatly eases their pain, while others may not experience any benefit at all.  There are many anecdotal reports of people using Cannabis to alleviate their arthritis pain. Cannabis has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties in animal models of arthritis. But research in humans is far more limited.
• Glaucoma – Glaucoma is a condition that can lead to impaired vision or blindness. In this disorder, intraocular pressure (pressure in the eye) can increase to the point where the optic nerve is damaged. Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve, which sends information from the eyes to the brain. Scientists believe that the neuroprotective effects of marijuana can help protect the optic nerve from this damage. Both THC and CBD have neuroprotective and antioxidant properties.
• Diabetes –  There are not many studies on the effects of Cannabis on diabetes, but early results suggest that it could help treat or prevent the disorder. One study found that cannabis users have lower rates of diabetes mellitus than people of the same age who do not consume cannabis. People who consume cannabis have also been found to have lower insulin levels, smaller waists, lower rates of obesity, and a lower prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a complication often resulting from diabetes.
• Sleep Disorders – Cannabis can also help treat a variety of sleep disorders, including insomnia and sleep apnea. Studies show that THC taken before bedtime can help you fall asleep faster. A 1973 study showed that THC reduced the time it took for insomniacs to fall asleep by 1 hour on average. A 2013 study found that people who used Cannabis had less difficulty falling asleep, took less time to fall asleep and had more daytime sleep the following day. Cannabis may also be helpful for sleep apnea – a disorder that can cause a person to stop breathing in the night. In a 2013 study, sleep apnea patients used synthetic THC before bedtime. The results showed that their nighttime breathing and symptoms improved in a dose-dependent manner.
• Liver Disease – Cannabis may be beneficial to those with certain liver disorders eg. liver fibrosis (scarring). Specifically, CBD may contribute to the cell death of hepatic stellate cells that contribute to liver scarring. This suggests that CBD may reduce the extent of scarring in the liver when it is damaged.
• Cancer – Cannabis use in patients with cancer is becoming increasingly common. One of the most commonly reported benefits is the reduction of nausea and vomiting for patients in chemotherapy. Besides reducing the unpleasant symptoms of chemotherapy, marijuana shows potential as a cancer therapy itself. In mice and rat models, researchers have found that THC and other cannabinoids can trigger cell death in many types of cancer cells.
• Nausea and Vomiting – Several scientific studies support the notion that marijuana can reduce nausea in various conditions. THC and CBD have both been found to suppress nausea associated with chemotherapy. Cancer patients can be prescribed Marinol, a synthetic form of THC, to treat their nausea. Nausea and vomiting are also common side effects of antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS. The symptoms can be so severe that patients stop taking their medications altogether. Another study showed that Cannabis use helped HIV patients stick to their prescribed treatment by decreasing the unpleasant side effects of nausea and vomiting.
• Appetite Loss –  One of the most well-known effects of Cannabis is an increase in appetite, also known as “the munchies”. While often considered a mere side effect, the munchies can also be beneficial for patients with certain disorders. Certain conditions like AIDS and cancer can cause a loss of appetite. The increase in appetite from Cannabis may help these patients maintain a healthy weight and avoid discomfort. Those with eating disorders such as anorexia may also benefit from the appetite-boosting effects of Cannabis.
• Obesity – Using Cannabis regularly has been linked to a smaller waist size and a better ability to regulate glucose levels in the body. And despite consuming more calories on average, people who use Cannabis tend to be slimmer. Experts believe that Cannabis use may protect against certain factors that contribute to obesity.
• Heart Disease – The relationship between Cannabis use and cardiovascular health is complicated. Cannabis can increase heart rate and blood pressure in some users, leading to an increased risk of heart attack. However, research also suggests that small doses of THC can reduce the impact of a heart attack. When it comes to other cannabinoids, the potential for CBD to be used as a treatment for cardiovascular disease is noted.
• Psychosis – A non-psychoactive cannabinoid known as CBD may have beneficial effects for psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. Researchers have found in human trials that CBD is an effective antipsychotic. CBD is considered to be a safe and well-tolerated medication that does not pose the same degree of risk as conventional antipsychotic drugs. Larger clinical trials are still required to determine whether CBD should be prescribed by doctors for psychotic disorders. Unlike CBD, THC may worsen symptoms of psychosis, and is not recommended for patients with psychotic disorders.
• Tourette’s Syndrome – Cannabis may help people who suffer from Tourette’s syndrome, according to a few small studies. Cannabis and most notably THC have been documented to alleviate tics.
• Epilepsy – One of the most promising medical benefits of medical Cannabis is its ability to treat severe forms of epilepsy. Marijuana has very well-documented anti-seizure properties. More recently, researchers have found that the cannabinoid CBD can safely and effectively reduce the frequency of seizures without causing a “high”. CBD tinctures are growing in popularity as a safe and effective solution for treatment-resistant epilepsy.
• Multiple Sclerosis – Research shows Cannabis may improve symptoms of pain. Studies have also shown the potential for smoked Cannabis to reduce other symptoms of multiple sclerosis, like spasticity and sleep difficulties.
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes loss of muscle control and eventual paralysis. Stephen Hawking is diagnosed with ALS. There is some evidence that medical Cannabis could have beneficial effects on ALS.
• Huntington’s Disease – Many animal studies suggest that Cannabis could be helpful for treating Huntington’s disease, a rare genetic brain disorder that leads to the death of brain cells. However, very few studies about using medical Cannabis to treat Huntington’s have been performed on human patients. THCa is the Cannabinoid which is noted as having potential to treat those suffering from Huntington’s.
• Fibromyalgia – Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by widespread pain and a heightened pain response. CBD, CBDa, THC and THCa are showing promise for relieving pain in those suffering from Fibro.
• Osteoporosis – Osteoporosis is a disease causing decreased bone density. Symptoms include bone weakness and an increased risk of bone fractures. Studies show that naturally-occurring cannabinoids play an important role in stimulating bone formation and preventing bone resorption, a process that can cause osteoporosis. Other studies have found that cannabinoids can prevent the loss of bone mass, especially after menopause.
• Asthma – Though it may seem like Cannabis would be bad for your lungs, evidence suggests that compounds in the plant can actually help those with asthma. THC has been found to act as a bronchodilator — a substance that opens the airways of the lungs.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease –  Using Cannabis may be beneficial for patients living with different forms of inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Observational studies indicate that using marijuana can result in an improvement in symptoms, as well as a reduction in the use of standard medications.
• Parkinson’s Disease – Research shows that Cannabis may reduce the severity of tremors and pain in Parkinson’s disease.
• Alzheimer’s Disease – Cannabinoids appear to reduce inflammation as well as the accumulation of biological markers of the disease, known as amyloid beta plaques. There is also evidence that THC can help with symptoms such as apathy and sleep disturbances in Alzheimer’s patients. Other studies have shown that daily doses of THC can improve symptoms in patients with dementia.
• Lupus – Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause severe symptoms, such as joint pain, kidney dysfunction, pain, fever, skin lesions, rash, and hair loss. Many believe that Cannabis can help those with the condition.
• Traumatic Brain Injury – Certain cannabinoids in the Cannabis plant may improve outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injuries.
• Migraine – Cannabis may reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. While clinical trials are lacking, observational studies find that migraine patients can benefit from using medical marijuana. While scientists aren’t sure exactly how it works, it is believed that marijuana’s effects on serotonin may play a role.
• Spinal Cord Injury – Damage to the spinal cord can cause permanent and life-changing effects including paralysis and loss of sensation. There are currently no effective treatment options available. Similar to brain injuries, researchers have observed increased levels of cannabinoids produced in the body following a spinal cord injury. This increase is believed to be the body’s attempt at minimizing long-term damage.
• ADHD – The link between medical Cannabis and ADHD has not been fully researched, but studies have shown that many people with ADHD use cannabis to manage their symptoms. CBD in particular is proving to be the most valuable cannabinoid for ADHD treatment.
• Hepatitis C – Hepatitis C is a viral infection that can cause liver damage over time. Antiviral treatment can help clear the virus from the body and reduce the chance of liver damage. However, many patients fail to complete their antiviral treatment due to side effects, and medications are not always effective. A 2006 study examined marijuana users and non-users with hepatitis C. They found that medical marijuana users were more likely to achieve remission of the virus, and were more likely to complete their treatment course. This effect is thought to be related to marijuana’s ability to treat certain side effects of antiviral medications, including nausea, headaches, and appetite loss. Researchers also believe marijuana’s stimulation of CB2 receptors on immune cells may improve outcomes in Hepatitis C patients.

As you can see from the points above Cannabis for medicinal use in South Africa has a lot to offer!

Are you wanting to buy a medical Cannabis product eg. CBD oil, Cannabis vape juice or CBD isolate? Maybe one of your friends purchased one of our products and you loved it and now you want to order your own?

Whatever the reason, here at Khanya we are here to help.

Our products are made using quality organic medical Cannabis and our products have been received with approval by thousands of happy South African customers.  If you are wanting to buy medical Cannabis products like Cannabis flowers, Cannabis Vape Juice, Cannabis beauty creams, Cannabis lube, Cannabis Bath salts, Cannabis bath bombs or Cannabis Tinctures online then please visit our online Cannabis shop.

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