15.3.7.4 Methyl Salicylate (Oil of Wintergreen)
Plant salicylates have been well known for centuries for their numerous health
benefits. Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid, which is one of the most commonly used
drugs for its antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic uses, is closely associated
and can be derived from methyl salicylate. Upon injection into the human body, it
quickly hydrolyzes to form salicylic acid. Hence, methyl salicylate can be used as a
potential replacer of aspirin. Although present in trace amounts, it is an important
beneficial component in hempseed oil (Leizer et al. 2000).
15.4 Health Attributes
Various compounds found in hempseed are known to provide some general health
benefits that may not necessarily be disease-specific. Consumption of cannabis as a
nutraceutical can therefore provide a general improvement in health. For instance,
certain cannabinoids and terpenes have been shown to have antioxidant and
neuroprotective properties. They are found to be effective against inflammation,
which is an underlying factor in many diseases. Such compounds may also provide
beneficial effects on metabolic pathways, which may be useful for conditions related
to diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity. In recent studies, it has been proved
that peptides that are derived from the gastrointestinal simulated digestion of
hempseed proteins are characterised by antioxidant and antihypertensive properties
(Aiello et al. 2016). Cannabis sativa L., an annual plant in Cannabaceae family, has
been a prime source of food, fibre, psychoactive/religious drug and as a medicine for
ages. It is necessary to distinguish among the types of Cannabis Sativa L. such as
drug type and nondrug type:
(a) Drug type: It is commonly known as marijuana, hashish or Cannabis tincture
which contains enough Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to exhibit
psychoactivity.
(b) Nondrug type: It is the industrial hemp having THC concentration low enough to
show any psychoactive properties.
In the United States, it is illegal to cultivate hempseed owing to its similarity with
marijuana. It is believed that if industrial hemp is legalised, then it may also lead to
the legalisation of marijuana. Governments of other countries have accepted the
distinction between the above two types of Cannabis sativa L. because of its
excellent nutritional values.
15 Hempseed (Cannabis sativa)
383
Plant salicylates have been well known for centuries for their numerous health
benefits. Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid, which is one of the most commonly used
drugs for its antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic uses, is closely associated
and can be derived from methyl salicylate. Upon injection into the human body, it
quickly hydrolyzes to form salicylic acid. Hence, methyl salicylate can be used as a
potential replacer of aspirin. Although present in trace amounts, it is an important
beneficial component in hempseed oil (Leizer et al. 2000).
15.4 Health Attributes
Various compounds found in hempseed are known to provide some general health
benefits that may not necessarily be disease-specific. Consumption of cannabis as a
nutraceutical can therefore provide a general improvement in health. For instance,
certain cannabinoids and terpenes have been shown to have antioxidant and
neuroprotective properties. They are found to be effective against inflammation,
which is an underlying factor in many diseases. Such compounds may also provide
beneficial effects on metabolic pathways, which may be useful for conditions related
to diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity. In recent studies, it has been proved
that peptides that are derived from the gastrointestinal simulated digestion of
hempseed proteins are characterised by antioxidant and antihypertensive properties
(Aiello et al. 2016). Cannabis sativa L., an annual plant in Cannabaceae family, has
been a prime source of food, fibre, psychoactive/religious drug and as a medicine for
ages. It is necessary to distinguish among the types of Cannabis Sativa L. such as
drug type and nondrug type:
(a) Drug type: It is commonly known as marijuana, hashish or Cannabis tincture
which contains enough Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to exhibit
psychoactivity.
(b) Nondrug type: It is the industrial hemp having THC concentration low enough to
show any psychoactive properties.
In the United States, it is illegal to cultivate hempseed owing to its similarity with
marijuana. It is believed that if industrial hemp is legalised, then it may also lead to
the legalisation of marijuana. Governments of other countries have accepted the
distinction between the above two types of Cannabis sativa L. because of its
excellent nutritional values.
15 Hempseed (Cannabis sativa)
383