HEALING DIABETES WITH HERBAL TEA: EXPLORING THE ANTI-DIABETIC PROPERTIES OF TERPENES AND FLAVINOIDS IN THREE SOUTH AFRICAN PLANTS

Healing diabetes with herbal tea is not so unusual because next to water, tea is the most consumed non-alcoholic beverage. Therefore healing diabetes with herbs is fast becoming a popular modern day solution for this ever challenging health condition.

There are three main types of diabetes. All three types involve the production and secretion of the hormone known as insulin, produced in the pancreas. Insulin is the essential hormone that converts glucose into energy. It is responsible for the biological function of metabolism concerned with energy expenditure in the body.

Type 1 diabetes is where an auto-immune process has destroyed the insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas. Type 2-diabetes is the most common version and develops over time. The body gradually becomes unable to use insulin properly, or doesn’t produce enough insulin. Third is gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, genetics and lifestyle.

People who suffer from diabetes constantly have high blood sugar and cannot produce enough insulin

Diabetes is a critical condition and statistics reveal that over 400 million South Africans are affected and thousands go undiagnosed. [1] Further, it is estimated that another 5 million South Africans have pre-diabetes. This is when blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type-2-diabetes. Of greater concern is the alarming statistics in the development of the chronic complications of diabetes. Kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, lower leg amputations and blindness are some of the symptoms of this devastating disease. [2] 

Diabetes is a slow-onset condition and early detection is of paramount importance

Healing diabetes involves the recognition of the onset of the disease and to determine the best mode of treatment. This disease is generally believed to be incurable; and the pharmaceutical drugs available are not affordable to the poor. There are several means of managing and treating diabetes, however, natural remedies are proving more effective. This is because unlike synthetic drugs and oral medications healing diabetes with herbs does not cause undesirable side effects.

Extreme eating and lazy lifestyles are the main accomplices to the development of diabetes. Of course some people are genetically pre-disposed but this disease is predominantly preventable. And it is possible to still have a healthy quality of life by healing diabetes with herbal teas.

People have become urbanized and no longer care for healthy food but instead invest in processed takeaways. It is known that high sugar diets can lead to obesity and diabetes and we are seeing this everywhere today. To truly cure diabetes we must first control the corporate marketing of unhealthy foods in our own minds. Then we must put in place proper health systems that provide standard preventative and curative care for affected individuals.

Healing diabetes with herbs will provide new therapies with less side-effects 

Safe curative treatments for diabetes are yet to be developed although traditional healers still practice herbalism for the treatment of diabetes. People diagnosed with diabetes need the best possible treatment available and this includes patient education. As diabetes continues to increase, so does the need to create awareness and strategize how to reduce the risk of diabetes.

The world’s diabetic population is diverse and we need herbal healing for individual treatment plans. When the pancreas starts showing signs that it can no longer produce enough insulin we must immediately start considering herbal remedies. By healing diabetes with herbal remedies we can access safer, cheaper and more effective treatments.

Healing diabetes with herbs will not interfere with synthetic drugs like insulin 

Herbs can be used as an anti-diabetic remedy alone, but can also be used safely with other drugs like insulin. In fact most anti-diabetic herbs will also alleviate the awful side-effects of some diabetic drugs. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, anxiety, swelling and headaches are some examples. Likewise the resurgence of herbal medicines has led to increasing concerns over their safety, quality and efficacy. This is an important medical development because it led to human clinical trials and published research papers that prove the safety of herbal medicine.

Which plants can be used to heal diabetes? 

In nature we are blessed with at least 389 medicinal herbs that have been identified and proven to treat diabetes. [3] However, it has been reported that more than 1200 traditional plants may have been used traditionally to treat blood sugar. [4] These plants are recognized to contain valuable medical properties to treat both high and low blood sugar. There is even a plant named “the insulin plant” that originates from India. [5] As custodians of herbal healing traditional healers may hold the key to unlock many diabetic complications.

In this article we will analyze the top three herbs used for traditional healing of diabetes in South Africa. Let’s start with the national flower of the country.

P1 Sugarbush (Protea repens) 

South African’s enjoy 1700 species of Protea plants but most people feel that all Protea flowers are equally our national flower! Protea Sugarbush or “Suikerbossie” as it is known in South Africa occurs mainly around Cape Town where the fynbos biome grows.

The Sugarbush has been exploited for centuries for the nectar produced by the flowers. This abundantly produced nectar was collected in the past to be boiled into sugary syrup, so-called bossiestroop, meaning ‘bush syrup’. This traditional medicine was used to treat chest conditions and as a component of cough mixtures. It was also used traditionally to treat diabetes. This remedy became an essential component of folk medicine chests in the Cape. The First Nations of the Cape of Good Hope taught their colonialists the secrets of the honey-pot of the Protea plant. [6] 

The Khoi-Khoi people teach traditional healers to heal diabetes by making a tea from the leaves of the Sugarbush plant. This is how we still do it today, although many healers now use capsules to administer the crushed leaves. Besides anti-diabetic properties this plant also has wound healing and blood cleansing properties that also aid in the healing of diabetes.

P2 Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R. Br. (Fabacea), Cancer bush, Kankerbossie [7]

Sutherlandia is another Western Cape medicinal plant traditionally used to treat diabetes. This plant has been shown to have anti-diabetic properties in animal studies. [8] This study investigated Sutherlandia in preventing insulin resistance in human liver cell cultures and to identify genes regulated by this plant

We must understand that insulin resistance is a precursor to type-2-diabetes and is considered a serious condition

The results prove that healing diabetes with herbs can prevent insulin resistance in liver cells.

This study also revealed that Sutherlandia can alter human gene expression and points towards the mechanisms of the plants’ anti-diabetic actions. Healing diabetes by drinking ‘kankerbossie’ tea has been helping people overcome their condition for thousands of years. [9] Diabetics who use the leaves as tea report a drop in blood glucose levels and Sutherlandia has no signs of toxicity or side-effects. [10]

Sutherlandia can cure diabetes and cancer 

Aptly nicknamed ‘The Cancer Bush’ this herb displays anticancer activities and this supports the claims of South African Traditional Healers. The reason why Sutherlandia cures cancer is because it possesses apoptotic properties, meaning it can destroy any mutant cells. [11] Another reason is that Sutherlandia is loaded with antioxidants that are known to destroy free-radicals that cause cancer. People should be competing to use herbs to rid their bodies of free-radicals to beat cellular-oxidation and cancer.

Chemicals like terpenes, terpenoids and flavonoids have been identified as being responsible for the health benefits of Sutherlandia. Terpenes are the chemicals that give plants their fragrance but they also have their own unique healing abilities. These chemicals play role in the bioactivity of Sutherlandia and the anti-diabetic and anticancer properties of this plant are well established. [12] It’s amazing to know that we can literally heal diabetes and cancer by simply sipping on some tea!

P3 Cannabis sativa (dagga)

How does Cannabis control our blood sugar?

Dagga is already a household name for healing hundreds of medical conditions and diabetes is no exception. In fact Cannabis is now known for healing 700 known medical conditions.

Here is the link as a reference of this fact and you will notice how many auto-immune conditions are on this list. These type of diseases only really started surfacing in society after CBD (Cannabidiol) was removed from the worlds food-chain in the 1930's. In my opinion this was the very reason for the sudden appearance of an overwhelming count of cancers and auto-immune conditions. This is proof of Endocannabinoid deficiency and people need Cannabis to supplement the ECS. 

It is becoming more and more obvious that our hormones play a crucial role in the way our bodies uptake and regulate energy. The importance of this is that Cannabis and the ECS regulate the functions of our hormone system. Cannabis regulates blood sugar levels, by controlling the secretion and release of hormones like insulin and Melanin Concentrating Hormone (MCH). Scientists now know that MCH plays a role in the growth of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, and the secretion of insulin. When MCH induces appetite it also increases insulin secretion from the beta cells and enhances the growth of the beta cells.

 Our sleep hormones also regulate our blood sugar

Melatonin is the hormone usually associated with our sleep waking patterns. Research proves that it also has a specific function in the control of insulin secretion from the islets of the pancreas. [13] This proves that melatonin has a distinct and detailed effect on insulin secretion. This is based on the biological fact that the pancreatic beta cells all have melatonin receptors. It is well known that sleep disorders and shift-working, are closely associated with reduced glucose tolerance and type 2-diabetes. [14]

Twenty years ago scientists had no idea of the functional importance of hormones like melatonin. Through the study of the ECS we realize that many hormones act on diverse physiological processes in the body. [15] 

Pancreatic cancer is the toughest to treat

Cancer of the pancreas is known to be one of the hardest to cure because early detection is almost impossible. This cancer is vicious and kills over 90% of its victims within five years. Researchers at Harvard University state that Cannabis killed all the tumor cells in 70% of mice with pancreatic cancer. These scientists were so surprised at the results that they had to run additional tests for confirmation. They published their research in the Journal Frontiers on Oncology in 2019.

Their findings are attributed to particular chemicals within Cannabis known as flavonoids and in particular Caflanone (FBL-03G). The American FDA has approved Caflanone ‘orphan drug’ status meaning that it can cure previously incurable diseases. This flavonoid successfully destroyed tumor progression in animals with pancreatic cancer and research is ongoing at Harvard Medical School. This proves that flavonoids are also involved in the apoptotic functions of the anticancer properties of Cannabis.

Jamaican ‘Black Swan’ is an ideal dagga strain to treat pancreatic cancer 

Doctors and scientists are starting to realize that Cannabis medicine is so much more than just THC and CBD. Terpenes and flavonoids within Cannabis all have their own special healing properties over and above the cannabinoids.

Dr. Henry Lowe is chairman of the pharmaceutical drug company known as Flavocure and he has studied Cannabis since 1974. He discovered a unique strain in Jamaica named ‘Black Swan’ because of its rich flavonoid content, particularly Caflanone. The company has isolated this strain specifically for their research in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The most amazing fact about this treatment is that there are no side-effects, which is unheard of in pharmaceutical human trials. [16]

What do these three plants have in common to heal diabetes?

At the time of writing this paper (2021) there was not one single scientific paper referencing Sugarbush having anti-diabetic properties, not one! The search was relentless and eventually ii found a scientific link revealing the chemical responsible for anti-diabetic properties in many medicinal plants. 

This chemical is the terpene scientifically known as Linalool. As mentioned before terpenes are the chemicals within plants that are responsible for the aroma, fragrance and taste of plants and their fruits. Terpenes also have healing properties that contribute to the medicinal value of many herbs including Cannabis. Linalool is found in many plants like lavender, and is also the terpene responsible for sweet-tasting strawberries!

“Linalool can comprise up to 66% of the Proteas fruity scents.” [17]

No other plant on Earth contains this much Linalool and even ganja rarely presents more than 1.5%. It is exciting to discover that all three plants contain the chemical known as Linalool also found in hundreds of plants. This spicy lavender-resembling terpene is the secret molecular plant-link to regulating blood sugar in human beings. Sutherlandia also contains Linalool and this is what produces the much needed anti-diabetic properties of this plant. [18]

Equally exciting is that modern scientists are finally acknowledging the anti-diabetic properties of plants and their chemical components. Linalool is now scientifically proven as an effective plant derived anti-diabetic treatment. [19] These revelations bring joy to traditional healers who lack the resources to scientifically publish their own valuable disciplines of medicinal knowledge. Molecules like Linalool will surely lead to a terpene boom in the future because of their ancient healing properties.

Can we afford to not heal diabetes with herbs?

Healing diabetes by using plants has been part of folk medicine and traditional healing systems forever. If no proof prevailed to the healing abilities of herbs then they would not be studied for their potent hypoglycaemic effects. Herbal intervention is completely natural and is woven into the cultural fabric of indigenous peoples. Modern medicine is losing its worth in terms of being effective and people are becoming more interested in herbs and self-medicating.

Natural medicine is needed because it provides health maintenance and is nurturing as plants are...

Healing diabetes by serving herbal teas is the best preventative primary care that we can offer to our communities. In SA herbs are used by different healers, such as herbalists, diviners, Inyanga;s Rastafarians, alternative and allopathic healers, and even ordinary people. This creates unique situations where traditional knowledge and science meet in the mountains to provide insight into healing herbs. [20]

The good news is that by healing diabetes with herbs we stand an excellent chance of reducing numbers with the least cost to physical and mental side-effects. We must become conscious that we can heal ourselves from almost any known disease by taking responsibility for what we consume. Diabetes is a worldwide health crisis because of poor nutrition and it should be on the forefront of every country’s agenda.

Citations for “Healing diabetes with herbal tea”

 [1] (Daniel Asmelash and Yemane Asmelash 28 April 2019) “The Burden of Undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus in Adult African Population: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Diabetes Research Volume 2019 Article ID 4134937 https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4134937

 [2] (Thylefors B. 1990) “The WHO program for the prevention of blindness.”  International Journal of Ophthal. Volume 14 page 211.

[3] (Padavala Ajay Babu et al 13 April 2006) “A database of 389 medicinal plants for diabetes”. Journal Bio-information Volume 1 Issue 4 pages 130-131 PMCID: PMC 1891668 PMID: 17597872 http://www.progenebio.in/DMP/listz.htm

 [4] (R.J. Marles and N.R. Farnsworth 1995) “Anti-diabetic Plants” Journal Phytomedicine Volume 2 Issue 2 pages 137-189 https://www.academia.edu/marles

 [5] (Akhila J Shetty et al April 2010) “Effect of the insulin plant (Costus igneus) leaves on dexamethasone-induced hyperglycemia”. International Journal of Ayurveda Research Volume 1 Issue 2 pages 100-102 PMCID: PMC2924971 PMID: 20814523

 [6] (Ian Edwin Cock, October 2018) “Medicinal Plant images” Giffith University Pharmacognosy Communications Volume 8 Issue 4 page 170 Figure 1: “Protea is a genus of flowering plants from South Africa that are commonly referred to as sugarbushes. Protea repens is perhaps best known for its medicinal properties, although other species are also used in similar ways. The flower nectar is boiled to produce a syrup. This syrup is used to treat chest disorders, and as a component of cough mixtures. It also has been used traditionally to treat diabetes.” https://www.researchgate.net

[7] Sutherlandia frutescens (l.) r.br. (syn. Lessertia frutescens (L.) Goldblatt and J.C. Manning)

[8] (S. Williams et al, 27 March 2013) “Sutherlandia frutescens prevents changes in diabetes-related gene expression in a fructose-induced insulin resistant cell model.” Journal of Ethonopharmacology Volume 146 Issue 2 pages 482-489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.01.008Get rights and content

 [9] (Oluwaseyi M et al, 1 February 2014) “The Meeting of Science and Traditional Knowledge” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Volume 20 Issue 2 page 71 PMCID: PMC3924790 PMID: 23837689

 [10] (B.E. Van Wyk, October 2011) “The potential of South African Plants in the development of new medicinal products.” South African Journal of Botany Volume 77 Issue 4 pages 812-829 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2011.08.011

[11] (Kenneth Anye Chinkwo, 8 April 2005) “Sutherlandia frutescens extracts can induce apoptosis in cultured carcinoma cells.” Journal Ethnopharmacol Volume 8 Issue 98 pages 163-70. PMID: 15763378 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 [12] (Stander A, Marais S, Stivaktas V, et al 2009) “ In vitro effects of Sutherlandia frutescens on cell numbers, morphology, cell cycle progression and cell death in a tumorigenic and a non-tumorigenic epithelial breast cell line.” Journal Ethnopharmacol 2009; Volume 124 Issue 45–60 [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

 [13] (Maria Cecilia Picinato et al October 2002) “Melatonin Inhibits Insulin Secretion and Decreases PKA Levels Without Interfering With Glucose Metabolism in Rat Pancreatic Islets”. Journal Pineal Res Volume 33 Issue 3 pages 156-60 PMID 12220330

 [14] (Elma Peschke et al March 2013) “Melatonin and Pancreatic Islets: Interrelationships between Melatonin, Insulin and Glucagen”. International Journal of Molecular Science Volume 14 Issue 4 pages 6981-7015 PMCID PMC3645673 PMID 23535335.

 [15] (Dr Ethan B Russo, 2004) “Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD): can this concept explain therapeutic benefits of cannabis in migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and other treatment-resistant conditions?” Neuro Endocrinol Letters February 2004

[16] Medical Cannabis Network 14 January 2020 “Black Swan: rare Jamaican cannabis strain could treat pancreatic cancer.” https://healtheuropa.eu

 [17] (Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen et al March 2013) “Effects of volatile compounds emitted by Protea species (Proteacae) on antennal electrophyusiological responses and attraction of cetoniine beetles.” Journal Chem Ecol.

 [18] (B.E. Van Wyk, October 2011) “The potential of South African Plants in the development of new medicinal products.” South African Journal of Botany Volume 77 Issue 4 pages 812-829 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2011.08.011

 [19] (Tanaji A More et al, 2014) “Anti-diabetic activity of linalool and limonene in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat: a combinatorial therapy approach”. Int Jnl Pharm Pharm Sci Volume 6 Issue 8 pages 159-63

 [20] (Aston Philander L. 18 November 2011) “An ethnobotany of Western Cape Rasta bush medicine”. Journal Ethnopharmacol Volume 138 Issue 2 pages 578-94

Healing the Heart Chakra with Cannabis

By healing the heart chakra with Cannabis we are able to improve our immunity and uplift our emotional state of being

There is a direct connection between overall good health and our emotions. This paper explains how we can use Cannabis to heal the heart chakra to ensure excellent mental and physical health. 

As humans we only have two main emotions from which all other emotions and feelings stem. These two are LOVE and FEAR. Fear is controlled by the ego and love is guided from intuition and spirituality. From love flow joy, hope, happiness, bliss, wonderment, truth, enlightenment, peace, love, unity, understanding, respect, loyalty and friendship. We can also receive harmony, creativity, self-confidence and positivity from the emotion of love. On the other hand, from fear we can expect things like hatred, jealousy, anger, confusion, unfulfillment, revenge, blame and negativity. [1]

There’s a way to overcome these symptoms of fear to avoid illness that involves healing the heart chakra with Cannabis.

“What is love?” ~ “The total absence of fear” said the master. What is it we fear?” “Love” said the master. Anthony de Mello

What is the Heart Chakra? 

The fourth energy center is situated in the exact region of the heart along the spinal cord. Physically and spiritually both the thymus gland and the heart are linked to this chakra. Some learned metaphysical students and shamans believe that this chakra is the seat of our soul. They claim that the heart chakra is the gateway to the soul and thus the seat of human emotions. It is definitely our center of love, connectedness and forgiveness so perhaps there is some truth to these esoteric claims.

The heart chakra represents the divinity of unconditional love that is free of ego. A balanced heart chakra is necessary for spiritual growth and inner transformation. Green is the color of the heart chakra and represents transformation and love energy. Green is associated with new life and natural surroundings in the creation. Working with the color green can help us to heal the heart chakra. Color therapy is an amazing tool to help us to heal from various diseases including cancer, brain injuries and even asthma. Scientists are starting to publish more research papers on spiritual topics. [2]

“Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality.” ~ Carl Sagan

The energy produced by the heart chakra allows us to have meaningful relationships and to feel compassion and forgiveness for other people. On a physical level this energy also ensures an active immune system with a strong heart and healthy circulation.  

What happens when the heart chakra is blocked? 

The heart is the part of the body associated with the human emotional center and particularly the emotion of love. [3] It can produce deep love and inner peace, but it can also produce great pain and emotional suffering. Emotions control our thoughts and our thoughts control our actions and words. Jesus Christ, Buddha and other spiritual leaders teach to be very careful of our thoughts because our thoughts control our lives. 

When emotions become excessive or blocked-up then they can and often do become pathological and can cause disease in the body. The heart chakra directly affects the heart, lungs, chest, arms, and hands. The symptoms are experienced as poor circulation, high or low blood-pressure, and other heart and lung conditions. Breast cancer, asthma and immune disorders are also associated with a blocked heart chakra.  

By healing the heart chakra we are also able to direct love back to ourselves 

The heart chakra also holds all our painful emotions relating to traumatic events and life-stresses. A blocked heart chakra can affect the entirety of our being with symptoms manifesting as physical disease. Mentally a blocked heart chakra can result in co-dependency, manipulative behavior, feeling of unworthiness, and an inability to trust ourselves or others. 

Healing the heart chakra also involves the ability to love oneself unconditionally. Truly we can only love others unconditionally if we love ourselves in the same way. It is so important to see ourselves as unique and extraordinary individuals with the capacity for great love.

When the heart chakra is open we feel surrounded by love, compassion, and joy. One might even experience feelings of connectivity to the world and universe. These things cannot be experienced if this chakra is blocked and the body is ill. We have to be serious about healing the heart chakra to see all of the beauty and love around us. Fear and all its relatives like bitterness, hatred, jealousy, anger, resentment and self-doubt are symptoms of an unhealed heart chakra. By consciously healing the heart chakra we feel loved and we are able to love others. This is vital to maintaining a happy mental, physical and spiritual existence. All creatures great and small need love because a life without love is an empty and lonely existence.  

How does Cannabis heal the heart chakra?

 

There is no coincidence that each endocrine gland is lined up alongside the chakra that it most influences.  The heart chakra is aligned to the thymus gland and the heart, situated in the heart region. 

The thymus gland is medically interesting because it does not stay with us for very long. After puberty this gland starts to shrink and is replaced by fat as it becomes part of the lymphatic system. But while it is active it has very important functions. Thymosin and thymopoietin are the hormones of the thymus, and they stimulate the development of disease-fighting T cells before we reach puberty. Thymosin also stimulates the release of pituitary hormones such as the growth hormones.

The heart also has endocrine functions and produces hormones that support the heart during times of stress and overload. Some of the hormones produced by the heart are atrial and brain natriuretic peptide, myostatin and serotonin. Stress to the heart center directly affects our immunity. [4] People with blocked heart chakras tend to suffer from autoimmune diseases for example rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Cannabis can heal the heart chakra by regulating hormone absorption and balancing the immune system. 

Cannabis heals the heart chakra through the biological process of hormone absorption 

Dagga plays a crucial role in the activities of the endocrine system by regulating hormone absorption, balance and release. [5] We know that hormones control all aspects of growth, development and daily activities. They affect several bodily processes for example, growth and development, metabolism, appetite, mood, reproduction and even sexual function. The regulatory role of the ECS in the endocrine system is what gives Cannabis control over our ability to absorb hormones. This is how we explain why Cannabis can help people to sleep and how Cannabis can help us with stress. [6]

Cannabis and the ECS heal the heart chakra by modulating the effective uptake of the hormone serotonin. The “feel good hormone” that we need to make us feel better as its nickname suggests. The ECS, Cannabis and serotonin are intertwined with endocrine functioning and hormone absorption in the body. By healing the heart chakra we can overcome stress and low serotonin levels that can lead to heart disease. [7] Although 90% of our serotonin is produced in the gut the heart and pineal gland also produce this hormone. Some of our other feel-good hormones include dopamine, oxytocin, progesterone, estrogen, testosterone and various endorphins in both men and women. To understand emotional pain and heartache we must analyze the influence of our hormones on our emotional control systems.  

Healing the heart chakra by using Cannabis can improve our ability to give and receive love 

People with a strong heart chakra can move beyond feelings of vulnerability, regret or self-blame. They recognize that they deserve to experience love in all its forms. Cannabis can help us to live a full life with an open heart chakra. Imagine a life of mutually rewarding family bonds, colorful friends, deep romantic love and a healthy self-love! Cannabis can do all these things for us while healing the heart chakra at the exact same time. 

Healing the heart chakra does require dedication but it’s definitely worth it 

Part of healing the heart chakra and loving ourselves is letting go of bitterness, guilt and regret, in other words, learning to forgive. Forgiveness means that we choose to stop carrying that anger, hurt and other negativity around with us. We can never control other peoples’ actions, but we can control our own understanding and the way we react. 

 We can choose to either carry or release the emotional burden as we move on with our own lives. To forgive literally means to ‘give up’ that which we should never have held onto in the first place. 

Forgiveness begins with the person who recognizes the offence. If only one person will dare to forgive then the problem could easily be resolved in a positive way. The person who dares to forgive automatically gains control of the situation because they will always find a divine solution. If we truly wish to permanently heal the heart chakra we must learn to forgive. 

Good health cannot be accepted by a body that is filled with the toxins born of unforgiveness 

Healing the heart chakra enhances our willingness to forgive and to show compassion. Cannabis is a known mood enhancer and has the ability to reduce verbal and internal hostility towards other people. By healing the heart chakra with Cannabis we automatically become more relaxed. A relaxed person is already in a better mood and less likely to become angry or anxious. 

The physical and spiritual impact of bitterness 

The biggest side effect of bitterness is the physical toll it takes on the body. Bitterness is now an official medical disorder and referred to as “Post traumatic embitterment disorder (PTED)”.  [8] This label describes the pathological (uncontrollable) reaction to drastic life events for example, divorce, grief and loss of income. The cause of bitterness, loneliness and heartbreak can always be traced back to a blocked heart chakra. A bitter person is angry and unhappy because they cannot find forgiveness. Professor Carsten Wrosch of Concordia University in Montreal warns that bitterness is bad for our health. [9]

 “When harbored for a long time,’ says Professor Wrosch, ‘bitterness may forecast patterns of biological dysregulation. A physiological impairment that can affect metabolism, immune response, organ function and physical disease.”

Healing the heart chakra with Cannabis ensures laughter because it stimulates the pineal gland and the heart to produce serotonin. It must be dreadfully difficult to be bitter when laughing but apparently “a bitter laugh” is a real thing! Cannabis opens the heart chakra and raises our vibration to increase psychic connection from one person to another. Being psychic doesn’t mean that we can make things happen but means that we are open to something happening. There is a link between laughter and healthy functioning of our blood vessels, because both Cannabis and laughter act as vasodilators. Healing the heart chakra with Cannabis can protect us against strokes and heart attacks.

The best way to heal the heart chakra is to spend more time in nature

Healing the heart chakra by spending more time with plants and animals is highly recommended. Remember that green is the color of the heart chakra, and of nature. Wearing green or even wearing a green crystal at the heart level will help to heal the heart chakra. Eating green leafy vegetables and incorporating green into our homes and work environments also helps to heal the heart chakra. Key to healing the heart chakra is energizing the body, clearing emotions, increasing mental clarity and accessing expanded states of consciousness. All of these things can be achieved with Cannabis and can be done in harmony with nature. 

The more love we can give out the more love we will receive

True unconditional love is unlimited in its potential for growth and expansion. The heart chakra governs our immunity and the ability to feel self-acceptance and unconditional love. It is through healing the heart chakra that we can fully manifest the totality of our divine energy.  

A lot of people decide to shut down and build those proverbial walls around their hearts. We think that this will help us to never be hurt again. The problem with doing this is that the love that we wish to give can’t get out. In the exact same way as the love we wish to receive cannot get in.

Cannabis wants us to become aware of our connection to Mother Earth, and the entire universe but mostly to one another. The holy herb wants to redefine our idea of happiness because we have exchanged happiness for pleasure and love with desire. Cannabis wants to free all of humanity from the intense impact of life pressures on our existence. Our physical health is now at risk because of these life pressures. We should strive for an altogether new way of living. Where the true constant values of love shape the systems that govern the societies in which we live. By healing the heart chakra with Cannabis we become aware of all these encouraging events going on inside our bodies. We become aware that with Cannabis there is now new hope where there may not have been any hope before.

Citations for “Healing the Heart Chakra with Cannabis” 

[1] C. Sue Carter 22 December 2017 Frontiers in Endocrinology Journal Volume 8 page 356 “The Oxytocin-Vasopressin Pathway in the Context of Love and Fear”. PMCID: PMC5743651 PMID: 29312146 https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed29312146

 [2] (M Kim et al 1 January 2013) “The Effects of Art Therapy Using Color on Purpose in Life in Patients with Stroke and their Caregivers.” Yonsei Medical Journal Volume 54 Issue 1 pages 15-20 PMCID: PMC3521264 PMID: 23225793 https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed23225793 

[3] Sarah N Garfinkel et al. November 2015 JAMA Psychiatry Journal Volume 72 Issue 11 pages 1071-2 “The Heart, the Brain, and the Regulation of Emotion” PMID: 26376236 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed26376236

[4] Claire Lugnier et al. October 2019 Journal of Clinical Medicine “The Endocrine Function of the Heart”, Issue 8 Volume 10 page 1746 PMCID: PMC6832599 PMID: 31640161 https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.pubmed/31640161 

 [5] (Jan Komorowski et al 2007) “The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in the Regulation of Endocrine Function and in the Control of Energy Balance in Humans”. Postepy High Med Dosw Journal 2007 Volume 61 pages 99-105. PMID 17369778 https://ncbi.nlm.gov/pubmed17369778 

[6] (Kuem Sun Han et al  December 2012) “Stress and Sleep Disorder”. Experimental Neurobiology Journal Volume 21 Issue 4 pages 141-150 PMCID: PMC 3538178 PMID: 23319874 https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed23319874 

[7] NC Durham Duke Health NC Durham Duke Health “Combination of Stress, Low Serotonin may Promote Heart Disease” Updated 20 January 2016. https://corporate.dukehealth.org

 [8] (Michael Linden et al. August 2003) “Posttraumatic embitterment disorder”. Journal Psychother Psychosom. Volume 72 Issue 4 pages 195-202 PMID: 12792124 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed12792124 

[9] 11 August 2011 “Bitter? Don’t be. It’s bad for your health”. Rita Rubin of NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com

Teenage drug use: A comparative study of alcohol and dagga use in young adults

At the heart of the debate around teenage drug use is the question of Why? Why do adolescents want to use mind altering substances?  Why does any human wish to alter their minds? There’s no one single motivation for teenage drug use but rather a whole plethora of reasons. It is very important for parents and grandparents to understand the reasons for teenage drug use. More important is to talk to your teens about the dangers of drinking and drugs, but in an appropriate way. 

Teenage drug use happens when young people see adults smoking and drinking and they associate this with ‘normal’

Popular media ensures around 45% of teens agree that the music they listen to make drinking and dagga seem cool. They also agree that movies and television-shows make drugs seem like an ok thing to do. If you are concerned about your teenager using drugs then be aware of what media they consume and speak about it.

Hormones really do control our lives

Other than teen pimples and sudden interest in dating, can we hold hormones responsible for changes in behavior and emotions? The straight-up answer is an emphatic YES! Puberty hormones start changing around 8 to 14 years old and this continues deep into the 20’s. In fact there are even scholars who believe that ever-changing hormone levels continue to affect our lives until our old-age. All of our hormones affect human behavior and emotions.

When teens are unhappy they need an outlet for their frustration and anger. And many turn to substances for emotional relief and to feel better. Make no mistake, teenage years can be rough and take their toll on children, even causing depression. Remember….many of us have been there and some of us twice! Very often when teenagers are offered something to make them feel better, they can’t resist. 

Teenage drug use often starts with abuse of prescription drugs that are used to manage stress. For example Ritalin, that is used to treat ADHD and so called ‘hyperactive’ children that was first synthesized in 1944.

If you look closely, these days’ children are put on drugs just for daydreaming and labeled autistic. Others start by abusing painkillers and tranquilizers to cope with their life-stresses. [1] In Patton et al six scientists peer reviewed this study of teenage drug use. All agree that the major factors affecting adult health are mental health, behavior and lifestyle choices that develop in teens. Increases in depression, anxiety, eating disorders, unsafe sex and aggressive behavior are well documented and their effects on later life. Hormones control all of these things and much more.

From puberty the brain is reshaped and hormonal changes occur until around 28 years. The adolescent brain literally oozes out stress, sex and growth hormones, which in turn also affect brain development. These hormonal changes contribute towards adolescent addictions and mood swings and most addictions do start in the teen years.

Alcohol is the drug of choice for angry teenagers because it frees them to behave aggressively

It’s a fact! Boredom leads to drugs and teens who crave excitement are prime candidates for abuse. Substances like alcohol and dagga fill internal voids many adolescents feel and they find familiarity by interacting with like-minded teens. Many adolescents cannot be alone or even in the company of adults; they need to bond with their own age-groups. Cigarette smoking is also part of teenage drug use. They use it as a form of rebellion to display independence and to make their parents angry!

Teenagers need instant gratification for their self-esteem and they seek out shortcuts to happiness. For them drugs and alcohol work quickly and the effects feel great, boosting their confidence. You can see that teenage drug use is as complicated as young people themselves but it doesn’t have to be. [2]

The effects of alcohol on adolescent brain development

Teenage use of alcohol and its effects is obviously dependent on the severity of drinking during adolescence. In AD Meruelo et al, neuropsychological changes like overall poor attention, memory and function in heavy adolescent drinkers was observed. Heavy drinkers also demonstrated increased emotional reactivity and poor tolerance for stress. This study looked at nine peer-reviewed articles and discovered neuro-anatomic changes in the brains of adolescent drinkers. All research indicated that heavy drinkers presented with smaller brains than non-drinkers.

In studies involving teenage drug use, scientists noticed smaller grey matter volumes and lower white matter integrity. These observations were noted in different brain areas, using MRI technology and compared with non-consumers. I’m not sure this is a realistic marker because in essence adolescence is a process of reducing grey matter. What is important is the reduction in white matter that leads to decreased cognitive functioning. Alcohol doesn’t actually kill brain cells but it can permanently damage dendrites found in the cerebellum. Dendrites are the cellular antennas that branch off brain and nerve cells. This damage greatly reduces the communication between brain cells and causes impairment in brain function.

Sadly some children are born with a predisposition to addiction

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) was first clinically diagnosed by Jones and Smith in 1973. This is the most severe form of alcohol damage to the fetus. Severe dysmorphology and growth retardation are the most recognizable traits. It’s even possible for some children to be noticeably more affected than others even if they share the same mother. These children are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems and poor psychosocial development. FAS children are inevitably destined for teenage drug use and also beyond into their adult lives. [3]

The effects of dagga on adolescent brain development

The most common teenage use of dagga is smoking. In this case the, the maximum effect, the high, occurs within 15 minutes and lasts about an hour. It’s true that today’s dagga is stronger in THC and generally weaker in CBD compared to the 1980’s. Decades ago, 6% THC was considered very strong but today we’re smoking around 25 to 30% THC for breakfast.

The important question is whether THC exposure is different in teenagers than adults. We know that THC works as a partial agonist of the cannabinoid receptors in adolescence and adulthood. This proves that plant-THC has a protective role in the human brain. However, general executive functioning does seem to be more impaired in teenage frequent dagga use compared to adult use.

The presence of the ECS raises the question of whether Cannabis is truly more harmful than alcohol for teenagers

There’s no shortage of reviews exploring the effects of THC on teenagers and many come to the same conclusion. Early onset Cannabis use leads to brain development problems and structural changes in the brain. However, other studies about teen Cannabis use delivered results that were inconsistent with past reviews. Most studies of teenage Cannabis use on brain development are distorted because they look at users who also consume alcohol. So while public opinion is that dagga causes brain damage, the scientific journals are filled with mixed evidence. The harmfulness of Cannabis depends of how it interacts with the teenage brain. Teenage inclination to reduced learning after Cannabis use does not persist after abstinence. [4]

We now know that cannabinoid receptors increase during adolescence and are well distributed throughout the brain

Some scientists believe that any alteration to ECS during adolescence could result in neurobiological changes leading to poor brain development. [5] One of the earliest studies of teenage dagga use looked at verbal and nonverbal memory performance in 14 to 16 year olds. Contrary to Claire Gorey et al, it was recorded that short-term memory impairment persisted after 6 weeks of abstinence. [6] But another study by Teichner et al in 2000 found no link between dagga use and brain damage. The exact degree of any damage caused by dagga is still questionable and unproven despite new studies. Most scientists do describe potential damage involving attention, learning and memory. [7]

You can’t kill yourself with dagga in the way that you can die from consuming too much alcohol

In our opinion Cannabis is far safer than alcohol in terms of the actual damage it does at cellular level. The reason for this is the expression of receptors in the brain that respond to alcohol or dagga. Cannabis plays a protective role over the brain and neurologists are now studying cannabinoids in the treatment of epilepsy. They have learnt from their patients how amazing this medicine is for seizures, brain trauma, spasms and other brain conditions.

Cannabis is responsible for the function of neurogenesis. This means the creation of new brain cells and proves that Cannabis controls cell genesis in the adult brain. 

“Most ‘drugs of abuse’ suppress neurogenesis.  Only Cannabis promotes neurogenesis” ~ Dr Xia Zhang (Canadian Researcher) [8]

To this day no one has ever died from consuming whole herbal Cannabis, even when smoked. The reason for this is because there are no cannabinoid receptors present in the cardiac and respiratory cells in the human brain cortex. This is the biological evidence that humans cannot overdose or die from Cannabis. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for alcohol.

Consuming any kind of alcohol in any amount produces free radicals in the body that cause cancers and auto-immune diseases. Free radicals also cause heart and neurological diseases as well as the aging process in general.

What are the effects of adolescence on neurobiological processes implicated in teenage drug use in South Africa?

Professor Alan Flisher passed away in 2010. He was a pioneer in the field of public mental health in South Africa. ‘The Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health’ was officially launched in August 2010 in his memory. He undertook a study of 2930 students from grades 8 and 11 at 39 different high schools in Cape Town. This study looked at alcohol, cigarettes and dagga and overall prevalence rates for recent use was 31%, 27% and 7% respectively. [9]

In another South African study 308 students from four high schools were surveyed with a questionnaire and parental consent. The students were from grades 8 to 12 with an average age of 16 years. Of those who used substances 69% used alcohol, 10% smoked dagga and 5% smoked cigarettes and 46% were poly-users. South Africa has a high occurrence of risky alcohol use for men, women and even young people. It’s a major concern for public health risks as well as social problems like crime and violence in all communities. [10]

The conflicting evidence shows that the relationship between teenagers and drug use is more complex than we first thought

The world has changed and today people are successfully using dagga to overcome their alcohol and other serious addictions. This is a crucial point because studies show that alcoholism is decreasing due to the popularity of dagga among teens. [11]

“Generation-Z” is changing the way teens do drugs, although there are still some worrying trends. We see this new research as a radiant reflection of a new style of positive parenting in today’s society. As parents and grandparents we must nurture our teens as many of us wish our own parents might have. We must encourage open-lines-of-communication so that young people may once again feel safe confiding in their parents.

There has not been nearly enough media attention highlighting the issue of alcohol versus Cannabis for recreational use. Alcohol is certainly in a class of its own but it is still the most dangerous drug known to mankind. It is the first choice in the long list of things that can make a person feel intoxicated or ‘high’ and this is often the start of a lifelong journey with alcohol. 

Cannabis offers a healthier euphoriant than whiskey or vodka and helps repair damage that alcohol imposes, especially on the liver. For example Cannabis is used to ease pain, stimulate appetite and improve moods. These are benefits that someone recovering from alcohol dependency would find very beneficial. For many, dagga provided an escape from the grip of their long-drawn-out battle with alcohol that started in their teens.

DISCLAIMER: Complementary medicine, in particular Cannabis Medicine and pharmacology are ever changing fields. The author has in so far as possible, taken every care to  ensure that the information contained within the text is as accurate and as up-to-date as possible. Sista Vee Nohombile Bush does not endorse self-medicating any medicine or drug without consulting with a professional health care provider. We do not encourage or endorse under-age Cannabis smoking and we do not sell THC products to under-age minors. No liability will be accepted for any resulting damage, injury or loss to either person or property, whether direct or consequential and howsoever arising. All decisions regarding your health and that of your family should always be made while consulting with your Health Care Practitioner. For private consultations please email vee.bush@gmail.com

Citations for: Teenage drug use

[1] (George C. Patton, MD et al, September 2004) “Puberty and the Onset of Substance Use and Abuse.” Journal Pediatrics Volume 114 Issue 3 pages 300-306 PMCID: PMC1892192 PMID: 15342890

[2] (AD Meruelo et al, 15 May 2017) “Cannabis and Alcohol Use, and the Developing Brain.” Journal Behav Brain Res Volume 325 pages 44-50 PMID: 28223098

[3] Philip A May PhD et al, 2011) “Maternal Risk Factors for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders – Not As Simple as it Might Seem.” Journal Alcohol Research Health Volume 34 Issue 1 pages 15-26 PMCID: PMC3860552 PMID: 23580036 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23580036

[4] (Claire Gorey et al, 24 January 2019) “Age-related differences in the impact of cannabis use on the brain and cognition: a systematic review.” Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience Volume 269 Issue 1 pages 37-58 PMCID: PMC6394430 PMID: 30680487 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30680487

[5] (Joanna Jacobus and Susan F. Tapert, 2014) “Effects of Cannabis on the Adolescent Brain.” Journal Curr Pharm Des Volume 20 Issue 13 pages 2186-2193 PMCID: PMC3930618 PMID: 23829363 2014

[6] (Schwartz RH et al, 1989) “Short-term memory impairment in cannabis-dependent adolescents.” American Journal of Dis Child Volume 143 pages 1214-1219

[7] (Teichner G et al, 2000) “The relationship of neuropsychological functioning to measures of substance use in an adolescent drug abusing sample.” International Journal of Neuroscience Volume 104 pages 113–124

[8] (Wen Jiang, 2005) “Cannabinoids promote embryonic and adult hippocampus neurogenesis and produce anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects” Journal of Clinical Investigation Volume 115 Issue 11 PMCID: PMC1253627/PMID: 16224541 13 October 2005

[9] (Alan J. Flisher et al, February 2003) “Substance use by adolescents in Cape Town” Journal of Adolescent Health Volume 32 Issue 1 pages 58-65, Source Pubmed and South African Medical Research Council. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12507802/

[10] (Debrah Mohale and Kebogile E. Mokwena 22 July 2020) “Substance use amongst high school learners in the South of Johannesburg: Is this the new norm?” Journal SA Family Practice Volume 62 Issue 1 © 2020 The Author https://www.google.com/search?q=Substance+use+amongst+high+school+learners+in+the+South+of+Johannesburg%3A+Is+this+the+new+norm/

[11] (Dr Ty Schepis, 19 November 2020) “College-age kids and teens are drinking less alcohol – marijuana is a different story.” Published by Department of Psychology, Texas State University https://theconversation.com

 

Ever wondered why your spliff tastes like rose petals?

Introduing Geraniol ~ The fruity floral terpene that smells like roses

Not so long ago it became fashionable again to puff ganja rolled in rose petals. We all danced around the bonfire under the full moon in a trance like Bo-Ho meets Chic vibe that still remains popular in some naturalist communities today. Traditionally roses have been used in medicine for thousands of years and have  health benefits known to many cultures in the world. 

Rose petals are edible and have been collected by humans for a very long time. Rose petals also have a very high Vitamin C content and this is why it is considered a powerful antioxidant. When people were eating rose petals ii am certain that there was no such thing as cancer. People have also been smoking rose petals as an aphrodisiac and to help with depression for centuries. 

In my studies of all plants including the Cannabis plant ii have always been fascinated with terpene profiles, even more so than with cannabinioid profiles to be honest! Terpenes are the chemicals within plants that are responsible for the aroma, fragrance and taste of plants and their fruits. Terpenes also have healing properties that contribute to the medicinal value of many herbs including Cannabis. 

The rose smelling-and-tasting terpene scientifically known as Geraniol is found in Cannabis and other plants like geranium, lavender, lemon-grass, nutmeg, ginger and even tobacco.

What are the healing properties of Geraniol?

Geraniol has only been researched in a handful of scientific studies but we do know that it is a highly medicinal terpene and often included in Essential Oils for example Rose Geranium Oil known to treat severe inflammation and pain as well as anxiety,panic attacks and even seizures, febrile and other types. 

One of the reasons why Cannabis is helping so many children with epilepsy is because of the geranium terpene known as Geraniol and its entourage interaction with the cannabinoids known as CBD (Cannabidiol) and CBG (Cannabigerol). 

As a powerful antioxidant Geraniol also shows huge potential in overcoming different types of cancers and tumours

Cannabis is possibly most famous for healing cancer in humans and animals.The reason for this amazing track record is the fact that plant chemicals found within Cannabis including THC, are known to work together in synergy to bring the body into a state of celluar apoptosis. In my book Cannabis is The Human Companion Plant on page 24 ii describe the process of apoptosis as a cellular-suicide exclusively for cancer cells. Please also refer to my paper entilted How does Cannabis cure cancer? 

https://xhosastyles.blogspot.com/2020/08/how-does-cannabis-cure-cancer.html

It is interesting to note that there are published medical studies proving that Geraniol extracted from plants other than Cannabis can also induce the biological process of apoptosis. [1] This also proves that terpenes can have the same healing properties as Cannabinoids. It is also very interesting to note that Geraniol is already known to have a highly effective healing rate against prostrate cancer. Please refer to my previous post discussing Cannabis and prostrate cancer. 

https://xhosastyles.blogspot.com/2022/02/cannabis-and-prostate-cancer.html

Other research studies show that the terpene Geraniol is also highly effective against leukemia, hepatoma (liver), melanoma (skin), colon, breast, lung and pancreatic cancer cells. [2] [3] 

There is no doubt that Geraniol will soon become a high-valued pharmaceutical isolate in the near future. The more we learn about Cannabis the more we learn about the entire plant kingdom. We begin to understand the power of terpene-profiles in different plants and that terpenes and even terpenoids can not only mimic the healing properties of cannabinoids, they can also amplify and enhance these properties found within Cannabis and other plants.  [4] 

Some Cannabis strains that will contain a decent percentage of Geraniol include: Harlequin, Strawberry Diesel, Purple Punch, Black Cherry Soda and any of the "Rose" strains. And if you ever get your hands on one of these strains do yourself a favour and roll the ganja in a few rose petals for the full experience!

CITATIONS:

[1] (Kuzu B et al 21 October 2020) "Evaluation of Apoptosis Pathway of Geraniol on Ishikawa Cells." Journal Nutrition and Cancer Volume 73 Issue 11-12 pages 2532-2537 PMID: 33086902

[2] (Su-Hwa Kim et al 1 April 2011, )  "Geraniol inhibits prostrae cancer growth by targeting cell cycle and apoptosis pathways." Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications Journal Volume 407 Issue 1 pages 129-34 PMID: 213714

[3] (Kumar M and T Devaki, January 2015) "GERANIOL, A COMPONENT OF PLANT ESSENTIAL OILS-A REVIEW OF ITS PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES" International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Volume 7 Issue 4 pages 67-70

[4] (Justin E LaVigne et al 14 April 2021) "Cannabis sativa terpenes are cannabimimetic and selectively enhance cannabinoid activity" Journal Science Reports Volume 11 Issue 1 Page 8232 PMID: 33859287 PMCID: PMC8050080

The Human Companion National Canna-Art Competition

Finally the time to launch! Tomorrow ii will release the full details of how to enter this competition. In this post ii share the amazing prizes from our sponsors!

It really has been so amazing organizing this years book competition for The Human Companion Plant and this year is a Fine Art competition.

 

The competition will run from 1 to 30 June midnight and all the basic rules will also apply to this competition. 

The main information post for this competition will be on Facebook @thcplant and Twitter @human_companion. This is the post where ii will upload all the entries for public viewing because public likes will also count towards the judging process. 

Anyone in South Africa may enter this competition except for the judges and their immediate families and there is no charge for entries. 

By law we cannot allow under 18's to enter, however ii will accept entries via consenting adults and Artists can submit multiple entries.

It's really taking everything to not drop a hint about the theme and task of this competition but ii can say that it is a Canna Art Competition and that the theme is Cannabis related. This competition will also pave the way forward to taking the human companion plant closer to humankind! That's all ii can say for now! So exciting!!!

A huge shout out to all our amazing sponsors who never hesitate to assist in enhancing Cannabis Events around the country. We are delighted to have such valuable sponsors and judges on our team this year. And ii don't mind sharing the amazing sponsored prizes to get the creative energies flowing!

It is so exciting to experience the buildup of atmosphere within the excitement! 

An Art Competition to honor the human companion plant! 

We are really hoping that this competition will serve as a platform for artists to showcase their original artworks within the emerging Canna-Art culture. We cannot wait to see all the creations from our artists from all around the country! 

Please if you know of any established or up-and-coming artists, don't be shy, please share this flyer or post with them and any enquiries can be sent Email: 

thehumancompanionplant@gmail.com