The healing properties of plants have been used by humans for centuries, and cannabis sativa (marijuana) is one of the oldest ever used for medicinal purposes. In contrast to the whole plant or its extracts, medicinal products which only contain THC have been found to lack effectiveness and lead to unbearable side effects.
The authors of this study state that is because the man-made products lack other important co-factors typically found in the Phyto-complex (whole plant) such as terpenoids and other cannabinoids. These contribute to the synergistic benefit seen with whole plant usage.
At this time, medical marijuana users searching for the positive benefits of natural medicine may do best when using the whole leaf plant as provided by mother nature.
