In recent decades it has been scientifically studied traditional uses of Cannabis sativa medical purposes. In this case ethnopharmacology as a specialization within ethnobiology it has been carried out by people trained in cultural anthropology, biology and medicine.
Cannabis sativa is an annual plant belonging to the family of cannabaceae small, cultivated since pre-classical antiquity for the production of fibers and seeds, as well as its euphoric effects farmacológinecos type in humans.
Its origin is Central Asian and has been naturalized from cultivation in various regions of our planet so that today may appear as a subespontáneo element in most of the territories that are temperate and tropical.
As is known, Cannabis sativa is a plant male and female flowers on different feet, this is called dioecious, with herbaceous stem reaching exceed three meters high, especially this occurs in male specimens. The leaves are so very characteristic, narrowly lanceolate and serrated margin, are oppositely in the basal region of the stem and alternate in the apical part.
To differentiate the male flowers of female must go to the concept of classical botany: the male flowers are grouped in panicles while the female inflorescence is a compact top and bracts stipulated observed. In addition, segregating women are characterized by a yellow-green resin containing different active principles responsible for their pharmacological properties.
Plant parts of Cannabis sativa. Author: Köhler
As most crops, the Cannabis sativa was highly variable shapes, this has been produced by artificial selection to the production of various elements such as fiber, seed or resin. Although wild or naturalized forms differ intersect smoothly and naturally this is due to the classification of the genus Cannabis is somewhat uncertain until now.
Several authors recognized the morphological basis of three different species, which should be referred to as Cannabis sativa Linnaeus, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis Janischewky Lamarck.
The first names, was created by a Swedish botanist in 1753, Linnaeus. Thus this name cultivated forms to obtain fiber or seed, the second is applied, due to a French naturalistic, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1785, is applied to plants grown only for the use of the resin, while the latter correspond to wild or naturalized plants.
Portrait of Carolus Linnaeus. Author: Alexander Roslin
Today the majority opinion lies in the consideration of Cannabis as a genre. This unique species, Cannabis sativa L. comprise two subspecies, which would be the subspecies sativa and indica subspecies, each of which should be recognized two varieties to accommodate forms cultivated and spontaneous or naturalized forms: Cannabis sativa subspecies sativa (the producer of fibers or poor seed oil and hemp active ingredients) and Cannabis sativa subspecies indica (resin producer and rich in active ingredients).
