Cannabis Indica 

  Cannabis indica is an annual plant in the Cannabaceae family. A putative species of the genus Cannabis, it is typically distinguished from Cannabis sativa. Schultes described Cannabis indica as relatively short, conical, and densely branched, whereas Cannabis sativa was described as tall and laxly branched. Anderson described indica plants as having short, broad leaflets whereas those of the sativa species were characterized as relatively long and narrow. Cannabis indica plants conforming to Schultes's and Anderson's descriptions may have originated from the Hindu Kush mountain range. Because of the often harsh and variable (extremely cold winters, and warm summers) climate of those parts, Cannabis indica is well-suited for cultivation in temperate climates

Pharmacologically, indica landraces tend to have a higher cannabidiol (CBD) content than sativa strains. Most commercially available indica strains have been selected for low levels of CBD (which is not psychoactive), with some users reporting more of a "stoned" feeling and less of a "high" from indica when compared to sativa. The cannabis indica high is often referred to as a "body buzz" and has beneficial properties such as pain relief in addition to being an effective treatment for insomnia and an anxiolytic, as opposed to sativa's more common reports of a "spacey" and mental inebriation, and even, albeit rarely, comprising hallucinations. Differences in the terpenoid content of the essential oil may account for some of these differences in effect. Common indica strains for recreational or medicinal use include Kush and Northern Lights.

A recent genetic analysis included both the narrow-leaflet and wide-leaflet drug "biotypes" under Cannabis indica, as well as southern and eastern Asian hemp (fiber/seed) landraces and wild Himalayan populations. 

The plant contains more than 400 chemicals, including cannabidiolic acid, an antibiotic with similar properties to penicillin. The different chemical derivatives of the plant can be used for medicinal or recreational purposes. The  drug cannabis comes in many forms – herbal (dried plant material), resin, powder and oil. The main active ingredient in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabino (THC). Cannabis acts as a mild sedative, leaving most people feeling relaxed, chilled out or just sleepy. It also has mild hallucinogenic effects, makes some people become more animated, releases inhibitions, making people talkative or giggly and enhances appetite. 

There is some scientific evidence to suggest it may be useful in a wide range of conditions. The active chemicals within cannabis (known as a group as cannabinoids) are gradually being identified and wide-scale trials testing the safety and efficacy of these cannabis extracts (or synthetic forms of them) are currently underway in the UK and elsewhere. For instance, cannabis appears to be able to help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy treatment and some cannabinoids relieve nausea and allow patients to eat and live normally. Extracts also seem to benefit patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, although most of the benefit seems to be from people feeling more relaxed when taking a cannabinoid or medical derivative of cannabis. 

Claims have also been made for its use in treating: Migraine, Headaches, Asthma, Strokes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Alcoholism and Insomnia. 

The Ohio State Medical Society's Committee on Cannabis Indica, convened in 1860, reported that their respondents claimed cannabis successfully treated neuralgic pain, dysmenorhea, uterine hemorrhage, hysteria, delirium tremens, mania, palsy, whooping cough, infantile convulsions, asthma, gonorrhea, nervous rheumatism, chronic bronchitis, muscular spasms, tetanus, epilepsy and appetite stimulation.

The India Hemp Commission likewise was informed of similar medicinal uses for cannabis. Specific reports included the use of cannabis as an analgesic, a restorer of energy, a hemostat, an ecbolic, and an antidiaretic. Cannabis was also mentioned as an aid in treating hay fever, cholera, dysentery, gonorrhea, diabetes, impotence, urinary incontinence, swelling of the testicles, granulation of open sores, and chronic ulcers. Other beneficial effects attributed to cannabis were prevention of insomnia, relief of anxiety, protection against cholera, alleviation of hunger and as an aid to concentration of attention. Experiments have established that the cannabis extracts produce a very satisfactory antibacterial effect upon the following microbes: staphylococcus pyogenes aureus, steptococcus alpha haemolyticus, streptococcus beta haemolyticus, enterococcus, diplococcus pneumonia, B. anthracis, and corynebacterium diptheriae i.e., all of them gram-positive microorganisms. Noteworthy is the effect upon staphylococcus aureaus strains, which are resistant to penicillin and to other antibiotics. 

Risks --- It is opined by some that prolonged Cannabis use may damage the ability to concentrate, decrease motivation and lead to psychiatric illness. Hence one should not become dependent on cannabis.

Ayurveda --- Medicinally the flowering plant has been used in India as a traditional medicine in Ayurveda. Known as bhang, it is used as an appetite stimulant, for reducing interocular pressure, as an antispasmodic, as an aphrodisiac and for relieving pain. It has demulcent, restorative, tonic, emollient, anti-inflammatory, anticholesterolaemic properties. It can used to treat digestion-problems,  constipation, vata-type constipation with dryness, wind and hard-to-pass stool, ulcers and inflamed mucous membranes. As an oil, hemp seed can reduce inflammation in eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Used as an oil it reduces LDL cholesterol levels and fatty deposits and blood coagulation. For diabetics, it reduces numbness and tingling. It is useful in inflammations, arthritis and Crohn’s disease. 

In reference to the use of cannabis, Chopra and Chopra listed some preparations used in the practice of indigenous medicine in India. They summarize their article 'The Use of the Cannabis Drugs in India' (1957) by saying: 

". . . with regard to the use of cannabis in Indian indigenous medicine at the present time, it may be said that It was and still is fairly extensively used in both the Ayurvedle (Hindu) and Tibbi (Mohammedan) systems of medicine as an anodyne, hypnotic, analgesic and antispasmodic, and as a remedy for external application to piles. It is also used in the treatment of dysmennorhoea, rheumatism, chronic diarrhoea of the sprue type, gonorrhoea, malaria and mental diseases on the advice of itinerant practitioners of Indigenous medicine as well as quacks who roam about the country. For medicinal purposes the drug is administered by mouth and hardly ever by smoking."

Homeopathy --- Cannabis indica produces the most remarkable imaginations, exaggeration of the duration of time and extent of space, being most characteristic. Conception of time, space and place is transcended. Extremely happy and contented, nothing troubles. Ideas crowd upon each other. Has great soothing influence in many nervous disorders, like epilepsy, mania, dementia, delirium tremens, and irritable reflexes. Also useful in exophthalmic goitre and catalepsy.