The act of juicing leafy greens like kale and spinach as a nutritional supplement may not come as a surprise to many of you, but have you ever thought about juicing the raw cannabis plant? Believe it or not, Marijuana is one of the most nutritionally complete food sources known to man. And what many patients don’t realize is that raw cannabis delivers therapeutic effects without the traditional ‘high’, similar to CBD.
According to Dr. William Courtney, a dietary raw cannabis specialist and a strong believer in the plants healing powers, “you are actually walking away from 99% of the benefits cannabis provides when you cook or smoke cannabis.”
Why is Raw Cannabis good?
The seeds contain fatty acids like Omega-6, Omega-3, Omega-9, and palmitic acid. It also has vitamins like Vit A, B1, B2, B6, C, & E and minerals like iron and calcium. In its protein, it contains important amino acids which we cannot synthesize on our own. The leaves contain vital antioxidants, minerals and elements like calcium, iron, potassium, carotenoids, zinc and selenium. It shares limonene with lemons, beta carotene with carrots, and high levels of anthocyanins with blood oranges/cherries. Anthocyanins are known to be a non-narcotic but highly effective analgesic.
What are the benefits of raw Cannabis?
Raw cannabis and it’s acidic form is rich in cannabinoids and nutrients capable of preventing and healing some diseases. While vaporized or smoked cannabis can be used as a medicinal therapy, juicing raw cannabis can help prevent health issues before they even arise. Since it can assist with immune system function, provide anti-inflammatory benefits, improve bone metabolism and neural function it has been labeled the “most important vegetable on the planet”. In your daily life, it can enhance your health, boost your energy level, reduced inflammation, gastrointestinal relief, and decreased muscle soreness.
The primary cannabinoids found in raw cannabis are THCa and CBDa – the ‘a’ designating they exist in their acidic form. Given that THCa is non-psychoactive, patients are able to take large therapeutic doses without having to lose functionability or deal with negatives side effects of too much THC.
Dr. William Courtney says, “If you don’t heat marijuana, you can go up to five or six hundred milligrams and use the plant strictly as a dietary supplement by upping the anti-oxidant and neuro-protective levels which come into play at hundreds of milligrams of CBDA and THCA. It is this dramatic increase in dose from 10 mg of psychoactive THC to the 500 mg – 1,000 mg of non-psychoactive THCA, CBDA, and CBGA that comprises the primary difference between traditional medical marijuana treatments and using cannabis as a dietary supplement.”
How to juice your Cannabis!
The important part here is that you use raw, freshly harvested plant material as the decarboxylation process begins to occur immediately after harvest. Take extra caution to avoid any plant material that may have been exposed to pesticides or other microbiological contaminants. Do not be surprised if your local dispensary here in Florida does not have a fresh supply of good raw cannabis available. This is why having a program that supports home grown here is really important.
You can juice nearly any part of the cannabis plant; colas, leaves, and even the seeds. A masticating juicer (aka cold pressed juicers) is a must. It use a slower, crushing and squeezing action as opposed to centrifugal juicers, which use sharp teeth and high speeds to spin pulp around in its chamber. This is an important since the high speeds associated with some juicers cause heat, which can inadvertently convert your THCa into THC.
Raw cannabis juice is best when consumed immediately following the extraction. Also can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen into ice cubes and stored in the freezer for several months. The raw juice has a strong, bitter, leafy green taste; therefore, we recommend combining the cannabis with the juice of other fruits and vegetables.
Easy Receipt Juice Extractor Method
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
15-20 fresh cannabis leaves
1-2 raw buds
Equipment
Juicer
Metal strainer or cheesecloth
Medium bowl
Directions
1. Thoroughly wash your plant material and soak in cold water for 5 minutes.
2. Turn on the juicer and feed the leaves and bud through the chute.
3. Once the juice has been extracted, remove the pulp.
4. Squeeze pulp by hand over a cheesecloth or strainer to release remaining juice. Discard pulp.
5. Consume immediately or store in the fridge for up to 3 days
