Why And How To Use Cannabis Roots

Many believe that cannabis plants are useless as soon as the buds have been harvested, dried, and cured. You may be surprised to learn, however, that this is not the case. Some of you might have heard about reusing the leaves and stems, but you can even use the cannabis roots. In fact, if you properly care for them, every part of your weed plants can be used for some other purpose.

Cannabis roots, in particular, have enjoyed a long history of holistic use. Their effectiveness is disputed, but there are numerous potential benefits associated with these subterranean structures. Let’s dive in a little deeper, examining the history of cannabis root use and how you can use them yourself.

THE BENEFITS OF CANNABIS ROOTS

Cannabis roots have long been used to support well-being, but there's decent controversy and dispute around whether they have any legitimate effect. In fact, research is currently being conducted with the sole purpose of discovering clinical and everyday uses for cannabis roots. However, there's no denying the popularity of cannabis root-based products.

The use of cannabis roots to support supple joints and soothe rough, chapped, or sensitive skin dates back thousands of years. Numerous anecdotal reports attest to their effectiveness, but it's worth noting there's no hard evidence to confirm this as of yet.

The presence of non-psychoactive cannabinoid acids and other phytochemicals in cannabis roots makes them intriguing as a potential addition to supplements and vitamins. Some independent studies, such as this 2012 paper, demonstrate the effectiveness of cannabinoid acids in modulating the immune response and helping with an upset stomach.

HISTORY OF CANNABIS ROOTS

The history of cannabis root use by humans can be traced back thousands of years, with its earliest use dating back to 2700 BCE, in ancient China. In those times, the roots were used by mothers in labour to ease the childbirth process.

Since then, numerous people have documented themselves using cannabis roots for all sorts of purposes. Most notably, in 1542, German physician Leonhart Fuchs documented using cannabis roots as a means to soothe strain on muscles and joints.

HOW TO USE CANNABIS ROOTS

Knowing the benefits and history behind cannabis roots is one thing, but how do you actually use them? In modern times, the roots are often used as a key ingredient in topical creams and teas, but they can be prepared in all sorts of simple ways.

They won’t be ready to go straight out of the ground, though. Here are a few steps you’ll need to take before you start using the roots.

• Cleaning

As they have been sitting in the soil for some time, the roots will undoubtedly be dirty. As far as cleaning them, however, some lukewarm water will do the trick. You can also use a soft brush to remove any stubborn dirt. Be careful, though, and make sure you don’t damage the roots.

• Drying

Once they’re suitably clean, dry the roots by placing them in a cool, dark place for at least 48 hours. As they dry, they’ll become fully ready for use.

PICK YOUR PREPARATION METHOD

This is where you have two main options. On one hand, you can use the decoction method, where you boil the roots into a concentrate. On the other, you can grind the dried roots into a powder. Both have valid uses, so judge this on a case-by-case basis.

Now that you have cannabis root in either a powdered or concentrated form, here are a few suggestions on how you can use both.

MAKE TEA

Tea is one of the oldest methods of cannabis root consumption, and it’s the easiest. Simply boil the cleaned roots, and you’ll have a fine tea on your hands. It has a slightly bitter taste, so add some milk or a substitute to make it a little more palatable.

CREATE A TINCTURE

This is a common process in which the cannabis root concentrate is added to a base liquid, such as alcohol or apple cider vinegar. The resulting concoction is a tincture you can take by using a dropper.

Take it like CBD oil; apply a couple of droplets under the tongue, leave them for 10 seconds, and swallow. While it may sound like an old-fashioned method, tinctures have seen a considerable surge in popularity in recent years.

MAKE A CANNABIS ROOT BALM/TOPICAL

The creation of cannabis root balms and topicals could not be more straightforward. While you can use the concentrate by itself, you can also combine a small amount of the concentrate with some oil (such as jojoba or coconut.) This will allow the topical to be absorbed into the skin much easier.

Those are just a few of the ways you can use your cannabis roots, but you’re only limited by your imagination. As research continues and more applications are discovered, we’re likely to see these roots used far more in the future.

Adam Parsons

Professional cannabis journalist, copywriter, and author Adam Parsons is a long-time staff member of Zamnesia. Tasked with covering a wide range of topics from CBD to psychedelics and everything in between, Adam creates blog posts, guides, and explores an ever-growing range of products.

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