Cannabis vs. Copaiba For Arthritis
In the quest for all-natural medicines these days, people are resorting to essential oils due to its increasing popularity.
Essential oils are concentrated compounds that have been extracted from various plants. Depending on the kind of plant, essential oils are used these days to treat a wide range of conditions. However, essential oils aren’t the safest all-natural approach because they may pose several side effects to people when consumed.
One of the most common essential oils used is copaiba. Let’s take a look to see how copaiba fares versus cannabis when it comes to arthritis.
With over 350 million people around the world suffering from arthritis, 40 million in the United States alone, this severely painful condition requires urgent medical attention. Without it, arthritis pain can be so excruciating due to its ability to reduce one’s quality of life. Current medications being used for arthritis include pharmaceutical drugs such as analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids among others, all of which can have harmful side effects.
Copaiba Essential Oil
Copaiba essential oil is known for its antioxidant properties. It helps support health cell function, immunity, and promotes a healthy colon and intestinal tract. Aside from treating arthritis, copaiba is said to promote good dental health, keeps the skin clear when applied topically, and supports uterine health while easing menstruation pains.
Copaiba is 100% legal, and taking it won’t affect a drug test. It can be used topically on the face, blended with other essential oils, diffused, or consumed with a drink (1-3 drops only).
But how effective is copaiba?
A report published in the journal, Integrative Medicine, takes a deep dive into the validity of using copaiba for the treatment of arthritis. The research was conducted by the Florida Atlantic University (FAU), where they warn consumers about the insufficient data available on the oil.
“Copaiba is an essential oil that is used topically with little or no side effects, but there is insufficient evidence to judge whether it reduces pain and inflammation in patients with arthritis,” says Charles H. Hennekens, senior academic advisor to the dean in the FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. “In case reports, individuals with joint pain and inflammation who used copaiba reported favorable results, however, this hypothesis is promising but as of yet unproven,” writes Hennekens, the report’s senior author.
“Basic research has suggested mechanisms of benefit of this essential oil in treating inflammatory arthritis,” says Hennekens. “Nonetheless, the only published data on copaiba on humans includes one case series and one small randomized trial of another inflammatory condition and not arthritis.”
The researchers concluded that the available evidence we have so far on the efficacy of copaiba essential oils is insufficient, therefore there is no way it can reliably be used in confidence to treat pain or inflammation caused by arthritis.
While copaiba is safe to consume internally in small doses, there is a health risk involved when taken in large doses. Other potential side effects associated with copaiba include stomach pain, symptoms similar to food poisoning (diarrhea, vomiting), and sleeplessness. When applied on the skin, copaiba may cause itching, redness, and rashes which may leave brown spots even after healing. It is considered unsafe for use in food amounts.
Cannabis Is Proven Safe & Therapeutic
On the other hand, cannabis is a much safer alternative for treating inflammatory conditions including arthritis. It has no side effects and can be used in a number of ways similar to copaiba: applied topically, ingested, and smoked, in order to give relief.
There are hundreds of studies, not to mention the anecdotal evidence available, proving the efficacy and safety of cannabis for treating arthritis and a wide number of other medical conditions. Because of cannabis’ potent anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis, it can reduce inflammation in joints while inhibiting progression of diseases related to inflammation including arthritis.
For patients who don’t want to get high while medicating, there is also the option of using the non-psychoactive component in the plant known as cannabidiol or CBD. CBD can be taken in pill, oil, flower, patch, and edible form among others. Because it won’t get you high, CBD can be consumed any time of the day for safe and powerful relief from the pain caused by arthritis. Dosage can be as mild or as strong as needed, simply by increasing the amount consumed, without worry or fear of undesirable side effects, and especially none of those which are associated with copaiba.
Have you used copaiba or cannabis for treating arthritis? Share your experience with us in the comments below!
OTHER STORIES YOU MAY ENJOY...
CANNABIS STRAINS FOR ARTHRITIS, CLICK HERE.
OR..
