Originally Posted by Strain recomendations to benefit specific body systems

1) Neurological problems should be treated on a case by case basis with sativa dominant hybrids being used as stimulating agents (such as in tension headache) only where a stimulating effect is desired. In general neurological problems respond well to the soothing effects of the indica profile .As an aside I personally know a young man who was able to eliminate haldol and control his Tourette's syndrome using indica dominant strains.

2) Musculoskeletal problems can present a dual problem,the pain associated with these ailments can often be acompanied by depression and fatigue. So the easy solution of recomending a strongly analgesic indica could compound the secondary ailments of fatigue and depression. In these cases a hybrid variety could be the answer,look for pain relief of an afghani crossed with a stimulating sativa to help keep you active, if you could benefit from it. In some instances simply using a very potent hawaiian or african sativa can give a balance between pain relief and energy level (these types seem to slow the body but leave the mind very active)

3) Immunological problems create special needsfor the patient as far as product purity and method of cure. AIDS patient cannot be exposed to molds or fungi so great care must be used in curing the product to absolute dryness. Also immunological problems can also be quite painfull so choosing a product to give maximum benefit with minimal negative impact on the immune system. The feed back I have recieved indicates that sativa varieties are prefered by immune compromised patients for their uplifting effects(could this be whats behind the immune enhacing effect ? ) and the energy boost the can provide.

4) Gastrointestinal effects are what really sparked the rennesance of cannabis medicine. Cannabis' powerful antiemetic and appetite enhancing properties have been known by cancer patients for years. For this system I will make one broad recomendation; indicas seem to be broadly effective for most GI complaints ,the exception being motion sickness which respondes to the stimulating effects of a sativa variety

5)Dermatological problems can take on several forms, plain itching or lesions of some kind.Systemic anti-inflamitory cannabinoids can be of benefit. look into low doses of indica type cannabis (excess use can actually make you itch much like the effect opiates have on some people) and perhaps a topical preparation of resinous sativa (disolved in an emolient of some kind ) can provide topical anti-inflamatory effect.

6)Cardiopulmonary issues and cannabis are a contraversial subject as mainstream medicine views the inhalation of any smoke as anathema. But patients with lung and heart problems find benefit from the use of Cannabis in spite of negative medical bias.
Cardiac patients can get benefit from sedative indicas for relaxation and stress relief but care should be exercised as Cannabis use can slightly raise heartrate but without an increase in blood pressure( I use cannabis before my post bypass exercise sessions and can sustain 45 min hard aerobic exercise without problems less than 1 year after surgery)Pulmonary ailments generally shouldn't be treated with smoked product with the exception being conditions which respond to an expectorant product smoked Cannabis of any variety is an excellent expectorant.

7)Psychological therapy using Cannabis is as old as man's association with it. Cannabis is effective in substance withdrawl and various mental perturbations.One way it works is by changing the mood of the user, usually in a positive direction, although it can cause paranoia and agitation in some cases.Strain selection for psychological problems should hinge on wether the condition causes agitation and unrest or depression and angst and appropriate stimulating or sedative qualities should be chosen

Endocrine conditions are as a rule not primarily affected by Cannabis and its use is primarily pallative .Strain selection should focus on immune enhancement and easing distressful sensations.

9)Chemotherapy and radiation therapy cause great stress to the body, indeed these treatments literaly bring the body close to death to destroy the less hardy cancer. As a result a whole range of physical and psychological symptoms accompany these drastic treatments.The most well known being the wracking nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy but the list of secondary effects of treatment is much longer .Again treatment with Cannabis should be of a supportive nature,sustaining the appatite, easing discomfort,and raising the spirits of the patient, sativas seem good for this effect as well as sustaining the immune system.

10) Opthalmological uses range from easing glaucoma to slowing macular degeneration. I believe indicas to be most efective in eye conditions because of what I believe to be a higher concentration of calcium channel blocking cannabinoids. These substances work in a similar manner to calcium channel medications for blood pressure except the eye has nerve receptors specific to endocannabinoids(substances created in the body)

11) Gynecological problems treated with Cannabis were made famous by Queen Elizabeth's use for pre-menstrual symptoms. As her Cannabis probably came from India at the time it was probably an indica or indica dominant hybrid