The first records of hemp used as medicine originate from ancient China. The information on medicinal properties of this plant were passed on from generation to generation and are written in ancient books of Chinese medicine.
Hemp contains substances called cannabinoids, which have an influence on the endocannabinoid system of a human being, stimulating receptors in the nervous system, the immune system, the hormonal system, the brain, alimentary tract, urinary tract, the reproductive system, spleen, liver, fat tissue, heart, skeletal muscles and the circulatory system. The distribution of these receptors in different parts of the body shows that there might be some diseases on which hemp can have an influence. The endocannabinoid system is involved in many physiological processes from those connected with energy regulation and metabolism to physical coordination, emotion regulation and feeling stress. Since 1990s there have been extensive studies on a wide variety of using hemp in treating and prevention of diseases.