Rooted in tradition. Rediscovered by science.

Cannabis is often thought of as a modern wellness trend, but its use as medicine stretches back thousands of years. In fact, one of the earliest recorded mentions of cannabis comes from ancient China.

Ancient Roots

Around 2700 BCE, Chinese Emperor Shen Nung, considered the father of Chinese medicine, documented the therapeutic use of cannabis. Historical texts from the era describe the plant being used to treat a wide range of ailments, including:

• Arthritis
• Depression
• Inflammation
• Asthma
• Pain
• Lack of appetite
• Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation)

It was considered a powerful and versatile remedy, long before modern science began to understand why.

A Long Pause in Progress

Despite its long-standing medical use, cannabis became stigmatized and restricted in the 20th century. The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively outlawed the plant, and its prohibition was later reinforced by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which classified cannabis as a Schedule I drug, defined as having no accepted medical use.

This legal shift halted much of the scientific research and exploration around cannabis and its effects on the human body.

The Discovery of the Endocannabinoid System

Fast forward to 1988: a breakthrough study funded by the U.S. government at St. Louis University School of Medicine changed everything. Researchers Allyn Howlett and William Devane discovered that the human brain contains cannabinoid receptors—sites that respond directly to compounds found in cannabis.

These receptors turned out to be the most abundant type of neurotransmitter receptor in the brain.

This led to the discovery of endocannabinoids, natural neurotransmitters produced by the body that are strikingly similar to the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Together, these discoveries laid the foundation for what we now know as the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex system that helps regulate mood, pain, sleep, appetite, immune response, and more.

CBD and THC: The Two Most Studied Cannabinoids

More than 100 cannabinoids have been isolated from the cannabis plant, but two compounds stand out:

• CBD (Cannabidiol):
  First isolated in 1940, CBD’s structure was identified in 1963. Because it’s non-psychoactive, it was largely overlooked at the time, but today, it’s celebrated for its potential to support calm, balance, and overall wellness.
• THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol):
  Isolated in 1964 by Israeli scientists Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and Dr. Yechiel Gaoni, THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. While it’s more widely associated with the “high” of marijuana, it also has therapeutic applications being explored in clinical studies today.

Bringing It Full Circle

What began as ancient plant medicine is now being re-validated by science. The more we learn about the endocannabinoid system, the clearer it becomes: cannabis, and especially hemp-derived CBD, has real potential to support the body’s natural ability to restore and maintain balance.

At Herbal Works, we’re proud to honor the past while embracing the future, crafting CBD products that are backed by both tradition and research. Because healing starts with nature… and sometimes, it just needs a little rediscovery.