Almost every part of a marijuana plant can be used for something. With growers fixated on the flowers and buds, the other parts of the herb, such as the roots and leaves, are often neglected or thrown into a compost pile. Trimmers are quick to cut away the inferior bits of the plant, and very few people know that they can be used for smoothies, creams and oils.

Juicing Cannabis Leaves and Phytochemicals

Juicing is a great way to get the most out of cannabis leaves. The natural ingredients are filled with antioxidants and vitamins, which can aid the immune system in preventing and fighting off diseases. It is important to consider that this method of ingesting marijuana leaves won’t get you high. If you’re avoiding the psychoactive effects of weed, juicing is the way to go. Without heat to convert THCA in raw cannabis into THC, you’re left with CBDA, CBG and healthy doses of phytocannabinoids.

“They [phytochemicals] are not nutrients per se, there are tons of phytochemicals in basically every healthy fruit and vegetable, and are correlated with antioxidant and even anti-cancer properties. Though it’s still tough for scientists to prove exactly what’s happening, it’s clear that plants hold important medicinal value for our bodies,” explained Roni Stetter from Merry Jane.

Such components may help reduce inflammation, pain and muscle spasms. In particular, CBG or Cannabigerol, is packed with natural cleansing properties, and can be used to manage intra-ocular pressure (IOP) for patients diagnosed with glaucoma. Cannabis leaves also contain high levels of phytochemicals (bioactive non-nutrient plant compounds). At an atomic level, the chemicals are effective in reducing free radical damage in the body, while decreasing risks associated with chronic illnesses.

How to Juice Marijuana Leaves

Juicing cannabis leaves is a straightforward procedure. The first step is to acquire the leaves, which is the hardest part of the process if you don’t have direct access to a growing house. When it comes to the actual juicing, you may want to incorporate the leaves with fruits to avoid the raw, leafy taste. This also means that you would need to monitor your sugar intake to prevent unwanted weight gain. Mixing the green ingredients with watery fruit juice is an effective way to dilute the potency of the leaves.

Those who are interested in venturing out into other parts of the plant may want to try the roots. A community member from the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association was able to create a simple muscle relaxant solution using dried marijuana roots. Lastly, a blogger from TwiceBaked used a powdered form of the organic ingredient to make relaxing drinks and smoothies.

“Early morning back pain melted away and I was left feeling relaxed and good without a THC ‘high.’ This lasted for a large portion of the day. I felt perfectly medicated for daytime activities, energetic, happy, and physically feeling good,” reported the TwiceBaked blogger, while experimenting with cannabis root.