In 2000, Fran Drescher had to go undergo an immediate radical hysterectomy after being diagnosed with uterine cancer — and while she’s completely cured now, the actress wants everyone to know that cannabis has helped her remain quite healthy over the years.

The 61-year-old attended Edie Parker Flower’s Garden of Edie Party on Tuesday, July 30 in Los Angeles — and she mentioned how important cannabis has been to her. “You know I’m the founder of a non-profit, Cancer Schmancer, and we’re very radical for a non-profit in this space. We are trying to identify causation for disease and elimination,” The Nanny star exclusively tells Closer Weekly. “95 percent of everything that ails us is environmentally stimulated. So we need to be mindful of what we’re filling up our homes with. At my big event, we always have a cannabis panel, because … well I have to say, I used to be a real wake and bake! But now I understand its medicinal attributes.”

Fran Dresher
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The comedian does admit that she smoked back in the day before she realized its benefits. “Truth be told, when I was younger, I used to smoke to numb myself from my feelings. It helped me get through certain relationships that were a little bit challenging for me,” the Happily Divorced alum recalls. “I went into therapy and the therapist finally said, ‘You can’t come in here stoned. This is all about feeling your feelings and not numbing yourself.’ Then I was able to shift the way I was using cannabis to avoid my feelings to using it in a different way, as something specific or medicinal.”

“I’ve even become a public speaker on the topic and I’ve spoken at cannabis and science conventions,” Fran continues. “My main goal is to get people to realize it’s just a new frontier. It’s the 21st century! Let’s honor the plant, honor the planet, and honor your body. Let’s have it organic — grown in the soil with fresh air and sunshine. That’s my preference. Why try to improve on Mother Nature?”

Fran adds, “The cannabis has helped me so much … several years after my surgery I was noticing I was having inflammation issues, and that was kind of when I re-dove into the wonders of cannabis. Because as a daily supplemental, taken any way that you personally like, is going to help your body. Reduce inflammation, reduce your stress, sleep better, and just increase your functionality, at least it has worked for me. I’m trying to share that with the public. And go organic – organic, organic, organic!”

Fran Dresher
Getty Images

Aside from being all about cannabis, Fran also opened up about the secret to her looking fantastic for her age. “Definitely organic everything. Products, hair, skincare, oral hygiene,” she reveals. “Organic food – you do not want these chemicals in your life! I use organic essential oils instead of perfumes, I absolutely love them and I get so many compliments on them. I won’t use perfume.” We’re taking notes!

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