CBD Web

Medical Cannabis, Hemp & CBD

 

  • Medical Cannabis Guide
  • Shop
    • CBD Oil for Pain Relief
    • CBD Oil for Pets
  • Share your Experience
  • Contact
  • Blog
Home / Medical Cannabis Guide / Historical Use of Medical Cannabis & Hemp in India

Historical Use of Medical Cannabis & Hemp in India

Explore the fascinating history of therapeutic cannabis use in the Far East, specifically ancient India

The use of cannabis in medicine can be found in numerous ancient texts thousands of years old and across many different civilizations, including ancient China, Greece, Egypt, Taiwan, Medieval Islam and India. The plant has been used in various forms in these cultures, from enlightenment and religious purposes to the medicinal use still in practice today.

Here we will examine its history and therapeutic use in Indian culture.

Taj Mahal

The Roots of Cannabis in India

The long history of cannabis in the lands of India date back as far as 2000-1400 B.C. and can be found in The Vedas – otherwise known as the sacred Hindu texts. Its history is shrouded in religion and legend. The Vedas state that cannabis is one of five sacred plants, and it possesses a guardian angel who made its leaves her home. The god Shiva is also closely related to the cannabis plant, which is often referred to as “bhang” in India. Legend tells that he walked off angrily after a skirmish with his family. Exhausted, he took rest under a leafy plant. Upon awakening, he decided to sample the leaves and was instantly invigorated. The plant became his favorite treat, and so he became known as the Lord of Bhang.

Shiva Nataraja

Legend further states the first bhang plant arose from Amrita nectar when the gods were churning the oceans around Mount Mandara, and a sacred drop fell to the earth. The Vedas declare cannabis a savior that gives joy and happiness and states the plant was offered to humans as a way to lose fear and anxiety, which is why soldiers often drank bhang prior to heading into battle. It was a gift to the people to help increase sexual desire and learn happiness.

Early Therapeutic Use of Cannabis

Ancient inscriptions
The first incontestable mention of medicinal cannabis can be found in a text by the Bengali author Va?ngasena known as Cikits¯as¯arasa?ngraha, or the “Compendium of the Essence of Medicine.” He refers to the herb as bha?ng¯a, stating it is “a drug like opium whose mode of action is to pervade the whole body before being absorbed and digested,” and provides two recipes to use it in promoting long life.

In ancient India, plants were classified by four distinct properties:

1. Prabh¯ava (inherent efficacy)
2. Rasa (flavoring)
3. Vip¯aka (post-digestive flavoring)
4. V¯irya (potency)

Using this classification system, Dhanvantari – called “the physician of the gods” (vedas) – describes cannabis as sharp, removing humoral phlegm and increasing humoral bile, aiding in digestion, slowing speech and stimulating delusion.

The ailments that Indian medicine men have used cannabis to treat for thousands of years include:

– Headaches and migraines
– Gastrointestinal disorders
– Generalized and localized pain
– Easing childbirth
– Clearing phlegm
– Sharpening the appetite
– Aiding & quickening digestion
– Refreshing the mind and intellect
– Curing insomnia
– Relieving dysentery
– Anemia and weight loss
– Cough

Cannabis was used in many recipes for the above ailments and more. Ancient texts indicate that users spanned the entire socio-economic realm of early India, from children to the wealthy with many wives. It was used for ailments, as well as religious and social aspects.

In the Ananda Kanda, or “Root of Bliss”, there is a significant chapter dedicated solely to cannabis, and it is in this text that the perils of misuse were first dictated.

Medicinal Cannabis in India Today

The push to legalize cannabis for therapeutic use is not regulated just to the United States. As you can see, cannabis has been used for centuries to treat the people of India. In the past thirty years, however, this has become hard to accomplish due to the stricter laws imposed on the Indian people.

Doctors in India are pushing for further studies on the efficacy of cannabinoids in cancer patients. In 2015, India lifted its ban on cannabis research and hosted its first-ever medical cannabis conferences to spread awareness of the therapeutic uses of the cannabis plant.

Looking to Purchase High Quality CBD Oil?

Buy Certified Organic CBD Oil

CBD Oil
for Pain Relief

Pure CBD Oil for Dogs & Cats

CBD Oil
for Pets

Blog Categories

  • Friends of CBDweb
  • Hemp Oil and Healthy Living
  • Hemp/Cannabis Industry
  • History of Hemp & Cannabis
  • Medical Hemp & Pain

Recent Posts from Our Blog

  • Friends of CBDweb: National Cannabis Industry Association
  • Hemp Root Roundup: Understanding the Life Source of the Plant
  • Increasing Number of Hemp Farmers Going Organic
  • Hemp History Week: June 6-12
  • 10 States Pass Hemp Industry Legislations in April

 

Home   |   Contact   |   Medical Cannabis Guide

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website contains general information about diet, health and nutrition. The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such.

Copyright © 2023. CBDWeb. All Right Reserved.