THE AYURVEDIC VIEW ON CANNABIS (HEMP)
Cannabis (Hemp) has a long history of use
in Ayurveda. Cannabis (Hemp) is known as bhaṅgā in Sanskrit. Cannabis (Hemp) is
classified as a toxic substance by the ancient texts on Ayurvedic herbs, but it
has been used in healing preparations after purification. It is mentioned in many of the ancient texts
on Ayurveda like the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Shargandhara
Samhita.
The Anandakanda has a whole chapter
dedicated to the herb, its toxicity, the procedure for purification,
cultivation, preparation, and use. In
this chapter, the Anandakanda describes 9 successive stages of Cannabis (Hemp) toxicity. This text also prescribes various antidotal
therapies to counter the toxic and narcotic effects of excessive use of
Cannabis. We must understand that in
most formulas traditionally calling for Cannabis (Hemp) in Ayurveda, that the Cannabis
(Hemp) is now usually omitted due to issues with legality. The use of Cannabis (Hemp) in mainstream
Ayurvedic practice today is virtually non-existent.
Cannabis (Hemp) grows wild in the
Himalayas, in India from Kashmir in the east to beyond Assam in the west, and
all throughout Central and West Asia. Cannabis (Hemp) is nowadays cultivated
mostly in the tropical and subtropical parts of India.
If one were to look for proof of how Cannabis
(Hemp) has existed and influenced culture, one of the oldest Cannabis (Hemp) traditions
dates as far back as 2000 B.C. and is still in use today. So now, presenting
some insight from traditional Ayurvedic knowledge.
- The Atharva Veda mentions Cannabis (Hemp) as one of the five most sacred plants on Earth and says that a guardian angel resides in its leaves. It also refers to it as a “source of happiness,” a “joy-giver” and a “liberator”.
- Ayurveda considers the Cannabis
(Hemp) plant to be of medicinal value and in the Sushruta Samhita (6 BCE) it is
used to aid digestion and appetite.
- The Unani system of medicine practised by Muslims in medieval India also used Cannabis (Hemp) as a cure for diseases of the nervous system and as an antispasmodic and anticonvulsive.
- Mughal emperor, Humayan was particularly fond of ma’jun, a sweet Cannabis (Hemp) confectionary, the hash brownie of the medieval age.
- Sikh fighters often took bhang
while in battle to help them fight better and numb their sense of pain.
- In Ayurvedic and Tibbi rituals, Cannabis (Hemp) was given orally to treat diseases like malaria and rheumatism.
- Warriors would drink bhang to
steel their nerves, and newlyweds would consume bhang to increase their libido.
The British, when they came to India, the
use of Cannabis (Hemp) was so widespread that they commissioned a large-scale
study known as the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission Report of 1894. The report was
to look into the cultivation of the Cannabis (Hemp) plant, preparation of drugs
from it, trade in those drugs, the social and moral impact of its consumption,
and possible prohibition. Over 1,100 standardised interviews were conducted
throughout India by medical experts. The commission was systematic and thorough
and sampled a large and diverse group of people in a range of situations. Since
then, sales of bhang are government-authorized with the issuance of a permit
for vendors. Particularly popular in northern India, bhang in solid form, bhang
lassis, and thandai or sardai beverages are sold, usually during festivals.
The ancient texts give details for several
procedures for the purification or detoxification of marijuana. These texts
also list the adverse effects of the use of unpurified marijuana. For medicine,
marijuana is almost always consumed orally and not smoked. The parts of the plant which are most commonly
used in healing preparations are the leaves and fruits (called bhaṅgā). The unpolinated flowers (called gāṅjā), the
resin, the seeds, and the roots are also used in some preparations (though the
roots are considered especially toxic).
Whatever part is used, Ayurveda always
recommends some method of purification for this herb. One procedure involves boiling marijuana in
the decoction of Babbula (Acacia arabica).
Other methods involve mixing it with milk
in various ways. The simplest procedure
for the purification of marijuana involves soaking the herb in pure water for
24 hours. After this the herbs is
squeezed to extract remaining liquid and then dried. After this, it is fried in cow's ghee over
medium heat before storing for use in medicines. This process helps to reduce the narcotic
effects of marijuana and removes its toxic qualities.
In Ayurveda, only marijuana processed in
this way is considered safe to use for healing.
Watch the clip below to know more uses.
In traditional Indian medical texts, Cannabis
(Hemp) has first been mentioned a couple of thousand years ago in the Atharva
veda, whereas ayurvedic traditional texts do not mention this plant until the
Middle Ages. The ayurvedic names of Cannabis (Hemp) are "vijaya" -
'the one who conquers' and "siddhi" - 'subtle power', 'achievement'.
Cannabis (Hemp) has a long-held reputation
in India for its religious and spiritual implications, particularly in
Hinduism. The Hindu god of transformation, Shiva, is believed to have used
bhang to focus inward and harness his divine powers, and Cannabis (Hemp) was
deemed one of the five most sacred plants on Earth in the sacred Hindu text
Atharvaveda. In certain Vedic rituals, Cannabis (Hemp) stems were burned in the
ritual fire (yagna) to overcome enemies and evil forces, as Vedas refer to Cannabis
(Hemp) as a “source of happiness,” a “joy giver,” and a “liberator.”
There is no stigma at all in provinces
where Cannabis (Hemp) has been a part of daily life since the beginning of
Hindu culture. Drinking bhang daily is
part of the social fabric and it is a tenet of many religious rituals and the
consumption of bhang is considered a way to worship Shiva. The potent medicinal
effects of Cannabis (Hemp) that are now being proven by modern science have
been practiced for millennia in Ayurvedic medicine.