Cannabis in ancient literature and cultures

Cannabis is an ancient herb known for its relaxing properties. Aside from this use, the herb was also known to ancient healers for its medicinal properties. The mention of cannabis in ancient texts says a lot about the culture and society of the place. Almost all ancient cultures have notable comments on cannabis. Let’s start with India, one of the cradles of human civilization.

In India

Cannabis is rooted in the culture and social practices of many different sects that follow the Hindu way of life. Cannabis is mentioned in the Vedas themselves, one of the most important sacred texts for Hindus. Cannabis is mentioned again and again as a person scrolls through the legends and religious texts of Indian culture. Such a religious mention of cannabis can be dated to 2000-1400 BC. Be backdated. The Vedas even went so far as to give the herb a divine halo. It states that the leaves of the herb enjoyed the presence of a Guardian Angel. Furthermore, cannabis is not only one of the five sacred plants of these scriptures, but as the scholar Abel points out, the texts celebrate cannabis as a source of joy and happiness. It was viewed as a powerful liberator with the power to impart compassion and empathy, let go of fears and worries, and gain a seldom felt kind of joy.

This is nowhere near the only spiritual connection cannabis enjoyed in ancient India. In fact, the association with Shiva the Hindu Trinity dates back to ancient times and continues to this day. In the Indian tradition, bhang is the most popular and socially accepted form of cannabis use. According to Indian legends, Shiva discovered the herb and its great joys when he broke away from domestic unrest. Its rejuvenating properties made the plant a favorite. The next painting tells it all and is more than just fascinating:

Image by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, courtesy of Flickr

In Greece

There is evidence that cannabis was considered a form of medicine even in early periods of Greek civilization. Archaeological and sociological evidence suggests that the Greeks used it to treat various health problems such as earache, inflammation, and edema. In fact, the source of the word “cannabis” may be the Greek word “cannabis”.

Herodotus, the father of history, who 500 BC Chr. Recorded the Greek way of life, says that the Sychtians used to cultivate help. He watched people crush hemp seeds and vaporize the smoke after burning them on stones. As he wrote, “It smokes instantly and gives off a vapor that no Greek steam bath can exceed; the Scythians cheer for joy. “

In Egypt

The ancient Egyptians also joined the ancient Greeks and Indians in their weed binge. To someone who has spent some time observing hieroglyphics, the idea that the Egyptians are enjoying their share of the pot should come as no surprise. In-depth analysis of the hieroglyphics reveals depictions of “Shemshemet,” which is Egyptian for cannabis. Although we know that the Egyptians enjoyed a joint, it is not clear how the Egyptians began using the substance. One expert sums it up: “Although it is unclear how early the ancient Egyptians began using cannabis, it has been actively used since Pharaonic times. It doesn’t appear very often in the medical papyri. However, it was given through the mouth, rectum, vagina, bandaged on the skin, applied to the eyes and fumigated.

Image by Merrie P. Wycoff, courtesy Pinterest

In China

Ma was the ancient Chinese term for cannabis. Hemp was particularly popular as a clothing material for the financially disadvantaged class. Ordinary Chinese, who could not afford delicate fabrics like silk, used them as a textile material. Shu King, the ancient book published around 2350 BC. BC, reports on hemp cultivation in what is now Shandong Province in eastern China. Interestingly, the oldest piece of paper (140-87 BC), originally a Chinese invention, was made from hemp. The ancient Chinese also consumed hemp as a food and remained a part of the Chinese staple food until the 10th century.

Apparently the Chinese were also aware of the medicinal benefits of cannabis, or at least some of them. Chinese medical texts document the use of cannabis and its seeds for medicinal purposes for nearly 2000 and 1800 years, respectively. According to legend, Shen Nung, a Chinese ruler, was the first to develop its medicinal properties as early as 2700 BC. Discovered.

The Persians

Hinduism isn’t the only religion that has a deep bond with cannabis. The Persian religion of Zoroastrianism also mentioned the plant in its sacred texts. In fact, his prophet, the sage Zoroaster, mentions that the herb is one of his sacraments. So it is not surprising that the Zend Avesta, a kind of holy book of the Parsi, mentions over ten thousand medicinal plants, including cannabis. As the main sacrament, however, it was only available to the priests. For ordinary Persians, it stayed out of bounds.