- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Asia (Central and South Asia)
- Sanskrit
- Bhanga
- Traditions
- Ayurveda, Unani medicine
Asia · Herb · № 451
Cannabis indica
Herb · Asia
Indian hemp
Cannabis indica
Traditionally attributed effects: intoxicating, stomachic, antispasmodic, pain-relieving, stimulating, aphrodisiac, calming; sleep-inducing, for painful menstruation, itchy skin diseases, headache, mania, whooping cough, asthma, nervous vomiting.
Safety notes
THC can trigger anxiety, panic and psychosis, especially in young people and those predisposed; regular use can be addictive (the old claim that cannabis is not addictive is outdated). Not in pregnancy and do not drive. Cannabis falls under the Opium Act; the sale of small amounts in coffee shops is tolerated in the Netherlands. This information describes traditional use and is no encouragement or advice; use is at your own risk and the makers of this site are not responsible for the consequences.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Ayurvedic materia medica: Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Preparation
In India leaves and flowering tops are made into bhang: ground and mixed with milk, sugar and spices into a drink (bhang lassi) or into sweets, especially at the festivals of Holi and Maha Shivaratri. Ganja, the dried flowering tops, and charas, the resin, are smoked. In Ayurveda hemp was used only after purification, in small amounts in mixtures. Edible forms take one to two hours to act and are often stronger than expected.
Use in traditions
Described in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Sanskrit name: Bhanga. In India cannabis has been used for thousands of years: bhang, a drink of leaves with milk and spices, belongs to the Holi festival and the worship of Shiva. In Ayurveda (vijaya) it was regarded, after purification, as a remedy for sleeplessness, pain and diarrhoea. In Unani medicine it is called qinnab.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Intoxicating, stomachic, antispasmodic, pain-relieving, stimulating, aphrodisiac, calming; sleep-inducing, for painful menstruation, itchy skin diseases, headache, mania, whooping cough, asthma, nervous vomiting.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: powder, paste, compress (partly external).
Caution: Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Compress, poultice and pastePowder and kitchen