For thousands of years, the Cannabis plant has been used by practitioners of Ayurveda where. It has been part of Indian customs and rituals. For example, during Holi, the festival of colors, a cannabis drink called Bhang is consumed and distributed to the public. This custom is as old as 1000 BC. Apart from its social significance, Cannabis holds medicinal significance as well. In Ayurveda, it is used for medicinal purposes to treat sleep disorders, stress, IBS, anxiety, sexual disorders, muscle pains. etc.
Cannabis is first referred to in Hindu Vedas between 2000 and 1400 BCE, in the Atharvaveda. By the 10th century CE, it has been suggested that it was referred to by some in India as “food of the gods”.[119] Cannabis use eventually became a ritual part of the Hindu festival of Holi.
The botanical name for the plant is – Cannabis sativa Linn. It comes from the CANNABACEAE family. There are two varieties of Bhang: One is Cannabis sativa. The other is Cannabis indica. As well, there are three sub-species: Cannabis spontanea, Cannabis gigantea and Cannabis kafiristanica. The plant is known by many names including Marijuana, Ganja, Bhanga: Matulani, Vijaya and Jaya.
According to Ayurveda, Bhang possesses these qualities:
- Kaphahari –it decreases the Kapha Dosha
- Tiktha –it’s bitter in taste
- Grahini –it’s absorbent and useful in treating diarrhea and IBS
- Pachani – it’s a digestive aid and relieves the Ama Dosha
- Laghu – it’s light to digest
- Theekshna – it’s strong in potency
- Ushna – it’s hot in nature and potency
- Pittala – it increases the Pitta Dosha
- Moha – it relieves delusions
- Manda Vak vardini – taken in low doses, it increases the urge to speak
- Vahni vardini – it improves digestive strength
- Karshani – it causes weight loss and is useful in treating obesity
- Deepani – it improves digestive strength
Ruchya – it improves taste and is useful in treating anorexia - Madakrit – it causes intoxication
- Kapha vata jit – it decreases both Kapha and Vata Doshas
Meaning of the Sloka:
Synonyms of the Bhanga: Ganja, Matulani, Vijaya, Jaya.
Properties of Bhanga:
Kaphahari – decreases Kapha Dosha
Tiktha – Bitter taste
Grahini – Absorbent, useful in diarrhea, IBS.
Pachani – Digestive, relieves Ama Dosha
Laghu – light to digest
Theekshna – strong
Ushna – hot potency
Pittala – Increases Pitta Dosha
Moha – relieves dellusion
Manda Vak vardini – increases urge to speak in low doses.
Vahni vardini – improves digestion strength
Meaning of the Sloka:
Synonyms of Bhanga: Ganjayika, Matulani, Bhangika, Vijaya, Jaya, Bhangika.
Properties of Bhanga:
Pittala – Increases Pitta Dosha
Tiktha – Bitter taste
Theekshna – strong
Ushna – hot potency
Grahini – absorbent, useful in diarrhea, IBS
Laghu – light to digest
Karshani – causes weight loss, useful in obesity.
Deepani – improves digestion strength.
Ruchya – improves taste, useful in anorexia.
Madakrit – causes intoxication
Kapha vata jit – Decreases Kapha and Vata Dosha
The name Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from either the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. It possesses these medicinal qualities:
- Rasa (taste) – Tikta (bitter)
- Laghu – Light
- Teekshna – Strong
- Vyavayi – it spreads to all parts of the body swiftly.
- Vipaka – Katu (it undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion)
- Veerya – Ushna (hot potency)
Ayurveda classifies Cannabis as a “sub-toxic herb” which means it must be purified before being consumed. In order to purify the plant, the leaves are tied together in cloth, then boiled in milk for three hours before being dried and fried in ghee. Sometimes, certain spices are added. Once this process is complete, the purified Cannabis is now ready for use as a medicinal ingredient in foods, beverages and herbal remedies.
As per the Ayurvedic scriptures, Cannabis is bitter in taste with qualities that are light, deep and penetrating. Soon after consumption, it gets absorbed and spreads all over the body, bypassing the regular route of digestion and assimilation. It undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion and is hot in potency. The dosage and time of usage should be limited. Ayurveda tells us that the effect on all three doshas is that it balances the Vata and Kapha Doshas and it increases the Pitta Dosha.
Bhang is used in treating glaucoma, convulsions, epilepsy and schizophrenia. It is also very useful in relieving pain and may be indicated for use in the following:
- Grahi – it’s absorbent, useful in diarrhea and IBS
- Karshani – it causes weight loss, useful in obesity
- Vahni Vardhini – Deepana – it improves digestive strength
- Ruchya – it improves taste and relieves anorexia
- Madakrut – it causes intoxication
- Pachani – it’s a digestive aid, relieving the Ama Dosha
- Nidrakara – it induces sleep
- Ushna – it increases body temperature
- Kamada – it increases libido
- Vak Vardhini – it increases the urge to speak (when taken in low doses)
Remember: Bhang must be purified to reduce the toxic effects. To do that, it is boiled with a decoction of babbula (Acacia nilotica Linn) bark for 3 hours. Then it is triturated (ground to a fine powder) with cow milk. Purification of Bhang can also be done by triturating with a decoction of babbula and then fried in cow ghee. Only after this process can the Cannabis be used for medicinal purposes.
The Ayurvedic texts recognize that Bhang may be useful for all of the following conditions, however, this would be dependent upon the individual person and their particular prakruti (the basic constitution) and current vikruti (the nature of the imbalance). Bear in mind that Cannabis is typically recommended in very small amounts and most often combined synergistically with other, more sattvic (pure, clean and natural) medicinal herbs and spices in order to balance its tamasic (impure, unrefined and unpalatable) nature.
- It may be useful for conditions related to excess/imbalanced Kapha and Vata
- It is considered hypnotic and acts as a sedative and yet, it can cause excessive talking
- It may be used to treat high blood pressure and certain related issues like glaucoma
- It might help with nervous exhaustion, certain types of headaches, neuralgia and convulsions due to its nerve stimulant properties
- It may treat diarrhea
- It’s an appetite stimulant
- It may be useful in treating certain digestive problems
- It may be helpful in treating both internal and external inflammation, depending on the situation
- The juice may be useful as a diuretic and useful for problems with fluid retention
- The leaves may be crushed or powdered and used as a poultice to treat inflammatory skin conditions, itching, sores and wounds
- It may help heal or soothe hemorrhoids
- It may have aphrodisiac properties
- It may be useful in treating Insomnia
- It may be useful in treating earaches and inflammation of the ears
- It may help to relieve IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) symptoms and dyspepsia
- It could be useful in treating muscle pain
- It could be useful in relieving dandruff and treating lice
- It has been used for malaria, blood poisoning and black water fever
Bhang is not without side effects and is considered unsafe during pregnancy and lactation and should not be used by children and people with high blood pressure as well as anyone who is susceptible to heart problems or a heart attack. The side effects are more often seen in people with low blood pressure, liver disorders and/or diabetes. Long term usage of Marijuana is associated with the following:
- Decreased respiratory immunity
- Anxiety and depression
- Lowered testosterone level, sperm quality and count
The following are Ayurvedic medicines that contain Cannabis sativa as an ingredient:
Jatiphaladi Churna
An Ayurvedic medicine, in herbal powder form. It’s used in the treatment of digestive and respiratory conditions. It helps relieve sprue, cough and cold and is useful in treating asthma, chronic respiratory conditions, anorexia and a runny nose. Its main ingredients are:
- Jatiphala – Nutmeg – Myristica fragrans
- Lavanga – clove
- Ela – cardamom
- Karpura – camphor
- Chandana – Sandalwood
- Tila – sesame seedAmla – Indian gooseberry
- Pippali – Long pepper
- Shunti – Ginger
- Vidanga – Embelia ribes
- Maricha – Black pepper
- Bhanga – Cannabis sativa – 200 grams
Nidroday Ras
An Ayurvedic medicine in tablet form. It is used in the Ayurvedic treatment of sleeplessness and nocturnal emissions. It improves immunity and the complexion of the skin. Its main ingredients are:
- Rasabhasma – Rasasindhura – A compound of Purified Mercury and Sulphur 6 g
- Tugakshiri – Bambusa bambos – 6 g
- Ahiphena – Purified Opium – Papaver somniferum – 6 g
- Dhataki – Fire Flame Bush (flower) – Woodfordia fruticosa – 24 g
- Dhatri – Indian gooseberry fruit – Emblica officinalis Gaertn. – 24 g
- Juice extract of Vijaya – Bhanga – Cannabis sativa – quantity sufficient for grinding
- Draksha – Raisin – Vitis vinifera – 132 g
Bahumutrantak Ras
It is an Ayurvedic medicine, with herbal and mineral ingredients, in tablet form. It is used in the treatment of frequent urination problem. It is also helpful in diabetes. Its main ingredients are:
- Shalmalimoola choorna – Root powder of Bombax malabaricum
- Kadalimoola – Root powder of banana tree – Musa paradisiaca
- Udumbara beeja choorna – Root powder of Cassia fistula
- Loha – Purified and processed Iron Bhasma
- Vanga – Purified and processed Tin Bhasma
- Vidruma – Paste of purified coral
- Mukta – Paste of purified pearl
- Ahiphenasara – Cannabis sativa
Maha Jwarankush Ras
Maha Jwarankush Ras is an Ayurvedic medicine in tablet form. It is used in the Ayurvedic treatment of fever, chronic fever, intermittent fever etc. Its main ingredients are:
- Shuddha Parada – Herbal purified Mercury
- Shuddha Gandhaka – Herbal purified Sulphur
- Tamra Bhasma – Bhasma prepared from Copper
- Loha Bhasma – Bhasma prepared from Iron
- Abhraka Bhasma – Purified and processed Mica
- Gairika – Purified and processed Red Ochre
- Tankana Bhasma – Borax
- Vanga Bhasma – Tin CalxShuddha Haratala – Purified and processed Orpiment
Remember, Vata is cool – it governs movement; Pitta is hot – it governs heat and temperature, and Kapha, which is also cool, governs organs and tissues. Together, the three doshas are known as Tridosha. A natural, harmonious balance between all three doshas is the key to good health. If Cannabis to be used in healing, it must be purified first, and the basic nature of the illness or imbalance must be understood. For example, Cannabis is pacifying for Vata and Kapha but due to its hot and pungent nature it can be quite aggravating for Pitta. In many circumstances, it has the potential to both cause damage and to heal damage. For instance, it can enhance digestion but also cause constipation. This is why it’s so important to consult with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner – preferably one with many years of experience in the medicinal uses of plants and herbs.
For references and more information, check out the following links:
https://www.planetayurveda.com/library/bhanga-cannabis-sativa/
https://www.easyayurveda.com/2014/12/17/bhang-marijuana-benefits-dose-research-side-effects/
http://www.somamatha.org/ayurvedic-view-of-marijuana.html
More about the research on Cannabis Sativa:
- Appendino G. et al, conducted research to investigate the anti-bacterial activity of Cannabis sativa.
Isolation of 5 major cannabinoids (constiuent of Cannabis) was done, and tested against a variety of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains.
Results showed anti-bacterial action of cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa.Citation:
Antibacterial cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: a structure-activity study.
Appendino G, Gibbons S, Giana A, Pagani A, Grassi G, Stavri M, Smith E, Rahman MM
J Nat Prod. 2008 Aug; 71(8):1427-30. - An animal study was conducted to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Cannabis sativa constituents.
PBQ and tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) was used to induce writhing and erythema in the mouse.
The test drug was administered orally in the mouse.
Results concluded anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Cannabis sativa. - To investigate the neurobehavioral actions of Cannabis sativa, an animal study was conducted by Davis W.M. et al.
Constituents of Cannabis, cannabichromene (CBC) and delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was given in the mouse.
Dosage of CBC and THC was 10 -75 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg respectively.
Results showed reduced motility of mice.Citation:
Neurobehavioral actions of cannabichromene and interactions with delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
Davis WM, Hatoum NS
Gen Pharmacol. 1983; 14(2):247-52. - Research was conducted to study the effect of Cannabis sativa in cancer metastasis.
Tau and stathmin relative gene expressions were evaluated at different concentrations of C. Sativa extract.
The extract exhibited significant differences in tau and stathmin relative gene expression with the doses of 100 μg/mL.
Results concluded that, C. sativa extract influences tau and stathmin relative gene expressions, which may reduce cancer metastasis.Citation:
Dana N, Tajaddini M H, Haghjooy Javanmard S, Jafari E, Abed A, et al. Cannabis sativaExtract Reduces Cytoskeletal Associated Proteins in Breast Cancer Cell Line, Int J Cancer Manag. 2017 ; 10(5):e5474. - An animal study was conducted to evaluate the anti-convulsant action of Cannabidivarin (Cannabis sativa constituent) in in-vitro and in-vivo seizure models.
Results indicated that Cannabidivarin is an effective anti-convulsant . Also it did not significantly affect normal motor function.Citation:
Hill AJ, Mercier MS, Hill TDM, Glyn SE, Jones NA, Yamasaki Y, Futamura T, Duncan M, Stott CG, Stephens GJ, et al. (2012) Cannabidivarin is anticonvulsant in mouse and rat. Br J Pharmacol 167:1629–1642 - Review study was conducted to evaluate the anti-microbial efficacy of Cannabis sativa.
Study concluded that Cannabis sativa can be exploited to prepare potent broad-spectrum anti-microbial drugs, because of its remarkable inhibitory activity against a wide range of organisms.Citation:
Ali, E. M. M., Almagboul, A. Z. I., Khogali, S. M. E. and Gergeir, U. M. A., Antimicrobial activity of Cannabis sativa L. Chin. Med., 2012, 3, 61–64.
