Ancient Civilizations: Use, Practice, & Belief on Cannabis
From ancient times to the present day, cannabis has been a source of fascination for many cultures around the world. Known by various names such as marijuana, weed, ganja, etc., this plant has been used for medicinal, spiritual, and recreational purposes. In this article, we'll take a journey back in time to explore the earliest civilizations that used, practiced, and believed in the power of cannabis.
Now while I think Adam and Eve were getting stoned, the actual earliest recorded evidence of cannabis use takes us back to Ancient China about 5000 years ago. In fact, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung, is credited with discovering the medicinal properties of cannabis in 2737 BCE. According to legend, he was experimenting with different plants for their medicinal properties when he came across the cannabis plant. He found that its leaves had a calming effect when taken as a tea and that it could be used to treat a range of ailments, including malaria, rheumatism, and ironically poor memory. In ancient China, cannabis was also used for religious and spiritual purposes. In the Chinese Taoist religion, cannabis was used as a hallucinogen to help achieve a higher state of consciousness.
Like the ancient Chinese, the ancient Egyptians were among the first to recognize the medical properties of cannabis as well. Cannabis was mentioned in several ancient Egyptian texts, and 1 of the 700 plant medicines listed in The Assasif Medical Papyrus of Thebes, later known as the Eber Papyrus, a medical document dating back to 1550 BCE. The plant was used in a variety of remedies, and also used in their religious ceremonies. Cannabis was believed to have healing powers and was associated with the goddess Seshat, who was the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, and writing.
In India, the use of cannabis was considered sacred and tied to spiritual practices. The plant was associated with the god Shiva, and mentioned in the ancient Hindu text, the Vedas, where it was called "sacred grass" or "bhanga." Cannabis was used to aid in meditation and prayer, as it was believed to help people achieve a higher state of consciousness. It was also used for its medicinal purposes, such as treating anxiety, pain, epilepsy, inflammation, and digestive issues.
The ancient Greeks and Romans were also quite familiar with cannabis and used it for both medicinal and recreational purposes. The plant was also used in religious ceremonies and was believed to be mystical. The Greek physician Dioscorides, wrote about the medicinal properties of cannabis in his book, De Materia Medica, and recommended it for pain relief and as a treatment for earaches. The Romans also used cannabis to treat a variety of ailments, including pain, inflammation, and convulsions.
The use of cannabis also played an important part in the culture of ancient civilizations in the Americas. The Cherokee, for example, used cannabis to treat fever, and the Navajo used it to treat earaches and toothaches. The Aztecs also used cannabis for medicinal purposes, and the Mayans used it in religious ceremonies. All in all, these tribes held cannabis in high regard and used it for medicinal and spiritual purposes.
Despite the widespread use of cannabis in ancient times, it wasn't until the 20th century that its legality and social acceptance became a contentious issue. Today, cannabis is legal in many states, countries, and continues to be studied for its medicinal properties, but it also is not legal everywhere and accepted in many places. However, as we reflect on the ancient civilizations that used cannabis, it's clear that the plant has played a significant role in human history. From its medicinal properties to its spiritual significance, cannabis continues to fascinate and intrigue us. It is always of importance though, to use cannabis responsibly and to be mindful of applicable laws and regulations.
