Cannabis is old as the world, and its use in human civilization is intertwined in the history of cultures and religion.
In Oki Japan, an archaeological site found 8,000-year-old cannabis. Neolithic and Yangshao excavations discovered artifacts from 5,000 BC. In China, 6,000-year-old hemp textiles were uncovered. Most ancient sacred texts mentioned cannabis, having some degree of prominence.
Below, we’ll hop into exploring some of the very first known uses of cannabis from around the world.
Cannabis History In Asia
With such a long history across an incredibly vast continent like Asia, there’s quite a bit of potential history to cover in such a small amount of time.
Below, we’ll jump around a wee-bit and extract some of the more interesting parts of several areas throughout the Asian continent. Let’s dive in!
In ancient China, hemp was used to treat female fatigue and other diseases of the time.
According to tradition, the Chinese produced paper in the first century solely from hemp.
The word "Hemp-derived" is due to the fact that it’s an intoxicant.
In several languages, the root word for hemp is "may".
This root has the meanings of hemp and cane in almost all ancient languages.
The Iranians most likely were related to the Medes, and readily adopted the word 'Hemp' as designating a tribe.
Semites have brought the word into Asia Minor, and it can be found in the Mishnah, which includes Aramaic content.
The Semitic root 'bašās' was most likely borrowed from the Semitic word 'bi', meaning "to raise" in ancient times.
It was used alone, or with the Aramaic phrase 'odoriferous,', meaning: 'the aromatic' In this analysis, the biblical 'Kenem' and the Aramitic 'kanim' really mean the same thing.
The shortening of the words contributes to the creation of a single word "kanbos".
Tradition: On Christmas Eve, the souls of the deceased meet their relatives and friends to eat hemp seeds.
In Poland, people sacrifice various plants, including hemp plants to their ancestors.
The word "drunk from nomadic Shiites" is the earliest recorded for drunkenness induced by cannabis.
Recent archaeological discoveries found Shiite grave mounds in the Altai Mountains, near the Mongolian border, highly preserved because of the freezing temperatures.
Cannabis Use In Greece
While there is nothing to tell regarding cannabis cultivation in Greece before the Herodotus period, the literature indicates that the Greeks had somehow grasped the primary medicinal importance of the herb early enough in their past.
Ancient Greeks used hemp to dress their horses with cuts and sores.
In humans, dry cannabis leaves were used for nasal bleeds, and cannabis seeds used to expel tapeworms.
The most widely mentioned application of cannabis in humans was to steep green cannabis seeds in either water or wine, then cut the seeds and use a warm extract to relieve irritation and pain induced by blocking of the ear.
Herodotus, a Greek scholar, identified in the 5th century BC how the Scythians of the Middle East used cannabis in steam baths. These baths were driving citizens to a frenzied condition.
Cannabis Use And Sacred Texts
Now we’ll take a stroll through some of the ancient texts throughout the world and see what we can discover about its sacred applications by various religious groups.
When we hear the common phrase "cannabis has been used for medicinal applications for thousands of years" originates from legitimate credentials, as we’ll see below.
China
Cannabis was discovered to be used by Taoists in the 4th-century B.C.
The term 'cannabis incense' is used to offer salvation and create well-being; they are often classified as perfumes or essential oils.
Egypt
The Ebers papyrus was first developed in the 15th century.
There are several varieties of both hemp-derived and synthetic elixirs.
The Egyptian goddess wore a lettuce leaf on her head, while the cat goddess wore one on her forehead.
Anyone who loves these goddesses has most likely used cannabis in their worship or spiritual practices to get closer to them.
Greece
The Greeks conquered Scythia from the 10th to the 2nd century BC and found hemp plants.
They expected the hemp vapours to hold the harmful spirits at bay, as Theophrastus described in his psychoactive plant literature.
Theophrastus, though serving as a historian, is suggesting that he developed a different form of a plant.
More recent research is showing how cannabis was also used in anointing to drive out bad vibes and protect shrines.
Hinduism
Cannabis is both a matter of confidence and a way of existence for the Hindus.
Many of them hold the Vedas in sacred esteem because they feel they provide all the answers to existence and the cosmos.
It’s said that a Vedic scripture contains a collection of herbs where it is said that there is an angel in the foliage.
Shiva is one of the three main Hindu deities and is often described as the "Cannabis Lord" (as some Hindus claim he used for ceremonial purposes).
First Nations
Several native American tribes credit the plant's analgesic influence, but many accept the plant's utility in other sections of the body.
Cannabis has sponsorship from several Native American tribes, as well as reports that smoking it with others would unite citizens.
It’s the capacity to help, not to afflict people, that looks to be found through the use of cannabis in religious ceremonies.
Jamaica
The Rastafarian conviction is an ingredient based on Christianity and the past of Ethiopia.
For various reasons, the Rastafari say cannabis will bring them closer to Jah (God).
In Rastafari opinion, what entices bad energies is the desire for property or desire for anything other than union with Jah.
Rastas burn and ingest cannabis to reduce their adverse side effects, which also increases their degree of sensitivity and capacities, making them healthier and more pleasurable lives.
About the author: Joe Powers
After an incident in the military, in 2011, Joe Powers began investigating cannabis by talking with industry leaders. In 2016, Joe launched Hemp Writer with its first publication in clarifying disinformation on specific updates to certain federal CBD laws.
Upon calling out a leading cannabis law firm spreading dis-info, Hemp Writer established itself as an authority in clarifying updated information emerging from the cannabis industry. Joe continues charging forwards with increasing momentum to continue fulfilling his vision of SHARING ACCURATE CANNABIS INFORMATION.