Ancient Uses of Cannabis in Medicine and Rituals

Cannabis may be trending in today’s wellness scene, but its roots stretch back thousands of years. Long before legalization debates and modern dispensaries, ancient civilizations across the globe were cultivating and using cannabis for medicinal and spiritual purposes. In this article, we’ll explore how cannabis was revered by ancient cultures—from healing the sick to connecting with the divine.

Cannabis in Ancient China: The First Medical Use

The earliest recorded medicinal use of cannabis dates back to ancient China, around 2700 BCE. The legendary Chinese emperor Shennong, often called the “Divine Farmer,” documented the therapeutic properties of the cannabis plant in his pharmacopeia, Shennong Bencaojing. It was believed to treat ailments such as malaria, rheumatism, constipation, and even absent-mindedness.

Chinese healers typically used the seeds, flowers, and oils of the plant. Importantly, they recognized the psychoactive effects of cannabis and warned about excessive consumption leading to spiritual disturbances. However, in moderate amounts, it was considered a powerful ally for healing and longevity.

India: Sacred Herb of the Gods

In ancient India, cannabis was more than medicine—it was a sacred plant deeply embedded in spiritual life. Dating back to around 1000 BCE, cannabis appears in the Atharva Veda, one of Hinduism’s oldest sacred texts, where it’s described as one of the five sacred plants that relieve anxiety.

Cannabis was (and still is) used in religious ceremonies in the form of bhang, a drink made from crushed cannabis leaves and milk, often consumed during festivals like Holi. It was believed to bring people closer to Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and transformation, who is frequently depicted smoking a chillum.

In Ayurvedic medicine, cannabis was used to treat digestive issues, headaches, insomnia, and more. Despite its psychoactive properties, it was classified as a healing herb, often mixed with other botanicals to balance its effects.

Ancient Egypt: Healing for the Body and Afterlife

Ancient Egyptian medical texts, including the Ebers Papyrus (circa 1550 BCE), reference the use of cannabis for inflammation and pain relief. Egyptian healers applied cannabis-infused ointments and suppositories for conditions ranging from hemorrhoids to sore eyes.

There’s also evidence that cannabis played a role in funerary practices and afterlife rituals. Traces of cannabis pollen have been found in tombs, suggesting it may have been used to ease the transition from life to death—or perhaps as an offering to the gods.

Egyptians valued balance and harmony in the body and spirit, and cannabis appeared to fit into this holistic framework.

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Greece and Rome

The ancient Greeks and Romans were also familiar with cannabis. Dioscorides, a Greek physician in the first century CE, documented the use of cannabis in his book De Materia Medica. He noted that the plant’s seeds could be used to treat earaches and inflammation, while the leaves were known for their mild intoxicating effects.

The Roman historian Pliny the Elder also wrote about cannabis, observing its usefulness in rope-making and pain relief. Roman physicians often applied cannabis extracts to wounds and used it as a general painkiller.

Africa and Beyond

In parts of ancient Africa, particularly Ethiopia and Egypt, cannabis was used both medicinally and ritually. It’s believed to have spread southward through trade and migration, eventually becoming part of spiritual practices in places like Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Additionally, ancient Japanese and Korean texts mention the ceremonial and medicinal use of cannabis, particularly hemp, which held spiritual significance and was often used in Shinto rituals to ward off evil spirits.

A Long History, Rekindled

From temples to tombs, healing rituals to holy feasts, cannabis has played a diverse role in ancient civilizations. Its reputation as a sacred and medicinal plant spanned continents, cultures, and centuries. What’s striking is how many of these ancient applications mirror today’s uses—pain relief, anxiety reduction, and spiritual exploration.

As modern science continues to unpack the therapeutic potential of cannabis, it’s worth remembering: we’re not discovering something new—we’re rediscovering what ancient people already knew.