For the masters of the planet, a plant and a flower
seem to be the deadliest weapon.
Hemp is a family of bushes (Cannabaceae ) that has been cultivated since ancient times (perhaps Cannabis sativa , originated in India, which is used as a medicinal and visionary plant (usually referred to as being “weak hallucinogen”) since ancient times. In different places and times cannabis has received many names: hashish, dagga, bhang, ganja y marihuana, among others.
Hemp occurs in both male and female form. Interestingly, only the female form produces the “resin” which has psychoactive properties. When pollen from male plants reach the female plants they begin to seed and resin production ceases.
The active ingredient that produces these effects is the tetrahidrocannabinol that occurs on the blooms, leaves, seeds and stems of the female plant. It has also been applied for sedative and analgesic purposes.
The origins of cannabis
There are references to the use of cannabis several thousand years ago in its area of origin (India) and China. Around 2700 BC the Chinese Emperor Shen-Nung encouraged hemp cultivation to produce fibers (perhaps also for other purposes), and in the third century bce Hoa-Thom, doctor of Chinese origin, recommended cannabis preparations wine as an anesthetic, noting that “ after a few days or end of the month, the patient feels is restored without experiencing any pain during the operation “ 8 It is thought that cannabis came to Europe around 1500 bc. There are references to its use by Scythians, nomadic herders natives of southeast Europe (areas of the rivers Don and Dnieper), who introduced it in Greece around the eighth century bc.
Herodotus described the Scythian custom as follows.
“ They have a type of grass that grows in this country (Scythian) as hemp ... When the Scythians harvest the sprouts of this hemp, they take refuge in their felt tents and throw the sprouts on a hot stone, which produce smoke and steam stronger than the most energetic Greek sweat bath. The Scythians carried by the vapor steam, they soon cry of pleasure ... ‘.
In another fragment the Greek writer said:
“ The Scythians have discovered other trees producing a special fruit and people gathering around a fire through it into the fire, sit around in a circle; and inhale the fumes of the burned fruit, they feel intoxicated in the same by its odourpir or feel the smell of mismomodo as the Greeks do with wine; and the more fruit is thrown become more intoxicated, until you get up to dance and sing. “ 10
From that time hemp was adopted by many Middle Eastern peoples who consume its products, including hashish.
Much later the irrational prohibitionis cruzade starte a worldwide war agains the sacred plant.
To continue
From "Peoples, Drugs ans Serpents", Danilo Anton, 2016, Piriguazú Ediciones
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