Cannabis: the forgotten sacred plant of India

Abstract

The plant Cannabis sativa was cultivated in India since ancient times. Atherveda and Ayurveda hail the plant as sacred and medicinal. It was used as a source of fiber, food, oil and medicine and for recreation & spiritual purposes. Its cultivation and use dwindled since the British Government prohibited its use in 1930s. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most important component of its psychoactive substance. Natural receptors for THC are found throughout the human body called the ‘endocannabinoid system’. There is a lot of excitement the world over in recent times about its potential as a therapeutic agent. The low THC industrial variety is also being cultivated for seed, oil and fiber in many countries. The non-toxic seed and oil of industrial hemp are highly nutritious. The plant is useful as bio-fuel, eco-friendly building material and phytoremediator. Indian government should also encourage and facilitate researchers of traditional medicine to explore the potential of this versatile native plant while the world benefits from it.

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SHORT REVIEW ARTICLE
CANNABIS: THE FORGOTTEN SACRED PLANT OF INDIA
SHARDA NARENDRA BAPAT
ABSTRACT
The plant Cannabis sativa was cultivated in India since ancient times. Atherveda and Ayurveda hail the plant as
sacred and medicinal. It was used as a source of fiber, food, oil and medicine and for recreation & spiritual
purposes. Its cultivation and use dwindled since the British Government prohibited its use in 1930s. Delta-9-
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most important component of its psychoactive substance. Natural receptors
for THC are foud throughout the hua od alled the edoaaioid sste. There is a lot of
excitement the world over in recent times about its potential as a therapeutic agent. The low THC industrial
variety is also being cultivated for seed, oil and fiber in many countries. The non-toxic seed and oil of industrial
hemp are highly nutritious. The plant is useful as bio-fuel, eco-friendly building material and phytoremediator.
Indian government should also encourage and facilitate researchers of traditional medicine to explore the
potential of this versatile native plant while the world benefits from it.
KEYWORDS: Cannabis, Cannabis sativa, cannabinoids Indian hemp, Ayurveda, endocannabinoid system,
Pharmacology
Corresponding author email: shardabapat@hotmail.com
Access this article online: www.jahm.in
Published by Atreya Ayurveda Publications under the license CC-by-NC.

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INTRODUCTION:
Cannabis sativa (C. sativa), also known as the
Indian hemp, is a herbaceous annual which
has been cultivated in India since ancient
times. Atharva Veda hails the hag plat as
oe of the fie sared plats.
[1]
It has been
used over the ages, as a source of fiber, food,
oil and medicine as well as for recreational,
religious and spiritual purposes. The British
Government of India prohibited consumption
of cannabis resin (charas) in India in the
93s. Sie the the cultivation and use of C.
sativa dwindled.
[2]
Presently, the plant is popularly known only as
a source of narcotics in various forms and
names in India such as bhang, charas, ganja,
marijuana, hashish, weed, grass etc. It is illegal
to produce, manufacture, possess, sell,
purchase, transport, use, consume, import,
export any narcotic drug or psychotropic
substance except for medical or scientific
purposes under the Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Act in India.
[3]
The
maximum penalty for repeat offence can be as
high as a death penalty. There are no clear
guidelines and jurisdiction for obtaining the
license for medical/scientific research. This has
made research extremely difficult in most
states of India.
Medicinal qualities of the plant and its narcotic
principle have been long known traditionally in
India. It was used as a house hold remedy and
by Hakims and Vaidyas as appetizer,
aphrodisiac, pain-reliever, antispasmodic,
antidiarrheal as well as a diuretic.
[2]
Many of the traditional uses need research for
finding innovative remedies. For example,
Ayurveda suggests use of the plant after
areful purifiatio oilig ith o ilk to
reduce toxic effects. The usage of this plant as
a potent analgesic is described in many
ancient texts and traditional practices. The
uses range from medicated milk to external
fomentation and fumigation for pain relief
(Gogte, 2000).
[4]
There is renewed interest all over the world in
this plant for its medicinal as well as other
potential uses. As a result, many countries
have decriminalized or legalized possession of
narcotics for medical purpose and some have
even legalized its use for recreational
purposes.
[5]
Recent systematic and critical
review from Israel about the effect of
legalization of cannabis for therapeutic
purposes concluded that it may not pose
substantial threat to public health and safety.
[6]
Recent legalization of its use in other
countries offers opportunity for fresh
assessment of its social impact.

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The sticky resin produced by the flowers and
top leaves of the plant contains a number of
psychoactive substances called cannabinoids
of which delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is
the most important. Receptors for THC were
identified as part of an endocannabinoid
system in the human body and their presence
noted in various tissues ranging from brain to
periphery. Anatomical, physiological and
pharmacological studies have shown that the
endocannabinoid system is widely distributed
throughout the gut, with regional variation
and organ-specific actions. It is involved in the
regulation of food intake, nausea and emesis,
gastric secretion and gastro protection, gastro-
intestinal motility, ion transport, visceral
sensation, intestinal inflammation and cell
proliferation in the gut.
[7]
Researchers of
modern medicine have endorsed its potential
as an antiemetic specially in cancer patients.
[8]
There is evidence of its effectiveness in the
treatet of Crohs disease.
[9]
Cannabis based medicine is approved for the
treatment of pain and spasticity in multiple
sclerosis in many countries.
[10]
Its potential
role in the treatment of epilepsy and
rheumatoid arthritis is also being explored.
[11-
12]
Apart from the psychoactive substance
though, the plant has many uses which are
being recognized all over the world. Efforts for
research and cultivation of low THC variety of
the specie called Industrial Hemp are
increasingly being undertaken in many
countries across the world. Industrial hemp
heeforth alled as hep is a race of C.
sativa with low levels of THC and higher levels
of cannabidiol(CBD). CBD actually reduces the
psychoactive effects of THC. Hence, CBD:THC
ratio is important in determining the value of
the drug. THC level of <0.3% cannot produce
any psychoactive effects. Low THC caultivars
are actively bred in Industrial hemp
cultivation. The seed of industrial hemp does
not contain THC. Methods of cultivation of
hemp differ according to the desired use viz.
fiber or seed.
[13]
The seed of hemp holds some wonderful
qualities and has great potential as a source of
nutrition as well as traditional medicine for
Indian population whose staple diet is mostly
plant based. Whole hempseed has
approximately 20-25% protein, 25-35% oil, 20-
30% carbohydrates and 10-15% insoluble fiber
apart from array of minerals such as
phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, sulphur
and calcium, iron, zinc, carotene and dietary
fiber. It is rich in vitamins A, C and E. It has all 8
essential amino acids. It contains edestein,
which is similar to albumin. The oil derived

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from hemp seed is highly polyunsaturated and
its potential uses range from fuel to raw
material for soaps and cosmetics. The 3:1 ratio
of linoleic and linolenic acid in hemp oil has
been claimed to be optimal for human
nutrition. In addition, it also contains Gamma-
linolenic acid (GLA) and terpenes which may
render anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and
cytoprotective pharmacological properties. It
also contains some other useful trace
elements such as β-sitosterol and methyl
salicylate.
[14-15]
Hemp is a versatile plant and can produce
number of high quality products e.g. fabrics
and yarns, carpets, paper etc. It can be used in
building materials as a composite, insulation,
biodegradable plastics. The hemp boards
made from the plant are lighter, stronger and
biodegradable. The broken woody core of the
plant, a by-product of fiber-making, can be
used as animal bedding and animal-feed. It
therefore has a potential for development of
cottage industry. Hemp also has an advantage
that it needs fewer pesticides, herbicides than
alternative fiber crops like cotton. The
Fiber/hemp seed crops do not require weed
killer. It can also reduce soil nutrient loss and
erosion and improve soil structure.
[16]
It has
potential as a phytoremediator due to its
strong and deep growing tap root system.
Various countries are revamping their national
policies for supporting use of cannabis for
therapeutic purposes. Indian medical
fraternity should urge the Indian government
to facilitate research to explore medical and
nutritional potential of this versatile native
plant.
Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Vaidya
Girish Tillu for his valuable inputs and Mr.
Jahan Pestonjamas for literature on Industrial
Hemp.
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Cite this article as: Sharda Narendra Bapat,
Cannabis: the forgotten sacred plant of India, J of
Ayurveda and Hol Med (JAHM).2015;3(4):92-96
Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None
Declared.