In ancient China, cannabis had various practical and medicinal uses. It was cultivated for its fiber, which was used to make clothing, bowstrings, and paper. The seeds of the cannabis plant were also utilized for their medicinal properties. The ancient Chinese recognized the therapeutic benefits of cannabis and incorporated it into their traditional medicine practices.
According to ancient Chinese texts, cannabis was listed in the Emperor Shen Nung’s pharmacopoeia, which dates back to 2800 BC. The pharmacopoeia described the medicinal properties of various plants, including cannabis. It mentioned the use of cannabis as an anesthesia during surgeries and highlighted its potential healing properties for treating ailments.
Cannabis seeds, known as “huomaren” in traditional Chinese medicine, were frequently used for their moistening laxative effects. They were considered official in the Chinese Pharmacopeia. The seeds were also used in the treatment of various conditions, including digestive disorders.
While the practical and medicinal uses of cannabis were well-documented in ancient China, there is no explicit mention of its psychoactive properties in ancient Chinese texts. The focus was primarily on its practical applications and therapeutic benefits.
It is important to note that the historical use of cannabis in ancient China was not limited to its medicinal and practical uses. Cannabis also played a role in religious and spiritual practices in some cultures. However, the specific rituals and beliefs associated with cannabis in ancient China are not extensively documented.
In conclusion, cannabis had significant practical and medicinal uses in ancient China. It was cultivated for its fiber and utilized in the production of clothing, bowstrings, and paper. The seeds of the cannabis plant were recognized for their medicinal properties and used in traditional Chinese medicine. While the psychoactive properties of cannabis were not explicitly mentioned in ancient Chinese texts, its practical and therapeutic benefits were well-documented.
Sources:
1. Cannabis in Chinese Medicine: Are Some Traditional Indications Validated by Modern Science?
2. History of Cannabis in Ancient China
