Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Pungent (Katu)
- Quality (Guna)
- Laghu, Tikshna, Ruksha
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Key Constituents
- Cannabinone (Cannabinol₅, C₂₁H₂₆O₂), resin (15-20% in ganja). Contains Calcium phosphate. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive compound.
- Also Known As
- English: Indian hemp, Cannabis, Marijuana
Sanskrit: भंगा, विजया, मादिनी, मोहिनी, जया
Hindi: भांग, गांजा
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis is one of the few plants in the Ayurvedic pharmacy that the classical texts name both as a medicine and as a cause of disease. That double identity is the key to understanding how Ayurveda treats it: with respect, and with extreme caution.
Cannabis (Bhanga), also called Indian hemp, is the plant Cannabis sativa Linn. Its Sanskrit names include Vijaya, meaning "victorious", and Jaya. Ayurveda distinguishes three forms: the leaves (Bhanga), the flowering tops (Ganja) and the resin (Charas).
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu records its use mainly for pain, sleep and diarrhea, and classes it as an intoxicant (Madakara). In classical pharmacy it is used only after purification (Shodhana), in small doses, inside controlled formulations. Cannabis is also a legally controlled substance in many countries, so local law matters as much as tradition.
Benefits of Cannabis
Every use below describes how classical Ayurveda employed purified cannabis in controlled formulations under a practitioner. None of it is guidance for self-use, and legal status varies by country.
Sleep
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists cannabis as sleep-inducing (Nidrajanana), and purified preparations were used in small doses for insomnia. Its classical link to sleep runs through its calming effect on Vata (Vata Shamaka), the dosha of air and movement.
Pain
Ayurveda has used cannabis primarily as an analgesic, meaning a pain reliever. This is one of the specific conditions for which purified preparations were given in small doses.
Digestion and Diarrhea
Classical texts describe cannabis as absorbent (Grahi), a quality used against diarrhea. It is also listed as a digestive stimulant (Deepana) and digestive (Pachana), which fits its classical use for stimulating appetite.
Its bitter (Tikta) and pungent (Katu) taste, its light, sharp and dry qualities (Laghu, Tikshna, Ruksha) and its hot potency (Ushna Virya) explain these digestive actions in Ayurvedic terms.
Topical Use of Hemp Seed
The Sharangadhara Samhita includes hemp seeds (Shana) in a ground paste with mustard, moringa seeds, linseed, barley and radish seeds, mixed with sour buttermilk, applied for swellings of the neck glands, tumors and goiter.
That which first pervades the entire body and only then undergoes digestion is called Vyavayi (pervasive), like Bhanga (Cannabis sativa) and Phena (opium).
Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4
How to Use Cannabis
Cannabis is not a home herb in Ayurveda. The classical approach is narrow: purify first (Shodhana), use small doses, and only inside controlled formulations prescribed by a practitioner. It is also legally controlled in many countries.
| Form | Dose | Best For | When to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purified cannabis in a classical formulation | Small doses, set only by a qualified practitioner | Pain, insomnia, diarrhea, appetite (classical uses) | As prescribed |
| Hemp seed (Shana) in a topical paste | External use only, as directed by a practitioner | Neck gland swellings, goiter (Sharangadhara Samhita) | Applied, not eaten |
| Raw leaf, flower or resin | Not a classical self-care use | Not recommended | Not recommended |
Our sources give no home dose or vehicle (Anupana) for cannabis, and we do not suggest one. Check the law where you live and work with a qualified practitioner.
Safety & Side Effects
Cannabis carries more caution than almost any other plant in the Ayurvedic pharmacy.
- It is an intoxicant. Classical texts class it as Madakara, and the Sharangadhara Samhita lists intoxication (Mada) from cannabis among the diseases.
- It acts fast and spreads through the body. The Sharangadhara Samhita names it as an example of a pervasive substance (Vyavayi), one that spreads through the whole body before it is digested.
- It is heating, dry and sharp. These qualities can aggravate Vata dryness and add heat over time.
- It is used only purified and in controlled formulations, never raw, and only under a qualified practitioner.
- It is legally controlled in many countries. Know your local law.
Our sources do not list specific drug interactions. Tell your doctor about any cannabis use, especially if you take other medicines.
Recommended: Start Here
The honest starting point for cannabis in Ayurveda is to learn about it, not to take it. Classical use depends on purification, small doses and a practitioner's prescription, and the plant is legally controlled in many countries.
A classical Ayurveda reference is the best next step if you want to understand how the texts treat intoxicant plants like this one. If your interest is the hemp plant as food, hemp seed sold as a food product is a lawful, non-intoxicating way to bring it into your kitchen.
Find a Classical Ayurveda Reference Book on Amazon ↗ Hulled Hemp Seeds (Food) ↗
Safety note: cannabis is an intoxicant and legally controlled in many places; do not use it medicinally without a qualified practitioner and a check of your local law, and never during pregnancy.
Cannabis vs Other Herbs & Supplements
These comparisons stay within what classical texts and our existing sources say about each plant.
| Comparison | Cannabis | Alternative | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabis vs Jatamansi for sleep | Sleep-inducing and Vata-calming, but an intoxicant; practitioner use only | One of the most directly sleep-specific herbs in Ayurveda, calming Vata and clearing Pitta | Jatamansi is the far simpler and safer first choice for sleep. |
| Cannabis vs Ashwagandha for sleep | Purified, small doses, controlled formulations | A grounding herb used at home in warm milk for Vata-type insomnia | Ashwagandha is the practical home option; cannabis is not. |
| Cannabis vs Opium (Ahiphena) | Pervasive (Vyavayi) | Also named as pervasive in the same verse | The Sharangadhara Samhita groups both as substances that spread through the body before digestion. Neither is for self-use. |
Cannabis for Specific Populations
Our classical sources give little population-specific guidance for cannabis. Given that it is an intoxicant and legally controlled in many places, caution applies to everyone.
Pregnancy & Nursing
Do not use cannabis during pregnancy or while nursing.
Children
Do not give cannabis to children. Our sources record no pediatric use outside a practitioner's formulation.
Elderly
No specific classical guidance is recorded. Its dry, light and heating qualities can aggravate Vata, which tends to rise with age, so involve a practitioner and your doctor.
Athletes
No specific classical guidance is recorded. Cannabis has no classical role as a performance aid, and it may be restricted by sporting and legal rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cannabis really part of Ayurveda?
Yes. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu describes its uses for pain, sleep and diarrhea, and the Sahasra Yoga lists it under the names Bhanga and Vijaya. It is used only after purification, in controlled formulations, and with extreme caution.
What are Bhanga, Ganja and Charas?
They are the three forms of cannabis named in Ayurveda: Bhanga is the leaves, Ganja the flowering tops and Charas the resin.
What does Vijaya mean?
Vijaya is a Sanskrit name for cannabis meaning "victorious". The Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 24, mentions vijaya alongside smoke for head purgation and dry barley food.
Which dosha does cannabis affect?
Classical sources say it calms Vata. Its hot potency and sharp, dry qualities also mean it is not a gentle herb, which is part of why practitioners use it sparingly.
Is cannabis legal to use?
That depends on where you live; it is controlled in many countries. Check your local law and consult a qualified practitioner before considering any cannabis preparation.
How to Use Cannabis by Condition
Explore how Cannabis is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
That which first pervades the entire body and only then undergoes digestion is called Vyavayi (pervasive), like Bhanga (Cannabis sativa) and Phena (opium, born of serpent-referring to Ahiphena/Papaver somniferum).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.)
Mada (intoxication) is of another four types from betel nut (Puga), cannabis (Bhanga), and Kodrava (millet).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 7: Rogagananam (Enumeration of Diseases)
For Gandamala (cervical lymph chain swelling), Arbuda (tumors), and Ganda (goiter): grind mustard (Sarshapa), Shigru seeds (Moringa oleifera), Shana seeds (hemp, Cannabis sativa), Atasi (linseed, Linum usitatissimum), barley (Yava), and radish seeds (Mulaka Bija) with sour buttermilk (Amla Takra).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.); Purva Khanda, Chapter 7: Rogagananam (Enumeration of Diseases); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
References in Sushruta Samhita
Strong head-purgation with smoke, dry barley food, and vijaya (Cannabis/hemp) should be taken.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 24: Chapter 24
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 24: Chapter 24
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.