In Tara-keshwar temple in Bengal, ganja is used as an offering on the Shivratri (Shiva's Night).
Mythologically Vijaya is said to be originated from amrita (ambrosia) spilled from the mouth of Lord Shiva.
Broadly speaking within India three separate medicinal systems flourished.
Ayurveda
Tibia/Unani
Folklore.
And they are almost like mirroring of each other.
Ayurveda: Since it is considered a secondary poison or toxic material –its purification was of great importance and 4 methods of its purification were emphasized.
‘Bhanga’ word is cited in Atharvana Veda among the five Virudh (herbs) including Soma which could alleviate ‘amhas’ (anxiety/distress) . Arka prakasha, a text on arka (distillation) mentioned Bhanga & Soma in a preparation named unmatta panchaka, an aphrodisiac medicament which causes matta (soothing effect by CNS stimulation) like a pisacha (demon). In Bruhatrayi the term Vijaya is coined under eight Mula Visha (root poison) in Susruta Samhita and decoction of leaves of Bhanga as an external medication for rinsing in Sushka Arsas (dry piles) is cited in Charaka Samhita49. In Laghutrayi references of formulations containing Vijaya are cited in Sarangadhara samhita & Bhavaprakasha.
Vijaya is extensively described in Anandakanda right from the sowing of seed, growing technique, nutrition supplements during growth, collection method.Collection method of Vijaya includes leaves & seeds having Snigdha guna (smooth and greasy property) in the month of phalguna (Feb-Mar). This Snigdha guna is due to the structures called trichomes, a unicellular & glandular outgrowth developed over flowering & fruiting plant. These trichomes predominantly emerge over the surface of raceme inflorescence and the leaves near them, hence called as sugar leaves. Traditionally these trichomes are used to make Charas or hashish, a highly narcotic resin. After collection they are dried in mild heat waves of sun for 7 days12. Three types of paka (processing through heat) are mentioned for Vijaya viz. agni (fire) paka, surya (sun) paka & chandra (moon) paka.
Ayurvedic scholars attributed specific colour to Vijaya in each yuga which can be correlated to present era with respect to the presence of a peculiar phytochemical in the chemical composition of the plant. Generally, the colour of Vijaya is green due to the presence of chlorophyll. During flowering season mainly, the inflorescence & leaves might change their colour owing to the levels of specific phytochemicals. Other factors include temperature & climate as chlorophyll is heat sensitive & also the colour spectrum varies in different climatic conditions. The colour of Vijaya in Kruta yuga is white, this is because of the presence of abundant Anthoxanthin, a flavonoid which attributes white colour. In Treta yuga Vijaya is in red colour due to rich in Lycopene, a tetraterpene. Vijaya is yellow in colour during Dwapara yuga due to Carotenoid, also called tetraterpenoid an organic pigment which imparts yellow hue. In Kali yuga Vijaya is blue colored due to the presence of Anthocyanin, a flavonoid pigment.
Therapeutically leaves, seeds and stem of Vijaya have been utilized for medicinal preparations. Oral route is the common method of drug administration of Vijaya leaves & seeds. Vijaya leaf powder is used as Nasya in the treatment of Apasmara. Brushing with the stem of Vijaya strengthens the teeth by cleansing the mala (dirt) present over the teeth & tongue. External application of Vijaya decoction in piles is also cited. Now a day’s Vijaya seed oil is extracted by cold press method. In Ayurveda Vijaya seed oil is prepared by a peculiar technique which is used as nasya karma (nasal medication) in Urdhvajatrugata roga (diseases above the neck). Seeds are kept in a pottali (bolus of seeds in a cloth) and boiled in cow’s milk till it is reduced to half the quantity. Then the seeds are made into a fine paste with the leaf juice of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Mill.). This paste is applied as a layer over Kamsya patra (Bronze vessel) & placed in intense sun rays. Due to the heat Sneha (oil) is extracted from the paste which is used as an aphrodisiac & rejuvenative medicament.
Traditional uses of Vijaya in Ayurveda, cannabis is primarily classified as a medicinal herb with various therapeutic properties. Here are some key Ayurvedic properties associated with cannabis sativa.
1. Rasa (Taste): Vijaya is considered to have a pungent (katu), bitter (tikta), and astringent (kashaya) taste.
2. Virya (Potency): It is hot in potency (ushna), which means it generates heat in the body.
3. Vipaka (Post-digestive effect): Post-digestive effect of Vijaya is considered as pungent (katu). 4. Gunas (Qualities): It possess lightness (laghu) and dryness (ruksha) qualities.
5. Dosha Effects: Vijaya increase Vata dosha and Pitta dosha, while potentially reducing Kapha dosha.
Vijaya has been traditionally used for various therapeutic purposes. Some potential applications includes.
1. Pain Relief: Vijaya helps alleviate pain, especially in conditions like arthritis, colic, neuropathies.
2. Nervous System Support: It has calming effect on the nervous system and could be used for conditions like anxiety, stress, insomnia Psychosis, and Urustambha, Acute transverse myelopathy.
3. Digestive Health: Cannabis might stimulate the appetite and aid digestion. It has been used traditionally in cases of loss of appetite, Diarrhoea, Irritable bowel syndrome, Dyspepsia, and other digestive disorders. Krimi (helminthiases/ worm infestation)
4. Respiratory Health: Vijaya have bronchodilatory properties and has been used for respiratory conditions like asthma, Hiccups, Bronchitis
5. Skin Conditions: Topical applications of Vijaya are used in skin conditions like urticaria, eczema, psoriasis. It is indicated in few other conditions as well like fever, dyslipidaemia, Anaemia, Meningitis Prameha (Diabetes), Klaibya (Erectile dysfunction) and is used as rasanyana (adapto-immuno-neuro-endocrino-modulator.
The thing to note most of the protocols is with Bhaang –the one with lesser TCH.
And based on current research we know:
1.It can help pain management
2.It can help anxiety, and
3.Increase appetite.
And for that a simple Bhaang goli that is sold legally in several states is sufficient and it does not burn lot of money on shady portals or snake oil sellers.