The beginnings of Cannabis began in the East:
We can find documents about its use as far back as 2900 BC. The first reference is from the Chinese emperor, Fu Hsi, the emperor who brought civilization to China. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers the body as a small version of the universe that surrounds it and its goal is to help people reach a state of harmony between the opposing forces of Yin and Yang . According to an ancient medical book by the famous emperor and herbalist Shennong, cannabis has several important properties, but in addition to that Shennong says that cannabis benefits the “5 viscera” (the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys and lower pancreas). TCM considers that cannabis has the energy of Yin and Yang at the same time, because having both at the same time is a perfect tool to achieve homeostasis, physical and mental balance.
Meanwhile in the West:
In the West, holistic medicine such as naturopathy and herbalism have been almost completely ostracized by society. This type of medicine, which originated in ancient civilizations such as Greece and Egypt, also aimed to achieve physical well-being and balance. Although there are not many records of the use of the cannabis plant in ancient Western medicine, it is known that it was frequently used for pain relief and as anesthesia. Today, holistic medicine and interest in preventative health are growing again.
A controversial story
The first scientific studies on the cannabis plant began at the end of the 19th century. We can find records of more than 2,000 different cannabis medicines produced by more than 280 companies before 1937. Shortly after, Western society began its prohibition campaigns and many politicians and businessmen described its use as harmful, even placing it as something more detrimental to health than other substances such as alcohol. This situation haunts the plant to this day.
In the 1960s, researchers isolated CBD and THC to study their beneficial effects on general health and to treat diseases and their symptoms. We have only been studying this magical plant under a microscope for 50 years, but the study of cannabis sativa has helped us understand the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS) and use this knowledge to improve people's lives.
