Understanding Bhang (Cannabis sativa): An Ayurvedic and Modern Perspective

-

Understanding Bhang (Cannabis sativa): An Ayurvedic and Modern Perspective

Category: Agadtantra (Toxicology) 

Bams 2 nd year


Introduction

  • cannabis is a generic term used to denote several psychoactivepreparation of the plant Cannabis sativa.
  • It is the oldest psychoactive substances used by man
  • It is widely used as recreational substances & in medicinal drugs.
  • It is called as the gateway drug.
  • It is more commonly called as marijuana.
  • Other names - weed, pot, grass, herb, maryjane etc...

classification

  • Botanical name: Cannabis sativa/indica
  • Family: Cannabinaeae
  • Hindi - bhang, bhanga
  • English - Indian Hemp
  • Sanskrit - bhang, madani, matulani
Varieties:sub species
1. Cannabis sativa
2. Cannabis indica
3. Cannabis ruberalis

Synonyms: भङ्गः, मादिनि

 Toxic part: All parts of the plants stem, root, and seed of cannabis.

Type of poison

According to Modern
1. Neurotic cerebral poison
2. Stupefying poison
3. Deliriant poison

According to ayurveda
1. Sthavara-visha
2. Upavisha- Rasatarangini
3. Moolavisha-Sushruta

Rasa panchaka

  • Rasa: Tikta
  • Guna: Laghu, tikshna, vyavahi
  • Virya: Ushna
  • Vipaka: Katu
  • Prabhava: mada
  • Karma: vatahara & kaphahara

Active principal

  • Cannabis is a complex plant with over 400 chemical entities of which more than 60 are cannabinoids
  • Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)- major psychoactive
  • Cannabidiol (CBD)& Cannabinol- non psychoactive
  • Tetra-hydroxy-cannabinol (THC)
  • All parts of the plants, male and female contain the active material.But its resin contains maximum concentration. than in flowers & than in leaves.
  • The concentration of THC in Bhang 15%
  • The concentration of THC in Ganja 25%
  •  The concentration of THC in Charas 25 to 40%.
Most potent cannabis preparation and contains (20-30%)THC

  •  Ganja: Resinous extract of leaves and bracts of female plant.
  • Bhanga: Dried leaves and stem made into a decoction.
  • Majun: Sweet meat prepared with plant extract.

External Features

• It is found throughout India in the form of a 2-4 feet tall trees

• Leaves: Leaves are approximately 5-20 cm long, pointed, broad at the base, thick from the top, light yellowish-green, downward curved, and female plant leaves are longer, stronger, and specifically flavorful compared to male plant leaves.

  •  Flowers: Small, yellow green
  •  Color: Deep green
  •  Odour: strong odour
  •  Taste: bitter
  •  Fruits : Ovate flat.
  •  Seeds : flat seeds, achene.

Modern Pharmacology.

Analgesics,

hallucinogenics,

hypnotic, sedative,

anti-inflammatory

Sign and Symptoms

• Acute Poisoning

• Euphoria with drowsiness and disorientation.

• Temporal and special disorientation with intensification of senses/colours become brighter, sounds become more distinct

• Motor incoordination

• Stimulation of appetite

• Tachycardia, palpitation, hypotension

• Conjunctival congestion, miosis

• Characteristic burnt rope odour

• IV intake causes headache, diplopia, vertigo, dyspnoea, hypotension

Chronic Poisoning

• In Chronic poisoning of cannabis symptoms like loss of appetite, wasting, weakness, tremors, impotence, sterility due to reduced sperm count & testosterone, gynacomastia, moral & mental deterioration are seen.

Treatment of Poisoning:

According to Ayurved

• First stomach wash is given then a demulcent like cow's clarified butter is used

• Purgatives should be used.

• Hemagarbha Maatraa may be used

  • As Amla rasa (sour taste) reduces the delirient effect of Bhangaa, sour drugs like tamarind, lemon, butter milk may be used in treatment.

According to Modern

• Stomach wash

• Saline purgatives (like Sodium Sulphate & Sodium Phosphate) may be helpful.

• Strong tea or coffee by mouth or rectum.

• For violence and aggressiveness - Inj. Diazepam 5-10mg can be given.

• Artificial Respiration

• Hypodermic Injection of strychnine is given if necessary.

• In Chronic toxicity, Antidepressant may be used.

Fatal Dose

  •  Bhang- 10gm/kg body wt.
  • Ganja-8gm/kg body wt.
  •  Charas-2gm/kg body wt.

   Fatal Period

  • 12-24 hours

Purification:

Dry leaves of it are washed with water, dried in sunlight. Later on it is roasted with cow ghee on low flame & then cool it & store in container.

Postmortem Appearances:

• Fragments of Bhanga leaves, seeds and cannabinone may be found in stomach.

• Brain congestion, Bleeding.

• Appearance of Asphyxia.

Medico Legal Importance:

• Accidental poisoning is common.

• Rarely used for homicide and suicide

• Commonly used as stupefying poison before robbery,kidnaping, Rape.

• It is used as aphrodisiac agent. It is so claimed and is supposed to increase the duration of coitus but the action is not certain.

• The victim may be Run amoke

Medicinal Preparations:

• Trailokya sammohan

• Madanodaya Modak

• Trailokya Vijaya vati.

Amayika Prayoga

In Insomnia

Leaves + goat milk - made into a paste for application on forehead.


.

.

.


Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Cannabis is a regulated substance, and its use should only occur under the guidance of a qualified medical professional

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gunja (Abrus precatorius): The Beautiful Poison

-
Image
  Gunja (Abrus precatorius): The Beautiful Poison – An Ayurvedic and Modern Perspective Category: Agadtantra (Toxicology) Bams 2 nd year In the world of Agadtantra (Ayurvedic Toxicology), few plants are as visually striking and paradoxically dangerous as Gunja. With its vibrant red seeds tipped with black, it resembles a jewel, leading to its use in beads and ornaments. However,  this is beautiful exterior lies a potent poison known as Sthavar Visha Today, we dive deep into the properties, toxicity, and medicinal transformation of Gunja, based on classical Ayurvedic and modern prospective  Introduction Latin name: Abrus precatorius . English - Rosary pea, indian liquorice root. Sanskrit - Raktika, kaakananti,tamrika. Family - Leguminaceae Utpattisthana - Everywhere in india   External Features Characterized by Shrub like climbers with many branches. Leaves - Like tamarind tree, (2-3 inches long) flowers - Small yellowish green Odour - Odourless Rasa Panc...
Read more

Ahiphena (Opium): Bridging Ayurvedic Wisdom and Modern Toxicology

-
Image
 Ahiphena (Opium): Bridging Ayurvedic Wisdom and Modern Toxicology Category: Agadtantra (Toxicology) Bams 2 nd year In the world of Agadtantra (Ayurvedic Toxicology) and modern forensic medicine, few substances are as fascinating—and dangerous—as Ahiphena, commonly known as Opium or the Poppy plant. Known for its potent medicinal properties and high potential for abuse, understanding Ahiphena requires a look at both its traditional Ayurvedic classification and its modern pharmacological profile. Introduction Latin Name : Papaver Somniferum. Family : Papaveraceae. Vernacular Names   Sanskrit : Aaphuk, Ahiphen, Naagphen,   Niphen, Amal. Marathi : Aphu Hindi : Afim English : Opium, Poppy plant . Classification: According to Ayurved - Sthavara vegetative poison Upavisha (Bhavaprakash & Rasatarangini) According to Modern science - Neurotic Cerebral Somniferous Properties   Guna : Laghu, Ruksha,Sukshma, Vyavayee, Vikasee. Rasa : Tikta. Vipaka : Katu. Veerya : ...
Read more

The Suicide Tree : Unveiling the Secrets of Cerbera odollam

-
Image
  The Suicide Tree: Unveiling the Secrets of Cerbera odollam Category: Agadtantra (Toxicology) Bams 2 nd year Nature is full of contradictions.  the most beautiful flora harbors the deadliest secrets . A prime example of this paradox is Cerbera odollam, a plant known by the ominous moniker  " The Suicide Tree " . Native to South India and Southeast Asia, this plant is a subject of significant interest in both Ayurveda and modern toxicology . Let’s dive deep into the morphology , toxicity , and medicolegal importance of this deadly beauty of Cerbera Odollam. Cerbera Odollam    Name of Poison: Cerbera Odollam   Botanical Name: Cerbera odollam   English Names: Suicide Tree, Pong-pong tree   Sanskrit Names : Auddalalka, Svanamara   Family : Apocynaceae Classification   Ayurveda : Plant poison (Sthavara Visha)   Modern : Cardiac poison (affects the heart) Description  Origin: Native to South India and Southeast Asia  Habitat: ...
Read more

आरोग्यवर्धिनी वटी: रसरत्नसमुच्चयांतर्गत एक सर्वांगीण शास्त्रीय व चिकित्सकीय समीक्षा

-
आरोग्यवर्धिनी गुटिका (रसरत्नसमुच्चय... विसर्पादी चिकित्सा) १) घटक द्रव्य द्रव्य — प्रमाण शु. पारद — १ भाग शु. गंधक — १ भाग लोह भस्म — १ भाग ताम्र भस्म — १ भाग अभ्रक भस्म — १ भाग हरितकी — २ भाग } बिभितकी — २ भाग } (त्रिफळा) आमलकी — २ भाग } शु. शिलाजतू — ३ भाग शु. गुग्गुळ — ४ भाग चित्रक — ४ भाग कुटकी (Main) — २२ भाग - यकृत उत्तेजक, तिक्त रसात्मक निम्ब स्वरस / पत्र (भावना देण्यास २ दिवस) २) निर्माण विधी - पारद आणि गंधक कज्जली खल्व मध्ये टाकावी. भस्म घ्यायचा, त्रिफळा घ्यायचा खल्व मध्ये कुटुन घ्यायच (२ दिवस) गुग्गुळ टाकून वटी तयार करायची. वटी सुकवून काचेच्या भरणी मध्ये साठवून ठेवली. निम्ब स्वरस टाकून भावना तयार करायची एकजीव करायच - २ दिवस ३) मात्रा - 250 - 500 mg tablet ४) अनुपान - आर्द्रक स्वरस, मध, जल ५) उपयोग - कुष्ठ कुष्ठ रोग, वातज पित्तज कफज ज्वर, यकृत उत्तेजक, मेदज रोग ६) अशुद्ध असल्यास - रोग अधिकार (१) सर्व प्रकारचे कुष्ठ (२) वातज, पित्तज, कफज कुष्ठ (३) यकृत उत्तेजन (४) मेदज रोग ७) Chemical Composition :-  Mercury (Hg)  Sulphur (S)  Iron (Fe_2So_3) Ferric oxide.  P...
Read more

Spider Poison (लूता विष) : Ayurvedic and modern aspect

-
Image
  Spider Poison (लूता विष) : Ayurvedic and modern aspect  Category: Agadtantra (Toxicology) Bams 2 nd year निसर्गात अनेक जीव आहेत, ज्यांच्यापासून आपल्याला इजा होऊ शकते. आयुर्वेदामध्ये अशा विषारी प्राण्यांचा आणि त्यांच्या विषाचा सखोल अभ्यास 'अगदतन्त्र' या शाखेमध्ये केला जातो. आज आपण अशाच एका विषयावर माहिती घेणार आहोत, तो म्हणजे लूता विष (Spider Poisoning) .  Introduction अगदतन्त्राची व्याख्या: “अगदतन्त्रं नाम सर्पकीट लूता मूषकादि दष्ट विष व्यञ्जनार्थं  विविध विषसंयोगोपर्शमनार्थञ्च | (सु. सु.१/१४)" आयुर्वेदाच्या आठ शाखांपैकी एक असलेल्या अगदतन्त्राचा उद्देश सर्प (साप), कीट (कीटक), लूता (कोळी), मूषक (उंदीर) इत्यादींच्या दंशाचे निदान आणि विविध प्रकारच्या विषांवर उपचार करणे हा आहे.   लूता विष म्हणजे कोळी चावल्यामुळे होणारे विषबाधा.   याचे वर्णन जांगम विष (प्राणीजन्य विष) या अंतर्गत केले जाते. Classification (वर्गीकरण) संख्येनुसार सुश्रुत - १६   वाग्भट - २८   विषाच्या तीव्रतेनुसार  तीक्ष्ण विष लूता : ७ दिवसांच्या आत मृत्यू होतो....
Read more