Ayurvedic medicine uses cannabis — along with other components — to treat various diseases, each of which involves a different form of preparation and administration to enhance the effect:
Hypertension: The so-called Bhang (a cannabis-based beverage) is used as a treatment for high blood pressure. That said, this is a remedy that should be used on an occasional basis only, with Ayurveda contemplating other cannabis free recipes for long-term treatments.
Glaucoma: Bhang is used to reduce intraocular pressure and for occasional stimulation of the nervous system.
Cannabis as a diuretic: Cannabis juice is employed to reduce bladder inflammation and for the removal of kidney stones.
Cannabis as a healing substance: The powder obtained from the dry, mashed leaves of cannabis is applied to open wounds to speed up the healing process.
Skin infection: Fresh cannabis leaves poultices are utilized for treating skin infections and ailments such as rash, irritation, and herpes as well as to provide relief from the itchy and painful skin.
Lack of appetite and digestive issues: in combination with digestive herbs, Bhang is used to ensure the proper functioning of the digestive system.
Sexual dysfunction: In combination with other aphrodisiac herbs and certain foodstuffs (almonds, sesame seeds…), Bhang makes a powerful aphrodisiac and is often consumed by brides during their wedding night. That said, Ayurvedic medicine makes it clear that cannabis used for such a purpose should be taken in low doses and on an occasional basis only in order to avoid the exact opposite effect.
Cannabis as an appetite suppressant: Ayurvedic medicine has been aware of this for hundreds of years, developing recipes that combine cannabis with tobacco and act as appetite and libido suppressants.
Mental illness: The resin of cannabis is used occasionally to treat psychiatric conditions and the so-called ‘charas’ is employed as a remedy for insomnia.