Shiva's Herbal Medicine

The cannabis plant serves a thousand purposes and is a remarkably renewable resource (it literally grows like a weed). This global shift towards legalization is long overdue, and offers hope that we can yet reverse the absurd suppression and violent defamation this sacred plant has suffered in the last century.
In his book Shiva’s Broken Dream— detailing the world history of cannabis and the powerful movements to vilify it — Mel Thomas relates how,

“The Vedas… describe how cannabis was created when the Gods stirred the heavenly oceans with the peak of Mount Mandara. A drop of amrita (heavenly nectar) fell from the sky and a sacred cannabis plant sprouted on the spot. Lord Siva brought the cannabis plant down from Mount Mandara for the pleasure of Mankind and for this the plant was consecrated to him [Siva]. Indeed, there are some intriguing theories that the cognitive and spiritual evolution of mankind was due in part to our interaction with sacred plants acting as vehicles for higher consciousness. For example, did you know mushroom spores can survive the vacuum of outer space?”

The Ayurvedic tradition recognizes marijuana (known as vijaya in Sanskrit) as a medicinal herb.

We all know that cannabis has been used for millennia now. But the way Hindus respect and admire the plant, no group does. According to Hindu stories, cannabis is something divine as it is a Prasad from deity Lord Shiva. But have you ever wondered, where did this all come from? Why is Lord Shiva associated with cannabis?

Marijuana is among the five most sacred plants.
Did you know that according to the fourth book of the Vedas, Atharva Veda, Cannabis is considered to be one of the five kingdoms of herb that relieve anxiety? Thus, being a sacred plant, it is used as a religious and spiritual element.
It was during the Samudra Manthan when Lord Shiva first encountered Cannabis.

According to the legend of Samudra Manthan, some devas and rakshas shook the ocean to obtain Amrita. Due to the churning, a lethal poison names Halahala was released which was so powerful that it could destroy all the creation.
To protect the creation, Lord Shiva consumed the poison and then...

To protect the universe, Lord Shiva consumed the poison. This situation gave him the title of Neelkanth. Later, to cool Lord Shiva down, he was offered Bhang.
There is another legend that states how Lord Shiva began consuming cannabis

According to the sources, once while Shiva was wandering in the field after a resentful debate with his family, he fell asleep under a leafy plant. After waking up, Lord Shiva felt hungry and so consumed the leaves of the cannabis plant. After consuming it, he realised that it is a refreshment. He then made it his favourite food and became the Lord of Bhang.
Three types of Prasad made from Cannabis.

In India, cannabis aka Bhang usually is brewed into a drink. It is made from Marijuana leaves and flowers.
Then comes Ganja, which is dried flower, stems and leaves of the cannabis plant.
And finally comes Charas, which is prepared from the apex of a full blooming Cannabis flower.
Lord Shiva is described to consume cannabis as food.

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