Ancient & Classical2700 BC

Ancient Cannabis Use: China, India & Egypt

Explore the origins of cannabis use in ancient China, India, and Egypt — from Emperor Shen Nung's pharmacopoeia to sacred Hindu rituals and Egyptian medical papyri.

2700 BC

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Overview

Cannabis is one of humanity's oldest cultivated plants, with archaeological and textual evidence stretching back nearly five thousand years. In ancient China, Emperor Shen Nung is credited with cataloging cannabis as a medicinal herb around 2700 BC, recommending it for ailments ranging from rheumatism to malaria. The plant's fibers were equally valued, forming the basis of early Chinese paper and textile production. In India, cannabis held a sacred status within Hindu tradition. The Atharva Veda, composed between 1500 and 1000 BC, lists cannabis among five sacred plants and describes it as a source of happiness and liberation. Bhang, a preparation made from cannabis leaves, remains an integral part of religious festivals such as Holi to this day. Ancient Egypt also utilized cannabis for medical purposes. The Ebers Papyrus, dating to approximately 1550 BC, references cannabis-based preparations for inflammation and pain. Traces of THC have been detected in Egyptian mummies, suggesting widespread use across social classes.

The earliest written record of cannabis use appears in the Chinese pharmacopoeia Pen Ts'ao Ching, traditionally attributed to Emperor Shen Nung around 2700 BC. This text describes cannabis as a treatment for over one hundred ailments, including gout, rheumatism, and absent-mindedness. Chinese physicians continued to refine cannabis-based medicine for centuries, developing preparations that combined the plant with wine for use as surgical anesthetics during the Han Dynasty.

Hemp cultivation in China predates even its medicinal applications. Archaeological evidence from the Yangshao culture, dating to around 4000 BC, includes hemp fiber imprints on pottery. By the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC), hemp had become one of the most important agricultural crops, used for clothing, rope, and the earliest forms of paper. The Chinese character for hemp, ma, appears in some of the oldest surviving written records.

India's relationship with cannabis is deeply intertwined with spirituality. The Atharva Veda identifies cannabis as one of five sacred plants and associates it with the god Shiva. Three traditional preparations emerged: bhang (a drink made from leaves), ganja (smoked flower), and charas (hand-rolled resin similar to hashish). These preparations served both religious and medicinal purposes across Indian society for millennia.

Ayurvedic medicine, India's ancient healing tradition, incorporated cannabis into treatments for pain, insomnia, and digestive disorders. The Sushruta Samhita, an Ayurvedic text from roughly 600 BC, recommends cannabis for phlegmatic conditions and as an appetite stimulant. This medical tradition influenced cannabis use across Southeast Asia as Indian culture and trade routes expanded.

In ancient Egypt, the Ebers Papyrus (circa 1550 BC) documents cannabis use in suppositories designed to relieve hemorrhoid pain — one of the earliest recorded targeted drug delivery methods. Egyptian physicians also prescribed cannabis for inflammation, and the Ramesseum Papyrus references its use in eye care. The discovery of cannabis pollen on the mummy of Ramesses II (died 1213 BC) provides physical evidence of the plant's importance in Egyptian civilization.

Cannabis spread throughout the ancient Mediterranean world via trade routes. The Greek historian Herodotus described Scythian cannabis vapor baths around 440 BC, an account confirmed by archaeological discoveries of charred cannabis seeds in Scythian burial mounds. From the Mediterranean, cannabis knowledge traveled to the Islamic world, where hashish became widely consumed during the medieval period, eventually reaching Europe through returning Crusaders and Moorish Spain.

Key Figures

Emperor Shen Nung

legendary Chinese emperor credited with first pharmacopoeia listing cannabis

Hua Tuo

Han Dynasty surgeon who used cannabis-wine anesthetic (mafeisan)

Sushruta

Indian Ayurvedic physician who documented cannabis treatments

Herodotus

Greek historian who described Scythian cannabis rituals

Historical Significance

Ancient cannabis use demonstrates that humans have cultivated and consumed the plant for nearly 5,000 years across multiple civilizations, establishing it as one of the most enduring plant-human relationships in history.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was cannabis first used by humans?

The earliest documented cannabis use dates to approximately 2700 BC in China, where Emperor Shen Nung cataloged it as a medicinal herb. However, archaeological evidence of hemp fiber use extends back to roughly 4000 BC in Chinese Yangshao culture pottery.

How was cannabis used in ancient India?

Cannabis held sacred status in Hindu tradition and was consumed in three primary forms: bhang (a drink from leaves), ganja (smoked flower), and charas (hand-rolled resin). It was used in religious ceremonies, Ayurvedic medicine, and daily life. The Atharva Veda lists it among five sacred plants.

Did ancient Egyptians use cannabis?

Yes. The Ebers Papyrus (circa 1550 BC) documents cannabis in medical preparations for inflammation and pain relief. THC traces have been found on Egyptian mummies, including Ramesses II, indicating widespread use across Egyptian society.

How did cannabis spread across the ancient world?

Cannabis spread primarily through trade routes. From its origins in Central Asia, it moved to China, India, the Middle East, and Egypt. Greek historian Herodotus documented Scythian cannabis use around 440 BC. It reached Europe through Mediterranean trade, Islamic culture, and returning Crusaders.