Cannabis in India || Article + Recipe!!

Cannabis in India

Like the majority of ancient colonies, those in ancient India also discovered the medical properties of Cannabis. Cannabis has been used in Ayurvedic and Indian medicine for over 3000 years.

Currently cannabis is illegal in India, however, how they classify "cannabis" is quite interesting. 

In India Cannabis is classified as: The flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant, excluding the seeds and leaves. The seeds and leaves are legal providing they are not accompanied by the flower and in most Indian states bhang 

Indian culture and Ayurvedic medicine refer to the leaves and seeds of cannabis as Bhang and it is the most common method of preparation of Cannabis, traditionally used in food and drink in the Indian culture.

Using mortar and pestle, the buds and leaves of cannabis are ground into a paste. 

To this mixture, milk, ghee and spices are added.

Bhang has become an integral part of tradition and custom in the Indian subcontinent. 

In some sections of rural India, people attribute various medicinal properties to the cannabis plant. 

If taken in proper quantity, bhang is believed to cure fever, dysentary, sunstroke, to clear phlegm, aid in digestion, appetite, cure speech  and lisping, and give alertness to the body!

Holi (pronunciation: /ˈhoʊliː/; Sanskrit: होली Holī) is a spring festival, also known as the festival of colours or the festival of sharing love. It is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia. The celebration is often capped off with Bhang Milkshakes!!! 

We've included a delicious Bhang Milkshake Recipe! Try it out and let us know what you think! We've gone with the western version utilizing leaves and flower/buds in place of seeds.

Medicate responsibly and please drink 1/4 a cup at a time until you see how you are affected. Do not operate heavy machinery, this milkshake is NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN. This milkshake contains enough cannabis to intoxicate you.can only be sold by authorized retailers. 

Flavoured Bhang

Ingrediants

2 cups water

1 ounce marijuana (fresh leaves and flowers of a female plant preferred for western preparation. 1 ounce seeds and leaves for traditional indian prep)

4 cups warm milk

2 tablespoons blanched and chopped almonds

1/8 teaspoon garam masala (a mixture of cloves, cinnamon, and cardamon)

1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger

1/2 to 1 teaspoon rosewater

1 cup sugar

Bring the water to a rapid boil and pour into a clean teapot. Remove any seeds or twigs from the marijuana, add it to the teapot and cover. Let this brew for about 7 minutes. 

Now strain the water and marijuana through a piece of muslin cloth, collect the water and save. 

Take the leaves and flowers and squeeze between your hands to extract any liquid that remains. Add this to the water. 

Place the leaves and flowers in a mortar and add 2 teaspoons warm milk. Slowly but firmly grind the milk and leaves together. Gather up the cannabis and squeeze out as much milk as you can. Repeat this process until you have used about 1/2 cup of milk (about 4 to 5 times). Collect all the milk that has been extracted and place in a bowl. By this time the marijuana will have turned into a pulpy mass. 

Add the chopped almonds and some more warm milk. Grind this in the mortar until a fine paste is formed. Squeeze this paste and collect the extract as before. Repeat a few more times until all that is left are some fibers and nut meal. Discard the residue. 

Combine all the liquids that have been collected, including the water the marijuana was brewed in. Add to this the garam masala, dried ginger and rosewater. Add the sugar and remaining milk. 

Chill, serve, and enjoy. 

Source: Wikipedia

Urban Earth Med Victoria

2020 Douglas St

Victoria BC

778-265-8367

Sign Up Now!!