The initial record of human’s use of hemp/cannabis is from one of the islands of Taiwan, which is located on the off shore of mainland China. The archaeologists have unearthed an old village site, which dates way back over 10,000 years to Stone Age Era.

From the debris and trash of this ancient village, the archaeologists managed to find some bits and pieces of broken pottery. It could be seen that the pottery was delicately designed on wet clay by using strips of cord. But what was important to note was among the pottery was found a rod-shaped elongated tool, which was most likely used to loosen the cannabis fibres from the stems. These pots with patterns of fibres on their side suggest that man had used marijuana plant in some form or the other from the pre-historic era.

Though the traces of ancient Chinese fabric have disappeared, in the year 1972 an ancient civilization dating back to the Chou dynasty (1122-249 B.C.) was excavated. Among the things that were unearthed were some bronze containers, pieces of cloth, pieces of jade and some weapons. On studying the nature of the cloth, traces of hemp were found in it, making it the oldest specimen in existence. China is called as the land of hemp and mulberry.

It was found that ancient Chinese used hemp for manufacturing shoes as well as to weave cloth. The use of cannabis for over 10,000 years is so much, but it is hardly talked about.

Mr Hua Tuo, an early Chinese surgeon, is credited for being the 1st person recorded to make use of cannabis as anaesthetic. He would powder the plant, mix it wine and give it to patients before conducting surgery.

Every single part of the cannabis plant is used for medication purpose. Below given are some uses:

• Cannabis flowers are used to cure 120 diseases, help in mensuration disorder and healing of wounds.

• Achenia is usually considered to be poisonous. It simulates the nervous system, but if excessively used may cause staggering gait and hallucinations. They are used as local anaesthesia.

• The oil is used for sulfur poisoning, falling hair and throat dryness.

• The bark or its stalk is diuretic.

• The root juice is beneficial for retaining post-partum haemorrhage and for retaining placenta

With these many uses, it’s not surprising that the history of cannabis dates back to more than 10,000 years. Now it’s just that the miracle plant has to get global acceptance.