The History of Cannabis

Cannabis has been a very sensitive topic. Many people have been to jail, and many families have been torn apart over this plant called Cannabis. This is largely due to this plant having very strong properties that have been misused on a societal level, or is it? Cannabis has been deemed as illegal since 1931 by president Franklin D. Roosevelt. This was done as a way to tax Cannabis, which failed due to individuals incriminating themselves in the process. In order for people to use Cannabis, they needed a tax stamp, which entailed them reporting their location, and how much Cannabis they have. In other words, there was no real way of taxing Cannabis, so they incriminated anyone who was using it. Generally, we all know the damage that’s been done behind the idea and usage of cannabis. I personally believe that cannabis has been widely misused in modern society. That is due to the lack of practice, and education behind cannabis.

I do not want to focus on that side of history. Let’s focus on the side of history that further shows the importance of cannabis. Cannabis can be traced back as an herb being used for food, fiber, oils, and medicine before we even developed the idea of Christ. History can trace Cannabis being used in China. Cannabis was a plant used for its therapeutic properties. According to Mathre, 2012, “if taken in excess will produce hallucinations. Over a long period of time, it makes one communicate with spirits and lightens one’s body”. There have been hundreds of ailments treated through the use of Cannabis such as malaria, boils, gout, absent mindedness, hemorrhages, diarrhea and constipation. Cannabis has been used strategically as a powerful healing herb. Cannabis was used to stimulate the appetite of sick people and make them sleep (Mathre, 2012, pg 36).

According to the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, Cannabis has been widespread for centuries, as early as the 1500s, the plant was used in Africa for snake bites, to facilitate childbirth, malaria, fever, blood poisoning, anthrax, and asthma.

In India, Cannabis has been used for thousands of years. Cannabis was named as one of the five sacred plants, and was used as freedom of distress. Hemp, another form of Cannabis was used as a magical rite to overcome enemies. Cannabis in today’s society has been used much differently due to the ban of Cannabis, and the lack of education and practice. In the late 1800s, there were hundreds of testimonies from people being seen by doctors who used Hemp for treatments such as:

Cramps

Spasms

Headaches

Brain Fevers

Gonorrhea

Asthma

Bronchitis

Tuberculosis

Diabetes

Fevers

Digestion

Toothaches

Tooth Extractions

Chronic Pain

Anesthetics for minor surgery

This is just to name some of the major ailments we are familiar of. Cannabis was used for many other treatments. As we look at our relationship with cannabis in today’s society, it is much different than ancient practices. Cannabis was used to connect to the spiritual world. It was also used for healing, sickness, and food. In today’s society, more and more studies are being done by scientist. They are discovering the different strands of Cannabis, and the properties of Cannabis as well. Cannabis, as we have seen throughout history is a therapeutic plant, and should be used for its therapeutic and healing properties.

How can you take this knowledge, and apply it to how you use cannabis?

Must Have Plant in Your Garden: Mint

I will be discussing a must have plant that is essential to building a home garden. This plant is undoubtedly one of the most used herbs. We can find this herb in many of our daily foods and beverages such as salads, soups, smoothies, alcoholic drinks, toothpaste, teas, and ice cream. If you haven’t guessed by now, the herb I am referring to is mint. Mint is one of the most commonly used herbs, and we do not even realize how much of the food, beverages, and medicine we use contains mint. Mint is essential to our health. The nutrients that are packed in a mint leaf will amaze you, and the best thing about mint is that it grows at a very rapid pace, they are hard to get rid of, and they can withstand pretty much any weather. I grow a variety of mint, and they have lasted through extreme heat, and through 25-degree weather. My mint even survived a snowy Thanksgiving. I was very surprised to see how hardy my mint plants were.

There are a variety of mint plants. To name the most commonly used mint plants, we have mint, peppermint, sweet mint, spearmint, and chocolate mint. Each mint brings their own flavor, and can be used for both culinary, and healing purposes. I am going to discuss five common benefits mint plants have. Mint plants share many of the same benefits. Hopefully, after reading this blog, you are inspired to plant a variety of mint plants in your garden.

Benefits of having mint

1.      Mint is good for allergies. When you are having symptoms for an allergy, peppermint, either fresh, dry is a good herb to take to get relieve those symptoms. This is due to the antioxidants that are in the peppermint plant.

2.      Mint is great for oral health. As we all know, peppermint is a common plant used for oral health. Peppermint leaves can be used as a breath freshener.

3.      Mint improves brain function. This has been proven through science. Studies have proven that smelling the aroma improved their brain functionality in memory, calmness, and alertness. Mint also helps aid in decreasing anxiety, and frustration. In other words, the smell of mint has powerful healing power. That is why mint is one of the most commonly used essential oil.

4.      Mint is powerful in relieving colds. Peppermint is my home remedy for relieving colds. Whenever I feel like a cold is coming, I make peppermint tea, and it will go away almost immediately. Mint leaves can easily use as tea by drying them, and putting them in a tea bag, or by boiling mint leaves. It works wonders for colds.

5.      Mint is easily the easiest herb to grow. It is a must herb to implement in to your daily life. We are already using mint on a daily basis. Why not use it intentionally, and more extensively? It grows rapidly, and you will always have mint once you grow it. Once you have an abundance of mint, you can make your own ointments, oils, and teas. Mint is a must have in your garden. Now let’s live in abundance.

Who We Are

Many of us are plagued with poor health due to the lack of resources in our communities. Many of us are faced to overcome liquor stores, and fast food restaurants on every corner. Many of us have been passed down poor health choices and diets from our parents, and elders who have been misled in the same direction. Health is the most important factor to living a happy life. As a Matter of fact, good health is linked to individuals living a happy, fulfilling life. When we think of health, we usually think of diet and exercise. Health is more than the food we put in our bodies. Health is being connected to, and having the ability to redirect our thoughts (mental health). Health is how we take care of our outer bodies (physical health), and our connection to the universe, and an entity that’s greater than us (spiritual health). The beautiful thing about approaching health is that all aspects of our health are connected. For an example, meditation approaches the mind, body, and spirit. Plant medicine powers the mind, and cures the body which helps you become closer to your spiritual self. Many of us think it’s impossible to obtain optimal health, but it’s not. The mind, body, and spirit is intertwined.

Holistic Divine Innovation’s name was established in deep thought of approaching optimal health. We understand that there is an abundance of internal and external negative factors that is preventing individuals from living their best life. We want to change that. We want to provide an abundance of resources, and practices to offset these negative factors. Holistic Divine Innovation’s goal is in our name itself. Holistic (a whole approach) Divine (God like) Innovations (way of living) goal is to educate and show individuals across the world how to live, and maintain healthy, self-sustaining lives through the use of holistic practices. Our blogs are designed to approach our everyday needs, and struggles. Our ideas are practical, and can be implemented by anyone. We will provide resources, and step by step guides on how to approach simple and complicated tasks. As we stay connected to local communities, and communities across the world, we will provide information that will help individuals obtain the type of lives they want to live while staying true to our name.

Now for you, our supporter. Which aspect of health would you like to improve? What is something you battle with?