The Scope of Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.) Use in Historical Conservation in India
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Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 17(2), April 2018, pp. 314-321 The scope of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) use in Historical conservation in India M Singh 1*, Divija Mamania2 & Vasant Shinde3 1National Museum Institute, Janpath, New Delhi-110 011, India; 2IITian’s Pace and Pace Junior Science College, Mumbai-400 028, India; 3Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Pune-411 006, India E-mail: [email protected] Received 22 September 2017, revised 11 December 2017 Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) has preserved the ancient artwork in India’s sacred Ellora Caves for 1500 years. The long life of earthen plaster of Ellora, despite damaging environmental parameters, may be attributed to the material properties of hemp which is fibrous and durable as studied through stereo and scanning electron microscope. The properties of Cannabis sativa (hemp) including its ability to repel insects and regulate humidity must have been known to the ancient Indian technicians in 6th CE. Moreover, Cannabis has an excellent carbon dioxide sequestering capacity and is green house negative and these properties were exploited by ancient Indians in cave murals of Ellora. The finding could be applied in future construction technology, as well as conservation of historical structures, where more sustainable materials are being sought. However, it would be illegal in places where Cannabis is banned. The numerous useful properties of hemp can also be exploited for several environmental friendly applications. This paper deliberates upon the utilization of this plant from the ancient period to its present use to regulate green house impact. Keywords: Cannabis sativa L., Shiv, Greenhouse, Conservation IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K 36/00, D01C, D07B 1/06, A01G 9/00, A01G 9/18, B41N 3/00 Cannabis is one of the oldest domestic plant in the long been used as medicine or mind-altering substance history of mankind, probably been utilized for more and the stem produces long durable fiber for textile, than 10,000 years, i.e., from the stone Age1,2. The rope, papers, etc.2. Among the various products, the Archaeologists of the Taiwanese site have discovered fibers derived from this plant have served as one of pots belonging to this period, made of fibers that are the most important application for human through presumed to be from Cannabis plant. The Cannabis the age4,5. Available data reveals that utilization of sativa, commonly known as marijuana in America is plant fiber for cloth processing may be dated as early as hemp plant distributed throughout the world. Hemp 30,000 years ago6. Hemp cultivation spread to Asian grows easily in most climates and enriches poor soils countries from China and it was adopted in India, after every crop3. The plant is more commonly where it served a religious purpose. In Atherveda, one identified today as potent psychoactive substance but of the oldest book of Hinduism, Cannabis has been for many years it was harvested primarily for its mentioned as one of the five sacred plants and fibers. Owing to its fast growth in both temperate and accordingly worshipped7. This recognized it as a plant tropical climate, hemp has been used for centuries to with the protection and reverence engendered by make variety of items such as rope, paper, clothing, cultural and religious acceptance. sails, etc. The fibrous strands of hemp are ideal for The use of Cannabis for recreational and fabric due to its increased durability over cotton. intoxicating purpose later spread through Asia to Since pre-historic times, biotypes of Cannabis have Europe. Despite many attractive features of plant, the also been widely exploited for number of other use of this drug did not catch fast in Europe. In fact, purposes. For example, seeds have been eaten and widespread use of Cannabis for its psychoactive crushed to produce oil for lamp or cooking. The properties in Europe did not occur until 1960 when it flowering heads and leaves produce resin that has was re-introduced by people and tourists from United States8. However, after its introduction, the attention —————— *Corresponding author focused on the medicinal value of Cannabis sativa SINGH et al.: THE SCOPE OF HEMP (CANNABIS SATIVA L.) USE IN HISTORICAL CONSERVATION IN INDIA 315 where its utility was discovered in the control and by ancient Indians in 6th century Ellora caves lost management of chronic health problems such as almost 1500 yrs ago but now restored through the HIV/AIDS, cancer, cachexia, glaucoma, nausea and recorded research16. Hemp is more durable and long vomiting, asthma, hypertension, etc.9-12. lasting compared to other type of vegetal fibers Hemp is probably one of the plants whose utility identified mixed in earthen plaster and ancient Indians has been underestimated and thus abandoned due to exploited this property of the hemp in the cave social belief attached to it. It is the purported negative paintings of Ellora. Besides, hemp fibers are natural aspect of this commercial crop that has prevailed and insecticides and pesticides, retains heat, is water influenced its utilization. proof, able to regulate moisture, sequester carbon Cannabis has long history of use for medical and dioxide, non-toxic, fire resistance and have insulating health purposes with the earliest documentation properties, able to absorb 90 % of the natural attributed to Shen Nung in 28th century BC. Shen noise17,18. All these properties of hemp were known to Nung strongly recommended the use of Cannabis the builders and inhabitants of Ellora Caves in 6th sativa to people for medical benefits. Shen Nung, a century of our era. By mixing hemp in the earthen mythical Chinese emperor and pharmacist prescribed plaster, the technicians created a very peaceful, use of Cannabis in his period in China for its sedative healthy, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing properties in treating pain and illness, countering the environment for Buddhist monks /Priest at Ellora. effect of evil spirit and for its psychoactive Indians used hempcrete technology (mixing of hemp 13,14 benefits . with binder like lime, cement, clay, etc.) not only in The physical evidence about the use of this plant as ancient cave murals of Ellora dating back from 6th medicine was also uncovered by an Israeli Scientist century CE to 11th century CE but also in the massive who found residue of Cannabis within the body of a Daulatabad fort lime plaster work19. It seems that the young woman who apparently died in child birth technology of mixing hemp in the earthen/lime plaster 1600 yrs ago. This discovery pointed towards the use passed from Ellora to nearby Daulatabad fort, situated of the plant to speed birth process and to ease the just 15 km South of Ellora caves and dateable to the associated pain during delivery period in ancient time. period 13th century CE to 16th century CE. In India, The intake of Cannabis has also been reported during due to Narcotic and Psychotropic Substance Act, 15 child birth previously in Egyptian papyri . 1985 (NDPS act), the use of Cannabis locally named There is recent resurgence in efforts to legalize as Bhang is banned for all other activities except Cannabis sativa for medical purposes. Much of the scientific research and medicine. The application of efforts are due to increasing use of marijuana by hemp in construction works in European countries AIDS patients who claim that cannabis reduce the started gaining popularity 1990 onwards due to its nausea and vomiting caused by the disease because it unique characteristics of regulating humidity and stimulates appetite thus helping the patients to regain absorbing carbon dioxide, specifically in cold weight loss during their illness. The sympathy for regions20,21. In 2011, the United State of America built these patients led to the establishment of ‘Cannabis first house using hempcrete (http://www.7daysnews.info/ Club’ in several major cities in United States. These archives/124800) but unfortunately media concentration organizations purchase marijuana in bulk and provide was more towards its narcotic properties rather than them in some cases free of charge to the patients its unique features. In Russia, the solitary properties suffering from AIDS, cancer and other diseases. of hemp were known for long time as hemp was the The Ancient Indian Hempcrete technology main item of Russian export. But the most ancient Cannabis has played an important role in example of hemp is reported from a tomb in China preserving the precious artworks within the ancient where it was found stored in a wooden pot22. cave of Ellora16. Probably, ancient Indians technicians Presently, the main producers of Industrial hemp are were first in the world to practice hempcrete France, Canada and China. Many other countries technology, i.e., mixing of Bhang in clay/lime plaster including India continue to fear its criminal for construction. However, a small reference about application and abuse which is traditionally associated finding of hempcrete dating 6th century CE is reported with the cultivation of hemp with damaged reputation. from under a bridge in France without any scientific However, it is the time to stress on increasing its investigative studies. The use of hemp in construction production in all countries under strict control for 316 INDIAN J TRADIT KNOWLE, VOL 17, NO. 2, APRIL 2018 industrial applications due to hosts of environmentally of drawing and marking on the rock before starting friendly reasons. Furthermore, hemp is a fast-growing the excavation required sizes and shapes by the plant and when compared with other available crops, craftsmen with the help of variety of tools and it is less dependent on the regional variations of training of the technicians25. Rock cutting architecture climate change, soil quality, nutrients and specifically has also been studied by several other scholars irrigation.