Bhang Definition and Meaning

For a simple Bhang Thandai, follow these steps. Start by putting two cups of water on the stovetop and bringing to a boil. Steam cannabis leaves and flowers in boiling water for 10 minutes before removing from the heat. To remove the plant material, strain the liquid and set it aside. Place three cups of milk in a pan on the stovetop and warm. Bring the cannabis and several tea spoons of warm milk to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir well with a wooden spoon or wire whisk. Toss the cannabis and add another two tea spoons of warm milk. Strain the plant material, then set aside the liquid. Combine the water and milk in a mixing dish before serving. Stir in any remaining milk, spices, ground almonds, rose water, or sugar before serving. Serve promptly after chilling for optimum results.

Bhang is one of the most traditional forms of marijuana-based edibles in the world and has been around for many years. It is a popular way of ingesting the herb among Northern Indians and is also an integral part of Hindu culture.

Let’s look at what bhang is and how to make your own refreshing cannabis-based drink at home.

What is Bhang?

“Bhang” is most commonly associated with a paste made from female marijuana leaves and flowers. Yet, the term can also apply to drinks that use this particular type of paste.

The primary ingredients of bhang are cannabis leaves and flowers, which are soaked in water before being crushed into a paste. To make bhang goli, the paste is typically molded into a smooth, glossy, and green to dark brown color.

A popular beverage known as “bhang thandai” is made with bhang. It also includes milk, ground nuts, and several spices. During religious festivals like Holi, bhang thandai is typically consumed. Although this may sound unpleasant, Hinduism does not consider the notion of destruction to be a negative characteristic because it allows new life to emerge.

Shiva is a popular deity in Hinduism. There are many tales about Shiva in Hindu mythology. It is said that Shiva brought bhang as a present to the whole world from the Hindu Kush mountain range. Because he uses bhang on a daily basis to enhance his abilities, Shiva has been known as the “Lord of Bhang.” The connection between Shiva and bhang is so strong that there’s even a marijuana strain named after him – check out our review here!

In India, bhang is a well-known and socially acceptable custom. It is so widespread that when the British invaded the country in the nineteenth century, they determined that prohibiting its use would result in too much social upheaval. As a result, they permitted the consumption of bhang to continue, and it may still be purchased in authorized stores today, especially in northern parts of the nation.

Benefits of Bhang

Bhang has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, with religious and ritual usages. It is one of the five sacred plants described in the Atharva Veda (an ancient Hindu text compiled between 2000 and 1400 BC), which is one of India’s four canonical Vedas. According to folklore, it is able to cure a wide range of ailments, including headaches, hangovers, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, depression, arthritis pain relief, skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis (Psoriasis: A Modern Perspective). It also helps people sleep better by reducing anxiety and stimulating certain receptors in their brains as well as providing an euphoric high. The active compounds are THC and its psychoactive metabolite JWH-018. THC stimulates appetite while reducing nausea and vomiting; whereas JWH-018 blocks fat synthesis by inhibiting enzymes involved in fatty acid beta-oxidation.

• Digestive issues
• Headaches and migraines
• Anxiety
• Pain and rheumatism
• Fever
• Sunstroke
• Dysentery
• Malaria

We also know now that components in cannabis, such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, have a long list of health benefits. When it comes to recognizing the plant’s numerous advantages, the Hindus appear to have been a beat ahead of the competition.

Bhang has many non-healthcare uses as well. Sadhus (Hindu holy men) use it to help them during mediation and yogic practice, for example. According to legend, ancient warriors would even drink bhang before battle to calm their nerves! One such story tells of how a very anxious soldier gained the bravery from bhang to slide underneath an armed elephant and kill it in one fell swoop–which then led his army straight into victory.

Many believe that Bhang acts as a potent aphrodisiac, which might explain why the most famous sexual guide ever written, the Kama Sutra, was published in a country where cannabis is part of everyday life.

Bhang Thandai Recipe

If you want to make bhang at home, it’s not as complicated as you might think. You can find many ways to prepare bhang thandai with a simple internet search.

In India, going into a bhang shop, purchasing some goli, and processing it with the rest of the components is simple. However, in today’s society, we must be more inventive.

To prepare bhang traditionally, you’ll need some unique tools such as a mortar and pestle. It is simple to produce your own infused beverage after you have this.

This delicious bhang thandai recipe is perfect for trying at home.

Bhang Thandai Recipe (serves two)

For our bhang thandai recipe, you will need the following equipment and ingredients:

Equipment

• Large saucepan with lid
• Mortar and pestle
• Fine mesh strainer or muslin cloth

Ingredients

• ½ – 1 ounce of fresh cannabis leaves and flowers
• 2 cups of water
• 3 cups full-fat milk
• ½ cup sugar or honey
• 2 tbsp ground almonds
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground fennel seeds
• ¼ tsp garam masala
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ tsp cardamom
• ½ – 1 tsp rosewater
• Chopped pistachios to garnish (optional)

Method

1. Boil water in a pan on the stovetop.
2. While you wait, finely chop your cannabis leaves and flowers.
3. Put the cannabis in boiling water and turn off the heat.
4. Add a cup of boiling water to the bowl and leave for 10 minutes.
5. Strain the plant material from the water using a cheesecloth, and set liquid aside.
6. Place the milk in a pan and warm on the stovetop.
7. Use a mortar and pestle to grind the cannabis into a paste, adding in a few teaspoons of warm milk to help with the process.
8. Continue adding milk a few teaspoons at a time and grinding until you’ve used about half a cup.
9. Strain the plant material from the milk and set liquid aside.
10. Squeeze the paste to ensure that you get out all of that marijuana goodness.
11. In order to extract the cannabinoids, add together the water and milk. Make sure to mix well.
12. Next, add the remaining milk, spices, ground almonds, and rosewater. Add sugar or honey to taste.
13. Chill and stir well before serving.

Note

This recipe is for people who want to use fresh cannabis leaves and flowers. If you grow your own, this is a great way to manage extra fan leaves and trim. You can make the recipe with dried and cured bud, but it will be tougher to get the paste right. Dried flower may also result in a more potent bhang thandai, so adjust how much you use as needed.

Getting the Most Bhang for Your Buck

THC and CBD are fat-soluble cannabinoids, therefore you’ll want to combine them with a high-fat substance to maximize their absorption. As a result, making your bhang thandai with whole-fat cow’s or goat’s milk is ideal.

If you’re vegan, you could attempt using plant-based milk in your bhang thandai, but it may not be as potent. Choose milk with a higher than average fat content, such as coconut milk, to get the most bang for your buck. Adding a spoonful of yogurt, ghee, butter or coconut oil to the finished product can also enhance the fat content of your bhang.

Final Thoughts

Bhang is a classic method of consuming marijuana enjoyed by Hindus in northern India. It is utilized to assist with relaxation and meditation, as well as offering a variety of health advantages.

Bhang thandai is a drink that is often prepared with bhang and consumed during religious celebrations. With just a few basic items, you may produce your own bhang thandai at home, which is both delicious and refreshing.

If you have consumed cannabis in the form of edibles before, then you know that this method is potent and can take up to two hours for the effects to set in. With bhang, it is best to start with a small amount and increase incrementally until you find a dose that works well for you.