Bhang facts for kids
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Bhang (pronounced "Bhaang") is a special food or drink made from the leaves of the cannabis plant. It comes from the Indian subcontinent. People in ancient India have used it in food and drinks since about 1000 BC. Bhang is often shared during the spring festivals of Maha Shivaratri and Holi. You can find bhang in special shops that sell Indian drinks like bhang lassi and bhang thandai.
Contents
Bhang's History in the West
Some people from Western countries wrote about bhang a long time ago.
Early European Writings
Garcia de Orta, a doctor from Portugal, wrote about "bangue" in 1563. He lived in Goa, India. He wrote about how people, including some Portuguese, used it for fun. He also said that the Indian plant for "bangue" was different from the hemp plant in Europe.
In 1596, a man from the Netherlands named Jan Huyghen van Linschoten wrote about "Bangue." He included it in a book about his travels in the East. Later, a British adventurer named Thomas Bowrey was one of the first Westerners to write about bhang in the late 1600s and early 1700s.
How Bhang is Made
To make bhang, people grind cannabis leaves into a paste using a mortar and pestle. This paste can then be added to different foods.
Bhang Drinks and Foods
For a drink, the paste is mixed with milk and then filtered. People often add flavors like kusha grass, sugar, fruit, and various spices. In Mathura, India, you can find it in special drinks called bhang thandai and bhang lassi.
Bhang is also mixed with ghee (a type of clarified butter) and sugar to make a purple sweet called halva. It can also be made into small, chewy balls called goli (which means "tablet" or "pill" in Hindi). Another dish is bhang chutney, also known as 'bhangeera ki chutney'. This dish comes from Kumaoni cuisine in Uttarakhand. It is made by grinding seeds with mint, tomatoes, and different spices.
Bhang in Culture
Bhang is a part of old Hindu traditions and customs in the Indian subcontinent.
Traditional Uses and Beliefs
In some parts of rural India, people believe the cannabis plant has various helpful properties. If used in the right amount, bhang is thought to help with things like fever, dysentery, and sunstroke. People also believe it can help clear phlegm, aid digestion, increase appetite, and even help with speech problems. It is also believed to make the body feel more alert.
Bhang Lassi and Festivals
Bhang lassi is a drink made by mixing powdered green cannabis leaves with curd and whey. People blend it until a butter-like substance forms. Many find it tasty and refreshing.
Bhang lassi is allowed in many parts of India. It is mostly sold during the Holi festival. During Holi, people sometimes eat pakoras (fried snacks) that contain bhang. Some states in India, like Uttar Pradesh, have special shops licensed to sell bhang. In many places, you can buy bhang products and drink bhang lassis. States like Bihar and West Bengal also allow bhang to be made. Other states, like Rajasthan, do not allow bhang to be made there, but they do allow it to be bought and sold if it comes from states where it is legal.
The tradition of drinking bhang lassi during Holi is very common in North India. Holi is celebrated with great excitement there. Bhang is used a lot in Mathura, an old town important to Hindus. People believe that followers of Krishna started this practice there, and it has continued ever since. They often begin making bhang with Sanskrit chants and prayers. In Mathura, some people use bhang to help their appetite, while others use it to relax. The city of Varanasi is also a major center for bhang use, where it is prepared on its famous ghats (steps leading to a river).
Bhang Goli and Ayurveda
Bhang is also available as bhang goli. This is simply fresh ground cannabis mixed with water. Sweetened bhang golis are also common. These are seen as a traditional way to help with sleep and to increase appetite. After about two hours, bhang goli can make a user feel calm and meditative. Bhang is also used in many Ayurvedic medicines. You can legally buy bhang powder at Ayurvedic dispensaries (special pharmacies).
See also
In Spanish: Bhang para niños
- Bhangmeter
- Charas
- Desi daru
- List of Indian beverages
- Majoun
- Siemieniotka
- Bhangi Misl
