Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Grandma’s Ganja Habit - Bhang Lassi

Grandma’s Ganja Habit

Fulla Nayak lived in the village of Kanarpur in the coastal district of Kendrapada, Orissa. She lived in a cow-dung hut with her 92 year old daughter, Jamuna Nayak, and her 72 year old grandson, Narayan Nayak, in a region where cannabis seeds are plentiful.

Fulla Nayak died in November 2006, at the ripe old age of 120. Before her death, she was the oldest woman in the world, with her competition, Maria Esther de Capovilla of Ecuador, dying at 116.
A great number of people want to know the secret to Fulla’s good health in old age, and she herself attributes it to her use of marijuana. In India, cannabis seeds are something of a sacred symbol, and use of the plant is entrenched in daily life.

Fulla Nayak enjoyed a long and healthy life, and she certainly didn’t sacrifice any of life’s little delights. She smoked marijuana and cigars and drank strong palm wine, a life-style that is frowned upon by Western conservatives. But perhaps her permanent state of relaxation and joy allowed this intriguing woman to remain in perfect health for well over a century.

Cultivating marijuana seeds is common in the community, and Fulla Nayak used leaves to make tea and joints. Fulla is certain it is the pot that made her reach a Guinness World Record breaking age, and her grandson, Narayan, said he wanted to write to the Guinness World Record authorities and get his grandmothers name in its deserved spot.

Pot is a Part of Indian Culture
India has a long and varied history of marijuana use, and it has a strong connection with cannabis seeds. Marijuana’s use in religious ceremonies and practices dates back to 1500 BC, and is an integral part of religious rites.

Marijuana seeds have long been known to grow in abundance in various parts of India in the wild, and it has been recorded in the sacred texts of the Hindus, the Rig Veda, where a description of a drink called Soma can be found. It is believed that Soma was in fact a marijuana drink.

Reaching Spiritual Oneness with Shiva
Shiva, a significant Indian god, is strongly associated with cannabis. It is believed that the god loved its effects, and so it is thought that consuming the plant will lead to spiritual oneness with Shiva. While cultivating cannabis seeds and consuming the plant is illegal in India, an exception is made during the festival of Mahashivratri. This festival is known as the ‘Great Night of Shiva,’ and Shiva devotees consume cannabis in the form of Bhang on this special night.

Bhang is a traditional and delicious tea using cannabis leaves with a mixture of almonds, spices, milk and sugar. It is said that Shiva had an affinity for this tea, and the tea is thought to aid you in the journey to spiritual enlightenment, bringing you closer to Shiva himself.
Growing and cultivating marijuana seeds is an age-old custom of the peaceful Indian people.

Perhaps Fulla Nayak serves as an example of the health benefits of living a relaxed and happy life.

source : Robert Kane is the web editor of Sensible Seeds.

 Bhang Lassi

Ingredients:
• 1/2 Ounce cannabis
• 2 Cups warm whole milk
• 1/2 Cup sugar
• 1 tbsp Coconut milk
• 1 tbsp Almonds, chopped
• 1/8 tsp Ginger, powdered
• 1 Pinch garam masala
• 1/2 tsp Grenadine
• 1 Cup water

  
Method:




Bring water to a boil in a teapot and add cannabis to it.
Brew for about 7 to 10 minutes, then strain.
Gradually grind the strained cannabis along with 2 tbsp of milk, repeat this process several times.
Strain the milk into another bowl and keep aside.
Add a little more milk to the cannabis and grind it along with the almonds, repeat this several times.
Remove the cannabis and pour the milk, coconut milk, grenadine and boiled water into a container.
Combine ginger, sugar, and garam masala with it, keep stirring.
Bhang Lassi is ready to serve.





































Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Dandelions

One of nature's handiest items is probably waiting for you out on the lawn as you're reading this. The leaves are good eating in the spring, but the part we're talking about today is the root.

Dandelion root is a powerful diuretic. I've known several people who were able to stop taking prescription water pills after starting to drink Dandelion root tea.

One of the things that makes the Dandelion such an ideal diuretic is it's high potassium content which can be as much as 5%.

Potassium is one of the mineral leached from the body by diuretics.
Dandelion helps prevent some of the negative side effects of potassium loss. (Leg cramps anyone?)

Drinking the tea on a regular basis not only helps eliminate water retention but it also flushes your system out and can prevent kidney stones.

The best time to collect the root is in the summer. Split them in half lengthwise and let them dry.

To use;
  • Put 2-3 teaspoons full in a cup of water.
  • Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.

The roots can be slow roasted in a low oven until they are dark brown and used as a coffee substitue.