What Is Bhang?

Bhang is one of the oldest pot-infused edible recipes of all time. It is milk-based cannabis beverage that has been used for thousands of years. There are even old mythological stories praising the drink. Bhang still plays a role in modern Hindu culture. Some people drink it during religious holidays like Holi. Today, you can find bhang in Indian shops with government authorized permits to sell for religious purposes.

Bhang History

The literal translation of the word is the flower heads of cannabis. Flower tops in female cannabis plants have more THC than the other parts of the plant. A text from 1200-1000 B.C. describes bhang as a beneficial used to relieve anxiety.

The drink is associated with the Hindu god Shiva. In one legend, the Hindu gods are weakened from battle with demons. As a result, they seek the advice from one of the most important gods in the Hindu pantheon, Vishnu.

Vishnu instructs them to prepare the “amrita” or elixir of immortality. First, he tells them to “cast into the Milky Sea potent herbs, then take Mount Mandara for churning.”

It read like a recipe for the world’s largest batch of bhang. During the churning, several things were released including a poison that could destroy the world. That is when Shiva stepped up and drank it, poisoning himself instead. Fortunately, “Shiva on fire with the poison churned from the ocean was cooled by bhang.” Shiva devotees still drink bhang.

Religious bhang is supposed to be brought from the Himalayan mountain range. The Himalayas are home to Mount Everest, the mountain with the highest elevation above sea level.  Cannabis is brought from the Himalayas to symbolize that it is a gift from the gods above. Making it into bhang and drinking it is supposed to bring one closer to the gods.

Despite bhang being sold for religious purposes, many tourists have had a taste and gone home to talk about it. Now the drink is known worldwide. The best time to visit India and try bhang is during the 2-day Holi Hindu holiday.

Bhang Recipe

You won’t need to make cannabutter or any cannabis cooking oil before starting the process. However, you’ll need the following tools and ingredients.


  • Pot
  • Mortar
  • Pestle
  • Strainer
  • Stovetop


  • 2 cups water
  • 28g of cannabis buds
  • 4 cups of warm milk
  • 2 tablespoons chopped almonds
  • 1/4 cup ginger
  • 1/8 tsp garam masala, cinnamon, and cardamom
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 tsp rosewater






Final Sip: What Is Bhang?

Bhang is a cannabis-infused drink that people have been using to elevate spiritually for thousands of years. It’s a spiced drink that can be enjoyed during a trip to India or made at home.

(Original Article)