Indian Hemp or also known as Cannabis Indica was known among the oriental people at an early date. Hemp is found in records as early as the 5th century in a Chinese herbal. Also a group called the ismalians wrote in records, there is a mystery we know not, who'd dream so weak a plant such a mighty power could show! There is however an earlier reference to hemp than this, the Scythians took hemp seed and put it upon hot stones, then crept under the cloth and steamed themselves with the fumes given off by the hemp seed. The vapor caused such an effect that it caused them to shout aloud. Recent research shows that Indian hemp is stronger when inhaled than when swallowed, which is probably why these people used the hemp in this manner.
             The hemp was also used for medical purposes and was often called the laughter mover or the promoter of success. It was crushed and put on burns and scalds. Indian hemp first was widely used in India, Persia, and Arabia where millions of people applied it for many uses. It was often used by the Buddhists to protect animals and was often called the protector. It is said to have the ability to drive disease away, and kill monsters. It was often referred to as the best remedy, it prevented wandering fever and the evil eye...whatever that means. The name of cannabis is also sometimes called hashish or bhang. In the Arabian nights, for example, it says," Going up to gharib he blew the powdered bhang into his nostrils, til he lost his senses".
             Indian hemp in its hash form also got an evil reputation and its name was linked to many treacherous murders. In one old story a man named Omar and his two friends gave hashish a bad name. Omar, working with the political system in Persia, whose policy is to spread their views and become popular by the assassination of their strong opponents, led his friends into hash. In order to get his followers to follow him in his killing taught them to use hashish...